Overseas luggage... urgent...

B

Bob W

Joined
Dec 31, 2000
Messages
17,079
What sort of luggage do you long-distance air travelers use?

I'm thinking of a larger heavy-duty duffel bag with TSA locks. But which brand is durable without being too expensive? How large of a bag?

How 'bout a recommended carry-on bag?

I'm headed to Australia next week and need to order something tonight.
 
As a person who travels all the time and to many different countries, I need very strong luggage and the best I have found so far is Rimowa. However, they are expensive. The advantage is that they are made from polycarbonate and are very light, about a couple of pounds for a large suitcase so you have more weight available for your stuff, and are virtually indestructible. The airlines have still managed to break two of them over the years and Rimowa has replaced them both free of charge each time. That alone has made them cost effective despite the high initial cost. They come with TSA locks as standard and various sizes are available. Go to www.rimowa.com if that sounds like what you would be interested in.

If you don't travel a lot then they may be overkill. Eddie Bauer makes good backpacks that last forever and have a lifetime guarantee anyway. Good luck.
 
Rimowa... Holy crap, it would be cheaper to get new stuff on each arrival! ;)
 
check The North Face: www.thenorthface.com

their stuff is pretty good. you can find duffels that have sealed zippers which makes the waterporrof, duffels with wheels for airports, etc.

the prices are not bad but not great.
 
Thanks Ipm. I didn't think of outdoor companies right offhand, but I'll look into them.

I see there's a Mountainsmith luggage/duffel currently on closeout at Sierra Trading Post.

What size bags do you guys normally carry on overseas trips? I'm on a two-week trip, but will have access to laundry in the evenings. And my most bulky stuff, the mine gear, is being shipped with the equipment. So mostly just two weeks of personal items and a few days of clothes...
 
i am not a clothes horse. i manage with a medium sized duffel. if you get The North Face one getting the 'largest' one will be more than enough. they are big bags. you can bring stuff back in them too.

FYI: North FAce duffels have a dual carry strap: shoulder (like a kids back pack) and strap like a laptop bag. nice...
 
I travel a fair bit and always use a full size burgan, they usually come with a rain cover that can be locked at the zip. They are pretty good for keeping grubby hands out.

You can get a good 65-85 ltr pack for about 50-80 bucks :thumbup:
 
Can the North Face, Mountainsmith, and other duffels be locked? I don't carry any valuables, but I don't want a bag that screams "free stuff" either.
 
I use a ~70Liter heavy duty backpack for my trips. I have done two months in Europe with a single backpack lightly packed. Travel light, buy the heavy stuff you need along the way. ;)
 
I also use polycarbonate(?) hard shell luggage since I recently switched to all Heys luggage. Very light and my personal favorite piece is the 4 wheel Revolution. They are kinda pricy but the convenience of being able to so easily roll them around makes it worth it to me, especially when you've got to manage several pieces of luggage at once. That and the fact that they're so light means more weight available to buy more stuff on vacation! I also prefer this type of luggage over cloth luggage and duffel bags because I've seen situations where people's luggage has been soaked in transit and upon arrival they had a bag full of wet smelly clothes.
 
Last edited:
I just ordered a Medium "Base Camp" duffel bag from The North Face.

Your input and suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thank you very much!
 
Good luck on your trip.

Try to pack as light as possible without leaving anything behind. Best way to is to have items that serve dual purposes....such as pants that zip off the legs to make shorts. Also items to help reduce how much you need....for example a bar of laundry soap to wash out your undies to hang and dry in the bathroom means you can take fewer pairs.

The long flight is all about an endurance race. Try to dress functional but comfortable. I prefer cotton fabrics. T-shirt and a long sleeved "travel shirt" complete with lots of pockets to hold pass port and important stuff. Cotton roomy paints, socks, and Teva sandals (explained later). Long pants and long sleeves are because it almost always gets a bit cold on international flights.

Do get up from your seat and walk around or your legs will swell with fluid...even then your feet will probably swell a bit. I like to wear Teva sandals (with socks) so I can expand them for the fat feet. Have a backpack or equivalent for carry on. I like a small backpack so my hands are free while in the airport...plus serves as a utlity backpack if you are doing any sightseeing in Oz. The backpack should contain any prescription meds, and I like to pack a few anti-diarrheal, headache, and allergy tabs for emergencies....obviously any reading/prescription/or sunglasses/contacts too. Preferred entertainment (book etc.) and an inflatable "travel pillow" are also in the pack. The travel pillow is much better than a nasty airplane pillow.

Don't forget to either take an empty bottle to fill with water once you pass the security at the airport, or buy a bottle once through. Even though, they have fluids on the plane, it always pays to have a bit extra. Drink extra water in flight to help prevent illness. Airplane air is very dry and is one reason so many people catch a bug after a flight. Also avoid alcohol on the plane...even though it is free. :(
 
Bob you cannot go wrong with a hard DelSey. Most of the aircrew use them. In 25 years of hectic overseas travel I have only gone through 2 of them. They are reasonably priced and I feel are excellent value for money.
You do not want to travel into Africa or any 3rd world country with a soft case or duffel. They get cut open to easily. Also I find a hard case doubles as a safe storage in hotel rooms. Try and buy a case with side and top locks....always better.

Have a great trip and let me know if you need a ride from the airport.....:D
 
From a security point of view, avoid cases with self repairing zippers that don't lock IN PLACE. Even when the two lock together, if they can move together around the bag it's dangerous. It's a very common trick to just force the zippers apart, steal what is wanted, then run the two locked zippers back and forth to reseal the bag. You'll never know that it was opened until you get to your destination and discover that you are missing your gear. This is a common scam in backpacker guest houses where people often leave larger bags for a couple of days while sightseeing.

Stitchawl
 
The bset thing is to look at one if you can, or a picture of it.

I think the North Face can be locked but with your own lock.

Buy a small loak or tow at a hardware store, slip it into the zipper pulls and attach them via the lock to the bag at one end.
 
ipm said:
I think the North Face can be locked but with your own lock.

Buy a small loak or tow at a hardware store, slip it into the zipper pulls and attach them via the lock to the bag at one end.
Click to expand...
I ordered one of the TSA locks. Hopefully it'll work with the duffel.

If the duffel doesn't work out this trip, I'll revisit the other suggestions. I especially like the DelSey luggage - price, materials, designs.

Wish I'd of had more time to shop and consider the options, but this trip (business) sort of snuck up on me. :o
 
I don't think you're gonna like the duffel. Reason? One word. Wheels.
Gotta have something w/ wheels on what ever you choose. IMHO.
 
We have some regular Samsonite hard shells that have done fine over the years when we need to check baggage. Had two of them for nearly 20 years and plenty of trips. One of them survived coming off a car roof rack at 80mph on a wet windy night. Found it in a field, just a few more scuffs. Dunno about the TSA locks on my old ones, I go to Europe via Asia these days to avoid that stuff. Must be a system for the new ones.

I can do 3-4 nights business trip with a carry on bag (I prefer a shoulder pack to the wheelie ones, easier to get stuff out of in mid flight). I have a hunch that a backpack gets more interest from security and service types.

Some of you may remember Alan Whicker, glove-trotting journalist from he 60s. His motto which I try to stick by: take half as much stuff and twice as much money.

Long haul, pick your airline carefully. Seat pitch is important. Who are you flying with Bob?

Agree with zenheretic's advice though I have a different view about shoes. I wear a decent pair of shoes and keep them on till we're well clear of the ground. I don't want to be involved in an evacuation in stocking feet. I stick some sockettes on once we're under way, usually slip my shoes back on when going to the toilet (some arlines don't keep an eye on the state of the floor there :eek:). Otherwise, go easy on the food and alcohol, sleep when they turn the lights out, have a great time in Aus.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top