Travel bags.

[tomtom]

Ok kitaholics.. We have had many treads about back packs and even a few about 'man bags'

But what are people using as carrys ons, holdalls over night, bags duffels etc..

I am thinking about bags 50ltr plus. I do not want something with pop out plastic handles and wheels which seem to be the norm these days.

What do you world travellers use and, more importantly, what do you recommend?

[Inspector71]

I have a 120ltr one of THESE. Pretty good too, taken a pounding over the years. Very good all-round piece of kit.

Not as tough as the TNF versions apparently.

My Mrs is the real traveller and has a very expensive taste for Tumi stuff...

[Andy]

did you put this on the right place?

MaxP and Kifaru both do duffel bags

[Saint-Just]

50 litres is too big, you can't carry around when you need to.

Fancy bags are a waste if you do some international travelling: Bagage handlers, regardless of the country or airport, mistreat your bags as if their life depended on it. If it's really nice they might just slash it open. Doesn't only happen in 3rd world... They are nice in your car for a luxury week end.

I have owned this one


for over 20 years. It's been to Asia, throughout Europe and America...
Leather is worn, but still fully functional. Will buy a new one as soon as this one dies.. in another 20 years?

[Inspector71]

50 litres is too big, you can't carry around when you need to.

Fancy bags are a waste if you do some international travelling: Bagage handlers, regardless of the country or airport, mistreat your bags as if their life depended on it. If it's really nice they might just slash it open. Doesn't only happen in 3rd world... They are nice in your car for a luxury week end.

I have owned

for over 20 years. It's been to Asia, throughout Europe and America...
Leather is worn, but still fully functional. Will buy a new one as soon as this one dies.. in another 20 years?

That looks rather nice - about 20 litres? Useful size for the carry on type thing.

I've used one of those simple Alpkit Gourdon bags for that for a couple of years. Bizarrely the transparent panel seems to be appreciated by customs/security characters It's as if they instantly beleive you to be honest and upstanding 'cos you let them see your disorganised junk. Stealth luggage...

Actually they're surprisingly good tough, light waterproof bags. And cheap too

[coolhandkid]

i've got a pac-safe duffel safe its 35l big enough to take enough clothes for a weekend take it on as hand luggage . it gives you a bit of a sense of security if you have to leave anything valuable in your hotel room just lock it round the toilet or sink will stop the opportunist theif also pretty handy for locking onto seats in airports for when you don't want to be lugging it about with you eg nipping to the toilet or standing in one of those long lines at the shop . its a pretty well built little bag.

[Saint-Just]

That looks rather nice - about 20 litres? Useful size for the carry on type thing.

Quite amusingly, I thought: 20l? No, it's bigger.
So I went on the site and checked: 20l...
Then realised mine actually has 2 extra pockets on each end:

[tomtom]

did you put this on the right place?

No

MaxP and Kifaru both do duffel bags

Have you tried getting a mortgage in the current economic climate?


Thanks for all the advice given folks!

[Andy]

the kifaru duffels aren't as bad as the packs. Still not cheap at $125 for the small one. It's cheaper then the MaxP one though
54liters for the small kifaru

[Inspector71]

the kifaru duffels aren't as bad as the packs. Still not cheap at $125 for the small one. It's cheaper then the MaxP one though
54liters for the small kifaru

Sounds very reasonable for travel stuff actually. Regular travellers are as kit obsessed as us - maybe worse...

These are the duffels available from 'er indoors' favoured brand

http://uk.tumi.com/travel-and-luggage/duffels/

[Saint-Just]

Sounds very reasonable for travel stuff actually. Regular travellers are as kit obsessed as us - maybe worse...

These are the duffels available from 'er indoors' favoured brand

http://uk.tumi.com/travel-and-luggage/duffels/

I feel your pain

[the laird]

I've been using a 'GELERT' 65 litre expedition for the last 2 years, they do smaller ones and go up to 90litre (way too big) It cost me £25 and to be honest its been superb,its a copy of the North Face ones at probably 25% of the cost,worth a look I think,other than this I wont normally sway from anything with the 'LOWE ALPINE' badge on it

[ANDYLASER]

I use a MaxP MPB as carry on and for short international trips. I reckon mine has done close to 50K miles. Not a mark on it.

[underground]

Aiguille - made in the Lakes and about as good as it gets in my opinion - very similar style / quality to podsacs but a wider range of stuff (although for my money podsacs are the best rucsacs around)

I use one of these and have done for the past ten years as hand and aircraft hold luggage wherever I've been and needed more than a daysack can hold:

http://www.aiguillealpine.co.uk/cgi-...=showprod_T051

[leealanr]

I use a combination of two bags. First is a roller Samsonite when needing to travel with a comprehensive business lap top and associated paper work, at all times I travel with an expandable Tumi shoulder bag.

Yes the Tumi is very expensive, but they have a life time guarantee, look understated so don't attract to much attention from baggage handlers, made from ballistic cordura and so are incredibly tough and highly verstaile from short solo trips to longer (wife travelling light!!!) trips.

When needed I put the Tumi on the handle of the Samsonite so both equipment and clothing et al are all very well protected.

I have used this combo all over Europe and the Gulf and it has been into some very disadvantaged and filthy conditions and both come shining through with the contents maintained very well.

Finally, I have seen recently a Wenger overnight and lap top bag combo which is really neat and not overly expensive, reasonable size to!

For shorter trips this looks a really goood compromise but for the longer trips (week plus) then I am very happy with the Tumi/Samsonite combo.

I cannot recommend either highly enough!

I bought mine in Duty Free lounges at airports and if possible this is a sensible thing to do as it will save you money, neither is cheap, but then quality lasts!

Regards.

Alan L.