See I’m old too but really like the backpack option. But not for the sole carry on luggage but an extra.
Especially if you can buy it on Amazon com or uk. They ship and deliver immediately.
I went out of my way to visit the main Samsonsite store in London to get a backpack that simply wasn't available anywhere else. It's an awesome bit of kit too.
- via Istanbul (stopover) in September, and that is probably going to be a good shopping opportunity. Might just turf the old one if I get a newie.
I've started using package forwarders to order stuff upto a few months before a trip. They store and consolidate seperate packages. Then when I'm in country i get the consolidated pacakge shipped to my hotel. When most places deliver within the US for free the savings over shipping to Australia can be significant.
I went through a phase of getting a whole bunch of packable duffels like this one:Next trip is to Moldova
@SeatBackForward - who do you use for this service?
Yes, we sometimes take one as an extra. (A Samsonite backpack)
Upto now I've been using MyUS for both US and UK forwarding. BUT today I've just had a big issue with them - Basically their UK service doesnt repack and consolidate items so I'm being charged dimensional weight for a whole lot of boxes and packaging rather than weight of the items alone. Plus, they won't ship it onto another UK forwarder who will do that for me! The cost to ship to Australia will end up being almost 5x cost of the items. And I'm not planning on being in the UK for any decent length of time until Nov'24.
Thanks - keep us posted
Will do.
I used myus heaps in the good ole days of parity. Remember those? 2010 according to google.
Ah yes, I remember the good ole days. The myusa membership was an Amex benefit back then.
oh yeah!! even still, it's the shipping that's a killer. If there were a forwarder that held onto packages for say, 6 months, this would be ideal and then just collect domestically within the US.
www.globe-trotter.com
Do you need to have porters carry these for you?I would go for old school Globetrotter original! Yes they are (very) expensive, but I’ve had mine for over 10 years - it’s been on literally 100’s of flights, boats, coaches - checked in and carry on, and it’s seemingly indestructible and is still going strong - and somehow looks better the older and more battered it gets. In contrast a $300-500 typical plastic fantastic number used to last me six months before it fell apart or the zip went. And best of all if it does break the company will fix it no matter how old it is.
Original · Carry-On - 2 Wheels | Navy/Black
Discover the Globe-Trotter Original 2-Wheels Carry-On in Navy & Black. Perfect for short trips, this luxury luggage is accepted by most airlines as cabin baggage. Part of our timeless Original collection, its design has remained unchanged since 1897, exuding sophistication and classic elegance.
It’s nearly 4kg - otherwise tres chic!I would go for old school Globetrotter original! Yes they are (very) expensive, but I’ve had mine for over 10 years - it’s been on literally 100’s of flights, boats, coaches - checked in and carry on, and it’s seemingly indestructible and is still going strong - and somehow looks better the older and more battered it gets. In contrast a $300-500 typical plastic fantastic number used to last me six months before it fell apart or the zip went. And best of all if it does break the company will fix it no matter how old it is.
Original · Carry-On - 2 Wheels | Navy/Black
Discover the Globe-Trotter Original 2-Wheels Carry-On in Navy & Black. Perfect for short trips, this luxury luggage is accepted by most airlines as cabin baggage. Part of our timeless Original collection, its design has remained unchanged since 1897, exuding sophistication and classic elegance.
That is a beautiful piece! Wouldn't want to have to check it in though.I would go for old school Globetrotter original! Yes they are (very) expensive, but I’ve had mine for over 10 years - it’s been on literally 100’s of flights, boats, coaches - checked in and carry on, and it’s seemingly indestructible and is still going strong - and somehow looks better the older and more battered it gets. In contrast a $300-500 typical plastic fantastic number used to last me six months before it fell apart or the zip went. And best of all if it does break the company will fix it no matter how old it is.
Original · Carry-On - 2 Wheels | Navy/Black
Discover the Globe-Trotter Original 2-Wheels Carry-On in Navy & Black. Perfect for short trips, this luxury luggage is accepted by most airlines as cabin baggage. Part of our timeless Original collection, its design has remained unchanged since 1897, exuding sophistication and classic elegance.
Perhaps a look at Eagle CreekI've spent most of the afternoon re-assessing my carry-on needs, trying to be totally objective - thinking back to recent trips, mainly O/S and picturing what I did with my carry-on both in airports and at hotels, how and when I accessed it, what I put in it and how my current one performed.
I measured and weighted my present one - SwissGear (no model type, and not findable on their web site now) external dimensions incl wheels 58x35x23 and weight 3.2 kg!! That's a bit embarrassing - both over-size and pretty heavy. No wonder I usually go over the carry-on weight allowance
. IIRC I bought it at DFW when in transit when my previous one failed - not much choice.
So, what I think I need:
Wheels: 2 would be strongly preferred, but I see most models now are 4 wheels (or 4 pairs), so I may need to bow to the inevitable. But I can't believe how much space you lose to the wheels sticking out the bottom - many I've been looking at have up to 6cm difference between external length and packing length. That's well over 4 litres capacity lost, isn't it, if other dimensions are 35 and 23 cm??
Weight: About 2-2.3kg. Given the weight of my current one, maybe up to 2.5kg
Material: I can't go past 'soft' sided and expandable. Sometimes ya just gotta stuff more in; flying international business I've never had a problem with a bulging carry-on. Or an overweight one, or needed to be checked in.
Opening: Needs to be long dimension opening, top flap, presenting a tub. No to ones that open in half - no good for opening on hotel luggage racks or chairs, which is where mine go in a hotel room.
Front pocket: Definitely needs a front, easy-access zipped pocket - that's where my pills go, also Airpods case, hard-copy itinerary, plus phone, and the other stuff in my pockets when putting the case through x-ray security.
Locks: Not really necessary - carry-one is not left out of sight when on-the-go.
Price: Under $300.
Charging port etc: No - will add to weight and cost. I'll have a battery if needs be.
So, Bag Nerds - any ideas/suggestions/places to browse?
This comes closest from what I've found (price) Samsonite B-LITE 5
I like Eagle Creek gear. Unfortunately, the Australian Importer hasn't been in business for a number of years, so we have not received any of their recent range into Australia. They actually also announced early in 2022 of going out of business, but soon after, one of the co-founder of the original Eagle Creek business (before being bought by Venture Capitalists) has since bought the company back.
Thanks for this
