Best luggage for a short trip while in a walking cast?
March 15, 2016 11:49 AM
I am in a walking boot for an ankle injury, and I have to fly next week for a 3-day work trip. I need to figure how to pack for this trip to make things as easy as possible for me.
I am in a walking boot, but not crutches. I am mobile but walking long distances is tough, and I will probably bring a cane to help with balance. I will need to bring my laptop, work files, two changes of clothes, and toiletries. I also will need to have a handbag of some sort for meetings (I am female). Normally for a trip like this I would carry my laptop in a backpack and then either carry on or check a small roller. I usually prefer to just check a bag so that I don't have to mess with finding overhead space; however, this will mean a lot of extra walking to baggage claim that might be tough for me. My laptop bag is huge and grubby and unprofessional looking and probably won't work for this trip.
So, travel pros, what do you suggest? I am happy to purchase something new, as long as it's available on Amazon Prime. I like the idea of just a large shoulder tote like this that I could unpack and use as a purse for meetings, but I'm afraid it won't hold enough for a 3-day trip. Backpacks are nice for the plane but then I'd be stuck also carrying a purse and I'm not sure I can handle 2 items plus the cane. I think a roller will just be a huge pita. Other relevant details - I will be flying direct, will not need to access my laptop during the flight, and whatever I carry to meetings will need to hold a leather folio and standard purse items.
I am probably overthinking the hell out of this, but I want to make this is easy I can on myself, since just walking takes a lot of concentration. Any bag suggestions or general tips would be hugely appreciated. Thanks!
I am in a walking boot, but not crutches. I am mobile but walking long distances is tough, and I will probably bring a cane to help with balance. I will need to bring my laptop, work files, two changes of clothes, and toiletries. I also will need to have a handbag of some sort for meetings (I am female). Normally for a trip like this I would carry my laptop in a backpack and then either carry on or check a small roller. I usually prefer to just check a bag so that I don't have to mess with finding overhead space; however, this will mean a lot of extra walking to baggage claim that might be tough for me. My laptop bag is huge and grubby and unprofessional looking and probably won't work for this trip.
So, travel pros, what do you suggest? I am happy to purchase something new, as long as it's available on Amazon Prime. I like the idea of just a large shoulder tote like this that I could unpack and use as a purse for meetings, but I'm afraid it won't hold enough for a 3-day trip. Backpacks are nice for the plane but then I'd be stuck also carrying a purse and I'm not sure I can handle 2 items plus the cane. I think a roller will just be a huge pita. Other relevant details - I will be flying direct, will not need to access my laptop during the flight, and whatever I carry to meetings will need to hold a leather folio and standard purse items.
I am probably overthinking the hell out of this, but I want to make this is easy I can on myself, since just walking takes a lot of concentration. Any bag suggestions or general tips would be hugely appreciated. Thanks!
I've spent too much time in various boots and cast, and flown a bunch during those times. You want a roller bag, no question. It's an extra balance point, will help to lean on at times, and you do not want extra weight on your shoulders.
And definitely get the gate / transport help ... airports are a lot of walking, and you don't realize how far until it's, well, too far. Save your foot and strength for when you need it.
posted by Dashy at 12:29 PM on March 15, 2016
And definitely get the gate / transport help ... airports are a lot of walking, and you don't realize how far until it's, well, too far. Save your foot and strength for when you need it.
posted by Dashy at 12:29 PM on March 15, 2016
3rd get a wheelchair. Carrying a bag to avoid walking to baggage claim is counterproductive. If baggage claim is too far for you to travel comfortably, just let someone wheel you there - that's what that service is for. If that's not something you're interested, maybe consider renting crutches for the trip?
Backpacks are nice for the plane but then I'd be stuck also carrying a purse and I'm not sure I can handle 2 items plus the cane.
You're dealing with enough...there's no need to carry a purse while you're traveling. Take a rolling briefcase or a backpack with your laptop, files, and little else as your carry-on. For meetings, too, a rolling briefcase or backpack is more practical than a purse - and your comfort when walking to meetings is paramount. You can get an extra professional-looking backpack if you want but honestly nobody should judge your choice of bag. If you're sure you want a purse when you get there, get something you can fold and put away in your luggage - a longchamp le pliage is probably the most classic choice here, but you can find other nylon bags in the same vein for less.
posted by R a c h e l at 12:36 PM on March 15, 2016
Backpacks are nice for the plane but then I'd be stuck also carrying a purse and I'm not sure I can handle 2 items plus the cane.
You're dealing with enough...there's no need to carry a purse while you're traveling. Take a rolling briefcase or a backpack with your laptop, files, and little else as your carry-on. For meetings, too, a rolling briefcase or backpack is more practical than a purse - and your comfort when walking to meetings is paramount. You can get an extra professional-looking backpack if you want but honestly nobody should judge your choice of bag. If you're sure you want a purse when you get there, get something you can fold and put away in your luggage - a longchamp le pliage is probably the most classic choice here, but you can find other nylon bags in the same vein for less.
posted by R a c h e l at 12:36 PM on March 15, 2016
If this is a domestic trip, consider mailing your clothes and toiletries to the hotel. They can receive the package a few days before you arrive and possibly also assist in shipping it back home. Or you can have a mailing label and postage ready to go--a USPS flat rate box takes the guesswork out of it; the largest box is a flat $18.75 and should hold enough for 3 days.
posted by mama casserole at 1:20 PM on March 15, 2016
posted by mama casserole at 1:20 PM on March 15, 2016
Get a bag that has a sleeve to slip over your luggage on the back, like this one. It can serve as your purse and hold your laptop for meetings, and you will only have to pull your roller bag while airporting.
posted by notjustthefish at 2:12 PM on March 15, 2016
posted by notjustthefish at 2:12 PM on March 15, 2016
Nthing requesting a wheelchair but I also want to add that the wheelchair person will also help you get through security and you will skip the line.
posted by bleep at 2:20 PM on March 15, 2016
posted by bleep at 2:20 PM on March 15, 2016
This sounds utterly insane to me. Get wheelchair assistance from the check-in desk through to luggage claim.
posted by DarlingBri at 7:03 PM on March 15, 2016
posted by DarlingBri at 7:03 PM on March 15, 2016
I just got this carryon bag and tote set and they are awesome - the tote can be strapped to the luggage for one-handed use. The tote is very roomy so it would be easy to keep your purse and laptop and whatnot in there so you're not juggling a bunch of small stuff. They also look really spiffy.
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 9:17 PM on March 15, 2016
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 9:17 PM on March 15, 2016
In your situation, I would ship my clothing. The concierge at the hotel will handle return shipping for you. They will have boxes and labels. (Seriously, you would not believe the items the hotel has shipped for me.) As others have mentioned, request a wheelchair or other assistance at the airport.
Why are you taking a purse to meetings? Men don't do that, and it seems odd to me. Do you mean more a briefcase? Most of the time I see people carry their laptop or portfolio in hand during the day and use a briefcase to haul things home. Since you need both stability and storage I would take a vertical, rolling laptop bag and use that in place of a cane and a briefcase. I have this one, but there are many. If you need a small bag to carry your phone and wallet to lunch, then tuck a small clutch in the roller.
posted by 26.2 at 12:11 AM on March 16, 2016
Why are you taking a purse to meetings? Men don't do that, and it seems odd to me. Do you mean more a briefcase? Most of the time I see people carry their laptop or portfolio in hand during the day and use a briefcase to haul things home. Since you need both stability and storage I would take a vertical, rolling laptop bag and use that in place of a cane and a briefcase. I have this one, but there are many. If you need a small bag to carry your phone and wallet to lunch, then tuck a small clutch in the roller.
posted by 26.2 at 12:11 AM on March 16, 2016
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Take cabs not public transport.
Don't be a hero.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 11:53 AM on March 15, 2016