One piece of luggage to rule them all?

December 29, 2007 10:20 AM

Any suggestions for a single piece of luggage for someone that travels light?

I've done some traveling in the past and will be doing more in the future. More and more this has become air travel. I travel very light and I hate checking bags at the airport. I'd like one bag that can be carried on most of the time.

I was hoping more experienced travelers could point me in the right direction. I see airline personnel using basically the same small black bags on wheels when strolling through the airport, but I have no idea the brand or type of bag.

posted by gtr to travel & transportation (32 comments total)

the briggs and riley 22 inch expandable rolling luggage

Small, fits in overhead compartments, and expands for when you bring back more than you came with. Brilliant, light, durable. I travel fairly often, and i've had this for a year, and it totally rocks.
posted by Freen at 10:31 AM on December 29, 2007 [1 favorite has favorites]

Check out onebag.com. I have a Tumi carryon that I really like. Unless you have a health issue, I think wheels in a carry-on are not worth the weight and volume.
posted by exogenous at 10:32 AM on December 29, 2007 [1 favorite has favorites]

Look no further than Rick Steves site.
posted by kjl291 at 10:44 AM on December 29, 2007

It's not especially classy-looking, but I travel with a frame-pack (like for backpack camping). They're great for getting around with - stairs, curbs, running to catch a bus, all no problem. I always feel so much more maneuverable in the airport than people who have their hands full with luggage!

I think most of them (mine does anyway) have an expandable compartment on the top which you can use if you need to cram in more stuff than does fit in an overhead compartment; so you can use it as a larger bag which you can check, if the need arises.
posted by aubilenon at 10:47 AM on December 29, 2007

I 2nd Briggs and Riley. Can't beat them!
posted by 6:1 at 10:48 AM on December 29, 2007

I guess it all depends on what kind of travel you are doing. Lonely Planet back packing in exotic places, or frequent business trips with a lap top? Unfortunately, I am at a stage in my life where I am doing a lot more of the latter than the former and I have been totally unable to find a single piece of luggage that does both kinds of travel well, although I would love to hear from people who have found something that is versatile like this.

[I have had the same Eagle Creek World Tour backpack for >15 years and it has been literally all over the world with me, sometimes for 2 months of travel at a time. They don't make it anymore, but it's kind of like this. It has held up really well. I suspect this isn't the kind of bag you're looking for.]
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 10:49 AM on December 29, 2007

Another vote for the Briggs. It's really a no-brainer.
posted by wfc123 at 10:50 AM on December 29, 2007

My husband really likes using a garment bag with wheels for this purpose.
posted by selfmedicating at 11:02 AM on December 29, 2007

Lots of flight crew members carry (actually, pull) TravelPro bags. I'd go with the wheeled bag. I can't remember the last time I saw a pilot or flight attendant carrying a bag.

I have a Timberland wheeled carry-on with the rotating handle. It's the best bag ever, but Timberland has stopped making professional luggage and now just makes backpacks/sporty bags. If you can find a rotating handle it's much more comfortable to pull the bag. The rotating handle allows your wrist to stay neutral instead of rotating your arm or shoulder.

When I need to replace my current bag (which has over 250K miles on it without a problem!) I'll go with this TravelPro.
posted by 26.2 at 11:48 AM on December 29, 2007

A rolling backpack might be a good choice. Like you, I HATE checking luggage. I use a rolling backpack. Of course, make sure that you choose one that meets the size requirements for carry on.

Advantages:
-Rolls, for when you don't want to carry.
-Straps to your back, keeping your hands free when you need greater mobility than rolling. Getting in and out of trams, climbing stairs, etc.
-You can do the one-strap-over-shoulder move to get on the move quickly.
-Handle on the top allows you to carry it by your side, and helps in lifting into the overhead bin.
-Expandable and plenty of outside pockets so you can get to quick-access items (phone, iPod, book, magazine) without opening the whole thing.
-Some have extra straps and built-in bungies on the outside to hold your coat or jacket securely.

I can't think of anything more practical or perfect.
posted by The Deej at 11:49 AM on December 29, 2007

I hate to admit it, but my new favorite piece of luggage is the Dash. They sell it at Brookstone. It looks chinzy, but I travel to Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, etc all the time and no one has ever hurt it. Plus, it holds tons more than it appears at first glance. It's also the only bag I know that has four wheels and still fits in the overhead space on one of the little Fokker commuter aircraft airlines like to stick you in outside of hub flight lanes.

Easily, the best bag I've ever owned. I take it and my Pelican 1550 (for my camera gear) and have never had a problem.
posted by damiano99 at 11:54 AM on December 29, 2007

My husband and I each just sprung for the Eagle Creek Switchback Max ES 22, the first bag listed in The Deej's link. It's carry-on size, can be used as a rollerbag or backpack, has a removable daypack, and has a kickass lifetime warranty.
posted by platinum at 12:01 PM on December 29, 2007

A wheeled 22" carry on size bag really can't be beaten, hence why everyone seems to have one. I have an old American Tourister, of all brands, that I picked up at Sam's Club many years ago back when I didn't mind going there that's gone about a hundred thousand miles with me, mostly in the overhead, but occasionally checked. For the price ($35), it's been awesome. My various laptop bags have never lasted as long. I finally broke down and bought another one, this one a backpack style.

If you do get a wheeled bag, do follow the prevailing advice and get one with good inline skate wheels. I've known people with other types, and they're always much crappier.

BTW, I don't know what crack exogenus is smoking, saying that wheels are a bad thing. I guess if you travel super light, rather than just somewhat light, like me (I can make almost any trip with my one carry on, unlike most others I know who require that plus another checked bag), it might be worth hauling stuff through the airport in hand. I like the wheels because it allows me to attach my laptop bag and not have to carry it, either. And the laptop makes it balance very well.

Oh, and make sure that the strap for attaching other bags clips on, rather than just hanging there limply when not in use. I was recently in a pinch (coming back with far more than I left with) and had to go to TJ Maxx and buy a bag, and all the ones that fit my other criteria had the non-removable clip. Needless to say, if you want to separate the laptop or whatever from the rolling bag so you can put the big one in the overhead, it's much easier to just remove the whole assembly than to unthread the strap from the other bag's handle.
posted by wierdo at 12:01 PM on December 29, 2007

I agree that it depends on where you're going. I used an internal frame backpack when I spent a few weeks in Barcelona & northern Spain and again on a business trip to Boston. I take public transportation everywhere. People with roller bags struggled mightily on subway and bus steps, while I was gloriously free by comparison.

It's an Eagle Creek pack and appears to be discontinued. The pack isn't the most comfortable. It's tolerable for slogging across town to the bus station, but I wouldn't take it hiking.

The bag is dark green and appropriate for a grownup non-hippy. For the business trip, I carried my laptop in a shoulder bag.

I highly recommend super-light travel. For the Spain trip, I brought 3 days' worth of clothes and washed stuff every night. It was a pleasant nightly ritual and the clothes were usually dry by morning. My most useful item was a round rubber disc you use to block any sized drain in a sink or bidet so you can wash your clothes.
posted by PatoPata at 12:19 PM on December 29, 2007

Check out Red OXX. I bought the Air Boss last year and love it. I spent twelve days over in Europe with just the Boss and it suited me just fine.

And checking the site now, it looks like they have a new updated version called the Sky Train which seems to be everything the Air Boss is with additional back pack straps. Sounds perfect. Dammit.

Now I have to get that sooner or later.

Only downside is that yes, both are expensive. But in terms of luggage, you pay for what you get (and lifetime guarantee ain't so bad either).
posted by ryecatcher at 12:21 PM on December 29, 2007

The Mother Load Mini is a rolling bag which fits easily into overhead compartments, but it's configurable inside to use in different situations (one big compartment, three little ones, etc.) Plus it's really cool looking, durable, and cheap. I've got the orange....
posted by wyzewoman at 12:29 PM on December 29, 2007

Ahem. Mother -Lode- Mini.
posted by wyzewoman at 12:30 PM on December 29, 2007

I shall wholeheartedly and enthusiastically nth the Eagle Creek Switchback. Yet again. Because I lurve it.
posted by miss lynnster at 1:21 PM on December 29, 2007

I went with the travelpro series because I once traveled a *lot* for business and it is very well designed for this purpose. The size of the suitcases are specifically engineered to occupy the maximum space possible for carryon. As noted above, these are likely the brand you see all the crew members carry, in fact the Crew6 brand is also designed for them.

I've had the same case for 4 or 5 years and it has held up very well. The interior is very well protected, and unlike other garment bags I've tried, the one I have is great. You can hang up suits and if you do it right they will remain pressed.

Oh, and learn how to pack well. The Eagle Creek PackitFolders are key.
posted by jeremias at 2:34 PM on December 29, 2007

Wow, never thought I'd get this much information. Thanks to everyone.

(sorry I left out the type of travel. Mainly just a normal weekend in a city in the US or a week in another country. Nothing too crazy.)
posted by gtr at 2:43 PM on December 29, 2007

I have the classic TravelPro as well as a 22" Victorinox. I'm happy with both bags, and a key reason is that they each have a lifetime guarantee.

Last year I was about on a hundred airplanes and in that past five years traveling at that pace I've had three bags break on me and be repaired or replaced for free.

I'd argue for a rolly bag with a single compartment. A great travel trick is to buy sub-bags liek those made by Eagle Creek so you can "pack in chunks" and vary that depending on the type of trip/your destination, and so on.
posted by donovan at 2:43 PM on December 29, 2007

Another vote for some type of backpack. I have two keltys and an eagle creek duffel bag. My backpacks are a kelty redcloud and a kelty redwing. granted I have had mine for some time so those are newer version but they are similar. The redcloud is very large and will never be a carry on though. The eagle creek is their medium duffel. All of these bags come with lifetime warranties. I have have had the redcloud for atleast five or six years and the redwing for at least four. The eagle creek it nearing a year. I have had no problems with any of them.
posted by DJWeezy at 3:25 PM on December 29, 2007

FYI I went with the Eagle Creek Switchback Max ES 22. I'm sure I would have been happy with many of the suggestions. I love backpacks and the switchback seems to be a good middle of the road choice. And the price was in my price range more than the briggs and riley.

Can't wait to get it. I'll also be buying some of the accessories mentioned by everyone.

Thanks again.
posted by gtr at 4:09 PM on December 29, 2007

I just have to add that you have to consider the travel you are doing. There are a lot of advocates for no-wheels but having done the 15-airports-in-5-days kind of travel I can tell you that wheels keep you sane. Shoulder bags are for jaunts to a city while your golf bag gets checked.
posted by Umhlangan at 4:36 PM on December 29, 2007

Tom Bihn Aeronaut. I have it. No complaints - other than, it's a tad big for an extreme light packer like me.. Here is a review. I believe that there are other bag reviews on that blog. Also, Patagonia's MLC or their One Bag are good alternatives. My partner has an Osprey Porter 46L that he loves. Happy traveling!
posted by hannahq at 5:48 PM on December 29, 2007

I used to lug around one of those 22" wheeled suitcases, and it was just too big for me. I'm short, and hated having to maneuver it into the overhead compartment. Plus, I didn't really need all the space, even for business trips. I got a bag like this from LL Bean. It fits under the seat in front of me when it needs to, is light enough for me to sling into the overhead compartment without braining someone, it wheels easily, and holds enough for a work trip to DC or a long weekend vacation. I combine it with a shoulder/messenger bag for laptop, etc.

Wheels are best for airports and cities, imho. No wheels are better for trips in cars.
posted by gingerbeer at 5:57 PM on December 29, 2007

I really like my dakine zip away travel bag. It's a maximum carry on size roller bag that can expand to be larger than carry on size when you need more space, plus it has a small backpack that zips to it.

The small backpack is the perfect size for under-seat storage, and has a nice laptop sleeve inside. And because it zips to the rollaway, when you're running around not in the plane, you still only have to roll the one bag - you don't have to be wearing the backpack.
posted by flaterik at 5:59 PM on December 29, 2007

Are you flying with elite status? If so, then go with a rolling overnight suitcase, just like everyone else. You get on the plane first so there will be room for it. If not, then get a garment bag. They are easier to stuff into the overhead compartment even if it is full. The ultimate, which I refuse, is a laptop bag with your next day's underwear, socks and shirt plus your toiletries and all your files etc. This can go under the seat in front of you even when the overhead bins are full. At six feet plus I never want a bag under the seat in front of me. The particular brands etc. of any of these bags doesn't matter. Just get a quality one and search for one on sale as they get discounted heavily.
posted by caddis at 6:00 PM on December 29, 2007

Wow. The people posting here must have much more forgiving air flight companies than here in Australia. The last time I flew, I read the small print and discovered I was allowed to take a 56cm (22inch) "cabin" bag and a garment bag on as hand luggage as long as they came in under 7kg (15.4 lbs) combined. I bought the lightest example of each I could find and stripped out any extra junk that came with them, including shoulder straps.

The Briggs and Riley bag at the top of the list is 5.4kg all by itself.
posted by krisjohn at 6:09 PM on December 29, 2007

If you really and truly pack light, then forget wheels. They take up space and add weight, and cease being useful as soon as you leave the airport.

My two favorite travel bags are:

- an Eagle Creek big backpack. I've had a similar model for about 7 years now, it has held up great. (Link is to the closest cousin to my model.) Basically the largest backpack you can have before you need a frame, and Eagle Creek's are made very well and are designed for traveling as opposed to hiking/camping. (document pockets, compression straps, the whole thing opens up like a suitcase.) I've taken it all over the world, it fits in any overhead compartment, and its just about perfect. Only thing is, if I were pressed to check this bag, I'd worry about the straps getting caught in conveyors and wheels, etc. That has never happened though.

- a Patagonia MLC bag ("Maximum Legal Carryon".) This works better for business travel when I need to carry more and nicer clothing. It has a shoulder strap and backpack straps, which can all be tucked away so that you can check it if needed. Its my "big bag" but it looks so tiny next to all the gargantuan rolling trunks most folks travel with.

Of course, I've gone super-light before for a weekend or overnight trip and taken just a messenger bag. Its difficult to do but feels awesome - it would be amazing to manage to pack that light for a trip of a week or more.
posted by Cranialtorque at 11:37 PM on December 29, 2007

Another happy Tom Bihn Aeronaut owner here.

I've noticed that travelling domestically in the US, there seems to be very little restriction on what you bring on the plane. The size and weight is not checked, and as long as it fits overhead, you're fine.

In other places I've travelled, particularly those short hops in Europe but also Africa, they check the size and (other than Easyjet), the weight as well. So with an arbitrarily enforced 8kg limit, I needed the bag itself to be as light as possible.
posted by quiet at 6:59 AM on December 31, 2007

Thirding Tom Bihn's Aeronaut. It can even fit under the seat of all but the tiniest turbo-props, for when the folks with oversized carryons have taken all of the overhead room.
posted by desuetude at 6:46 AM on January 2, 2008