Looking for the perfect weekend travel bag
November 4, 2015 5:49 PM   Subscribe

I'm looking for a replacement for my old weekend/short trip bag. Ideally I'd like a small (~18 in) duffle bag that still has some structure to it. More details inside.

My previous, perfect weekend trip bag died and I'm having trouble finding a replacement that meets the following criteria (although I'm definitely open to non-amazon suggestions):
-Small: Ideally ~18in (as opposed to the carryon max of 21in).
-Duffle Bag: I've got regular suitcases already and I like duffle bags because it can be easier to squeeze odd shaped things in there.
-With Wheels
-Checkable: But still with enough structural integrity that it can be checked. My old bag had some sort of stiff frame along 3 of the sides. That plus the backing for the wheels meant that 4 out of 6 sides were quite sturdy and it kept its shape well and could be safely checked. I wouldn't feel comfortable checking e.g. a soft-sided bag.

Most of the things I see online either aren't duffle bags, don't have wheels, or don't look sturdy enough to check (although it's hard to tell online). Any suggestions/recommendations?
posted by matildatakesovertheworld to Shopping (8 answers total) 2 users marked this as a favorite
 
For your consideration: Aviator Wheeled Backpack

Not explictly a duffle bag, but very similar in that it opens wide like a duffle and has soft sides like a duffle. Might not meet your size requirement though - it's rare that small duffle bags will have wheels.

At 18" you're looking at something like wheeled backpacks
posted by Karaage at 5:54 PM on November 4, 2015 [1 favorite]


Response by poster: Karaage, that's 22in high. I'd really like something smaller, ideally around 18in.
posted by matildatakesovertheworld at 6:02 PM on November 4, 2015


Well, this one seems to fill the bill. Only one review, can not attest to the quality personally. BTW, this company also sells it on Amazon but for 11 bucks more, I guess to recover the price of commisions. http://goo.gl/naQDXv
posted by jcworth at 7:00 PM on November 4, 2015


It's a little smaller than what you specified, but I love this bag. My husband has one, and he never has trouble fitting it into an overhead bin. But I like to check my bags, and have never had a problem doing that either.
posted by merejane at 7:15 PM on November 4, 2015


18"...long, or high?

Seems like LL Bean would be the obvious choice? Rolling Adventure Duffle, Medium, or XL if you meant around 18" high.

The only time I've ever been done with an LL Bean bag of any sort is when it's been lost or stolen. They are really good with bags and totes.
posted by kmennie at 7:45 PM on November 4, 2015 [1 favorite]


I'm not clear if you would sometimes want to use the duffel as a carry-on on planes. If so, that will really limit the size you get, if the airline is strict about checking. The hallmark of a duffel to me is that the cross-section is square (i.e. height and depth are about the same), which on many airlines will limit you to 9". 9" x 9" x 18" is a small enough bag that luggage makers won't put wheels on in a lot of cases.

I did find this, but the dimensions on the site are conflicting--under Product Features it lists the dimensions as L18xW11xH12 but in the Product Specifications it gives 21" x 15" x 12". In either case, the 11"/12" puts you over the airlines' technical requirements, as in, it probably won't fit in the sizer if it's stuffed, but if you don't pack it full and/or the gate agent isn't a stickler you shouldn't have a problem.

You could also consider buying a non-wheeled duffel and a separate cart--this one gets stellar reviews, and while it may be unwieldy if you tried this on a huge bag, on a compact duffel it should work nicely.
posted by mama casserole at 6:11 AM on November 5, 2015


Response by poster: Yes, I'm looking for something that can be both checked and used as a carry-on.
posted by matildatakesovertheworld at 8:37 AM on November 5, 2015


Response by poster: For posterity: I ended up getting the London Fog Chatham 19" Wheeled Club. I used it over Thanksgiving and really like it so far.
posted by matildatakesovertheworld at 3:01 PM on December 5, 2015


« Older What to buy for a person who hates novelty?   |   Who lives, who dies, who tells your story to... Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.