Travel Packing Luggage

Wheeled suitcase, duffle bag, back pack, day pack, laptop ~ Pack light, Pack Smart

Proper travel packing luggage is more important than ever, whether you take a wheeled suitcase, duffle bag, back pack, laptop: Airlines now more severely limit carryon bag size and usually require all luggage to be checked in, and many airlines will charge extra for a second bag.

When I first started travelling, I packed a huge suitcase and a few small ones. Then, when I had to go 'cold turkey' in packing light (see what-to-pack for my tale of woe), my new soft-sided wheeled suitcase measured just 11x21x16 inches, and easily fit into the airplane's overhead bin. (See this suitcase in action Borneo Sandakan Malaysia 'Libaran Lodge room').

Hardsided or softsided, smaller suitcase is still better

Soft-sided or Hard? I find that softsided bags are more forgiving on interior space, and come with handy exterior zippered pockets than do hard-sided bags. (See my blog post for info). This is a personal preference, though. Try both types if you can before you decide. I've relaxed my 'super-small' suitcase rule to allow a slightly larger (though still softsided and wheeled) suitcase with an extra panel that, unzippered, gives me 2 more inches of cargo space. This extra space has proven handy for storing an unneeded jacket in the tropics, and for carting home souvenirs.

Luggage Features ~ sturdy, well-made, dark color

Wheeled Suitcase or Back Pack? The debate continues in our household. (My middle child is a confirmed back packer.) While it's true wheeled suitcases are difficult to manoevre on rough surfaces, most of the time I find they are a godsend and are a handy carrier for my heavy back pack. (Stacked, photo, they easily fit into washroom stalls.) I did consider a back pack with wheels, but haven't yet tried one. Let me know if you have, and how it worked for you.

Wheels Look for sturdy wheels set into the base, and not one with the wheels just screwed on to the bottom or the back. Life on the road can be rough on luggage - lose a wheel and it gets a little tougher.

Zippers should be sturdy and large, and glide smoothly around corners (See my blog post for info).

Color My current suitcase (photo, top), I chose this dark rust-orange color, thinking it would stand out on baggage carousels. Well, it appears that many travelers must have had the same thought, since more and more now use red or orange luggage.

And, somewhat disappointingly, my new rust-color bag showed dark grease marks, courtesy of its very first encounter with a baggage handling system. My future bags will be basic black.

TIP Stand Out in a Crowd Here's another travel packing luggage tip to help find your bag in the crowd: Put an unusual sticker(s) on the solid plastic corners or bottom. You can spot your luggage quickly when it comes down the baggage carousel. (Mac computer users, this is a good spot to use those Apple stickers that come with your computer.)

Safety First Put all personal identifying details *inside* your bag; do NOT print them on an outer luggage tag for any casual passerby who might be wondering whose house is vacant for a while. Instead, tuck a business card or address label with the printed side facing down into the outer luggage tag pocket.

Duffle Bag In my experience, travelling with a dufflebag for luggage is a guy thing. Not sure why. Maybe they just happen to have them around from sports things, or guys are stronger and can carry them, or guys aren't as obsessed with wrinkle issues.

In any event, to get more into a duffle bag when you think it's stuffed as much as it can be, close the zippers and try this: Lift up one of the small ends of the bag, and give it several shakes to shift the contents to the opposite end and set it down. Grab one of the long sides of the duffle bag and shake the contents down to the opposite side. Set the bag down again, unzip it and check: You will have shifted the contents enough to allow for a lot more packing. Impresses the heck out of guys, too!

Back Pack and Day Pack When in transit (bus, plane, van etc), my backpack holds my camera bag and my toiletries bag, along with snacks and water (bought after you clear airport security), meds, bathing suit (see travel clothing), rain poncho in a pouch, inflatable neck pillow, travel guidebook, notepad, pens, sunglasses, glasses -- and it goes where I go. If my checked luggage goes astray, I have enough to keep me going till it catches up to me. (All liquids, gels, etc must be in 100 ml containers and enclosed in a clear plastic (ziploc) bag for airport security -- See travel packing - medications). When I am touring around I use the back pack as my day pack to carry what I need. As with your luggage, choose a good quality bag designed for travel, not school book.

No Laptop or Camera Equipment? If you don't have to transport a laptop or camera equipment and film, a smaller day pack may be all you need. Use it as your carry on for snacks and items you'd like on the flight, and anything you'd miss should your checked luggage go AWOL. (With ever-changing airline allowable carry-on items, just go with the flow, and modify as needed).

Travel with Laptop to USA Be aware that US Customs can inspect and seize laptops; that 'reasonable suspicion' is not required at borders as of news reports April, 2008. You may want to limit any proprietary information on laptops or leave it at home.

Lost Luggage On a 5-day trip to the Outer Banks of North Carolina, USA, my luggage didn't show up at my room until late in the evening on Day 4! I coped without any luggage at all by hand washing undies etc each night, but I was okay, really! Know what is in your bag, and don't pack prescription meds or other essentails in your checked luggage.

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