r/travel • u/AutoModerator • Nov 01 '18
Discussion r/travel Topic of the Week: Show us your luggage!
Hey travellers!
In this week's episode of the community discussion topics: Are you a heavy suitcase packer, a backpacker, pulling trolleys, or a true minimalist? Show us your typical travel setup!
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6
Nov 01 '18
I got this backpack (mine is green though) before setting off on my first backpacking trip back in 2012. Before that whenever I'd travel I always had a duffel bag, and I didn't realize I was doing anything wrong because I didn't know there was a lot to think about nor did I know that "backpacking" was a thing real people did - I thought it was just in movies like The Beach, or for rich kids who "do" Europe over the summer before/after college. Then I went on a short trip to the east coast with a friend of mine who made fun of my duffel bag and decided to investigate. I think the subsequent googling even led to my discovery of this very message board circa 2010/2011.
Anyway I typically fill that thing up and that's that. No checked bags unless I'm going scuba diving, then I have this bag which has my mask and fins, of course, as well as any extra things I can cram in there that I don't feel like carrying around.
I'll usually bring two pairs of shoes. I'll wear the bulkier ones on the plane (my comfortable but kinda stupid looking Keen hiking boots, if I am in fact hiking), and then a comfortable pair of walking/everyday shoes, which for me right now are these sick Nike SBs. Then I pack two pairs of pants (one jeans, one hiking), one pair of shorts, swim trunks, about five t-shirts, a long sleeve thermal, socks, underpants, and a windbreaker. This is all depending on weather, of course, but generally the above applies to everywhere.
Add to that my camera with two lenses, my dive computer (if applicable), a headlamp, a handkerchief, various toiletries, and a manila envelope full of a copy of my itinerary/confirmation #s/passport photocopies/etc. That, I believe, is everything.
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u/jippiejee Holland Nov 01 '18
I always travel with my Eastpak 36ltr only. Not your typical travel 'backpack', but I like the casual look of it, and it's big enough for me really.
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u/CheeseWheels38 CAN --> FRA/KAZ Nov 01 '18
I had always thought that brand was super euro (I only started seeing them in France in 2011) but apparently they're from Boston.
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u/jippiejee Holland Nov 01 '18
I've always thought of Fjällräven as the typical euro brand :) Very nice bags btw.
2
Nov 01 '18
We've got one of those stores here. I was thinking about going to try out some of their hiking pants. They look quite sturdy and nice. (High price tag, though.)
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u/jippiejee Holland Nov 01 '18
"How to not look like an american..." - there's your answer: Fjällräven! Everyone will assume you're scandinavian now :)
2
Nov 01 '18
I am the most American looking guy everywhere I go. White Sox baseball cap, graphic t-shirt, Levi's jeans, Nike shoes... Between the way I look and the loud, boisterous manner with which I speak, it is painfully obvious from a distance that I am American.
1
Nov 02 '18
Spot him, got him, as I pulls out my strap
Got my chrome to the side of his White Sox hat
You tryin' to check my homey, you better check yo self
'Cause when you diss Dre you diss yourself, motherfucker1
Nov 02 '18
Yeah but he wasn't from here so it's not as cool when he wears it. It'd be like me wearing a Dolphins hat and rapping about it.
3
Nov 02 '18
I have work to do, otherwise I'd write a short rap for this exact scenario.
Fuck it...what's another 5 minutes of procrastination while I'm already here?
Hot dogs. Mustard. Extra pizza crusted.
Spell Colombia with an 'o' - spend my dough on punk rock shows.
Went to Florida with my dad.
He bought me this teal Dolphins hat.
1
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u/mathiasfe Norway Nov 01 '18
I have this Rawrow backpack that I use everyday and also when I travel. In it I have a small packing cube that has one shift of clothes and a Lufthansa Rimowa amenity kit (that I use for toiletries), so when I go on one night trips I only bring that one.
If I'm going for more than one night, I bring my Rimowa Salsa Cabin 2-wheel. It's absolutely fantastic and I can easily fit a week worth of clothes in it.
I also have a Hagløfs Rose 40 backpack that I use every now and then. It's a great backpack that has front and top opening.
But most importantly, use packing cubes! It makes everything so much easier and then it doesn't really matter what kind of luggage you use.
1
u/NikkiMasterFrat Nov 02 '18
This rawrow backpack looks amazing! I currently use a heimplanet one that seems similar in scale and function, but the material of the one you have looks nice. Have you washed it at all? How does it hold up?
2
u/mathiasfe Norway Nov 02 '18
Got it last summer in Seoul and I haven’t really washed it. But the fabric is water resistant and I haven’t noticed any wear or tear during the last year of using it almost every day. The quality on the zipper is also great.
6
Nov 01 '18
I bought this pack from the REI Garage for $88+tax on discount a couple years ago. It's only been on one proper adventure so far - to Guatemala for a few weeks...but I've got a 5-week cycling/hiking journey planned for next summer so that will truly break 'er in.
I think that the whole backpack debate is silly and that any pack bought in 2018 is going to be 100 times better than the luggage used by 99.9% of humans since the dawn of civilization so it's a bit silly to sweat balls over which pack to buy. I bought the pack that was about the size I was after with the fattest discount and I'm perfectly happy with it.
At the end of the day, it's just a bag to put your shit in. People traveled the globe with shitty canvas army packs for ages.
3
u/CheeseWheels38 CAN --> FRA/KAZ Nov 01 '18
No Flextrek Whipsnake?
3
Nov 01 '18
It's just a joke. I never actually bought one.
I'm a pretty adventurous dude with plenty of backcountry treks under my belt but I ain't no Steve Climber.
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u/CheeseWheels38 CAN --> FRA/KAZ Nov 03 '18
I've got a 5-week cycling/hiking journey planned for next summer so that will truly break 'er in.
I forgot to respond to this the other day... have you done much cycling with a backpack? It's kind of a pain-in-the-ass and if you can get a hold of paniers you'll be a hell of a lot more comfortable. Although it'll depend of how much you do per day/how much stuff you're carrying.
1
Nov 03 '18
No, I never have...other than a day pack. We ordered panniers literally yesterday from China...we'll see how that goes. So my pack will be super light...but I do need one since the last 300km is on foot.
4
u/khaldamo Nov 03 '18
Never underestimate the power of a simple drawstring bag for use as a secondary bag. I use mine for carrying a spare pair of shoes, for when i go on a day hike and need something to carry water/snacks, etc.
You can fold them into nothing when they're not in use, and stick them in your pocket. And they can be machine washable too!
(I got mine for free from a careers day expo at uni 10 years ago, and it comes with me EVERYWHERE)
5
u/elevenghosts Nov 01 '18
Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45 has become my go-to travel bag. There are about 4 different ways to carry it. There're plenty of pockets. The inside can be configured for different capacities. I've used this for a weekend trip and also a 2-week trek without feeling like I had too much or too little bag. It's great.
1
u/CheeseWheels38 CAN --> FRA/KAZ Nov 01 '18
That's an interesting looking pack. Does it pack like a suitcase but can be carried like a back-pack if need be?
2
u/elevenghosts Nov 01 '18
Basically, yes.
I pack the middle section like a suitcase and it has straps on the inside to keep everything in place. Side pockets are large enough for shoes, light jackets or hoodies, etc. Backpack straps can be hidden within the bag for when it's in transit. Three sides have handles. I usually wear it like a backpack. But if I'm connecting flights and the shoulder straps are hidden, I can easily it carry it like a briefcase through an airport.
2
u/PeteyNice Airplane! Nov 01 '18 edited Nov 01 '18
Here is my current line up:
Checked suitcase: Briggs and Riley Baseline Large Expandable Spinner
Carry-On suitcase: Briggs and Riley Explore Domestic Expandable Upright
Carry-On backpack: eBags TLS Motherlode Weekender Convertible
Carry-On duffle: Red Oxx Safari Beanos PR5
Personal Item/Under the Seat in Front of You: Jansport Cool Student
I really like Briggs and Riley. They are not cheap but if you are patient and stalk Sierra Trading Post and Amazon Warehouse Deals you can get a bargain. The warranty is unsurpassed and since a lot of work can be done by local shops they contract with, you don't need to ship your bag to get service.
Spinner for checked bags only. The wheel layout takes away valuable packing space in carry-ons.
The TLS bag is probably my favorite piece of luggage I own. It can hold a ton and has lots of useful pockets. Just very versatile.
The Red Oxx bag is great, but it has not had much use since I received the TLS as a gift.
Some people will tell you that the Jansport bag is too big to be a Personal Item. On some airlines this may be true. However, the "Personal Item OK/Cabin Guaranteed" tags I have on it from Delta, Air Canada, Alaska, KLM, and SAS say otherwise. It is a nice bag with good features. The zippers are kind of cheap and can be difficult to pull at times though.
1
u/mataushas Nov 02 '18
I've been looking at TLS back. Is it comfortable to walk around with for a few hours? I'm also thinking about osprey 46 porter
1
u/PeteyNice Airplane! Nov 02 '18
The Porter has a real hip belt so if the contents are heavy, it will be more comfortable over long periods of time. The shoulder straps on the TLS are well padded but the Porter will be better. However, the TLS pockets are much easier to access. To get to most pockets in the Porter, you need to unclip the wings.
1
u/mataushas Nov 02 '18
I'm going to a local store tomorrow to try out the porter. I read some reviews this backpack doesn't have the best hip belt. But like you said, it's probably better than TLS
4
u/smc0454 Nov 02 '18
https://i.imgur.com/3Oea7aK.jpg
Stole this from my sisters instagram. I usually only have a backpack + carry on when I travel but traveling with my family is a different story. We have 2 suitcases full of just snacks 🤦🏻♀️ and my mom packs at least 4-5 shirts PER DAY for my younger brothers.
We were in an island of Dumaguete in the Philippines, now spending 3 days in Bohol.
3
3
u/upsidedownbat Where to next? 🐒🌴🍜 Nov 01 '18
I carry this for most adventure-type travel: https://www.amazon.com/Kelty-Womens-Redwing-40-Backpack/dp/B015GXVBBC I do laundry on a trip that's over a week so if I'm going someplace that doesn't get down to freezing then this is plenty of space and is a good size to carry-on. I'll supplement it with a shoulder bag or a small JanSport backpack as my personal item.
This is also what I use for the other kind of backpacking (hike and camp.) It's a touch small for cold-weather camping, but works great for summer or for hiking to a cabin in the winter.
If I'm visiting family or will have access to a car, then I will carry a small rolling suitcase.
3
u/CantLookUp United Kingdom Nov 01 '18
Oh man. Let me show you the monstrosity I took with me the first time I went abroad for about 10 days through part of mainland Europe: Behold!.
90L for 10 days. City hopping in Western countries. What was I thinking?
After that I downsized massively. My go to for the last few years has been an Osprey Porter 46, with a Daylite attached (or more often stuffed inside) for use on dayhikes etc.
I've recently grabbed a Kelty Redwing 50 though - I needed something that could also be used for multiday hikes while still being reasonably compact. Haven't used it for a trip yet, but after doing a few hikes around the local area with it I'm convinced that this will work in pretty much any situation I need it to.
1
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u/ScrewTheAverage Airplane! Nov 01 '18 edited Nov 14 '18
Our bag of choice is an Osprey Manata AG 36L (we each use one).
Great suspension system and very comfortable, even after 5 miles (we keep them at about 15lbs). We've used them on dozens of flights, including low cost carries like, WizzAir, EasyJet, Ryan Air, etc.
The bags still look new after nearly two years, four continents, 26 countries, 28 house sits, and ~70 cities!
As for what they look like, what we pack in them, and what (and why we don't pack certain things) you can check them out here: Gear And Packing Lists
2
u/FieryFool Nov 01 '18
Depends on the type/length of trip but some combination of 2 of the below:
Osprey Farpoint 40L
Hard shell carry on size (I forget the brand)
Rei Co-op Trail 25
Tote/weekender size bag (again forget the brand)
Trying to fit into just my Osprey for my next trip but we'll see how that goes--packing winter clothes in one bag seems impossible to me!
2
2
u/windolene69 Nov 01 '18
- Rimowa Topasz Cabin (small/IATA version) (https://www.businesstraveller.com/tried-and-tested/luggage-review-rimowa-topas-cabin-multiwheel/)
- Venger Reload laptop bag. (https://www.staples.co.uk/laptop-bags-luggage/cbs/224505646.html)
The laptop bag has a "trolley sleeve" that lets you secure it to the trolley case, and wheel it around the airport as a unit. It opens on the top for easy access.
Classic Rimowa cases are beautiful items. Objectively a waste of money, but I find a little bit of luxury sometimes softens the blow of otherwise gruelling business travel.
I also have a big black plastic Samsonite S'Cure case for checking in on >1wk trips, it's practically indestructible.
2
u/Nathan340 Nov 04 '18
Main bag is the r/travel favorite Osprey Porter 46. Been going with that for 6 years now. Pretty well maxes out carry-on overhead space. I like how all the straps fold away - makes it easier to deal with if checked or just to not get tangled on everything in and out of a hostel locker. Not the most comfortable for any walk longer than a mile or so, but good enough to manage through transport to the next hostel/hotel.
The more recent addition is my unashamed man-purse Patagonia Atom 8. It's my under seat "personal item" on flights with kindle, ipod, power bank, meds, earplugs, eye mask, snacks. Around town it's great for journal, kindle, water bottle, and any other small things. Plus when I need to only manage one thing, it's still small enough to pack away into my main bag.
2
u/Picklesadog Nov 05 '18
Just did a road trip through Spain/France/Andorra. Wife and I brought two carry-on sized suitcases, a backpack, a carry-on sized bag, and a large suitcase. This is pretty typical for our travel. We fly out with a small suitcase inside the big one, and then fill the big one up with goodies, mostly wine, that we acquire along the way.
We always bring back ~10 bottles of wine, if our destination is a wine producing area, or those huge bottles of sake if going to Japan.
2
u/brianobrien91 Nov 06 '18 edited Nov 06 '18
Hand luggage: Eastpak Transverz S - Brown - Hand luggage
Hold luggage: Eastpak Transverz L - Blue - For the hold
Overnight trips - More4bagz - 44 litre backpack - Overnight bag
Regular backpack - SLOTRA anti-theft, 17 inch. Not very good, likely to be replaced soon for a higher quality anti theft backpack.
2
u/uReallyShouldTrustMe South Korea Nov 06 '18
Kathmandu 38L Litehaul. It is similar in size to the Osprey farpoint 40 that Reddit seems to love, but at like 1/3 of the price. It is a quality bag that I snagged for 140 NZD (which is about 100 USD post tax). It is a solid bag with not a lot of pockets and nothing fancy, but just roomier than you imagine for those of us who want to carry a 40L just in case, but really usually fill up about 25-30L.
1
u/jm808jr Nov 02 '18
My last 2 trips to Barcelona and Honolulu I used only a carry-on which was this generic bag from Amazon. It's pretty nice, sturdy material and fits perfectly in overhead compartments. It'll easily hold 4 or 5 days worth of clothes, a pair of shoes and a pair of sandals. Even though our trip to Spain was 7 days we stayed at a place with laundry so it worked well.
I also used a large North Face backpack which I got at one of the outlets at a sample sale so I don't think it's generally available.
1
Nov 02 '18
It totally depends on the trip!
15L daypack for short trips not camping.
22L daypack for short trips that need some gear
45L frameless and very compressible rucksack for longer trips or if I am camping. (This is what I use mostly).
Check in suitcase only if I need to fly with gear not accepted on carryon.
50L rucksack with internal frame for trips were I need heavier gear ( typically winter camping or mountaineering).
Yes I have lots of rucksacks....
1
u/ABrotherAbroad Nov 04 '18
I’ve been traveling for 9 months (and counting) with the GORUCK GR3 doing the carry on only thing. It’s been great.
My daypack is an REI flash 22. Pairing those two together is perfect.
The GR3 is simple but tough, it’s taken a light beating but isn’t showing much wear. Pairing it with packing cubes pretty much turns it into a dresser that fits on your back.
I like it a lot, but it’s tough to recommend now with the price increase - I grabbed it just after first release with the discount, so I’m very happy with what I paid. I’d definitely recommend scouring ebay for used versions though as this bag keeps getting better with use.
1
u/drizerman DR Nov 04 '18
Ebags tls motherlode weekender and new Outlander 20L foldable day pack.
That is all I take everywhere.
1
u/katerina-yinon Nov 04 '18
As a couple of photographers we always struggle with this topic. on our weekend trips we would go with two carry ons while for longer travels we have one carry on and one medium size luggage. We literally managed with all this for 35 days this summer in Israel, Greece and Italy. our tip is to roll in a bun what you can and plan your laundry days every few days
1
u/StovetopLuddite 30 Countries Nov 05 '18
I use this Osprey Farpoint 55L backpack that usually carries at least 2 weeks worth of clothing in it. I took this on all of my travels in the past six 6 years and my favorite feature is the way the bag opens and the detachable day bag from the front. I've only gotten dinged once as one person argued it was too large for a "personal item" but I've had luck ever since then.
1
u/oreo-cat- Nov 07 '18
I just use an Eddie Bauer duffle. It's been basically everywhere, has a nice comfy handle up top, shoulder strap with padding and some handy end pockets. And I'm fairly sure it's indestructible. I fill it up with Amazon basics packing cubes.
I had the rolling duffel for a while and didn't care for it at all. I'm not the biggest fan of wheels, and if I do need wheels I usually scrounge up a hardside.
9
u/CheeseWheels38 CAN --> FRA/KAZ Nov 01 '18 edited Nov 01 '18
I guess it's a good time to share this disaster.
That's my typical backpack, I'm not sure what size it is, but it makes it as a carry-on. I got it from MEC when I was around 12-13 so it's had a good run. The suitcase is a regular old Roots roller that is starting to fall apart after many flights.
If I need to carry a tent/sleeping bag/stove then I go with my Forclaz 60L from Decathlon.