New Convertible Bag for Teen?

Old Aug 25th, 2015, 03:32 PM
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New Convertible Bag for Teen?

I want to purchase a new bag for my teenager to use on upcoming mission trips and a family vacation to Italy and Greece. He's a strong 6' boy so carrying weight isn't an issue. I'd like him to be able to use the new piece throughout his college years as well.

I was looking at the Osprey Convertible backpack/wheeled bag but at around $300.00 they are pricey! Can anyone recommend a potential bag?

Thanks!
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Old Aug 25th, 2015, 10:55 PM
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I'd go with the more expensive bag if you want it to last for years. I've had cheap and I've had expensive- and I've found that in luggage, the difference between the two is the latter has sturdy zippers and well designed wheels while the former....doesn't! Outlet malls are usually a great place to find name brand luggage. Macy's also has rudiculous sales and that's where we've bought the last few pieces.

Also, maybe ask him to look at/try on the various bags? I had a convertible years ago- it was the worst of both worlds, but it wasn't expensive either. He may like a straight backpack (handy for mission trips or if he decides to backpack in college with his friends) or a straight rolling case. My current suitcase is a hard shell carryon size and definitely my favorite out of all the bags of I've had. It has good wheels, is tough, and holds an astonishing amount of stuff if I pack smartly. I'm strong and tall enough for a backpack- I've carried one previously- but I always go the rolling route when possible because straps on my shoulders make me tired faster. I have friends who are opposite, though- they hate wheels. So it's really a matter of what he'll use the most.
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Old Aug 26th, 2015, 01:08 AM
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I would buy from Eagle Creek, although if possible I would go to an REI store so I could try the bags for size. I would definitely not buy a convertible, because of the extra weight when wearing it as a backpack. If he is likely to be traveling in places with cobbled or missing pavements, or where transport is likely to be shared minivans I would get a backpack. I traveled with an Eagle Creek backpack for ten years before I retired it in favor of a wheeled bag, and I still miss the backpack when coping with train stations.
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Old Aug 26th, 2015, 09:26 AM
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I've never been a fan of "convertibles" (because I think you get the worst not the best of both!). I think it's better to either buy a backpack or buy a rolling bag.

This is such a personal choice kind of purchase, I also wouldn't try to surprise him with the gift, but let him pick it himself.
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Old Aug 26th, 2015, 10:09 AM
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I would spend more to get better quality. Some people spend $300 and get ten years out of a bag (that's me--more than ten, actually). Others go to TJ Maxx and spend $100 every couple of years--I don't get that, but to each his own.

Keep in mind that the better brands have lifetime warranties. Put your receipt from the purchase inside the bag and leave it there as proof pof purchase date. If anything ever breaks, there are repair shops that do warranty work for free, or you can send it back to the manufacturer for repair. I have done this and extended the life of a bag indefinitely.

I wouldn;t worry too much about letting him choose his own bag. Most teenagers won't care as long as it's functional and doesn't look like granny's carpet bag.
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Old Aug 26th, 2015, 12:51 PM
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Appreciate the replies! What size do you recommend that would be sufficient for 7-10 of careful packing and could still fit in the overhead on the plane?
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Old Aug 26th, 2015, 01:40 PM
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Which plane? Carry on limits vary by airline and are consistently lower in Europe.

And 7-10 what? If it's days I pack pretty much the same for 70 days as I do for 7.

I might go with the Eagle Creek Gear Hauler, but I pack light and I'm not a young man. My current bag is closest to an Eagle Creek Adventure Upright 22, but I check it.
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Old Aug 26th, 2015, 01:48 PM
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I'd look at the airline pages to see what size they will allow as a carryon and get the largest size possible- mine has a zippered "expansion" that comes in handy if I bring souvenirs back. A lot of flights I've been on have been smaller planes or extra crowded so gate checking is necessary- overhead space doesn't matter so much as long as he can maneuver/lift it overhead easily enough.

That said, if you are talking about 1 to 2 weeks travel time, most teen boys I know pack mostly underwear, shirts, and a few pairs of jeans- I think the smaller the better. They don't usually need "just in case" space lol! If he's the techie sort- a bag with a compartment for a tablet/computer and accessories can be handy.
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Old Aug 28th, 2015, 10:29 AM
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I don't post very regularly here (in fact, it's been ages since I've posted at all) but I'm an avid traveler and am also active duty Air Force. You don't have to spend a ton to get a good, reliable bag. I discovered eBags' Weekender before my last six month deployment and believe me - if it can deal with 6 months in Afghanistan and being tossed around on military aircraft/piled on pallets/shoved into overheads/used as a gear bag and survive relatively unscathed, it would do just fine for your son. It converts to be carried as either a messenger or a backpack and has plenty of room for ten days. While deployed I used it as a personal bag - we have to have gear on our person for layovers and our heavy, large bags stay palleted up and out of our reach; it had all my toiletries, a travel hairdryer, my iPad, three days' worth of winter clothing and two military uniforms, complete with a pair of combat boots, in it and I still had TONS of room (and this was in the smaller version of the bag). Stateside I've packed enough for a five day trip and again still had tons of room. eBags is always running a sale of some sort (they're running one right now, actually) so you'll definitely get a good price on it. They have a lifetime warranty and great customer service. I have been very impressed with everything I've bought from them (especially this bag).
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Old Aug 28th, 2015, 11:31 AM
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Great testimonial! I love my eBags MotherLode 21" rolling bag--holds a ton and has been sturdy so far. It's not at all what the OP is looking for, but as you say, eBags has many styles and is always running a promotion of some kind. The website also breaks options down into Domestic Carry On and International Carry On categories, which is handy.
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Old Sep 2nd, 2015, 06:26 AM
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Another vote for Eagle Creek! And I agree with the others, spending a little extra will go a long way if you expect it to last. Best way to figure out the ideal size/weight would be to take a trip to the nearest store and have him try on a few bags, so he can see which is more comfortable.
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