duffle bag purchase
 

I would like to purchase a duffle for my trip to Kenya.........i would like the LIGHTEST weight possible , but it should be sturdy enough for the trip..........can anyone suggest what type or brand would be appropriate and where i could find one? I live in NYC so i have a variety of places to shop in......or is there a good on-line site? In addition to this bag, i intend to take a lightweight poketbook and carry on tote usually of the LE Sportsac type..........I'm really concerned about luggage weight as it is the "things" that weigh so much........thanks

I have the large size Mountain duffle and have used it on 2 trips.
http://www.outdoorproducts.com/prodl...3&pcatid=4

It weighs about 2 lbs empty. Sportmart and Sport Chalet carry these where I am.

I have the Eagle Creek medium size duffel, very lightweight and has been on three safaris and still looks like new.

I used the large LLBean adventure duffle. It weighs 2 lbs. 4 oz. It stood up well to the air travel.

CW

Check out www.ebags.com They have duffles at all price points. The one I use is their own brand-name that cost $25.

Living in NYC, you can find local luggage stores everywhere - not the big Innovation Luggage shops - that carry all kinds of luggage, at great prices. Then there is always TJMaxx or Target, even Marshall's. The inventory in this shops change regularly, but give them a try.

We have booked a Kenyan safari for July 2007 and are struggling with what luggage to purchase. It sounds like everyone uses extremely light non-wheeled duffle bags for their safaris.

The problem for us is that we are going to London for 5 days and a one week Nile cruise so we need to bring a fair bit of clothing and items. Also we are going through airports, etc. and there's no way we can carry around all of these duffel bags. We found some great wheeled duffle bags but they weigh 11 pounds versus the 2 to 3 pounds everyone is talking about. Please help with any suggestions?

Will you be flying in Kenya or driving only?

The strictest weight limits involve carrying luggage on small planes, where weight is an issue and unstructured bags fit into the small cargo holds.

Is it possible for you to leave your London and Nile cruise luggage with your safari operator in Kenya? Then you could repack a duffle for the safari portion of your trip in a smaller bag.

CW

Thanks CW for the speedy reply. We are flying between 3 camps throughout Kenya on the small planes you described. The idea of leaving our larger wheeled luggage with the hotel is a good one and we'll check into that.

So I'm going to assume that no one takes wheeled duffel bags on safaris where you have to fly between camps. Is this the case?

I've also got to think that anyone who is doing extended travelling beyond just their safari must be checking their larger bags at the hotel or are able to pack real light and therefore carry their bags around airports, etc..

P.S. My wife has a terrible back and cannot carry bags of any weight.

I'm pretty sure you can leave your heavy bags at the hotel or with your safari tour operator.

My experience, which was in South Africa, was that the small plane cargo holds are shaped irregularly and they sort of squish the bags in. Hard to do that with a wheeled bag.

But even though I traveled "light," I didn't carry my bag very much. When we landed we got a luggage cart and waited for the bags. Same when we returned to the airport. All of the rest of the trip, there was always someone there who carried the bags.

So don't fret. Just check on where you can leave some of your luggage and there will be someone to help you for the safari part.

Enjoy! Sounds like a great itinerary.

CW

I also have a bad back and am planning to take wheeled luggage on my safari...too much moving of luggage and not always being able to count on others to carry it ......I am actually going to talk with my tour ooperator tomorrow for clarification on this.

spsand,
What type of trip? In my experience in East Africa, you NEVER never carry your own luggage. Even if you want to! Not for half a second. And my trips have not been what qualifies as "luxury" on Fodor's.

Perhaps others have had different experiences?

Because luggage carry-on restrictions are also changing throughout Europe, I'm now testing a 22" soft cabin tote, and using detachable wheels. The combination weighs less than a wheeled bag and will fit through sizers at airports and if the UK one-bag rule is strict, the wheels can be detached and go inside the bag. I think a similar system would work for a larger duffle.

Sylvia

The only time you may have to lift your own bag would be on arrival. Claiming your luggage and placing on a cart before leaving this area to meet your guide/driver outside. After that, you won't get a chance to lift your own bag.

Rick Steves offers a lightweight soft sided bag that also has padded straps to turn into a backpack (no frame, just soft sides. It expands upward and outward quite well. Used it for a one month trip through Europe and got a lot into it. When you get stuck having to lug it, it is nice to be able to disperse the weight by using the back pack option. www.ricksteves.com
Go to the travel bag section and it is the first one shown for $99. Called the Convertible travel bag.
We have two that are now about 12 years old and still used.