I got the one made by Columbia. It's called the Omni-dry venture vest I think. It has 14 pockets. I wear a 6 and I really wish I had gotten a medium instead of the ladies small. So hopefully smallwill be small enough for you. I wanted one that was lightweight. Although it has a lot of pockets, some are almost too small. But it is okay.

I repacked into the soft duffle and am trying to make that work. My tour operator is emphasizing the fact that the airlines are finding this overweight luggage business to be a cash cow and are taking advantage of it. I do not wish to be in that situation so I continue to pare down what I am taking.

Thanks, I will check out the Columbia vest!

I've been thinking about these photo vests. Are you planning on using them other than to carry gear on the plane? I don't think I would use the vest any other time. But it may be worth it just to get on planes.

I know some photographers with the big heavy lenses will pull out a lens and throw it around their neck if the carry-on is too big or heavy. My two biggest lenses weigh 5.9 lbs and 2.9 lbs so if I did that it would take almost 9 lbs out of carry-on. But I wonder if that is kind of like snubbing your nose at them. By the time you are where they may weigh your carry-on you are really at their mercy and I would hate to pi$$ them off. They could easily demand that your bag goes with the checked luggage.

I think I'll have to shop around for a vest. Or just get out the sewing machine and custom make one that will hold all the heavier stuff that has to be carried on.

I know the weight of a duffle is dependent on what you put in it, but what size do you suggest might hold 44 pounds?

Is this a silly question????

I used a 30" duffel and it weighed less than 44 lbs. The bag I used weighed 2 lb 4 oz empty. I have since found one that is 30" and weighs 1 lb for when every pound counts! http://www.jansport.com/js_product_d...5&pid=TK33

sundowner,

I just bought Tilley's The VOMP (Vest of Many Pockets), www.tilley.com. This is a great safari vest, and you have enough big pockets for two bodies, or a body and a small lens, and even for a big zoom lens on the backside.

Mitch

sundowner~i checked out the jansport 30" duffel as you suggested, on the jansport page says weighs 1" but on all the shopping sites they suggest on their page, the weight is listed as 1# 8 ounces.

I am currently packed in an LLBean soft duffle (sportsman's gear bag)large (27 " with 4350 cu in) - it has a couple of outside pockets and it weighs 3lbs 16 oz according to the web site but that might be a misprint because that would be 4 pounds. I like it because it can be organized better and "lived out of" better than a duffle with one single zipper down the middle. This one has a U-shaped zipper opening which is much handier to pack and to see everything without taking it all out. It is VERY full and weighs about 35 pounds. I have packed inside a lightweight collapsable duffle that takes up almost no space or weight but has made it through the airlines checked luggage more than once unscathed. I hope to use down some of the heavier items and get rid of some of the bulky ones before coming home.

I have the same LL Bean duffle as you, wanderlust123. And of course the LL Bean purse as well as a Royal Robbins vest, which I believe is for women (Lisa, you might take a look ). I'm concerned about the 33lb weight limit for checked and carry-on together on internal flights, but the other flights should be OK.

I have decided to take gaiters (and skip the rain pants) after reading about the fire ants in Bwindi.

Have a great trip and be sure to report back!