Wheeled duffel preferences?
Jun 21st, 2006, 02:18 AM
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Wheeled duffel preferences?
I gather that my standard 22" Tumi carry-on isn't very practical for an upcoming Botswana trip -- I apparently need a more flexible, duffel-type bag. I've got a non-wheeled duffel, but I'd really want a wheeled bag as I'll be doing a fair bit of schlepping at airports -- changing terminals, hikes to gates, etc.
Prices and quality of wheeled 22" duffels are all over the places, from $19 at Target to $300+ from Tumi.
What are people's experiences with the best types of soft-sided bags for safari travels?
Prices and quality of wheeled 22" duffels are all over the places, from $19 at Target to $300+ from Tumi.
What are people's experiences with the best types of soft-sided bags for safari travels?
Jun 21st, 2006, 03:21 AM
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We actually bought a wheeled duffel at Target - it was "Eddie Bauer" brand - probably means nothing as they likely bought the name only.
We own 2 of them - they have never been to Africa, but have been to Europe with the owners (our teenagers) and back and forth to college and god knows where else - have held up very well and I am sure they are mistreated. Even when overstuffed, the zippers have held up.
The ones we have have 2 outside pockets and 2 inside compartments. Open up wide enough so you are not digging around in the dark interior for items. They are reasonably easy to wheel - don't fall over, for example. The handle still works. Ours are red, making them easy to spot on luggage conveyor - but red seems to be the new black for luggage, as everyone seems to have red luggage these days.
We own 2 of them - they have never been to Africa, but have been to Europe with the owners (our teenagers) and back and forth to college and god knows where else - have held up very well and I am sure they are mistreated. Even when overstuffed, the zippers have held up.
The ones we have have 2 outside pockets and 2 inside compartments. Open up wide enough so you are not digging around in the dark interior for items. They are reasonably easy to wheel - don't fall over, for example. The handle still works. Ours are red, making them easy to spot on luggage conveyor - but red seems to be the new black for luggage, as everyone seems to have red luggage these days.
Jun 21st, 2006, 05:39 AM
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Depending on which airport you'll be arriving or transiting, unlike in the US, there always seem to be carts around to assist in getting from place to place.
Otherwise, and though soft duffles are best as they get squished into the belly of those small Botswana inter-camp flights, you look for a soft-duffle with "wheels only" on one end of the bag; with a pull handle on the opposite end. Just be sure that if you find such a duffle, that in addition to the wheels, the bag doesn't have a hard bottom.
Hope this is a good direction to follow. Check Target, TJMaxx, etc.; also www.ebags.com (doesn't have to be an expensive purchase).
Otherwise, and though soft duffles are best as they get squished into the belly of those small Botswana inter-camp flights, you look for a soft-duffle with "wheels only" on one end of the bag; with a pull handle on the opposite end. Just be sure that if you find such a duffle, that in addition to the wheels, the bag doesn't have a hard bottom.
Hope this is a good direction to follow. Check Target, TJMaxx, etc.; also www.ebags.com (doesn't have to be an expensive purchase).
Jun 21st, 2006, 06:27 AM
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I bought a $12 canvas duffel, w/o wheels, for my recent month long safari and it worked out just fine. It has outer pockets on each end and one long one along the front. It held up very well, was not really big but somehow it was spacious enough to hold everything, and I had no problems with zippers.
I have one with wheels (cost $15 at the same discount store) but I got a wheel-less one because of the weight restrictions.
I don't believe in spending a lot of money on luggage because of the way the airlines handle them, so in your position, I'd opt for the $19 Target model.
I don't know where you're located, but in NYC, Century 21 carries the type of wheels only duffel that Sandi described.
I have one with wheels (cost $15 at the same discount store) but I got a wheel-less one because of the weight restrictions.
I don't believe in spending a lot of money on luggage because of the way the airlines handle them, so in your position, I'd opt for the $19 Target model.
I don't know where you're located, but in NYC, Century 21 carries the type of wheels only duffel that Sandi described.
Jun 21st, 2006, 06:35 AM
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I really loved our wheeled duffle that Micato sent us for our just completed trip - but, as people said in this post - beware, it weighed 8 lbs. in itself which just left us 25 lbs for our clothes & stuff.
The wheels itself probably didn't make the weight, as it was just wheels set into the cloth at one end, but the heavy zippers and the type of cloth is probably what made it so heavy. But, I could see why by they needed those heavy zippers and that rugged cloth by the end of the trip - I have nicks and tears in mine from the planes, etc, and they are still very usable. And the zippers held up really well, which is more than I can say for my TravelPro (which I swear by usually) carry on which broke the morning I packed it. (and it wasn't even stuffed)
That being said, Sandi is right though - there are plentiful luggage carts at Nairobi and most airports - and the only time we had to handle the luggage ourselves was at the Zanzibar airport (there's a story there...). And I noticed at most of the lodges the porters picked them up and carried them anyway, regardless of the wheels!
The wheels itself probably didn't make the weight, as it was just wheels set into the cloth at one end, but the heavy zippers and the type of cloth is probably what made it so heavy. But, I could see why by they needed those heavy zippers and that rugged cloth by the end of the trip - I have nicks and tears in mine from the planes, etc, and they are still very usable. And the zippers held up really well, which is more than I can say for my TravelPro (which I swear by usually) carry on which broke the morning I packed it. (and it wasn't even stuffed)
That being said, Sandi is right though - there are plentiful luggage carts at Nairobi and most airports - and the only time we had to handle the luggage ourselves was at the Zanzibar airport (there's a story there...). And I noticed at most of the lodges the porters picked them up and carried them anyway, regardless of the wheels!
Jun 21st, 2006, 01:00 PM
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Century 21 - I should get my butt down there. I've been using a friend's soft duffle these past two years, and they used them the year earlier for their safari. Held up perfectly, even the heavy-duty zippers are light weight. They were bought by them on www.ebags.com for about $25 each.
Because they are soft all around, with durable fabric, not a scratch, tear or mark on them. Those heavier TravelPro and/or Micato fabrics get damaged when loaded in those small baggage compartments on those small planes.
Check out one of the discount stores, even a Costco or other warehouse store where you just never know what you'll find at low low prices. And if it last for one trip only, you barely made a big investment.
Because they are soft all around, with durable fabric, not a scratch, tear or mark on them. Those heavier TravelPro and/or Micato fabrics get damaged when loaded in those small baggage compartments on those small planes.
Check out one of the discount stores, even a Costco or other warehouse store where you just never know what you'll find at low low prices. And if it last for one trip only, you barely made a big investment.
Jun 21st, 2006, 04:12 PM
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Hi Sandi,
You suggested to find a duffel with wheels that doesn't have a hard bottom. We recently bought bags that have the hard bottom thinking it would be fine, but now i'm a bit worried that we have bought the wrong thing. Do you know if we can still use our bags or should we be looking for something else?
You suggested to find a duffel with wheels that doesn't have a hard bottom. We recently bought bags that have the hard bottom thinking it would be fine, but now i'm a bit worried that we have bought the wrong thing. Do you know if we can still use our bags or should we be looking for something else?
Jun 21st, 2006, 04:46 PM
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If you're going to check your bags, I'd agree that it doesn't really matter if you have wheels or not, as luggage trolleys and/or porters are readily available in most places. But as a carry-on, the wheelies are important especially if you have to change planes at a place like Heathrow (in T4 at least, no trolleys between the incoming airplane and the security checkpoint -- and the walk can be enormous.)
Jun 21st, 2006, 08:02 PM
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"you look for a soft-duffle with "wheels only" on one end of the bag; with a pull handle on the opposite end. Just be sure that if you find such a duffle, that in addition to the wheels, the bag doesn't have a hard bottom."
Why not a hard bottom? Wouldn't a wheeled duffel with a telescoping handle system need a hard bottom to protect the handle from being bent?
Why not a hard bottom? Wouldn't a wheeled duffel with a telescoping handle system need a hard bottom to protect the handle from being bent?
or medium (30"
Jun 22nd, 2006, 09:30 AM
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Luisah,
I believe sandi is referring to the kind without a telescoping handle. They're harder to roll than telescoping kind because you don't have that extension. The reason for soft duffles is that they're easier to stuff into small aircraft. Also a hard bottom adds additional weight and some people, like me, need every ounce of their weight allowance
If you're driving and not flying (more common in East Africa), it doesn't matter what type of luggage you bring.
I use a 30" non-wheeled duffle that weighs less than 2 lbs empty, but I check my main bag so don't have to drag it around airports.
I believe sandi is referring to the kind without a telescoping handle. They're harder to roll than telescoping kind because you don't have that extension. The reason for soft duffles is that they're easier to stuff into small aircraft. Also a hard bottom adds additional weight and some people, like me, need every ounce of their weight allowance
If you're driving and not flying (more common in East Africa), it doesn't matter what type of luggage you bring.
I use a 30" non-wheeled duffle that weighs less than 2 lbs empty, but I check my main bag so don't have to drag it around airports.
Jun 22nd, 2006, 09:47 AM
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rizzuto -
If you're talking Heathrow, I feel for you. Long treks. How about asking for wheelchair or a transport cart? They meet you at the gate and take you wherever you have to be. Go for it!
After my first tranfer at LHR, on a return here, when one of those carts was waiting for some deplaning passengers, I just asked if they had room for another. One of the best I questions I've ever asked.
Figured, if the airports don't provide carts or moving sidewalks, they had better be ready with carts for anyone who doesn't feel like the long hike to the end of the world.
Go for it! You paid for your ticket, so why not!
If you're talking Heathrow, I feel for you. Long treks. How about asking for wheelchair or a transport cart? They meet you at the gate and take you wherever you have to be. Go for it!
After my first tranfer at LHR, on a return here, when one of those carts was waiting for some deplaning passengers, I just asked if they had room for another. One of the best I questions I've ever asked.
Figured, if the airports don't provide carts or moving sidewalks, they had better be ready with carts for anyone who doesn't feel like the long hike to the end of the world.
Go for it! You paid for your ticket, so why not!
Jun 22nd, 2006, 09:24 PM
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Gang,
You just got me busy weighing. My trusty Delsey wheeled duffle with solid bottom was 7 lbs. I just bought a very similar size Eagle Creek soft duffle("large"....30 inch, I think). The Eagle Creek weighs just 2 lbs.
Wow! I was feeling kinda guilty buying the Eagle Creek until now. But the Eagle is what I will take. I do have to change planes at Heathrow, and that is always a long trek. But for 5 lbs. difference I will take the pain.
Interesting, a much smaller, studier soft duffel weighed in at 4 lbs.
You just got me busy weighing. My trusty Delsey wheeled duffle with solid bottom was 7 lbs. I just bought a very similar size Eagle Creek soft duffle("large"....30 inch, I think). The Eagle Creek weighs just 2 lbs.
Wow! I was feeling kinda guilty buying the Eagle Creek until now. But the Eagle is what I will take. I do have to change planes at Heathrow, and that is always a long trek. But for 5 lbs. difference I will take the pain.
Interesting, a much smaller, studier soft duffel weighed in at 4 lbs.
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