Hi, again, from me, too

Did a lot of walking and shopping down in Freeport today.

The LL Bean Quickload Duffel is 22x14x9 inches. I took a measure tape with me and I am fairly sure that this rolling duffel would fit a 22x14x9 measure box, though there would not be any wiggle room.

I also measured the Carryall Pullman and putting the tape on the floor this one had another 1/4 or 1/2 inch of suitcase above the 22" line.

I am thinking I will get the Quickload Duffel when I go back for Christmas shopping (5 am some morning in December, to avoid the crowds -- love 24/7/365!), though I also will take my measure tape to TJ Maxx or Marshall's this fall when I have time and see what is available there.

I did get a Quickload Briefcase today for my "personal item," just $30 instead of $60 at the outlet store. I could not see a reason for 1/2 off, and it is still covered by Bean's 100% guarantee.

Cheers.

You were in my stomping grounds! I am also going to get a Quickload duffel but have been thinking about the carry-on as a companion rather than the briefcase, simply because it holds more. Don't you just love the outlets?

you are all nerds. To know bag specifications and act like there is a noticeable difference between a 6 and a 6 1/2 pound bag is crazy. especially when you consider you have to put your things in it. here's an idea, pack less.

Hi cindyj, yes, the outlet is a lot of fun!

I think the Quickload series is a new one for Bean's? I did not see anything but the briefcases among the various returned suitcases and packs.

Later on as customers return them or monogramming errors are made, then perhaps the duffels will show up in the outlet.

While in the main store I also tried one of the Quickload duffel Convertible packs. I am considering one of those instead of the rolling duffel. That would allow 4 lbs. of my stuff versus the duffel wheels and frame. If I go the convertible route I would be keeping the total weight under 15 total pounds anyway.

My next trip I am taking KLM over the pond but Virgin Atlantic on the way back, and Virgin has a restrictive! policy for hand baggage: the pack can be 22x14x9 but cannot weigh over 13 pounds. And your second piece must be a personal item (purse, briefcase) and not look like a piece of luggage, thus the "method" to my madness of getting the briefcase.

And, yes, to keep the convertible duffel no more than 13 pounds at the check-in desk I will have all heavy stuff in the briefcase or my coat pockets!


My trip this past spring I used a non-convertible duffel that weighed 18 lb over and 23 coming back (the souvenirs and much from paper weight .. a book from the airport bookstore, informational flyers from places I visited). I put all the items in a bag that I lugged over but did not use or just felt that I could have left home and it was almost 5 lbs, so I do think I can pack lighter for the next trip. Not that everyone has to, just my preference!

Yes, I think it is a new group of luggage for Bean. I worked there for a few years so I know the routine. If you saw a lot of briefcases in the outlet that weren't monogrammed there was probably some small manufacturing flaw that prevented them from being "first quality." Otherwise most of the outlet luggage is due to wrong monograms, or a discontinued line or color.

We are headed to Greece in a month and are trying to pack light. Disregarding the previous poster's comments that we are 'nerds', I have a question. This is the first long trip that we're planning to take only carry ons and not check any bags, at least on the way over. scotlib mentions packed weights and this is something that I hadn't even thought of! My husband flies domestic regularly for work with a Bean Sportsman's rolling pullman in the carry on size and he's never said anything about weight. I just checked NW and Continental websites and NW doesn't seem to give a weight limit for carry ons; Continental says 40 lbs. The 15 - 20 lbs you are mentioning sounds like it wouldn't be enough. What am I missing here?

The Heys x-case (19&quot is available at www.costco.com for $69.99. The 20" is $79.99. The price includes shipping. And if you don't like it, you can return it to any Costco location. Takes the hassle out of online buying - as long as you have a Costco in your area.

I just received mine last week and I love it. Weighs only 4.5 pounds! Did a "trial pack" a few days ago and was able to fit everything I need for a 2 week trip into the suitcase and stayed under City Jet's 15.43 pounds carryon restriction. HOORAY!!!!

cindyj-

In terms of luggage weight, if you're talking about flying the mainline US airlines, you don't have to worry. However, many European budget airlines have a very tight weight limit for carryons (usually 20lbs or less).

My previous 22" weighs 8lbs empty, and when packed full, it weighs around 20lbs. If I buy a few souvenir books, it goes up to 23lbs or so. I find that ~22-24 lbs is pretty much the limit I can handle by myself comfortably.

Since I travel alone a lot and use mainly public transportation, I need to be able to lift my luggage up 2 flights of stairs, lift it overhead to bins etc.

Thanks yk. I guess I'll have to do a trial packing, saving room for purchases, of course! We are going over on Continental, back on Delta. However, we are flying Aegean on two legs to and from the islands. I did check their website and their limit is indeed 20 kilos or 44 lbs for the main bag; 17 lbs for the personal bag. And I agree, we need to be able to manage the weight of the bag on and off ferries, into metros, etc.

cindy- Your Aegean flights may be challenging. If it only allows ONE carryon, then you can only have one piece, not one piece PLUS a purse. ie your day bag or purse has to fit INSIDE your carryon suitcase. Whereas the US airlines tend to be lenient as in "One carryon luggage PLUS one personal item".

In terms of purchases, with the euro being so high, I don't buy anything on my trips these days. However, I do pack along a folding duffle just in case. And if I have to, I'll check my luggage on my return flight back home.

If you have a bathroom scale, it is easy to weigh your suitcase. I just stand on the scale, get the reading; then stand on the scale with suitcase in hand.

Lastly, if you have any old clothes that you are planning to give away/get rid of, you can pack those on your trip and just toss them out as your trip progress. That's a great way to make room for new purchases.

SC Foodie:

Did you get the Tiger Print? I didn't see another color or type. Did I miss it?

Sue878 - I got the turquoise and hubby got the silver. We went with the 19" suitcase and there were four color options - silver, turquoise, navy and red.

The 20" suitcase was only offered in the tiger print.

But that is just what Costco carries. Heys offers about 16 colors and a few different animal prints.

Hope this info helps.

FC Foodie:
Thanks for the info, I didn't want the tiger print. I'll look at the 19".

Am I correct that those Heys cases don't have any outside pockets? Do people not find that a disadvantage? Also: I assume I'm correct that these bags don't fit under seat, i.e. that one hefts them into the overhead? I love the weight-- but can't get my head around what seem to me to be serious disadvantages.

I have found that the really cheapie suitcases are great for roll-on carryons. They are invariably very light (cheap construction) and since they aren't going to be subject to baggage handlers, it's not a big deal.

I have an 18 inch el-cheapo I bought in New Zealand 3 years ago, and it's utterly perfect. It's very light, even when packed full, I can fit a surprising amount of stuff in it (no padding - more room for stuff!) and it fits under a CRJ seat very easily, or, I can heft it up into an overhead on a bigger jet no problem.

I use this suitcase more than any other that I have, now. It goes on every trip and my other "carryon" (which is a 22 inch Samsonite spinner) isn't really a carryon, that is my "luggage hold" suitcase when needed. It can take a beating...

Makes a lot of sense, flygirl. One thing that I'd think would be very important, though, is the wheels. If something is too cheaply constructed, I'd worry that the wheels wouldn't last very long or that rollability would be compromised. But your basic point is well-taken.

poss - you are correct that there aren't any outside pockets on the Heys x-case. But I'm okay with that. I usually have a small purse or a jacket with zippered pockets that I use to hold things I want to get to easily/quickly.

I don't think this carry-on will fit under the seat in front of me. But I want to put it in the overhead bin anyway, and since it's so lightweight and I'm limited to no more than 15.43 pounds of carry on luggage weight, it won't be a problem for me to put it up there.

I can't speak to durability since we haven't gone on our trip yet. But I'll let you know how it holds up after we get back. And if it falls apart, I'll be returning it to Costco! Another advantage of purchasing it there!

I minor concern I have with the Heys x-case (based on the photo on the website), is that the wheels are not protected on the outside. I have several rollaboards and all have the wheels covered on both sides. Just my observation.

Wanted to let everyone know that my Heys 19" x-case worked out great. Made it through all six airports, fit in all overhead bins on all flights. Easy to maneuver. Packed it so full I thought it would explode, but it didn't. Pulled it though the parking lot / "streets" at the Florence airport and through streets and up and down bridges in Venice. Wheels held up great! I love this suitcase!!! Even had a couple of flight attendants ask me where to buy one.

Nice of you to report back, Foodie-- and glad your trip was a success (hopefully in more than just the baggage sense). I stayed with that Samsonite bag that I mentioned in my op. It was fine. If we ever need another, the Heys sounds very appealing.

Happy travels.

SCFoodie: I've been looking for that bag, Costco doesn't have it anymore that I could find, in the store or online. They are selling sets now. I should have gotten it when I saw it in August. Oh well.

Glad it worked out for you.