Fold-up duffle for sourvenir purchases?
 

I'm looking to buy a very lightweight duffle that will fold up to a small size in my suitcase that I can use to bring back purchases that I make along the way. Am thinking about something that would be carry-on size. Lightweight nylon, perhaps? Any ideas where I might find such a thing without spending a fortune? I've looked at Walmart and Target and LL Bean and didn't see what I had in mind. (I've got TWO trips coming up in the next three months - one to Africa and one to Central Europe - and I just KNOW I'm going to be bring home more than I take with me!) :-)
Karen

Karen-

Try the Baggallini totes (I bought mine from ebags.com). They come in various sizes and colors, and they fold into a small pouch when not in use.

kvadragon

What about a small "gym bag" from a sports store? I have a black nylon nike bag that I use for just this purpose. It's not as high-end as some people would prefer, but it folds up to next to nothing in my suitcase.

Try Magellans..they have very lightweight nylon ones. They have a web page and catalog.

I second the baggallini (sp) bags that fold into their own pocket. I bought mine at the Container Store about a year ago.

I include an extra lock in my bag in case I have to check it with my other luggage. When I have, I just sent all my dirty clothes home in it and put more valuable items in my proper suit case.

Ooooh moldy - good tip on putting the dirty clothes in the duffel and good stuff in the suitcase. Why didn't I think of that??

Look in the camping sections of WalMart or Target and get a very lightweight nylon bag. Use it to send your laundry home and pack your souvenirs in the luggage for better protection. We have bought bags in Paris from time to time.

I got mine from Le Sport Sac. They have a web site.
Judy

I saw a packable duffle from Eagle Creek that was a good size and cost about $30. The Eagle Creek packable tote looks pretty good too. http://www.eaglecreek.com/packables.html

I always wait and buy something during the trip. Serves the same function and makes for a great souvenier as well!

I first heard about baggalinis right here on fodors, on a thread titled something like "Baggalinis saved my a$$ in London." Piqued my curiosity.

Now I'm a convert. I always bring at least one on any trip. They are very well made, strong construction, heavy-duty zippers, and so many great colors it's hard to choose.

I put my dirty laundry, shoes, books, anything replaceable in the baggalini when I'm checking it, and the new purchases in my suitcase.

You can buy them online or go to their website and find out what stores in your area carry them.

Great suggestions! I checked out the Baggallini's online and they look really good. I had in mind more of a round duffle, but maybe the Baggallini tote (the large zip-out one) would be even better. Has anyone tried both? The Baggallini looks like it folds up very small. Can you get quite a bit in it?

Oh, and I too love the idea of putting the dirty laundry in the tote and the souvenirs in my regular suitcase! How very clever. (I would have thought of it on my own... in about 5 years.)
LOL.

Based on reviews here I bought the Bagallini. It folds up tiny but you can stuff the thing full! I have the larger one and Like the fact that it has a huge opening and lots of room. I have used more traditonal totes in the past and find this works better.

althom, I have the large tote and the smaller tote. The large one is HUGE. We went to Florence for the weekend and got all our stuff for both of us into it.

We travel overseas quite a bit , and years ago I found a nylon bag that squeezes into a 6 x 4 inch bag going over....when returning, all our dirty clothes go into it, and it holds a LOT and becomes "about" 18 x 12 and we really STUFF it full. It is a rather flimsy thing, but we check it and it has always arrived safe and sound. THis frees up the suitcases(24 inch lightweight) for purchases, brochures etc...though we don't buy much when traveling. I haven't been able to find anything in the past couple of years like it...but am sure you could find something small at WalMart etc that would serve this purpose.

Does the bagolini fold up into itself and have a zipper? I use a le sportsac that folds very small and fits into a seperate cosmetic size bag. I ususally don't even bother with the bag abd fold it into a ziplock. It opens up to a really large size ..which I usually stuff with dirty clothes and check through, carrying my good buys in my carry-on!

Jody, I have a Sportsac that sounds just like yours, and it's at least 20 yrs. old. It has served me well!

I just bought a Baggallini and haven't used it yet. I haven't looked at it since I brought it home, but I think it folds into itself.

Baggalinis fold into themselves and zip up. The pouch becomes an outside pocket (that zips shut) when they are open.

I think this is the Baggallini bag everyone's talking about, right? It looks great and, yes, apparently zips into that little outer pocket.


http://www.ebags.com/baggallini/zip_...?modelid=18648

yes. folds up into itself, into the outside pocket. Sounds like we are all talking about the same thing. Thanks to all for the suggestions of where to buy the Baggallini type bag. I could use a new one...and I hope it has the "staying power" of the one that has been so "loyal" to me. Very light weight nylon, but VERY sturdy.

Some of the Baggallinis on ebags.com are shipping for free.

I've used canvas bags with leather handles from the GAP, thin promotional duffles with company logos and cheap nylon duffles from Wal-Mart or similar. I just shove the empty duffle/bag in the outside pocket of my wheeled suitcase.

Along the way, I stuff it with dirty underwear, etc. and guidebook/ information no longer needed. This makes more room in the suitcase for goodies purchased along the way.

One thing I do make sure of - that the handles are big enough to loop over th wheeled suitcase handles. I use my "carryon bag" (usually an inexpensive backpack that also contains my purse) looped on top so I can manuever all - everything is together on wheels.

When I get home I just drop the duffle in the laundry room and start the first load.

None of the above have ever been damaged in transit home. Just remember to take off any shoulder strap from the duffle and zip into a pocket so it won't get hung up on things during the baggage process.

I use an old surplus army nylon duffel bag and load it with worn clothes, shoes, etc at the end of a trip for a family of four. Load up our suitcases with everything else.

I ordered the large Baggallini tote from ebags. And yes, they had free shipping, so I thought for $22 it was a great deal. Can't wait. Thanks for the great tips! (I got the purple. Decided to go for something bold.) :-)

We do the same thing on each trip. We purchased 2 very cheap nylon bags in Rome that we still use for that purpose...5 years later.

On our trip to Europe 2 years ago, somebody rifled my suitcase while it was being stored at one of the hotels. Guess what they took?

My Baggallini tote! I was so bummed. Had no shopping bag, beach tote, day picnic tote, etc. for the rest of the trip. Now I store it in the locked portion of my suitcase.

Was I ever happy to find a Baggallini store at the train station in D.C. All the pretty colors. Was as good as shopping for shoes!

On my way home I use it to carry on all my more fragile souvenirs; pack all the rest in the suitcase and check it.

My Baggallini just arrived! YAY! It is HUGE. I'll probably be able to get almost ALL of my clothes in it on the way home, leaving nearly my entire suitcase for souvenirs. :-) Oh no, I'm going to be a shopping maniac!