Help me fulfill my pledge--carry on luggage for a one-week trip to Italy!
 

I posted this on another board, but hope that I can get additional responses here..


I am determined to take carry-on only on an upcoming, week-long trip to Europe. But I am overwhelmed by the range of luggage.


I've read many reviews and am considering the RedOxx carry-on bag, which seems to get excellent reviews here and on online sites.


http://www.redoxx.com/Airline-Carry-...ss/100/Product



Question: Is there any advantage to buying a bag without wheels? I imagine that it would fit more since there does not have to be space devoted to the wheel mechanism. I will be traveling by car and do not expect to have to schlep the bag too much, except at the airports.

I would love to have opinions about this particular bag, about non-wheeled carry-ons, and about any other carry ons--wheeled and non-wheeled-- that you all might recommend. I am not on a tight budget; I am looking for the best bag rather than for a bargain....

I would love to hear from people that have used the Red Oxx..Air Boss..

Many thanks!

Hi ek,

Having spent many years with a suitcase in my hand or a soft-sided suitcase on a strap over my shoulder, I am a fan of wheeled suitcases.

((I))

Sure, a bag with no wheels is good because then the bag empty weighs less. But you have to balance that with the convenience of being able to roll instead of carry it thru airports, in & out of hotels, etc. Personal I perfer to roll along, not have the weight over my shoulder.

Whichever you choose aim for no more than 25-30 lbs. PACKED.

I think the bag in that link looks OK, I guess, but I'd never give $225 for a suitcase!

I have an assortment and have paid from $0-$50 max. for each of them (a 22" roller, a 24" roller, and a 24" rolling duffle). I use one of these + a medium carry-on tote bag of some sort regardless of where I'm going or the length of the trip.

wow, ek, at $225 I hope that it is the only carry-on luggage you'll ever need.

seriously, i would never consider a wheel-less bag now. airport designers seem to delight in making passengers walk the equivalent of a marathon [I swear that the walk to the gate at gatwick to catch the plane home to Newquay takes longer than the flight]. this is despite the fact that when we went to Barcelona, the wheels on my bag stopped it going in the easyjet luggage guage and i had to pay an extra £16 to put it in the hold.

Strangely, they didn't get in the way at Barcelona, where they cared more about how many bits of carry-on you'd got, rather than what size they were.

for our trip to seville, I'm going to measure the bag WITH the wheels. but it will certainly have them.

All things considered, I much prefer a roller bag. If it is to be a carryon, it has to be 21" or less, I think. We have traveled for 2 weeks with a 21" roller bag. It is a lot easier in the warm weather, when clothes are lighter, to fit everything in. You can do it! I'm not familiar with the bag you mentioned.

I use a rucksack...leaves me free hands and wheely suitcases are a pain and get in everyone elses way.....and as for those folks who wheel 2 of the damn things behind them.....

Thanks to you both! What about taking one of those cheap wheeled contraptions and then just carrying that on in my little backpack?

Don't the wheels on the fixed-wheel bags take up room that could otherwise be devoted to the bag's interior?

Or do I now have to start the search all over again!? This is almost, but not quite, as boring as the subject of rental cars. But even that is nowhere as dull as the all-time dullest travel topic: Trip insurance!

On another thread I asked about bringing home my usual supply of foods (that I plan to buy in Italy; these often include liquids of various types)--I know I will have to check something on the return trip, but I thought I could take along a small empty soft bag, or else just use a cardboard box..???

*By "cheap wheeled contraption," I meant something like this ( have a few from yard sales)





http://www.amazon.com/Travelon-00420...ref=pd_sbs_a_6

Yes I've considered a detachable frame w/ the rollers. But honestly I think if they worked so terrific, you'd see more people using them... which you don't.

Bottomline is... are you willing to carry 30+ lbs. (and that's packing light) around with you everywhere when you move (airports, city streets, hotels, train stations, etc.)? For me the answer's "no".

I bought a 20.5" ONLY 4.8 lbs. by Landor & Hawa recommended by someone on Fodor's. It is on Discount Luggage.com and they have free shipping. It has wheels but it is really lightweight since it is only 4.8#. Under $100.00

I also have a small bag from Ebags that folds up and goes in my carryon or luggage if I check one.

I'm with most of the others, I always need a luggage with wheels and I wouldn't pay $225.00

The thing about using a cardboard box (which is OK to check thru on a flight home) is then you need = 1) the box itself, 2) tape to secure it, 3) packing material to cushion the purchases.

I've done this returning from Mexico, but they have shops that sell you all of the above. I know maybe that sound dumb, but scouring the street of a European city looking for a cardboard box is not all that easy.

<i>Question: Is there any advantage to buying a bag without wheels? I imagine that it would fit more since there does not have to be space devoted to the wheel mechanism. I will be traveling by car and do not expect to have to schlep the bag too much, except at the airports.</i>

That's THIS trip - a future one may find you taking a train/subway into Paris or somewhere where you may NOT have an auto. I'm not sure how much extra room "no wheels" gets you - maybe an extra shirt? I would go with a roller for reasons already mentioned.

The 21" w/ wheels in the link looks fine, but you can find something similar for much less. Not that there's anything wrong with having such a nice one, if you've got the cash.

I've made many trips to Europe ranging from 7-11 days with just a 21" rolling carry-on. I've also done it with an 18" long by 8" round gym bag. Of course, being male may contribute to my being able to pack so light...

No! No! No! for wheeless carryons. That's what we did for East Africa and carrying those duffles through long airport corridors quickly lost its appeal. For our next trip we bought cheap very light weight duffles with wheels. They fell apart almost instantly once we had to put them on small planes since the staff pulled them out by their fragile zippers. Each time we switched camps I sewed the bags shut with dental floss. This is a topic dear to my heart since I'm trying to figure out if we can do 5 weeks in country and city, hot and cold weather, with carryons only.

I remember when they invented wheeled baggage and it was one of the greatest boons to travel ever. I would never go back for anything over 19 inches.

Those luggage carts are what we were forced to do before wheeled baggage, they were a big pain. It's so funny to me that you would prefer to do that when we all hated that. There isn't any point to that, they weigh more than the wheels on the bags. I guess if you are thinking size, maybe, but you'd have to get them to let you carry that on in addition to your bag (which you probably could). Then keep track of that thing wherever you go, lug it around, and watch the bags fall off it all the time, no thanks. You need bungee cords, also, of course, but the bags still fall off.

Good luck with this, I've had 22 inch bags refused by one airline as carryon when the exact same bag was allowed by the same airline on the other direction. They said it was too big the one time even though I had carried it on before (this was Air Canada, I believe, but any airline can do that).

Ditto what Marija said. After much handwringing I managed to go wheelless and carryon for Rwanda, Kenya and Amsterdam a couple months ago. It was a huge challenge. I did tons of research (you know there's a website and forum for everything these days). I finally cheaped out with an eBag for $79--roomy-yet-hideous with a gazillion compartments. This bag enabled me to pack for trekking, regular safari, European museums, restaurants and innumerable imagined medical emergencies.

I am fit but my back is still angry with me. Shoulda gone with wheels.

I'm a fan of convertable bags that have stow away back pack straps, but my wife is not.

Redoxx is a quality bag made in Us and as a result pricey.

similar products from www.tombihn.com in Seattle

www.onebag.com is a good resource for packing light and he has very strong opinions.

If you opt for wheels take a look at some of the vertical format wheeled office bags. You can get them as small as 17 -18 inches and they usually have a lot of organization builtin.

Got my dad a generic American Tourister 18" office bag and just left the laptop insert out. Plenty of room.

Here is a example:

http://www.ebags.com/product/case-lo...uctid=10011372

We use Rick Steves' 21" with wheels. He offers the same bag as a backpack w/o wheels but we are beyond doing that anymore. I pack the same amount whether for a week or six weeks. Good luck Eks..you can do it. It's so liberating!

"<i>Don't the wheels on the fixed-wheel bags take up room that could otherwise be devoted to the bag's interior?</i>"

Sure - they take up a little space. But for 2 or 3 weeks I don't totally fill a 21inch roll aboard so that is no big deal IMO.

And because it is carried on and seldom checked, I honestly don't see the benefit of spending mucho dinero on a rollie bag (unless one just wants to). TJMaxx, Ross, Marshall's Kohls, any ole outlet has LOTS of great choices.

I'd just get any simple rolling case w/o a lot of fittings (suiters and those sorts of "features" just take up un-needed space IMO)

Ekscrunchy - having done both - with and without wheels - and regretted the one without wheels, I would never buy a bag such as the one you suggested. Unless I were flying a premium cabin which allows 2 carryons (one being personal) and I could hook the non-wheeled one over the one with wheels, stowing my handbag inside the one without wheels, I would never attempt to lug, carry over my shoulder, or tug across an airport floor miles long a non-wheeled bag ever again. The problem with the wheels isn't the space they take up, but the extra weight they add to the bag empty, let alone full. Packing carefully ameliorates problems lifting it over your head into the bins. I only do carryon for the last 7 years - much much easier. I put a flat folding bag inside my carryon for items I buy wherever I've been. I don't mind so much checking the luggage coming back if I have to, but usually I'm in business class and it hasn't been a problem. The problem was the ONE time I went wheelless - I was miserable!

I'm also a convert to wheels. I've been carry on only for years and wish I could convince my wife... waiting 45 minutes for her checked bag to appear drives me crazy! LOL

I have an el cheapo 22 inch roller that's now done 2 trips to France, one to Greece, a couple to the US and weekend jaunts. It looks and works like new and if I recall it cost me about 60 bucks.

For me one of the best things I've discovered are the space saving vacuum bags. Get the real travel ones, not regular ziplocs and not the kind you need to hook up to a vacuum cleaner. I think I paid 15 dollars for 3 at a travel store.
They have a double seal and a gadget to seal them tight. You roll them and just when you're sure they'll explode in your face a special valve opens and the air shoots out. You're left with a flat pack taking up 50% of the space or less. I love them. I did learn to put complete outfits in the bags though... separate ones for tops, trousers and socks/underthings mean you are always needing to open all the bags. ;^(

Some people don't like them but they sure work for me... on a trip to Greece a friend had the same size bag and was amazed when I was wearing clean fresh clothes when he was having to 'recycle' his! LOL

Good luck!

Rob

Unless someone was coming along to carry my bag I would stick to one with wheels!

The handle actually takes up more space than the wheels internally so do check inside before you buy.

Wheels. Definitely.

I have a Delsey Helium Lite 100 (now discontinued), similar to this and I absolutely love it:

http://www.amazon.com/Delsey-Helium-.../dp/B0000XKD4K

Ok! Thank you all for the truly helpful information and accounts of your own travels. I will now return to the drawing board, or should I say to the luggage carousel, and turn my attention to the wheeled bags. I am one of those who traveled all around using non-wheeled bags--I got a set of Lark luggage for my college graduation and those bags got lots of use, and also knocked my back out more than a few times!

So now....what is the absolute largest size that will be accepted as carry on? I know all airlines have slightly different specs, but I just need a general idea. For the record, on this upcoming trip I am flying (the dreaded) Alitalia!

Please post links to any of your own preferred bags here, too! Thanks again for all of the help!!

Eks: I too got Lark Luggage for graduation; heavy and substantial and mine was a weird sort of rust and olive green check. It still sits in my basement!
Now I use ebags brand in many different sizes, but I like the quality, variety, lifetime warranty and free shipping.

Alitalia changes the landscape. Wow! It looks like Alitialia upped their weight limit from 5 kilos to 8 kilos. From their website.

Hand baggage dimensions
You are allowed to carry only 1 piece of hand luggage onboard which must not exceed the following dimensions (including handles, side pockets and wheels):
Weight:8 kgs
length: 55 cm
height: 25 cm
depth: 35 cm

Still thats only 17.6 pounds. I'm not sure you can afford to lose the extra weight of the wheels and the handle and still get enough stuff in.

You'll need to watch the weight of any bag you use.

"So now....what is the absolute largest size that will be accepted as carry on?"

Don't think in terms of the absolute largest size---you don't need that much stuff.

If you really want to do carry-on only for Alitalia, which has weight limit of 8 kg and doesn't permit a second personal item, you're going to need to go to some pretty extreme measure. It's definitely do-able, but you're going to have think it through.

Some tips:

1. No books, no laptop (I use my iPhone's Kindle app to read, and download guide books as well, and also use my iPhone for email, web access, etc.).

2. Don't even bother to think about things like shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, deodorant, etc. All the brands that you're used to using in the U.S. are widely available in Italy, and none of it's expensive. You mentioned on another thread that you were planning on checking your bag for the return trip (to accomodate the purchase of food and beverages), so you can check any leftover toiletries if you'd like.

3. No hairdryers, etc. Hotels have them. Even really cheap hotels (and I often use these for work) will have a loaner at the desk.

4. Consider using a Scottevest (google it). I use the women's travel vest, and you can fit all sorts of stuff in the pockets: camera, jewelry, whatever toiletries you don't think you can find in Italy.

5. Consider removing some of the items from your suitcase for the "weighing in" ceremony. After the bag's been weighed and tagged as okay as cabin luggage (which will occur when you check in and receive your boarding pass) you can put those items back in. Definitely do this where Alitalia staff can't see you (the restroom's a good option), and don't go overboard: it's unlikely that you'd have to weigh it again, but if for some reason Alitalia staff had to lift it and realized that it was obviously overweight you'd be in a tight spot.

6. Consider wearing extra clothes for the "weighing in" ceremony. Afterwards, head to the restroom and put the extra clothes in the bag.

7. Do you like to shop for clothes? I often buy clothes when traveling, and once actually travelled (for business) to Toronto (when the exchange rate with the USD was favorable)with only the clothes on my back and a nearly empty suitcase. I bought my summer wardrobe that afternoon and wore some of my new clothes to give a lecture.

Oh, and the Scottevest comes in very handy for carrying the stuff that you'd normally have carried in your personal item. So no cramming a wallet, passport, sunglasses, etc. into the pockets of whatever garment you happen to be wearing, and the interior pockets are great for pickpocket-prone situations. The biggest problem with the Scottevest is that it can sometimes be difficult to figure out which pocket you've used for something---I once "lost" all my earrings for a day this way.

Yikes! There is no way I can go carry on if I cannot take my second (small Kipling back-pack-ish bag) into the cabin. MIne is a bit like this, but the little monkey skipped town at the Madrid airport and has not been seen since..

http://www.kipling-usa.com/product/i...ly&cid=1105601



Just to make things clear, I never use a hairdryer so that is out. Have never traveled with cell phone or laptop so do not need to fit those. Little, if any jewelry. Very few cosmetics--just small toothpaste, small shampoo, etc.

I do take guidebooks--usually at least two. And at least two reading books.

I could attempt to sneak the two bags on and hope for the best.....(??) Do I have a prayer? (I also take a small purse but perhaps can hide that in the backpack)

I am not sure that anyone has ever weighed my carry on bags..

I must be the only one on this board who uses carryons without wheels. Before my ten day trip in May I bought a soft leather Longchamp suitcase, just under the maximum carryon size, which unzips all the way around. I pack as flat as possible with as few folds as possible and it holds ALOT of clothes. It is also very light as there is no wheel mechanism and only one internal pocket. It was expensive but so far I have saved about £50 in checked luggage fees, or that's my rationalisation anyway.

Of course, in my usual destination, Italy, wheels are a nuisance on cobbles and bridges.

A while ago, someone mentioned a light weight wheeled luggage with frame outside, so there is more space inside. At that time, it was available only in Canada. I can't find the thread anymore. Anyone remembers the brand name?

"I could attempt to sneak the two bags on and hope for the best.....(??) Do I have a prayer? (I also take a small purse but perhaps can hide that in the backpack)

I am not sure that anyone has ever weighed my carry on bags.."

(a) It's very likely that your bag will be weighed, especially if you aren't checking anything.

(b) It's very likely that you would be caught trying to board with an extra bag.

I wouldn't advise either of these options. What is it about your Kipling bag that's so crucial?

Greg, You're thinking of Tutto luggage
http://www.tutto.com/

"Of course, in my usual destination, Italy, wheels are a nuisance on cobbles and bridges."

But less of a nuisance (for me, anyway) than a sore back/neck/wrists. YMMV, but anybody with any sort of musculoskeletal issues needs to consider the potential downside of carrying a bag when rolling is an option.

Are you flying coach or business? If business I wouldn't worry about it.

And I'd be surprised if anyone cared about your Kipling backpack unless you really overstuff it. But I've only flown Alitalia once.

In my hunt last spring for the perfect bag I saw some luggage I wanted to try, a wheelie that was very light and also "light footprint" (i.e. maybe made of recycled materials or something--can't recall). I decided I didn't want to spend that much but if you search on flyertalk, eks, you might find it. I spent a <i>lot</i> of time thinking about bags.

Good luck!

The absolutely largest size carryon that can get on the most airlines is a 21". You might be able to be a 22" on, and a 19" is for sure.

You answered your own question in that each airline is slightly different, and every clerk on each flight may enforce their rules in a slightly different way. I've seen ridiculously too big bags allowed on planes, but I've also seen people forced to check what they anticipated carry-on at the last minute.

That's the problem. If you are at all larger or heavier than the rules you risk not being able to keep it with you. And you don't know until you're in the situation.

I'm not sure where the taking your backpack away, came into this conversation. MOST airlines allow the one carry on + one 'personal item'.

Eks, I researched and bought a lightweight Humvee Travel Vest fm Amazon(under $30), and I'm sure it will enable me to take only a carry-on bag for a month in Paris. It has a very large back pocket which will even hold my small notebook pc or a rain coat. The reviews on this particular cotton vest are almost all very good...many zippered pockets (safe fm pickpockets), vents, and side tabs for a better fit. One other plus is that it is not too long and will neither strangle me or bunch up when I sit down. Good luck.

You guys are great--thanks for being so supportive...

The entire subject just makes me crazy, I guess.

It is not that the Kipling bag itself is crucial. But when I check a bag, I usually carry a couple of books and my very small makeup collection in that bag. AND--I always take my own food along to avoid eating the airline meals!

The backpack is small and it never gets very stuffed..I usually take a t-shirt and bathing suit in case my bag gets lost but this time I would not have to do that--if I travel carry-on only..


Leely--Coach usually, and coach on this trip. A nightmare.

It is really crazy that all the airlines have different regs. So what size bags do you all check--should I be looking, then, at 21" bags? But will the wheels stick out and make it larger? I think I will have to buy this bag online so cannot bring my measuring tape.

No ekscrunchy don't go to the other side. :)

Wheels, save your back.

Have a great trip!