How big is your suitcase?
 

We are going to Italy for two weeks in early May. I am trying to take as little luggage as possible, but my wife always overpacks.<BR><BR>What is the smalles piece of luggage that you ever traveled with?<BR><BR>Brandon.

I have severla pices of luggage - but only ever use two of them:<BR><BR>A 19 inch travelpro rollaboard for trips of around two weeks or less<BR><BR>A 21 inch Rollaboard for longer trips

Brandon, check out the recent threads on doing laundry. There's no need to take more than 3 or 4 of anything. I travel with 2 pairs of black pants, one of what I sleep in, and 3 or 4 of everything else. I never ever travel with more than a carryon. The basic philosophy for packing should be not "Is there any chance I might need this?" but rather "Can I get along without this?" The only real essentials are passport, tickets, medicine, glasses. Everything else, you can get over there if you decide you need it.

I always carry everything in one carryon rolling back pack.<BR>I go to airline websites in advance to find out what the dimensions are: Currently I am taking a 22X13X9 inch. I have learned that the benefits of packing light far outweigh having to shop overseas.<BR>

I have almost exactly the same bag as Thyra - a rolling backpack which I rarely have to carry, but love those backpack straps when you're on cobblestones, or in ankle-deep water! I just came back from 8 days in Paris with 12 pieces of clothing: 6 sweaters, 2 pants, 2 skirts, 2 dresses. Toss in some tights, some underwear, a pair of shoes and my teeny little toiletries kit, and I'm good to go! I cannot imagine a trip so long and/or complicated that I would need a bigger bag.

I use the 22-incher plus an over-the-shoulder carry-on (check the 22"). However, my stuffing habits have kind of worn down the roll-aboard. Does anyone know the title for the most recent thread on the best luggage? I've done a couple of searches and come up with stupid stuff. I'm looking for something both lightweight and durable -- will pay for metal zippers and good wheels. Don't need all that silly hardware they include like suit-covers, etc.

After many trips where I overpacked my husband finally talked me into taking a 22 inch suitcase last year and I must admit he was right . Packing light made our lives so much easier. I was surprised how much I could leave home and never miss.

Dear JJ,<BR>I'm a HUGE fan of Eagle Creek. My backpack cost a lot, but I've taken it on 30+ trips, beaten the daylights out of it, and it's still in great shape, and doesn't look worn at all. I sort of think you get what you pay forr!

Did Italy in 10 days with one wheeled arline-regulation carry-on bag and my husband had a wheeled duffel bag. Anal I know, obsessive-compulsive yes, but I mapped out my wardrobe in a spreadsheet and packed exactly what I planned and I still had a few things I didn't wear. The trick is to wear the heaviest bulkiest stuff, like jeans, on the plane and pack the rest.

I use the same old Travelpro I had 10 years ago, one size larger than the carry-on that has served me well. I pack as little clothing as possible (it's always more than you need), so I'll have plenty of room for my pillow (!) and things I buy on the trip.<BR>My husband, on the other hand, is a "kitchen sink" packer. Like he's really going to need the fishing line and snake bite kit in London. I used to complain about it, but found it's a complete waste of energy. They do what they have to do.<BR>Resigned.

3-day trip to Paris, I got everything into an overnight bag. For two weeks, a 21-22" rollaboard and small totebag...<BR><BR>There is no magic way to get the contents from a 36" hardsided suitcase into a 22" rollaboard. Period. To pack light, you have to rethink everything...downsizing your shampoo to a sample bottle doesn't help if you intend to take 4 pairs of shoes, 8 outfits, 6 personal care appliances and your accordion. The minute you say "but I **HAVE** to take...", you've got to decide whether it replaces things in the 22" rollaboard, or will it mean taking a larger suitcase.

This is one of my cardinal rules of luggage for Europe travel.<BR><BR>Your largest piece of luggage should not exceed eight pounds (empty).<BR><BR>Your second piece of luggage (and I actually DO recommend always having two pieces - - easier to walk "balanced") should not eceed eight OUNCES (empty) - - translation: a small-medium light weight nylon duffel bag - - which often is still quite capable of carrying 20+ pounds of stuff.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

Brandon... we take very little, but in 2 bags... if your wife overpacks, make sure she packs then walks 4+ blocks with her proposed luggage. Last time we packed light but with one bag... the hubby will not do that again!... guess what I got for Christmas LOL Have a great time.

Okay, I'm brave enough to admit it LOL, I bring a 30" suitcase and a carry-on tote. I don't pack much, the 30" is empty enough that I can even fit the carry-on inside. I just like having room for my purchases, and the 30" with it's wheels and handle is easier to maneuver than if I brought an extra duffle bag. And what about getting on and off trains, you ask? Hey, that's what helpful, handsome Italian men are for!

I bring the biggest one I can find, because you know what they say about the size of a man's suitcase...

I usually carry a steamer trunk so that I can take items from the breakfast buffet and enjoy them at home for weeks after. The bread also makes great presents!

Elvira, I had to laugh about the accordion. My sometime travelling companion packs her recorder (the wind instrument, not a cassette recorder) and some music when she travels. On the other hand, she's the two-pairs-of-pants-and-two-sets-of-underwear type of packer, so it's not a problem.<BR><BR>To answer the original question, for a three-week trip I usually take a carry-on-sized convertible backpack or rollaboard and a smallish mostly empty duffel for later acquisitions. And I still feel like I've overpacked.

I wear my bulkiest clothing /shoes on the plane, pack one small/medium size bag with one other pair of shoes, clothing and toiletries, and then place that inside another rolling bag the same size. That way, I go over with ONE bag, but let the airlines help me get my TWO bags home (the extra always appears after having made purchases)...

I pack a 14" carry-on rolling suitcase. It is tiny! I have a backpack/suitcase thing which I HATE because 1) too large 2) too heavy - the backpack contraption just adds unneeded weight. I pack light and small enough that I can carry my tiny suitcase if for some reason I'm not able to roll it. <BR><BR>My husband has a 22" suitcase because his shoes are too big too fit in a smaller suitcase. I've packed everything I need for trips of several weeks length (summer and winter) in my tiny bag. I also take a LeSport Sac nylon bag to carry any purchases I might make while traveling and to use as a carry-on tote (books, magazines, etc.). <BR><BR>I find that having a tiny suitcase forces me to choose what I pack very carefully. The suitcase is expandable in case I really go overboard with shopping. However, I'll mail purchases home before I'll carry them around with me. I only expand the suitcase if I am at the end of my trip. I have travel bottles for shampoo, soap, etc. take minimal cosmetics (in tiny cases), never ever carry a hair dryer (whatever the hotel provides will do), take only one extra pair of shoes, etc.

It's not the size of the suitcase that matters, it's how you pack it.