Thin Expandable Travel Bag
 

Our last trip to Italy we rolled up a vinyl bag that expanded. We filled it with dirty clothes and souvenirs for the return trip. We filled it a little too full and it ripped on the way home. I can't find a replacement for it...any ideas? I want it to be thin, taking up little space. I don't want to spend a lot of money on it, so I have money for the trip :)

Rick Steves has some inexpensive totes that sound like they'd work for you, in different sizes...
www.ricksteves.com

My local AAA office had some lightweight bags in their travel supplies inventory.

Look at www.magellan.com or www.ebags.com

Visit www.magellans.com and take a look at the Eagle Creek packable duffel ($34.95). Very compact. Comes in its own carrying case. I have one and it's great!

I found one at my local Target for about $15.00. Its very lightweight and packs into a small square when not expanded and in use.

Tracy

Le(Sports)Sac nylon bags

Bagellini brand totes are great - very durable and they come in several diferent sizes - they either fold up into themselves or can lie flat. I got mine at a AAA Travel Store, but I've seen them several other places, including online.

Thanks. I will check these out !

I bought Magellan's fold-up suitcase, and it worked very well, arriving home in good condition after having been checked from Nuremberg to D.C.

www.ebags.com carries Baggallini, which are great and come in lots of color combinations.

I'm sold on Baggallini! I never heard of them before this forum. I was looking for the thin packable tote and that I found! However, I also purchased the new doctor bag in khaki and black and I love, love, love it! It is the perfect size to pack things in for the day and still look like a handbag, use as a carry on (also has the strap in back you can slide over your rolling suitcase handle), and is not so big you can't pack it in the suitcase if you want too. I was surprised at the quality and practicality of it and that the material has a nice look and feel to it. It's trimmed in leather also. Ok, that's all. I just wanted to throw my recommendation in :)

As an experiment, I took a Baggellini on my last trip to Italy as my bag. (I do pack light) and a compartmentalized shoulder Bag as my "purse". Then I carried a rolled up one one inside in case I needed it to bring gifts home. The Baggellini came home in great shape, and it has my vote!

For a really cheap/low-tech solution, a stuff sack (available at any camping store, and probably Walmart as well) will work just fine, just tuck the drawstring inside and put a piece of duct tape over the opening. Couple of bucks, and if you get reasonably thick nylon, will last indefinitely.