"convertible" luggage
 

I know there have been lots of discussions here about various types of bags but if there has been one about these, I can't find it.

Surfertom and I are going to Yellowstone in February and will be taking the sno-coach from Mammouth to Old Faithful. We're only allowed 2 bags each. I'm worried about cramming all our photo equipment, bulky clothes, boots, day-hiking gear, his c-pap machine, etc. into 4 pieces. Especially since 2 of them will have to be carry-on size.

I've done some internet searching and found several back-pack type bags that have a smaller detachable day pack. Some of them seem to be of a size that, when separated, would allow the larger piece to be our carry-on and the smaller to be our personal item. On landing, we could re-attach the two parts to make one piece for our sno-coach trip.

Has anyone had any experience with these? Would love to hear what you think.

Thanks,
Fran

Thought of something else.

What about a larger convertible? One where the bigger part would be our checked luggage and the detachable part our carry-on. I've seen these on line, also, but have no experience with them.

Pensacola just doesn't offer many places to go check out these things. So I have to rely on the great people here at Fodor's.

Fran

Here's an example.

http://www.eaglecreek.com/bags_lugga...-Max-22-20198/

Are there weight or size guidelines along with the only "2 bags" rule?

Bisbeee,

Thanks for the suggestion. I wish there were someplace local where I could "hands-on" check it out. I hate trying to buy something like this over the internet.

Suze,

They didn't mention any restrictions re: weight and size. Just says limited to 2 pieces of luggage and cross-country ski equipment.

Do you have an REI nearby? They have them under "Wheeled Backpacks".

Nope, LSky, no REI anywhere near me. The closest is in Atlanta. I'll be up there for a few days at Christmas but I really didn't want to wait until then to get something. But thanks for the helpful hint.

I checked on Eagle Creek's web site and found they have a store in Mobile, AL. That's 60-70 miles from me, and may be my best bet. But I just hate the trip over there. Too bad I wasn't thinking about this back in September when DH and I drove over to Biloxi to a B.B. King concert. We could have stopped at the E.C. store then.

I suppose you could check out the product on Amazon.com and read the opinions before you make the 60 mile trip.
It seems if I drove that far to get a product I might feel like I'd have to buy it. After adding my time and gas, it might seem like a sale.

:) good luck

LSky,

I agree about possibly feeling like a "had" to buy it if I drove that far. All the reviews I've read about Eagle Creek gear in general and this bag in particular - and its big brother the Max 25 - have been full of praise.

Was just talking to DH and he also suggested Amazon. And he said if the reviews are this good, we should probably just go ahead and get one, or possibly one apiece, and have it over and done with. I told him I'm not ordering anything until he helps me dig out our (actually mostly his) snow gear from the closet under the stairs. Maybe that will finally get him motivated.:S-

Good job. May as well give him a nice bucket of soapy Murphy's Oil Soap and really clean the closet while he's in there. :)

I usually like to shop for luggage in person, but in your situation, if you find an Eagle Creek that you think would work & it gets good reviews, I'd be willing to take a chance getting them mail order, I think.

I actually have the bag that Bisbee posted. The detachable backpack is a nice size--large! The suitcase portion has straps to carry it like a backpack. I have not found this to be comfortable due to the wheel bar. But in terms of pulling it; it's great.

For me, it's just the right size--it's not massive though. If you're thinking of checking something, I'd get something larger. How long is your trip? Or maybe use this bag and check one larger duffle type bag to check. It kind of depends on the bulky clothes part of the equation I think.

Katie,

From your answer re: the Max 22. Am I correct that you use it as your carry-ons, unzipping the parts and using it as 2 pieces? Not as 1 piece?

I've read every description I can find about the bag, and its big brother, but without seeing it, it's hard to be sure what the dimensions they give apply to. Any insight you can give me about this and how much you manage to cram into it, would be appreciated.

I know we'll have to check at least one bag and have a nice rolling duffel we've used on many of our trips to the Southwest. It holds tons of bulky, or just difficult to pack, gear. Trekking poles, hydration packs, tripods, etc.

We're only going for 8 days, and there are supposed to be laundry facilities in the Park. But who wants to waste time doing laundry on a trip like this?

LSky,

I didn't get him into that closet yesterday. The surf came up. And since that's not a regular occurrence around here I couldn't complain if he took advantage of it. Today the Gulf looks like a washing machine gone wild so I might have success with him and that closet.

Suze,

I agree with you about shopping for luggage. I want to personally inspect it. But this time that may not work. Hopefully Katie will see my reply to her post and her answers to my follow-up questions will give me the info I need to go ahead and bite the bullet and order the darn thing.

Thanks again for all the help. Fodorites can't be beat.

Hi Floridafran--yes I've unzipped the bag and carried it on like you've detailed. I've had to check it at the gate before but that doesn't really bother me.

Just to follow you---you're not thinking of the convertible for the sake of the sno-coach limits right? Are you planning on bringing another bag? Just asking because I noticed you mentioned re-attaching the two parts to make one piece.

I don't know if you've found any deals on it online but I noticed that Zappos is selling it (at full price). They offer free shipping---including returns. It might be something to consider:
http://zeta.zappos.com/product/7438944/color/3375

There is one left evidently!

Hi Katie,

Thanks for the quick response.

Since we're limited to 4 pieces (2 each) on the sno-coach, the only way I can see us managing that, is to be able to turn 6 pieces for the flight part of the trip into 4 before we get on the sno-coach.

We don't mind checking one larger piece, or one each, for our bulky stuff. But because we'll have all our camera gear, our carry-on has to be just about the biggest we can legally get away with, without a chance of them wanting to make us gate check it.

Since you have a Max22, am I interpreting correctly the dimensions given about the bag on various sites? Is the day pack about 12.5" x 20" x 8" and the separate main "pack" about 14" x 22" x 9"?

Don't know why this only just occurred to me, but I guess I should call Eagle Creek and ask. It's just I do so much on line now that actually calling and talking to a human about something seems odd.

Fran

Hi Floridafran,
I also own the Eagle Creek Switchback Max 22. I have used it as my only bag on several flights. I zip it apart, the wheelie is my carry on, and the backpack is my personal item. I have flown on Virgin Atlantic, Asiana, United, and Southwest with it, and have never had a problem getting it on the plane. I really like Eagle Creek quality, also...

I think I should clarify that though I have been asked to check my bag at the actual gate (as I was boarding the plane) it's not been because it's too big. I'm just one of those travelers that boards the plane at the very last minute; I really don't like sitting on planes for longer than I need to. So usually, it's just a matter of there not being space left for me.

My only concern about the bag is that it's not really that big (but then again what carry on is). It sounds like something that may work for you. Sounds like lsdourte recommends it too. Let us know what you end up doing...

You might also want to check out Rick Steves, expandable roll aboards and expandable soft-sided luggage convertible to backpacks. Maybe this will provide additional ideas for packing. On my travels I use one of each, with a folded up daypack placed inside the convertible backpack. I check the wheeled bag and carry the backpack on board with or without another personal item. The expandable backpack is very sturdy and has sturdy, comfortable shoulder straps: I sometimes carry my heavy skiboots in it with toiletries, guidebooks, cameras, and many other things stuffed in it too.

http://travelstore.ricksteves.com/

Sorry to be so long getting back here with what I decided to do. That's because I didn't make that final decision until today.

Finally got around to checking out how much of our stuff we could cram into that duffel. (LSky, I got him under the stairs, but no cleaning got done.) ;-) It's amazing what that thing will hold and still meet size and weight restrictions for a checked bag.

Anyway, I'd decided that with a bit of down time this week I was going to get serious about ordering the last things we'll need for our trip. (After all, it's only a month and a half away.)

In my searching I'd found Oregon Mountain Community, an Eagle Creek authorized dealer. Well, this morning I had an e-mail alert from them about a sale. And the Switchback Max was one of the items on sale. Plus free shipping. So I bit the bullet and ordered one in the palm color. Along with some great-sounding Black Diamond gloves which I needed and which were also on sale.

After the things you guys had told me about the bag I felt confident in ordering without having ever actually seen one. Can't wait for it to arrive so I can "play" with it.

Lesuk, thanks for your recommendation. I read about the Rick Steves bag and it does sound like it might have been another option but I decided to go with the Eagle Creek.

You guys are always so helpful. Thanks again.

Just saw these bags this week at a local dept. store. Made by High Sierra, they have several models, even an 'upright duffel' which unzips in the middle horizontally, like a typical pullman. They are awesome. All are wheeled pieces. We too are going to Pacific NW for 3 wks in Sept and have to get new smaller pieces; am opting for a 24 or 25" max to check and a huge wheelie tote for short overnights. My husband might opt for the High Sierra which includes a detachable backpack as 'outer pockets' to the bigger pieces. How ingenious. And it can be put on your back as well.

Alice,

Thanks for the info on the High Sierra luggage. I just ordered one of the 22" carry-on wheeled backpacks w/detachable day packs. It was on sale for $94.00, and also has a lifetime guarantee.

I'm hoping both bags will be here before our Christmas break is over so we can have time to "play" with them, seeing how much they'll hold, how comfortable they are, etc, in case we need to send something back and go to a different plan.

Counting down the days until we leave on February 2.

I'll be interested to hear if those of you with convertibles actually use the backpack feature. I travel with a 24" wheelie packed at about 20-25 lbs. but can't think of a time I'd want to strap it on my back (or that I even could)!