I'm taking a trip in August that requires me to take completely soft-sided bag (no wheels) with an absolute 33lb weight limit. I'm not really worried about having trouble staying under the limit, but I do need to purchase or bororow a bag as I currently do not own a completely soft-sided bag. The thing is I don't have any idea what size to even think about getting.

I'd like to maximize space as I am going for a wedding which will necessitate a couple of extra items I usually wouldn't bring (extra shoes etc.), but I don't want to get it too big so that in order to meet the weight limit I have a bunch of extra space and my stuff is rattling around in it getting all wrinkly.

Any thoughts on size and or a good bag for the purpose? Nicely packing a fancy dress into a mushy duffel doesn't sound easy to me.

And yes, I know I could get together all the things I want to take and see how much room they might take up and then buy a bag, but that seems like a lot of trouble to go to. I'm not big on packing once let alone twice in order to get a bag.

I think that is going to be difficult to estimate without laying out your items in advance as it all depends on the size of the items you are packing.

If you don't want to do it the obvious way, as you say you don't, then just find a bag that looks like a size you can handle and leave it at that. Surplus stores that specialize in camping equipment and specialty stores like REI should have good selections, duffles or stuff sacks.

You can put the dress in a packing cube like the ones made by Eagle Creek. They're what I always use for routine travels.

http://www.rei.com/b/eagle-creek/c/p...%7Cbing%7Cmain

I'd be packing mostly clothes. As few toiletries and shoes as I could get away with and no books or other heavy items. I'm really just looking for an estimate so I can have some time to acquire a bag that I will be ready to pack in when the last minute packing time comes around. It seems silly to go in my closet now and pick out everything to pack just so I can go buy or borrow a bag when I will have to put it all away and get it all back out again a month from now.

See this thread:
http://www.fodors.com/community/trav...m#last-comment

Why do you suppose a bunch of strangers can estimate what you'll need any better than you can yourself? If it seems silly to you to make a pile of stuff, any stuff, and measure it, how do you think it seems to us that you won't?

Buying 2 or 3 in different sizes and return the ones that are too big/small.

I don't think you need to be rude MmePerdu. I thought it was worth a try on a site of experienced travellers that one might have a good idea for me. If you don't have a good idea, then why do you bother to reply with insulting remarks?

I believe I offered some helpful suggestions, including the obvious one, to do your part in solving the issue. Sometimes telling the truth is the quickest way to a solution. My intent was not rudeness, simply stating the obvious.

I am shocked that no one has pointed out that it's impossible to match a size to a weight because physics.

A small bag of rocks will weigh more than a large bag of feathers. Remember?

So the question itself is absurd.

<It seems silly to go in my closet now and pick out everything to pack just so I can go buy or borrow a bag when I will have to put it all away and get it all back out again a month from now.>
Statements like that will invite rude responses, OP. If you can't be bothered, why should we?

Many thanks for your clarity (not rudeness), NewbE.

Actually there is an answer to the question. It's not that hard.

My 24" lightweight duffle bag always weighs 25-27 lbs. when packed with normal shoes, sandals, clothing, toiletries, a couple paperback books.

That has nothing whatsoever to do with what the OP intends to pack, though, and so does not answer the question. Which is unanswerable, lol.

NewbE, It's EXACTLY what the OP said they are going to pack:

<I'd be packing mostly clothes. As few toiletries and shoes as I could get away with and no books or other heavy items.>

I don't understand why you people are being so rude.

I always pay attention to what my suitcase or duffle weighs every time at the airport. To keep it under 30 lbs. they want a 22-24" bag. *Maybe* a 26" if they don't pack it too tight.

It is NOT "unanswerable".

"As few toiletries and shoes as I could get away with" really doesn't define to me what the OP is actually going to pack. Some of us can make do with one extra pair of shoes, others feel 2 or 3 pairs is the minimum. My friend's idea of minimal toiletries is not the same as mine, etc.

OP, you do not state the length of the trip, approximate number of changes of clothes, etc. We also do not know where the wedding will be held so it is hard to know if this is a cool climate or warm one.

Are you normally the type of person who packs for a two week trip just using a carry-on bag or would such a trip require a large suitcase? These tips would be helpful.

I still contend knowing what you plan to pack will help you better figure out what luggage size will suit you best.

Well, I agree that the question is technically unanswerable, and I would certainly like to know where the OP is going, but I can provide some minimal input.

I traveled for years, on multi-month trips, with the equivalent of this bag: http://shop.eaglecreek.com/rincon-vita-65l/d/1003_c_116

Without the day bag, which I used as a carry-on, it is 2850 cu in / 47 L and it typically weighed in at 10-11 kgs, or 22-24 lbs. All the electronics and pharma were in my carryon. I decanted shampoo etc into 4 oz plastic bottles, and I don't wear makeup. 33 lbs sounds more than ample.

"The answer, my friends, is blowin' in the wind..."

If you take a 24" lightweight duffle bag... pack it with any mid-weight items such as a stack of towels, blankets, a stack of clothing enough to fill it loosely, and approximating what a person might pack. The bag WILL weigh between 23-33 lbs.

Did you look at the link I posted above? For soft-sided, mid-priced, we like the Dakine brand. It is fairly rugged. I have a two matching bags, one medium and one smaller. They are great for many uses.

http://www.dakine.com/w/womens/travel-bags

I think my style is the valise. I found it at a huge discount, at a ski area shop in the summer.

Mine doesn't have wheels.