<<<This is all making me crazy. I'm thinking we should each bring one safari outfit, one fleece and forget the camera equipment...just download some close-ups of leopards giving birth and say we took them.>>>

Don't let it make you crazy, have fun with it! Finding the exact right bag and figuring out what to pack and what you can go without is part of the pre-trip fun.

As an update incase anyone cares, I just got my eBags MotherLode TLS Weekender Convertible bag and holy buckets I adore this bag!

I couldn't just put the bag in the closet, I had to give it a test run. I just folded clothes out of the laundry and started putting them into it, then I added a handful of things I knew I'd want to have on a trip. Into the bag went:

2 pairs of jeans
2 pairs of slacks
8 shirts (7 short sleeve, 1 long sleeve)
7 bras, 8 undies, 7 pairs of socks
A messenger bag purse
A fold up duffle bag
Bathroom bag (toothbrush, toothpaste, small items, etc)
Ziplock with shampoo, conditioner, lotion, razor, etc.
Full size hairbrush
A pair of tennis shoes
A pair of thick slippers (same as a pair of sandals)

The bag wasn't even CLOSE to full! Nothing is rolled or put in compression bags to make it smaller.

I only had items in the main compartment and hadn't even begun to play with the pockets on front or the laptop pocket on the back. There are quick-adjust straps on the outside that really help compress the bag to help it fit in overhead bins even easier. The bag can be expanded 1.5-2" the whole way around. The backpack straps are comfy and tuck away really quick. I have the duffle bag strap on it now and that's actually pretty comfy too for shorter time periods.

I can't see this bag working that well for something like a cruise where fancy clothes were needed, but in a pinch it probably could.

For some women, it's jewelry or expensive shoes that make their eyes light up. For me, it's a travel bag. There's nothing quite like finding a great travel toy to make me all excited for a trip.

Wow, that's impressive. We had decided to go with non-rolling duffles, which look more safari-esque, but the motherlode might be roomier than the duffels we're using. We're carrying backpacks as our "personal item", so it might be awkward having a convertible bag as well.

Crosscheck: I haven't read this whole thread, so I apologize if you've already addressed this, but I wonder if the company you're traveling with has a preference for wheels/no wheels. When I went to Morocco a number of years ago with Wilderness Travel, they explicitly preferred that we travel with soft duffles without wheels. On the trip, I understood why: they lash the things atop Land Rovers, and anything stiff would make life more difficult for the baggage guys.

I have the Tom Bihn Aeronaut (carry on sized convertible backpack) and I love it. Used it on many weekend trips and it's great.

I'm not the best light packer for longer trips, but I've decided that for three weeks in India I'm bringing just the Aeronaut (which I'm checking in) and a large camera gear bag (which I'm carrying on). As a solo traveler taking various modes of public transportation, I want to be as mobile and self sufficient as possible. Will be quite a challenge for me!

Thanks, Tahl. Our company said wheels didn't matter as long as the bag was soft, but we've decided on no wheels to keep the weight down. We're each bringing a small backpack and small duffel, so convertible backpacks are not necessary. I decided to keep one of the rolling Travelpros anyway and I'm in NY with it right now, but it's questionable whether it would fit into all overhead bins.

I just got a beautiful set of Delsey light luggage for my birthday. I LOVE LOVE it. One thing the salesman said- I got rolling luggage, but not the "pivot" luggage. Those wheels are exposed and evidently get damaged frequently.

Seriously there are so many options available that it becomes difficult to choose luggage. Though I'd say eagle creek and delsey are better options. Recently I bought delsey backpack at bergman luggage. Actually I've used both brands and they are equally good. Check Delsey luggage collection at http://www.bergmanluggage.com/delsey.html

Update: We leave Wednesday and decided to use non-rolling duffels. If we weren't going on safari, all of the above would be great options. Just bought the medium Eagle Creek and it's perfect.

I have followed this line with much interest. I am looking for a lightweight carry-on bag with wheels BUT also with handles that will go over the pull out handle part of my suitcase. I looked at a TravelPro with a red stripe but the handles didn't look like they would go over. They have another one for about $80 that look like they might. Since you all are talking about luggage I had never even looked at before (apart from the TravelPro) I would very much appreciate your advice.

have any of you considered just bringing a bagpack and a big workoutbag? Thats how I travel... One thing is that they dont generally weight your carryon bag so your better off getting one with wheels

aliciapr,
You're right - there a many options but surprisingly we had a LOT of trouble finding soft duffels (required for safari), with or without wheels that meet the BA size requirements.

For unwheeled choices, most were too large for BA's requirements, or too small for a two-week trip. The "convertible" ebags and Rick Steves mentioned were the right size, but those become problematic if you also have a backpack as your personal item.

As a wheeled option, the motherlode mini or eagle creek would probably, but not definitely work. We also found the Sol Tracer -
http://www.luggage.com/asp/superbrow...d=FR52-ZSO1013
very reasonably priced, weighs only 4 lbs. But although it meets BA's restrictions, the unpliable plastic bottom might be problematic on the safari planes.

wandering, yes - a large gym bag plus backpack is probably the safest intl. carry-bet. I think you are less likely to be hassled if you have no wheels.

I'm a big fan of LLBean's duffle bags. I've used the medium as carryon, it holds a lot AND the handles fit over the handles of my rolling suitcase. I have them monogrammed as well.
http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/63912..._Base&subrnd=0

I really love their ultralight wheeled luggage. Here's the medium that works as carryon.
http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/63923...=201-sub1&np=Y

For my last trip, I checked the larger version of that suitcase with the duffle bag and used a backpack (as carryon).

Red Oxx has a line of wheel-less safari duffels, but they are rather expensive. The smallest, which is 19x9x9, meets the BA carry-on requirements. That plus a small bag could work for a 2-week trip if you pack light. The LLBean duffle that starrs recommends is bigger but would squish down to fit the BA sizer if you didn't stuff it completely full, and it's half the price and half the weight of the expensive RedOxx bag.

I think the key here is that you absolutely must pack light and be willing to do some laundry along the way (it's free in most safari camps anyway if you're staying more than one night). If you are trying to stuff too much stuff into too large bags, the whole carry-on thing isn't going to work.

Some friends of mine took a safari with OAT a couple of years ago and were provided with duffels, which met the safari requirements but were too big and too heavy to carry on, but even my friends (who don't pack so light) didn't fill up these bags until their return.

Luggage and packing -- the eternal traveler's dilemma... In October, Mr SB and I are off on an 8-week trip around Australia and New Zealand. Flying and driving mostly, so luggage weight and size will matter. I found the Heys polycarbonate collection at our local TJ Maxx, and snapped them up. One large bag each to check, and a small rollaboard. The lightest bags I've owned, and easy to pack too.

In packing, it's not the clothes that are really the issue for us. We're not staying one place long enough for that to matter (other than me getting bored with the same stuff), and we will of course do laundry along the way. It's the other stuff: camera, hiking shoes, netbook, prescription snorkel mask, travel info, etc. We'll be where we can replace stuff we need like suntan lotion. Other issue is we'll be in Queensland and Uluru (hot, maybe humid) as well as Tasmania and South Island of NZ (most likely rainy, could be chilly). Oh, and we return to CT a week before Christmas, so it will be cold and maybe snowing...

I have lists, and lists of lists. It's getting epic! But it is fun.

I feel your pain, SB

Update: For those of you who are curious about which lightweight luggage we finally chose, I have covered it in depth in my trip report on the Africa board.

http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...-adventure.cfm

I'm using jetcart from walkinbag. The reason I love this bag is so light weight, probably 4 lbs. with 22" full carryon dimension. This 4 wheel bag roll so smoothly so that I can pass others even on a walkway at the airport terminal. I go business trip 2 - 3 days with this bag, storing my 15" laptop. When I had a back surgery, this bag helped me to lean on so I could commute. Loves a lot.

The company sells seat model with a couple of pounds heavier and more expensive. But for me I never felt I needed it. I simply prefer lightweight.

@IowaRedhead, I just saw your post about the Weekender - great minds think alike! I came back to this thread to post about my new purchase - I ordered the Weekender bag after watching the video on ebags (and before seeing your post) - wow, can you get a lot in it. I am confident it's the bag we want for island hopping in the Greek Islands.

@crosscheck - I'm very late responding but thanks for your reply!

I think this might be helpful for you...
http://www.ebags.com/category/lightw...ggage/20021441

BeachGirl247, isn't it a fun bag?!

Since I purchased the Weekender, I've taken it to Italy, China, Greece and Turkey. All three trips were around 10-14 days.

<b>Pros:</b>
- You can get a LOT in it. If you pack light, you can easily take it carryon on the flight out and then expand it to fill with goodies and check it on the way home.
- It's pretty comfy to carry, even fully packed. Often roller bags are difficult on uneven streets, often there's puddles and trash on the ground that you just don't want to drag your bag through.
- I can carry it and my messenger bag and still have my hands free. I put the messenger bag on across my body first, then the big bag and I'm good to go.
- It fits nicely in a standard overhead bin in a plane or train. The overhead bins in the puddle jumpers are a bit too small so it's usually gate checked out of my small regional airport.


<b>Cons:</b>
- You can get a LOT into it. It's a bit awkward to pick up to put on your back when it's stuffed full and expanded out. On the way home from a trip, I was almost at the point of an overweight bag fee.
- If you buy anything fragile, it's not as protected as it would be in a roller bag with a frame. I work around this easily by simply putting anything fragile in my carryon (fold up duffle bag or market sack) and anything fragile and liquid in the very center of the bag wrapped in clothes. I had no problem bringing home a single bottle of wine, but a second or third bottle would have been closer to the edges of the bag than I would like.
- I still don't think it would work well for fancy clothes. You can easily put in a pair of slacks or maybe a small dress but I wouldn't try to use it for a fancy dress or suit.
- The laptop pocket on the back is a bit awkward. It protects the laptop from theft (it's between your back and the rest of the bag) but that means that the laptop can poke into your back a bit. Also, if you've stuffed the bag full it's hard to get it in and out of that pocket easily.


Overall, I adore the stupid thing and would quite happily buy another one. Just like with any bag or style of bag it has it's pros and cons, no bag is perfect for every situation. I still have a small roller bag for work travel where I need nicer clothes and will be traveling by car. I also still have my 25" roller for if I need to take a lot of stuff, or if I ever decide to go on a cruise or some such where I need something to stay nice.