Checking a Duffel bag

[carlypaigesmom]

This time we are flying southwest and our 3 year old will have a seat and be able to check a bag. I plan on putting of her stuff in my suitcase but thought about checking a small duffel bag for her other stuff. This makes me kinda nervous. (Bag ripping etc). Thoughts?

 

[sam_gordon]

Are your other suitcases hardsided? To me it depends on the build material/quality of the duffel. I have some duffels I'd have no problem checking (and have) and others I wouldn't even take on the trip.

 

[pooch]

What other stuff?

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

Depends on what "stuff" is going in it and what type of duffel bag it is.

Toys? No way because they literally through the luggage around so a toy could easily break in a duffel bag.
Vera Bradley duffel bag? No way because while they are good quality they are not made for the kind of beating it would get.
A duffel bag made of the same material as soft sided suitcases? Sure but still wouldn't consider putting toys or anything potentially breakable in it.

 

[gillep]

Depends on what "stuff" is going in it and what type of duffel bag it is.

Toys? No way because they literally through the luggage around so a toy could easily break in a duffel bag.
Vera Bradley duffel bag? No way because while they are good quality they are not made for the kind of beating it would get.
A duffel bag made of the same material as soft sided suitcases? Sure but still wouldn't consider putting toys or anything potentially breakable in it.

I have checked my large Disney VB duffel at least 10 times and it is still in great shape (I throw it in the wash periodically to keep it clean), I just tie up the handles really tight so that nothing happens to them and they don't get caught on anything. I don't put anything breakable in there just our rain jackets, extra shoes, bathing suits etc..

I have a cheap small duffel that I got free from a conference that I attended, and I worry about that thing falling apart just taking it for an overnight by car though.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

I have checked my large Disney VB duffel at least 10 times and it is still in great shape (I throw it in the wash periodically to keep it clean), I just tie up the handles really tight so that nothing happens to them and they don't get caught on anything. I don't put anything breakable in there just our rain jackets, extra shoes, bathing suits etc..

I have a cheap small duffel that I got free from a conference that I attended, and I worry about that thing falling apart just taking it for an overnight by car though.

To each their own. I had a bad experience with my favorite VB duffel bag as a checked bag so I don't suggest it to others. At least I was compensated but that pattern had been retired and I couldn't find it on ebay at the time. Now I have another in a different pattern that I absolutely adore! While I know its not widely liked I actually prefer that they are now making the inside plain because I feel like the contrast of material helps make the bags more durable. Don't get me wrong though I love my VB's that have inside patterns

 

[georgina]

We've checked LL Bean duffels many times.