Recommendations for "Personal Item" size luggage

[RobbW]

Ever since our family became DVC members and got our APs, we have been taking more frequent, but shorter, trips to WDW. Our current MO is to plan around an extended weekend when our children may have a Friday and/or Monday off school. That way, they don't have to miss any school, and we only have to take a day or two off work for a 3-4 day trip to the World. To save money on airfare, we usually fly Spirit and/or Frontier. Since those two airlines now charge a baggage fee for carry-on luggage, we are trying to get away with packing what we need into luggage/backpacks that meet these airline's parameters for "Personal Items" (PI), both of which limit PIs to 18" x 14" x 8" (beginning April 2017).

I'd like to get recommendations from anyone who has become a light-packing pro. What travel backpacks or small luggage do you recommend that meet these size requirements? Personally, I would prefer travel backpacks because they are just easier for me to carry around. I want something that can carry 2-3 nights worth of clothing for a single person and has compartments for a few other travel necessities (e.g. eDevices, chargers, sunglasses, keys, wallet, etc.). I would like it to fit under the seat in front of me. I would like it to be made of durable material. It doesn't have to be trendy or chic, but I don't want it to be aesthetically embarrassing to carry around. If I can find something that meets my requirements and works out really well, I plan to buy them for each member of my family (2 adults, 2 children).

Thanks,
Robb

 

[Disney_traveler]

Well, I'm not sure how much help I can be since my suggestions are girlie-centric. I have a nylon backpack from Vera Bradley that I used as my personal item and it's huge to me. I don't have pictures of mine but here are some from the internet.

It's very comfortable

 

[jerzeystar09]

I always use an LL Bean deluxe backpack as my personal item and can stuff it full and still fit it under the seat in front of me.

To maximize your space, I recommend packing cubes. I use ones by Shacke Pak and they are such a space saver and help organizing stuff.

 

[monorailsilver]

I just bought this bag from LL bean on Saturday:

https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/116...attrValue_0=Bay Blue Floral&productId=1604496

I needed a new bag (inset my DHs eye rolls here) for under the plane seat. My current one while it is big, it's a PItA to put my camera back in since it has 3 compartments.

This bag is roomy on the inside, I didn't try my camera in it but I know it will easily fit with many other things. There is an outside zipper where I can put my phone too.

And then Sunday we went to Target and they actually had big bags that didn't. Oat $59 but I realized they would break and if my LL bean one did I can contact them for a replacement.

 

[lphillip459]

I use Delsey Quilted Rolling Underseat tote for my carry on. It's roomy for its size, and has organizing compartments for easy access during the flight. It has wheels, but can be carried like a tote. Fits under the seat and has front access so you don't have to pull it out, put it back in flight.

For the parks, I carry Hikpro Ultralight Packable Travel Backpack. It's only 8oz and it doesn't have a lot of zippers, which can really mess you up when you are going through security. (you have to unzip all zipped compartments when going through security)

Both bags can be found on Amazon.

 

[Texans_loyal]

I have flown spirit/Frontier over 15 times.
I never pay for a carry on or checked in luggage if the trip is under 3 days. I carry a backpack that has my wallet, clothes and stuff i need for Disney. I also use this backpack at Disney. Any souvenirs or items i purchase are shipped directly to my house. (Free shipping over $100)
I have attached the link below.

http://www.duffelbags.com/store/products/DuffelGear_Backpack-1717-6.html

 

[Dashzap]

Sarah Murdoch is a tour guide for Rick Steves who posts videos about packing. She posted a video of her 9 pound backpack for a 11 day trip to Thailand. Much of the same info is in her blog post on Ultralight packing.

I reference her because you may have some bags or backpacks around the house already that will do, if you pack the right things the right way.

 

[VandVsmama]

Red Oxx's Air Boss. Weighs 3.9 lb when it's completely empty. comes with lifetime warranty. If it's damaged in any way or for whatever reason, they'll repair it or replace it for free. You just have to pay to ship it to their facility in Montana for repair. http://www.redoxx.com/Airline-Carry-on-Luggage/Air-Boss/91018/100/Product. It's on the expensive side, but this bag lasts forever.

My husband uses a Timbuk2 Command backpack for work trips --> http://www.timbuk2.com/laptop-backpacks. He's able to get a couple of days' worth of clothes in it.

There's a great website called http://www.onebag.com/ which has some great tips on packing light and various types of toiletry products which will help you save room in the quart-sized ziplock bag that you store all of your liquids in.

 

[Alacrity]

I've been eyeing the RedOxx stuff for a while now. Pricey but look to last forever. They also have a MiniBoss that may fit under the seat better as well as some duffels and backpacks. Tom Bihn is another high-end maker with a good rep. They're also a little more stylish. I also like Osprey packs and bags. I have a Nebula backpack that I could probably get by for 3-4 days out of without doing laundry. Hand washing in the hotel, by the way, is a traveling light trick that my wife and I have used on a few trips! I recently purchased one of the Osprey Transporter duffels, nice bag for a duffel.

An I agree with VandVsmama...www.onebag.com...lots of good info to get into traveling light!

 

[1st*toright]

If you're trying to pack into any of these smaller bags, I recommend getting compression packing cubes - they make it possible to get much more into a small bag. something like these:
https://www.amazon.com/Eagle-Creek-...78&sr=8-10&keywords=packing+cubes+compression

 

[damskipi13]

I've been using a Ful backpack nearly daily for work and travel for probably 5-6 years and it barely shows any wear and tear at all. It's really a great bag. I can fit 3-4 days worth of packing into it if I do so carefully, and it fits under most economy class airline seats (the exception is when the seat has an electronics box underneath). I think I purchased it at Costco for $25. They no longer sell it, but they do sell Ful brand products so you can keep an eye out. Ebags, Target, and Amazon also sell Ful but for much more - possibly because everybody has realized how great they are!

 

[Tink_83]

If you're trying to pack into any of these smaller bags, I recommend getting compression packing cubes - they make it possible to get much more into a small bag. something like these:
https://www.amazon.com/Eagle-Creek-...78&sr=8-10&keywords=packing+cubes+compression

I second getting a good compression packing cube if you are trying to get away with one small bag per person. I'd then look on a site like ebags for the largest bag that meets the size requirements and gets good reviews and go from there. I personally use packing cubes all the time just to organize everything so I think they are a great investment for all types of travel, but that's just me.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

Ciao has a great bag that is EXACTLY the size required by Spirit airlines that isn't pricey.

 

[YawningDodo]

I use a Targus backpack for my personal item - I'd link it but they don't seem to sell that exact model anymore. It's got a sleeve for my laptop, it's lightly padded, and it's just the right size to go under an airliner seat. I do have to be mindful to pack it lightly if I intend to get anything out of it while on the plane; I've never managed to pack it so full I couldn't get it under the seat after a bit of rearranging, but the more full it is, the harder it is to haul it out and get at my in-flight entertainment.

I do typically have a second carry-on in the overhead bin, though, so I don't know how well I'd do on just the one backpack. If you haven't already looked up how to roll your clothing (instead of folding it), that should help a bit. If you're bringing jackets or sweaters, too, try tying those around your waist instead of putting them in your bag to save a bit of space. Also, when I bring a spare pair of shoes I'll often put one shoe in each of the backpack's water bottle holders to conserve space inside.

 

[Euby]

I have a really light weight bag that I got from Rick Steves a few years ago that is great for weekends. It's been redesigned, so I don't have a link to the exact bag, but you could find something here: https://store.ricksteves.com/shop/travel-bags