the BEST carry on bag -- please recommend

[Grumpy's Gal]

I'm looking for recommendations on the best carry on bag.......

 

[annnewjerz]

I really love the one I purchased for an upcoming trip. Perfect size, cute and very durable. PLUS, it is nylon and foldable so it ends up folding down into a 5inx3in square when you are done...so it doesn't take up any room in the closet.

It is called the Longchamp Le Pliage Travel Bag. If you go to google, you can type in the brand (Longchamp) and their site should come up.

It was about $140, but well worth it. The other bonus isthat you can fold it down and stick it in your carry-on on the way down, and then use it as a checked bag on the way back for souveniers and stuff and you don't have to check a bag at all on the way.

LOOOOVE IT.

 

[bicker]

These days, the best carry-on bag is a duffel. It will fit practically anywhere, bending to fit if necessary. It is extremely light-weight, itself. And it doesn't have any wheels or collapsible handles taking up valuable space.

 

[bavaria]

I too love Longchamp and usually have 2-3 items at a time with me during my travels. However, it leads to the question which I was going to post here for the OP.

'Perfect' for one is not 'perfect' for another. What is your desired price range? your needs? amount of items you wish to carry on board? overhead bin, or at your feet? More travel on regional jets, or larger aircraft? US or Intl carriers?

Those are all important questions. For me, bicker's 'perfect' won't work. My 'perfect' combination is a French JUMP brand handbag and a German Titan laptop case. Those meet very few of the needs of the posters here.

If you provide more information perhaps we can be more specific.

 

[pezheadmeg]

My old standby is my L.L. Bean delux backpack. Typically I put into the overhead, but in the case of a flight full of 21 in roll aboards, it fits comfortably under most airplane seats.

If I'm traveling with the lap-top, I have a padded sleeve, I can slide it right into the bag without problems.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

I have several 'perfect' carry-ons.

If I am traveling for the day and plan to be home that night, I use this Samsonite Spacemaster:

http://www.buy.com/prod/samsonite-silhouette-spacemaster-carry-on-rolling/q/loc/16234/201199141.html

It's nice because it fits my laptop, extras, and can fit underneath the seat in front of me which is handy when I am the last to board and there may be no overhead space left.

If I plan to spend 1, 2 or 3 nights, I use the above carry-on and an 18 inch or a 20 inch Travelpro Rollaboard:

http://www.ebags.com/travelpro/crew6_trade_19_rollaboard_reg/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=89700

The 18 inch is nice because it can fit wheels-in in most overhead bins, including MD-80s, not that there will be many left in the air soon. If I am traveling for pleasure and will only be gone a day or two, I take the Travelpro and leave the underseat Samsonite at home.

I would never recommend a carry-on without wheels. You never know how far you may have to lug it.

 

[swald91]

Just ordered one from Sierra Post -Pinnacle Alpine -it's actually a rolling tote. I only bring a carry-on for our trips. I have heard the people are getting quite obnoxious when it comes to their carry-ons. I hear people are fighting over the space! I know the airlines have so many restrictions now they are really serious about the size, etc. I would check with your airline & find out the size you can take on.

 

[mgilmer]

If you are talking about brands, then the best is the Briggs and Riley 22" carryon. They have a no limitations warranty that is superb. Others swear by Tumi. Be advised that neither of these brands are cheap, but you get what you pay for.

 

[bumbershoot]

I absolutely adore my Rick Steves Avanti Flight Bag at $49.95. Can get them from his website, amazon, and if you're near Edmonds WA, at his store.

 

[boBQuincy]

I really wanted a roller type bag *and* one that would fit under the seat. That way even if all the overhead bins were full I could still keep it with me.
Eagle Creek's Underseat bag was the best choice for those criteria.

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

However, it leads to the question which I was going to post here for the OP.
What is your desired price range?
your needs?
amount of items you wish to carry on board?
overhead bin, or at your feet?
More travel on regional jets, or larger aircraft?
US or Intl carriers?




If you provide more information perhaps we can be more specific.

not picky on price range
would like to pack for 3-4 days if possible
I don't think I get to pick overhead or feet - depends on what is available
US travel only

 

[Figaro]

This is my current favorite carry-on:

Ricardo Beverly Hills Essentials 18in. Super Tote

I love the way it is set up for a laptop and the insulated compartment that I use for medications. It is a very sturdy bag. Unfortunately, I got it in black, not red. I say unfortunately because my spouse decided that he liked it so well that he was going to use it. He wouldn't have if I had only gotten the red one.

 

[bavaria]

not picky on price range
would like to pack for 3-4 days if possible
I don't think I get to pick overhead or feet - depends on what is available
US travel only

In that case if I were purchasing in the US I would look for TUMI, Briggs and Riley, or Samsonite Black Label; not more than 20 inches and not more than 9lbs in weight.

Those will not come at a Budget Board price, and as they are not suitable as carry on outside the US are even less of a value, but those would be my recommendations.

 

[RMulieri]

I like my ellington Flight tote..and it attaches to the pull handle on my rolling luggage.

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

I am "hooked on wheels".

Depending on what I need to carry onboard....it's either a computer case or my 20 inch bag.

Here are some things to look for.....

* look for rugged fabric - occassionally my carry-on bag returns as an expanded checked bag.

* Most of my bags have an option to expand....you know how you can't live without those T-shirts --- or that sweatshirt you bought because the weather was colder than you thought!!!

* Look for a bag with some sort of "bar" handle on the bottom. It is FAR more easy to pickup with that --- rather than grabbing at the wheels. I just gave away my most recent Disney luggage because of this. It was impossible to load into the trunk because I had to grab the wheels on the bottom of a 26" bag. (this goes for your carry one bag too).

* Pockets --- I MUST have pockets - the more the merrier. Travel documents, my car keys (I never put these in a checked bag), my meds (I'm a diabetic), on hot travel days I carry an extra blouse to change at the airport, my bottle of water I buy inside security.

* I suggest a print fabric for luggage unless you are buying a very dark color. Yes, I fell for the fashionable PINK luggage a few years ago. It got so dirty traveling...that I had wash it between trips. Oh no.....not for me! Prints do not show the dirt or smudges - checked OR carryon.

* checked luggage tip ..... If you have a dark-solid fabric.....make a yarn pom-pom or luggage tassel. they are fun....great gifts for traveling friends....make matching ones when you travel with a group AND it makes it easier to locate your luggage in the pile. ALL of my friends have gender appropriate luggage tassels.

 

[Lewisc]

Wheels and the frame adds weight and can take away up to 1/3 of the capacity of the bag. You'll be able to fit a lot more if you can make do with a duffel bag with a shoulder strap.

edited--I didn't notice Bicker had the same observation.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

I am so not a duffle person... I can't find a single decent outfit that goes with a duffle.... nevermind walking lopsided

Wheels and the frame adds weight and can take away up to 1/3 of the capacity of the bag. You'll be able to fit a lot more if you can make do with a duffel bag with a shoulder strap.

edited--I didn't notice Bicker had the same observation.

 

[Lewisc]

I am so not a duffle person... I can't find a single decent outfit that goes with a duffle.... nevermind walking lopsided

You're not looking in the right stores. Get a Disney duffel bag. Purchase a coordinated outfit in the WoD store in DTD. Purchase two duffles, one for each shoulder. Call one a "personal item". Lopsided issue solved.

Posters like you and Bavaria know what and how to pack. A duffel bag is the solution for people looking for a way to carryon a lot of stuff, to reduce the impact of checked bag fees.

 

[bavaria]

Yes, Lewisc knows me well!

I cannot carry a duffle or in fact anything over my shoulders. Hence my use of the term 'handbag' which may make me sound like the Queen Mum, but serves my needs.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

You're not looking in the right stores. Get a Disney duffel bag. Purchase a coordinated outfit in the WoD store in DTD. Purchase two duffles, one for each shoulder. Call one a "personal item". Lopsided issue solved.

I am preparing myself for flames.... however...

Incorporating Disney characters is NOT a recognized style of interior design, nor is it a legitimate fashion trend. Filling your house with Disney figurines doesn't make you whimsical, it makes you look like you couldn't afford grown up furniture. Having Winnie the Pooh on your shirt doesn't make up for the fact that you're wearing an inappropriately unfitted dark purple shirt that makes you look 40 pounds heavier than you are. Having Tinkerbelle stickers on your car doesn't make you appear sassier or spunkier to those driving behind you, it just makes you look like a 5th year community college student, regardless of your age.

That felt good to get off my chest. Carry on... and good luck with those unwieldy duffles!!