What's Your Carry-on Bag?

[Terk-1]

Just bought a new set of luggage and decided to invest in a set from LL Bean. The fact that if anything happens to it (zipper breaks, wheel falls off, etc.) I can return it to any LL Bean Store or mail it back to them and get a new replacement at no charge. After doing alot of research, I chose the Quickload Upright set and got it for $249 with free shipping. It includes an extra large bag (with wheels & feet to keep it from tipping over), the medium bag (which is a carry-on size) and a tote. Below is a link to the pictures of the set:

http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/48311?feat=500604-GN3

It has a U shaped zipper opening and includes 2 side pockets and plenty of room inside the bag. One of the pockets can fit a pair (or a few pairs) of shoes with no problem. It has secure straps inside the bag to keep things in place, as well as 2 outside secure straps. The medium bag is a legal carry on bag. The extra large bag has ALOT of room, plus includes the side pockets that will easily fit sneakers, crocs, dress shoes, etc. The tote is a nice size (not too big or too small) and has plenty of pockets both inside and out. It even has a zippered part on the top that is lined for keeping water, soda, snacks, etc. without it getting everything else in the bag wet.

Another bonus to this set is that they all sit in each other, so it saves alot of storage space.

 

[SaraJayne]

We do not do carry on . We do have a large leather purse that has our documents etc in it and any meds we need and that is enough.Have a 29 inch suitcase and shoulder bag and if you have the travel points you can upgrade to first class and pay nothing for checked luggage on Air Tran. Any checked luggage then goes straight to your room if your staying on property and taking ME to resort. I need to get new luggage and want 29 ' as can get it all in for two weeks and do no so that works for us

Your checked luggage that you tag with the yellow ME tags will be delivered to your resort typically within 3 hours of check in at the resort, IF you arrive before 10pm. If you arrive after 10pm, you are required to retrieve your own bags before boarding the ME bus.

Anything you may need in those three hours you should carry on (baby items,swimsuit, extra change of clothes, etc).

 

[Cee]

I also love the Vera Bradley travel stuff. It's wonderful.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

All this carry-on talk made me call the Vera Bradley store in SF this morning and have them ship me a Weekender in Very Berry Paisley. Darn you all.

 

[NYEmomma]

All this carry-on talk made me call the Vera Bradley store in SF this morning and have them ship me a Weekender in Very Berry Paisley. Darn you all.

If you don't want it, I'll take it off your hands!

I think we're going to run up to TJ Maxx or Marshall's and get a new large suitcase as ours is all ripped up (and on the smaller side of "Large") and then pick-up one more 21"-ish suitcase or duffel for our carry-on. I found a 21" suitcase hiding in our basement that I can use for DH's carry-on.

So DH will have small suitcase for carry-on + laptop bag (frigging work making him take it with him in case there's an emergency ).

I'll take the new bag (doubting I can convince DH to let me get a VB... unless I find it used on CL or ebay) + purse.

DD will take her princess backpack that she uses for preschool.

Now I just need to make my lists of what goes in which bag. Vitals for the carry-ons are toys to occupy DD on the flight, my travel binder, my camera, warm weather clothes to change into once we get there & anything else I can think of that we'd need before ME delivers our bags.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I generally fly Airtran or Delta so I went to both of those sites and got their measurements.

I found several bags at Target that fit those sizes so bought one of those. It's worked well for 6 trips so far.

A backpack is my "personal" item that goes under the seat in front of me. I always put all meds, electronics and my purse in that backpack so even if my other carryon has to be gate checked, I've got the most important items with me still.

 

[eangel12]

All this carry-on talk made me call the Vera Bradley store in SF this morning and have them ship me a Weekender in Very Berry Paisley. Darn you all.

I went through EBAY and ordered a weekender for our trip. I was ecstatic when I received it...so adorable!!

 

[aubriee]

Remember that not all 20" carry ons hold the same amounts. I just got back from WDW (Sept 10th-18th). Before I left I packed my 22" Vera Bradely rolling duffel. I then decided to use my Heys plaid spinner instead, since it moves so easy in the airport. I was shocked at how much more my Heys 20" spinner held than my 22" Vera Bradley rolling duffel. The 20" Heys holds alot more than the 22" VB. It wasn't even close. Of course I use packing folders and packing cubes. A 18" packing folder held nine pairs of shorts/capris and nine tanks/t shirts and fit perfectly into one side of the Heys spinner, then the divider holds it in place. Bras and nightgown fit in a slim cube packing folder and panties and a few odds and ends fit in another slim cube. I then had a small packing cube with some more odds and ends. Two pairs of shoes also easily fit and I even had some room left over. The VB rolling duffel held the 18" packing folder, a small cube, and the two pairs of shoes, but not the two slim cubes.

Here's pictures of both carry ons and the packing folders and cubes:

http://www.verabradley.com/product/...tColor/Purple+Punch/p/154981.uts?fromSearch=1

http://www.wayfair.com/Heys-USA-X-C....html?refid=BSF49-UJ1958_6332012&PiID=6332012

http://www.ebags.com/product/eagle-creek/pack-it-folder-18/147919?productid=10019024

http://www.ebags.com/product/ebags/slim-packing-cubes-3pc-set/107842?productid=1283924

http://www.ebags.com/product/ebags/small-packing-cubes-3-pc-set/93507?aid=10787397&pid=1992680

I also have several Vera Bradley small and large soft duffels that I use sometimes. The large easily fits in the overhead bins and the small fit under the seat. I also have a Vera Bradley garment bag that I like. I use a couple of the four tier hangers when I use it and double stacking on each hanger I can get nine days worth of outfits. I usually double clip shorts/capris on one, blouses on the other, and then hang a couple of sundresses over them on top. They easily fit in the garment bag and a couple pairs of flip flops fit in the zipper pocket. I then put underwear, bras, toiletries, chargers, and odds and ends in packing cubes in a small Vera Bradley duffel as a personal item.
http://www.verabradley.com/product/...tColor/Viva+la+Vera/p/154786.uts?fromSearch=1
http://www.verabradley.com/product/...Color/Lemon+Parfait/p/154785.uts?fromSearch=1
http://www.verabradley.com/catalog/search.cmd?form_state=searchForm&keyword=garment+bag&x=23&y=4
http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=10204925&RN=50&KSKU=101693&

I'd love to have the weekender or Get Carried Away tote though. I love having different bags to choose from depending on how long each trip is and what time of the year it is and if I'll be checking a bag or just using carry ons. With the Heys bag and a small Vera Bradley soft duffel I can pack for a nine day trip if I'm careful.

 

[NYEmomma]

So I may have to put a new carry-on purchase on hold since I just bought myself a new (actually, gently used) ju-ju-be diaper bag to use as my personal bag. Not like I have a child young enough to need a diaper bag.... but some day I will! And it can be carried as a backpack which will be really nice in the airport.



http://www.shopjujube.com/Product.aspx?l=00010005000000000000&p=JJB01327

 

[robinb]

Remember that not all 20" carry ons hold the same amounts. I just got back from WDW (Sept 10th-18th). Before I left I packed my 22" Vera Bradely rolling duffel. I then decided to use my Heys plaid spinner instead, since it moves so easy in the airport. I was shocked at how much more my Heys 20" spinner held than my 22" Vera Bradley rolling duffel. The 20" Heys holds alot more than the 22" VB. It wasn't even close. Of course I use packing folders and packing cubes. A 18" packing folder held nine pairs of shorts/capris and nine tanks/t shirts and fit perfectly into one side of the Heys spinner. Bras and nightgown fit in a slim cube packing folder and panties and a few odds and ends fit in another slim cube. I then had a small packing cube with some more odds and ends. Two pairs of shoes also easily fit and I even had some room left over. The VB rolling duffel held the 18" packing folder, a small cube, and the two pairs of shoes, but not the two slim cubes.

Here's pictures of both carry ons and the packing folders and cubes:

http://www.verabradley.com/product/...tColor/Purple+Punch/p/154981.uts?fromSearch=1

http://www.wayfair.com/Heys-USA-X-C....html?refid=BSF49-UJ1958_6332012&PiID=6332012

http://www.ebags.com/product/eagle-creek/pack-it-folder-18/147919?productid=10019024

http://www.ebags.com/product/ebags/slim-packing-cubes-3pc-set/107842?productid=1283924

http://www.ebags.com/product/ebags/small-packing-cubes-3-pc-set/93507?aid=10787397&pid=1992680

I also have several Vera Bradley small and large soft duffels that I use sometimes. The large easily fits in the overhead bins and the small fit under the seat.
http://www.verabradley.com/product/...tColor/Viva+la+Vera/p/154786.uts?fromSearch=1
http://www.verabradley.com/product/...Color/Lemon+Parfait/p/154785.uts?fromSearch=1

I'd love to have the weekender or Get Carried Away tote though.

Thanks for your post and your analysis! I just wanted to comment on the price of the Heys bag in case someone got sticker shock. I have seen Heys bags at Marshalls and TJ Maxx for a LOT less than $330. Of course, size and style is limited at a discounter and you may or may not be able to find an acceptable bag there.

I have some old Eagle Creek pack-it cubes/folders (about 15 years old). I wonder what the difference is between them and the new ones.

 

[aubriee]

Thanks for your post and your analysis! I just wanted to comment on the price of the Heys bag in case someone got sticker shock. I have seen Heys bags at Marshalls and TJ Maxx for a LOT less than $330. Of course, size and style is limited at a discounter and you may or may not be able to find an acceptable bag there.

I have some old Eagle Creek pack-it cubes/folders (about 15 years old). I wonder what the difference is between them and the new ones.

Excellent point. I didn't even look at the price of the picture I posted. I just typed in a search for the Heys plaid spinner and that one came up. As a matter of fact I got my 20" plaid Heys spinner carry on and the 26" Heys spinner to match at Marshals a few years ago. I was looking for some lighter suitcases and when I saw the Heys for $79.00 and $89.00 each I grabbed them. I had been looking at the Heys, but did not want to spend $300.00 for them. Marshalls also had the large 30" Heys bag to match too, but it was too big for a checked bag. I love the spinners. They are so easy to maneuver in the airports. You can push them alongside you with just two fingers, no matter how full they are and even expanded I've never had a problem with them fitting wheels first into the overhead or lifting it over my head. I love my Vera Bradley rolling duffel too, but it just doesn't hold as much as the Heys spinner, even though when you measure it, it is bigger. I like the Vera Bradley soft duffels and garment bag too, but miss the wheels when I use them.

When I used the Heys spinner last week, I had alot of stuff in it, so unzipped the expander to easily close it up the first time, but then zipped up the expander with no problem to make it smaller. I had the 18" packing folder with nine pairs of capris/shorts and nine blouses on one side. On the other side I had the two slim cubes, one small cube, two pairs of thick flip flops, and a box of pop tarts and still had a space about 6" square left over. I love my packing folders and cubes. As long as you can get them closed, they will hold, so I really stuff them. They seem to stretch alot. I ordered my first ones from ebags several years ago thanks to a recommendation from my friend Jamstew here on the DIS. Later I found them alot cheaper at TJMaxx and also some at our local Samsonite outlet. I have them in all sizes but tend to use a 18" packing folder in my carry on and a 20" packing folder for my checked bag. I have a couple of 15" ones but seldom use them. As far as the packing cubes, I use mainly the slim cubes and the small cubes. I have the medium and large size ones, but because I fold most of my clothes into the packing folders and just use the cubes for under clothes and odds & ends I seldom use the larger ones.

 

[linda1137]

Thank you for the list!!

 

[SuzyQue]

http://www.costco.com/Browse/ProductSet.aspx?Prodid=11626541&whse=BC&Ne=4000000&eCat=BC|90608|62823&N=4047419&Mo=15&No=13&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&cat=62823&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&Sp=C&topnav=

DH and I recently bought these duffle bags for carry-ons for our upcoming trip to Vegas...We have the bigger ones already and we love them. They hold a ton and still are comfortable and easy to carry/roll...Plus not too badly priced either at Costco. They don't have many color options, but if they can carry all my junk, then thats all that matters to me. I also second what a pp mentioned regarding the vacuum seal bags. We use these on almost every trip we take and they are a lifesaver. Adds tons of room and not a ton of weight.

Which airlines to you use that allow a 30" carry on? I just ended up taking back a set that I got all excited about because it had a rolling duffle and I thought it would be great for a carry on until I realized it was 24-25 inches.