Downsized Traveller

[prozac]

HLO = Hand Luggage Only, many acronyms often used on AFF

Thank you, thank you, thank you. I searched high and low for an answer, I'd almost given up.

 

[stm1sydney]

Yeah, been doing HLO for years business and leisure, one bag only (v light American Tourister wheelie soft case about 2kg or Kathmadnu lite-haul 1.5kg) total weight 8kg including laptop. Never had an issue with SQ 7kg limit.

I wash clothes each night in the shower stomping on them as I shower. Then wring out and wring again in a rolled up bath towel then twisted. Dry in the morning if the a/c is on.

Only extra tip I can think of it to buy a GaN charger - multiple usb charging ports so can charge laptop, ereader and mobile phone with this one charger (maybe not all at the same time though).

 

[SeatBackForward]

There is a while sub-culture around the concept of "OneBag" travel, to be as minimalist as possible.

 

[poopiepoo]

Check in luggage is a cost to airlines.

If they want to encourage HLO, I could be persuaded with better inflight F&B.

BTW. Small toothpaste tubes are available from my dentist as free samples and most hotels have so single serving toothpaste tubes that would last 2 - 3 nights. You just need to actively collect them for HLO travel.

 

[jastel]

Ignoring the plane and weight limit side of things...my motto always has been if you cant carry it dont take it.
I travel by myself mostly and mix it up from 1 star to 5 star hotels but unless its a group tour thing where the luggage is dealt with en masse, I handle my bags.
I have a wheeled backpack, mostly it wheels behind me in civilised places where there are footpaths etc but if it cobbles or dirt or stairs it goes on my back.

 

[Matt_01]

There is a while sub-culture around the concept of "OneBag" travel, to be as minimalist as possible.

I am not part of that, one wheelie bag (HL) and small backpac (day use) sees me through.

Ignoring the plane and weight limit side of things...my motto always has been if you cant carry it dont take it.
I travel by myself mostly and mix it up from 1 star to 5 star hotels but unless its a group tour thing where the luggage is dealt with en masse, I handle my bags.
I have a wheeled backpack, mostly it wheels behind me in civilised places where there are footpaths etc but if it cobbles or dirt or stairs it goes on my back.

I agree with your opening statement. I also spent most of my traveling life as a solo, don't do group tours and always like to have my bags nearby. I did try the wheeled backpack for a while but soon found myself back with a 2 wheel carry on and a backpack that I could attach to the wheeled bag. On a side note I do have a preference for 2 wheel bags as I would replace the original wheels with inline skate wheels, the telescopic arms would often give out before the wheels. I am rough on bags, cobbles, dirt, grass, carpet, stairs, gutters etc. if it has wheels it stays on the ground and pulled behind me.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Gotta love the HLO fraternity don’t you - so entitled - fronting up with everything to the kitchen sink - taking up all the space in the ‘hat rack’

 

[SeatBackForward]

I am not part of that, one wheelie bag (HL) and small backpac (day use) sees me through.

I agree with your opening statement. I also spent most of my traveling life as a solo, don't do group tours and always like to have my bags nearby. I did try the wheeled backpack for a while but soon found myself back with a 2 wheel carry on and a backpack that I could attach to the wheeled bag. On a side note I do have a preference for 2 wheel bags as I would replace the original wheels with inline skate wheels, the telescopic arms would often give out before the wheels. I am rough on bags, cobbles, dirt, grass, carpet, stairs, gutters etc. if it has wheels it stays on the ground and pulled behind me.

Yep roller bag + 1 other either backpack or briefcase for me. I have too many travel bags to be a Onebagger.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Yep - Doc Emirates nailed it .

 

[PeterA]

Yep - Doc Emirates nailed it .
View attachment 306009

I have about 7-8kgs of essentials.

 

[jastel]

I have a medium suitcase where I replaced the cough wheels with roller skate ones...so smooth.

 

[Matt_01]

I have a medium suitcase where I replaced the cough wheels with roller skate ones...so smooth.

In my mind this is a serious question how did you fix roller skate wheels to a medium size bag, was it a spinner and did the roller skate wheels rotate through 360 degrees sideways. I have toyed with wheel replacement on lager luggage but have not been able to make it work.

The below pic is wheel replacement on a bag and as you can see on the left hand side I was a little careless with the angle grinder and accidently cut a small notch into the plastic. The white wheels have been in service for around 12 years (now on a fourth bag) and are still going strong, according to the makers stamps on the wheels they were made in 6/2010. I only went down the roller blade wheel path as the wheels were guaranteed to last/ support 80kg sustained usage for 24 months, I figured these wheels are only supporting 7-10 Kgs of carry on they would last forever, so far so good.

 

[jastel]

They are BLADE wheels technically...
My bag wheels look the same as yours, my bag is a bit bigger than yours but.
I'm an 80's kid, no such thing as roller blades....lol,

 

[Matt_01]

I'm an 80's kid, no such thing as roller blades....lol,

I am 70's kid so one of the reasons I asked based on your roller skate comment. Inline skates, blades or whatever they are called these wheels are better and more durable than the wheels on most new bags.

 

[lovestotravel]

We are off on a 8 week Europe trip in about a month via Singapore

Family of 4, with 2 young children

Will have 2 x large suitcases 25kg each
4 x carry on bags

Wish us luck for the trains and transfers

 

[TiredOldFlyer]

Can't do the HLO.
Packing List for January (2 pax) ski trip :
Two large suitcases.
Large Duffle Bag.
Double Ski Bag
Two x Carry-on
Assorted Hand/Computer Bags
All bags maximum allowable weight (plus)
Theory being if you are going to push or pull a carry on you
may as well push a trolley.
Not to be recommended if you need to use public transport !

 

[JessicaTam]

We are off on a 8 week Europe trip in about a month via Singapore

Family of 4, with 2 young children

Will have 2 x large suitcases 25kg each
4 x carry on bags

Wish us luck for the trains and transfers

Can't do the HLO.
Packing List for January (2 pax) ski trip :
Two large suitcases.
Large Duffle Bag.
Double Ski Bag
Two x Carry-on
Assorted Hand/Computer Bags
All bags maximum allowable weight (plus)
Theory being if you are going to push or pull a carry on you
may as well push a trolley.
Not to be recommended if you need to use public transport !

I think that it is a given that if you are travelling with children or need to take sporting equipment that HLO is not possible. Good luck to you both and may the luggage gods smile on you.

 

[lovestotravel]

Can't do the HLO.
Packing List for January (2 pax) ski trip :
Two large suitcases.
Large Duffle Bag.
Double Ski Bag
Two x Carry-on
Assorted Hand/Computer Bags
All bags maximum allowable weight (plus)
Theory being if you are going to push or pull a carry on you
may as well push a trolley.
Not to be recommended if you need to use public transport !

My trip is a ski one as well, but no chance we'd try to do the ski bags and normal luggage through French train stations.

We are not even taking ski boots or helmets on this one

 

[bussyboy]

Half my suitcase is usually shoes! no way I'm going HLO

 

[Dr4manyspecies]

I tend to travel for more than a month at a pop and need clothes for all seasons so can't do HLO. Add to that, they weigh your HL to/from AUS & US so there's no wriggle room.
Big fail for me lately is the handlers obviously hurling my heavy bags because they are breaking the base structure (new luggage is coughpily made with 'lightweight' material) then the wheels sink and don't roll... so annoying.