Best Hand Carry Only bag/roll-aboard/suitcase/etc.

[penegal]

Oh hai there AFF,

I am new, I have never been on a plane before.

I was wondering what the best bag/roll-aboard/suitcase/etc to buy for hand carry only travel is.

---

Okay, maybe not quite true, but I haven't purchased luggage for approx 5-7 years because my two existing bags (one bigger HCO size, one smaller HCO size) have both been so reliable. As such, I might as well be a n00b when it comes to purchasing luggage.


I generally travel HCO only - taking a roll-aboard (big or small) and a backpack or briefcase type bag with my laptops and documents.

The purpose of this thread is to illicit specific recommendations regarding luggage which is less than 115/105/95-ish linear centimeters (e.g. hand carry size bags for domestic and international general purpose travel).


I know this has been asked a million times, and someone says Antler, someone else says Rimowa, and someone else says a giant plastic bag on a skateboard.

But what do YOU think the best HCO luggage is?

 

[JessicaTam]

I have just bought a Caribee Fast Track 45.

Yet to try it out in anger, but the relative lightweight along with the backpack/rollaboard combo appealed.

115 linear cms, so conforms to international dimensions. I will take it with me to OOL next weekend, so will see how acceptable it is a domestic* bag.

It's volume is greater than the small (115cm) suitcase I currently use that weighs the same, hence the change.

*It won't be very full, so will have some leeway to 'squish' it if need be.

 

[TonyHancock]

My next one will be this. I'm in the four wheels good, two wheels bad camp.

mrs.dr.ron recommended it in another thread recently and at 1.5KG it is very light.

I can also recommend Scottevest if you want to carry electronics etc without needing a bag/case.

I have had Griselda carrying out extensive research in her spare time.

 

[defurax]

In the 105 cm category I suggest this one: Bagworld Australia | Shop | Viewing Samsonite B'Lite Xtra 17" Laptop Wheel Bag Black 79016
It fits in the overhead compartment of very small aircraft (e.g. Embraer 145 series, but with wheels in the front). So it is very practical in the US when one doesn't want to wait for valet tagged bags.

 

[RooFlyer]

<snip>
The purpose of this thread is to illicit specific recommendations regarding luggage which is less than 115/105/95-ish linear centimeters (e.g. hand carry size bags for domestic and international general purpose travel).
<snip>

Trust you to want something illicit.

Edit:

 

[defurax]

Trust you to want something illicit.

At least it elicited a reaction

 

[Austman]

The absolute best carry-on bag, for maximum allowance, is a thick plastic garbage bag.

I've used one for travel a few times. It weighs next to zero and adaptively fits into all sizers.

It's cheap and can easily be replaced (in fact put a few extra into the bag you are taking).

It's not exactly glamorous and it's a bit hard to wheel around (as it has no wheels) but it does get you past all the restrictions with the least possible trouble.

But it doesn't look so good in an Flounge (or any other place for that matter). And heaven help you at a hotel check-in.

 

[JohnM]

I can also recommend Scottevest if you want to carry electronics etc without needing a bag/case.

Now, that stuff does look interesting. What items of the clothing do you have and did they ship to Australia?

 

[RooFlyer]

<snip>

I can also recommend Scottevest if you want to carry electronics etc without needing a bag/case.

I have had Griselda carrying out extensive research in her spare time.

Are you referring to the GridIt stuff? I've been using it for a while and it's actually useful. if you go to their own web site there are different sizes.

Now, that stuff does look interesting. What items of the clothing do you have and did they ship to Australia?

You after a new lab coat?.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

My next one will be this.

Geeze TH. You linked to the navy one.........I thought platinum grey would have been you all over! :mrgreen:

I have an Asics sports bag which weighs only 1kg but no wheels and I have a hard case Samsonite which I bought 18 months ago and has copped a bit of a flogging, but still in pretty good nick (thanks to the supplied Samsonite suitcase condom), but weights 2.6kg. The 2.6kg is a killer if you're on JQ, but QF and VA don't seem to mind so much about a slightly over weight carry on.

Contrary to other travellers likes, I find the 4 wheelers to be of no benefit and in fact I usually resort to dragging them behind on two wheels anyway (I despise those mobile traffic blocks in airports which consist of a hubby and wife tourist set with between two and four, oversized and overloaded 4 wheelers taking up 100% of the concourse width......which stops on a dime and without warning and travels in top gear at a pace that makes a snail appear like a speed demon), so I'd suggest not placing a high priority on 4 wheels (extra weight).

 

[TonyHancock]

Now, that stuff does look interesting. What items of the clothing do you have and did they ship to Australia?

I have this the combination of fleece and shell. I have been wearing the shell during warmer times and it fits pretty much everything in, including surface pro or MacBook 11". :shock:

Sign up up for their special etc they do ship to Australia and their are some good offers.

 

[TonyHancock]

Are you referring to the GridIt stuff? I've been using it for a while and it's actually useful. if you go to their own web site there are different size.

No see post above. I have tried the gridit stuff and don't find it particularly useful.

 

[RooFlyer]

No see post above. I have tried the gridit stuff and don't find it particularly useful.

Strewth. I'm already Sir coughference .. with all that lot on me I'd have to waddle sideways through doorways while breathing in!

GridIt is useful for the chronically disorganised. When the grid is loaded up I can tell that I have all the gear I need - both at the start of a trip and when leaving each hotel.

 

[TonyHancock]

Now, that stuff does look interesting. What items of the clothing do you have and did they ship to Australia?

Whilst browsing Scottevest I had an ad for 20% discount so ordered the sports coat. There are a couple of things I should mention, firstly I was surprised by the way things balance out, and secondly just how much stuff you can fit into the jackets without them feeling bulky. Obviously I don't travel as much as some of those making comments but despite my natural cynicism have been quite impressed.

I tried the gridit stuff a few years back because it looked really good but have found that a QF J amenity kit bag serves me better and keeps smaller things secure. I am not as an experienced a traveler as those that may use this effectively though and may try gridit again to see if it might work for me this time. I haven't used it in conjunction with a Scottevest jacket so it may be an opportinity.

 

[sdhog2002]

I recommend you look at this site: Airline Carry-on Luggage by Red Oxx Mfg. Home of the Air Boss
I have used the Air Boss for a number of years. It is very usable, extraordinarily tough and is guaranteed "forever" (you are advised by the makers to include it in your will).
Sid