Carry on board duffel bag advice?

Daver6

Daver6

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When travelling HLO sometimes I need a little more space than a regular carry on board roller suitcase and take. What I'm looking for is recommendations for a small duffel bag type bag that can easily sit on top of the cabin bag and has a little sleeve that goes around the extended cabin bag handle so it doesn't fall off while wheeling it around.

I know you can get backpacks, but specifically don't want a backpack for this. Anyone have any recommendations or where to look? Bonus points if I can purchase it in a shop in Perth.
 
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Bellroy have a 35l and 45l version. I recently bought a backpack from them, but will be returning it for one of these duffels. For some strange reason, their Transit backpack that is made for HLO travel doesn't have a suitcase handle passthrough.

bellroy.com

Classic Weekender 35L | Casual Overnight Duffel Bag | Bellroy

Easy to pack, easy to love. This compact, uncluttered duffel lets you leave work behind for leisurely weekend adventures.
bellroy.com bellroy.com

Adding to this, my favourite HLO bag is a Patagonia MLC Mini. I know you said you didn't want a backpack, but the backpack handles can be tucked away and shoulder strap added. This bag has a suitcase handle passthrough.
 
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The bellroy ones mentioned by @MDC are a pretty good option but might be a bit pricey depending on what you're after
Want some pricey ones? Take a look at an online retailer called Rushfaster

Aer Weekender AUD$330
Aer16TravelWeekender35L_Black_1_1316x1400.jpg
 
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MDC said:
Adding to this, my favourite HLO bag is a Patagonia MLC Mini. I know you said you didn't want a backpack, but the backpack handles can be tucked away and shoulder strap added. This bag has a suitcase handle passthrough.
Click to expand...

This does look really good actually. There seems to be a 26L and a 30L version from what I can tell. Can't seem to find any for sale in Australia though :( Where did you get yours?

SeatBackForward said:
The bellroy ones mentioned by @MDC are a pretty good option but might be a bit pricey depending on what you're after
Want some pricey ones? Take a look at an online retailer called Rushfaster

Aer Weekender AUD$330
Aer16TravelWeekender35L_Black_1_1316x1400.jpg
Click to expand...

Do you have or have you used the Aer weekender? Looks quite good too.
 
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Daver6 said:
This does look really good actually. There seems to be a 26L and a 30L version from what I can tell. Can't seem to find any for sale in Australia though :( Where did you get yours?
Click to expand...

I actually got my Mini-MLC when I was in the USA last September, it's actually a really good bag as it can be carried as a backpack, as a messenger or just as a duffel, the hip-belt doubles as a the shoulder strap too. It only comes in one size. When they first released it it was advertised as 26L, then for some reason they changed to promoting it as a 30L without any other changes. There is what they call the MLC which is closer to the 40/45L mark.

Wildearth is a local online retailer who stocks it when available, they can notify you when it comes back into stock. It's a very popular bag and is even hard to get in the USA. Patagonia have just released two new backpacks which this store seems to have received, so perhaps there's another shipment from Patagonia on its way to Australia soon?
Daver6 said:
Do you have or have you used the Aer weekender? Looks quite good too.
Click to expand...
I have it, but am yet to use it - I'm a bit of a bag/travel gear nerd, so I tend to get bags and only use them occasionally. The problem with this as I see your use case is that it's quite large to be the personal item that can go on top of your carry on sized suitcase. If you're in premium cabins where you're allowed 2xCarry-on bags then it shouldn't be an issue.
 
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SeatBackForward said:
I actually got my Mini-MLC when I was in the USA last September, it's actually a really good bag as it can be carried as a backpack, as a messenger or just as a duffel, the hip-belt doubles as a the shoulder strap too. It only comes in one size. When they first released it it was advertised as 26L, then for some reason they changed to promoting it as a 30L without any other changes. There is what they call the MLC which is closer to the 40/45L mark.

Wildearth is a local online retailer who stocks it when available, they can notify you when it comes back into stock. It's a very popular bag and is even hard to get in the USA. Patagonia have just released two new backpacks which this store seems to have received, so perhaps there's another shipment from Patagonia on its way to Australia soon?
Click to expand...

The Patagonia store confirmed with me that they 're-rated' the bag from 26l to 30l with no changes. It is a very difficult bag to get. I had my name on a list at Wildearth, Paddy Pallin, Packlight and Patagonia. Patagonia do regularly get stock in and it goes to those on the list, however you never know what colour comes in. I ended up with a grey and teal bag, which wasn't my first choice. No complaints though, it's one of the best organised bags I have.

Added bonus is that Patagonia offer repairs for lifetime of their products.
 
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MDC said:
The Patagonia store confirmed with me that they 're-rated' the bag from 26l to 30l with no changes. It is a very difficult bag to get. I had my name on a list at Wildearth, Paddy Pallin, Packlight and Patagonia. Patagonia do regularly get stock in and it goes to those on the list, however you never know what colour comes in. I ended up with a grey and teal bag, which wasn't my first choice. No complaints though, it's one of the best organised bags I have.

Added bonus is that Patagonia offer repairs for lifetime of their products.
Click to expand...
Yeh I'm liking the Mini-MLC a lot, contemplating getting the new Blackhole backpack also, but one more bag might be the straw that breaks the camels back around my place.. I cannot hide my secret shame by putting more bags inside other bags for much longer!
 
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SeatBackForward said:
I actually got my Mini-MLC when I was in the USA last September, it's actually a really good bag as it can be carried as a backpack, as a messenger or just as a duffel, the hip-belt doubles as a the shoulder strap too. It only comes in one size. When they first released it it was advertised as 26L, then for some reason they changed to promoting it as a 30L without any other changes. There is what they call the MLC which is closer to the 40/45L mark.
Click to expand...
After my post I saw something on Reddit about this. Mainly matches your comment except saying it went the other way around. Either way, same bag so all good.

SeatBackForward said:
I have it, but am yet to use it - I'm a bit of a bag/travel gear nerd, so I tend to get bags and only use them occasionally. The problem with this as I see your use case is that it's quite large to be the personal item that can go on top of your carry on sized suitcase. If you're in premium cabins where you're allowed 2xCarry-on bags then it shouldn't be an issue.
Click to expand...

From Aer 16" Travel Weekender 35L External Dimensions: 49.5 cm x 30.5 cm x 23 cm

From Travel Gear - Patagonia Australia Dimensions 51 x 30 x 18

Seems the two are very similar size?
 
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Daver6 said:
Seems the two are very similar size?
Click to expand...
That's right, the issue is that on their own would, each would probably be the carry-on allowance. That said the Mini-MLC is not as wide, and if not fully loaded, may be able to pass a personal item that would fit under the seat. I don't think the AER bag would do this.

Don't forget to look up Amazon also, there are a range of other knock'offs and China imports that might match what's required. Another I could recommend is the Aer Go Duffel 2, but you're going to struggle to get that here in Australia. Shipping costs from the US are incredible!
 
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SeatBackForward said:
Yeh I'm liking the Mini-MLC a lot, contemplating getting the new Blackhole backpack also, but one more bag might be the straw that breaks the camels back around my place.. I cannot hide my secret shame by putting more bags inside other bags for much longer!
Click to expand...
I've had the older 25l Blackhole backpack for a few years now. It's been beaten up but still looks good. I do like the new matte finish on the new ones.

I thought I was the only one with a bag problem... What breaks it for me at my place is when my storage box of bags starts overflowing. Perhaps we need a group therapy session, or a bag time-share arrangement?
 
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MDC said:
One more option for you. I have the older version of this for my gym bag on office days where I need to also carry the laptop, shoes, change of clothes, toiletry bag etc. It should be easy to pick up in Perth.

Click to expand...

Looks like good value, but dimensions might be getting on the big side. They also had this being a bit smaller https://www.lululemon.com.au/en-au/p/city-adventurer-duffle-bag-29l/prod10930206.html
 
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MDC said:
I thought I was the only one with a bag problem... What breaks it for me at my place is when my storage box of bags starts overflowing. Perhaps we need a group therapy session, or a bag time-share arrangement?
Click to expand...
Storage Box? Rookie numbers! Try when your spare bedroom walk in robe...is overflowing.
 
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