April 22, 2011 Lightest weight wheeled carry-on
As many of you who read this blog on a regular basis knows, I’m not a regular user of wheeled luggage and, sadly, haven’t kept up with all the newer lightweight bags.
But that has to change. A good friend of mine has asked for help. He’s headed off for a long vacation to Europe and wants suggestions on lightweight wheeled luggage that will fit the carry-on standards of some of the discount European airlines.
As hard as I tried to get him to go wheeless, I had no luck for most of the time he sat there with a fixed smile, glassy-eyed gaze meaning he was somewhere else while I rambled on. Wheels it must be.
So to you, our faithful readers, I need suggestions for decent quality, light weight wheelies probably in the 20 x 14 x 8 size range. Under $200 would also be nice.
(Frank II)
Reader Comments (25)
http://www.altmanluggage.com/antler_1000755.php
As for that Eagle Creek 7-lb. bag...that's HEAVY!
Medium Foldaway Wheeled Cabin Holdall
The external dimensions of this new product including wheels, blocks and strap measure 55 x 40 x 20 cms (inc wheels etc). This bag has already been tested in the gauges at Gatwick Airport and meets the requirements of Ryanair and Easyjet as well as over 95% of all other airlines. The piece has a packing capacity of around 34 litres and weighs less than 1.4kgs. The bag will foldaway into a much smaller manageable size for storage when not in use being secured by an integral strap with Velcro fastener.
The pulling handle (which when not in use) tucks into a neat top pocket and is adjustable by up to 15cms making the bag suitable for travellers of all heights. In addition there are three strategically located handles (sides and top) to facilitate placing the bag in any measuring device or in the overhead locker bins on board the aircraft.
Also the LL Bean Ballistic Touring Pullman or the Carryall Rolling
Pullman could be a possibility. The Ballistic Pullman has large wheels
that could navigate cobbled streets with ease. The Quickload series
could be another option. All at LLBEAN.COM
http://www.overstock.com/Luggage-Bags/A.Saks-Lightweight-Expandable-Carry-on-Trolley-Duffel-Bag/3439990/product.html
http://www.ospreypacks.com/detail.php?productID=99&colorCode=837&tab=specifications
which has a listed weight of 5 lbs 15 oz. I would imagine that construction and quality are very similar, i.e., sturdy and superior. That provides a pretty precise estimate regarding the penalty of having wheels, i.e., about 2.8 lbs, i.e., the weight almost doubles.
For an airline that allows a 10 kg bag, the Porter 46 has a "payload" of 8.6 kg, while the Vector 22 has a payload of 7.3 kg, a difference of 1.3 kg or 2.9 lbs., which is about equivalent to a man's dress suit.
http://en.lipault.com/product-8-20-22.html
Also at Magellans:
http://www.magellans.com/store/Landing_Pages___Lipault_LuggageLC423
general I would go for the samsonite B-Lite Upright 50cm Zwart 2,2 kg empty 2 wheels..
if you want 4 wheels there is also a 4 wheel model..
Most old national airlines offer by the way also tickets for the same price as low cost.. but you would have to plan ahead..
easyjet e.g. has only a one piece only policy
Each passenger can carry on the plane one piece of hand luggage (measuring a maximum 56 x 45 x 25cm).
Ryanair has
Strictly one item of cabin baggage per passenger (excluding infants) weighing up to 10kg with maximum dimensions of 55cm x 40cm x 20cm is permitted. (handbag, briefcase, laptop, shop purchases, camera etc.) must be carried in your 1 permitted piece of cabin baggage. Extra/oversized cabin baggage will be refused at the boarding gate, or where available, placed in the hold of the aircraft for a fee of £40/€40. If you are unsure, check at the Bag Drop desk before going through security.
but for example transavia.com has now also 10 kg allowed most low cost airlines seem now keen on selling without checked luggage included in the price..
If you have a luggage weight problem take a coat with big pockets.. only the luggage gets weighed at the airport...
or shop at http://www.scottevest.com/
by the way I found online
CABIN MAX CARRY ON BAG - WHEELED TROLLEY BACKPACK / RUCKSACK 1,9 kg...
i
under 6 pounds, rectilinear and is wheelie or back pack, $139 to 175.
I prefer to wear a conversion pack for traveling since many places we go have unpaved roads, but wheels are good in airports and where there are sidewalks. The Osprey Porter 46 also has an excellent shoulder strap for when using it as a backpack is inconvenient.
Best of all, it fits into an overhead bin on most airplanes so I don't have to pay extra for luggage on domestic flights.
http://www.kohls.com/kohlsStore/luggagebackpacks/luggagebysize/20to22/PRD~582558/Landor+and+Hawa+Sub+Zero+G+205in+Wheeled+CarryOn.jsp
I think I first read of it on OBOW!
I bought the 24-inch version for my wife, to use for long weekend trips by car. Its very adequate for that, but I concur that checking the bag on an airline might be problematic. She does find the handle arrangement rather problematic, would have preferred a narrower handle that locks in place.
But, when we got the bag, as a special, the price was right, maybe $60 if I recall. I think that was because these originally came as sets of three, BUT, folks wanted the smaller bag or the larger bag, but not the one in the middle!
The Antler bag mentioned above is clearly sturdier than L&H SZG. My wife now uses that for her full-sized check-in bag.
Antler Duolite 55cm - 2.1kg - expandable to 35 litres.
Oh, I've been over everything pro and con about wheels but some people still insists.
Yep, with 7-8kg limit wheels just don't make sense unless one has an ailment that requires wheels. And max carry-on size doesn't really make sense either unless one wants to transport down pillows. :)
http://www.ospreypacks.com/Packs/MeridianSeriesDeluxeConvertible
The big bonus for someone traveling in Europe is the detachable day backpack on it. Leave the big bag in a hotel / B&B and take the day pack out for the museums.
Fully packed, will most likely be checked but the day pack could be disconnected for your carryon, thereby having at least one change of cloths & essentials, should main bag get lost.
REI sells the bags. Granted the price in above the goal, but they are lifetime warrenty (like my briggs & riley!) and you get 2 bags in one (sort of a grey area in the OBOW concept)
Hope that helps!
Not only is it extremely lightweight, but you gain space, because the pull-out handle goes into the sides, not the middle, therefore there are no bars in the way of storing your clothes. We are able to pack more into this suitcase than a traditional, heavier one. They may not seem too fancy, but they are strong and efficient.
Looking for recommendations on "bullet proof" rolling bags. Trip to Europe involves planes, buses, subways, and walking. No longer want to carry on my back (done that for years). Looking for something that will go over curbs, down stairs to subway, etc. No larger than 45 linear inches. Unloading several interesting nonwheeled bags so if that interests you we can talk about that off the blog
Thanks