OBOW Light Travel Forum > Looking for a recommendation for a 6-week trip
You can start here with the "how to". Really, I can travel indefinately with just a carry-on. I've traveled for a month with one and saw no reason for more space. If you're taking a guitar, I'd check which airline allows two carry-ons and if a guitar qualifies. Others will be along soon with more suggestions. Have a great trip!
March 24, 2013 |
Larry
Larry
I have no choice on the airline. I'll just have to deal with whatever their policy is. But the notion of dashing off with my carry-on on arrival is not really relevant, since I'll be waiting for the rest of the group anyway and then we'll rot through passport control. I'm entirely willing to check my carry-on sized bag (if that's what I end up taking) and taking my guitar on board with me. I'm just looking for general suggestions about a bag for someone who is willing to pack pretty light. Is the much-touted Air Boss really worthwhile and more "packable" than the Sky Train? Thanks for your input, Larry.
March 24, 2013 |
John
John
John, I like the converible bags like your sky train or my quickload from L.L. Bean, especially if you're taking a guitar too. I'd like to have at least one hand free to hand over my ticket or passport. Frank may be able to give you advice since he's familiar with group travel. Good luck.
March 25, 2013 |
Larry
Larry
First, let's talk about the guitar. If it's full size, it's doubtful they'll let you carry it on. Make sure you have a good, solid case to protect it when checked.
Is your student group traveling on its own or with an organized tour group?
Most people on tour groups, as you'll see with most of your kids, travel with full sized suitcases. You can definitely travel with a carry-on bag only, but you will have to do laundry more often.
Before you choose a bag, why not make a packing list of what you want/need to take.
Then think about the following:
Where do you plan to do laundry? At a laundromat? In your room? (This will help you decide how much to take.)
How do you plan to carry the guitar? By hand? With a backpack harness? (This will effect what type of bag to get.)
Once that's all done, come back, let us know and then we can continue to fine tune until we find the right bag for you.
Is your student group traveling on its own or with an organized tour group?
Most people on tour groups, as you'll see with most of your kids, travel with full sized suitcases. You can definitely travel with a carry-on bag only, but you will have to do laundry more often.
Before you choose a bag, why not make a packing list of what you want/need to take.
Then think about the following:
Where do you plan to do laundry? At a laundromat? In your room? (This will help you decide how much to take.)
How do you plan to carry the guitar? By hand? With a backpack harness? (This will effect what type of bag to get.)
Once that's all done, come back, let us know and then we can continue to fine tune until we find the right bag for you.
March 25, 2013 |
Frank@OBOW
Frank@OBOW
Thanks for the tips and clarifying questions, everyone.
The student group is just going to one city and then staying there. Not travel all over, endless train and bus tours. Well, there is a trip of a few nights to one other city, but I'll just pack a messanger bag or something for that. So the lugging is not a big deal except on the main travel to there (Europe) from the US and back again.
The guitar is a full-size classical guitar. And yeah, I have a pretty good, hard case with a raised top to protect the soundboard (knock wood).
And there's a laundry service where we're staying which, I hear, is not too expensive.
Guitar will be carried by hand.
The packing list is going to include a week or so of clothing with the expectation of washing clothes fairly regularly, one or two books, some minor guitar paraphernalia (not bulky - small tuner, pack of strings), likely a smallish laptop.
Thanks!
The student group is just going to one city and then staying there. Not travel all over, endless train and bus tours. Well, there is a trip of a few nights to one other city, but I'll just pack a messanger bag or something for that. So the lugging is not a big deal except on the main travel to there (Europe) from the US and back again.
The guitar is a full-size classical guitar. And yeah, I have a pretty good, hard case with a raised top to protect the soundboard (knock wood).
And there's a laundry service where we're staying which, I hear, is not too expensive.
Guitar will be carried by hand.
The packing list is going to include a week or so of clothing with the expectation of washing clothes fairly regularly, one or two books, some minor guitar paraphernalia (not bulky - small tuner, pack of strings), likely a smallish laptop.
Thanks!
March 25, 2013 |
John
John
You can go in any direction--a full size case, a carry-on, wheels, no wheels, etc.
If travel means moving around, or getting around quickly, then carry-on is the answer. If you're going to one place for an extended amount of time, and have only two flights--getting there and back--then you could opt for a full size case.
Most airlines to Europe allow the first checked bag for free. The second you pay for.
If you want carry-on, and since you're used to the Sky Train weight, I'd suggest the
Ebags Mother Lode TLS Weekender Convertible
http://www.ebags.com/product/ebags/mother-lode-tls-weekender-convertible/143101
It's slightly bigger than the Sky Train, can expand in case you purchase items overseas (you'll then have to check it.) and if you sign up for Ebags emails (you'll get one daily) and wait until a 30% off sale), you can get this item for around $75. They are well made, have a separate laptop compartment, and are fairly comfortable on your back.
If you want wheels, I'd suggest the Ebags Wheeled Duffels. They may have to be checked but they are value for money. I have older versions of the 21" and 25" and still use the 25" for car trips.
One question I forgot to ask: What airline are you flying as this may have a big effect on what you can carry on?
If travel means moving around, or getting around quickly, then carry-on is the answer. If you're going to one place for an extended amount of time, and have only two flights--getting there and back--then you could opt for a full size case.
Most airlines to Europe allow the first checked bag for free. The second you pay for.
If you want carry-on, and since you're used to the Sky Train weight, I'd suggest the
Ebags Mother Lode TLS Weekender Convertible
http://www.ebags.com/product/ebags/mother-lode-tls-weekender-convertible/143101
It's slightly bigger than the Sky Train, can expand in case you purchase items overseas (you'll then have to check it.) and if you sign up for Ebags emails (you'll get one daily) and wait until a 30% off sale), you can get this item for around $75. They are well made, have a separate laptop compartment, and are fairly comfortable on your back.
If you want wheels, I'd suggest the Ebags Wheeled Duffels. They may have to be checked but they are value for money. I have older versions of the 21" and 25" and still use the 25" for car trips.
One question I forgot to ask: What airline are you flying as this may have a big effect on what you can carry on?
March 25, 2013 |
Frank@OBOW
Frank@OBOW
If the GUITAR is really valuable, one might consider buying an alternative TRAVEL GUITAR, especially the Voyage-Air, whose case dimensions are not quite carry-on, but which I gather will pass virtually all of the time:
http://www.voyageairguitar.com/guitars/guitar-information/case-info-a-specs
My disclaimer would be that I personally do not play guitar, and that my rabbi is an original investor in the company; he has one of the prototypes, which I saw over the weekend, including its special hinge, the core feature that makes it possible, which he has taken overseas in the past, though for our pending trip, he'll be taking a less valuable production model.
http://www.voyageairguitar.com/guitars/guitar-information/case-info-a-specs
My disclaimer would be that I personally do not play guitar, and that my rabbi is an original investor in the company; he has one of the prototypes, which I saw over the weekend, including its special hinge, the core feature that makes it possible, which he has taken overseas in the past, though for our pending trip, he'll be taking a less valuable production model.
March 25, 2013 |
Alan B
Alan B
I'm not going to get one of these guitars, but it's good to know they exist. Looks very odd, but if they work, pretty cool. Anyway, the guitar is valuable to me, but not a professional $10,000 guitar.
I like the look of this weekender convertible thing, although I do already have a similar bag in the Sky Train. I feel rather foolish in all this and keep going back and forth in my head, so you bag-experts will have to forgive me.
FInnAir. Which means it looks like (unless they're getting us business class whatever) it's one piece, max 17.5 pounds, which means I'll take the guitar if possible, and if not, will have to check it or beg someone to stow it elsewhere in the cabin for me. Will depend also on how crowded the flight is, which I can't predict.
Am tempted to go for one of these large carry-ons to help me limit the junk I bring. Anything I buy there I'll just mail back anyway (books, etc).
I like the look of this weekender convertible thing, although I do already have a similar bag in the Sky Train. I feel rather foolish in all this and keep going back and forth in my head, so you bag-experts will have to forgive me.
FInnAir. Which means it looks like (unless they're getting us business class whatever) it's one piece, max 17.5 pounds, which means I'll take the guitar if possible, and if not, will have to check it or beg someone to stow it elsewhere in the cabin for me. Will depend also on how crowded the flight is, which I can't predict.
Am tempted to go for one of these large carry-ons to help me limit the junk I bring. Anything I buy there I'll just mail back anyway (books, etc).
March 25, 2013 |
John
John
Aaaand I forgot to ask about your favorite luggage tags.
March 25, 2013 |
John
John
The ebags Weekender Convertible is a great bag, there are now two sizes. I have the original larger one and it holds so much it can get uncomfortable for me to carry. I'm thinking about trying the Junior, but it's only a couple of inches smaller.
I use REI-brand luggage tags. They're often on sale. The pricing on luggage tags now is almost criminal. I've had zero problems with the REI tags and they're reasonably priced when on sale. Don't forget to put another copy of your bag tag information inside your suitcase and in one outside pocket. I always put my entire itinerary inside and in a pocket.
I use REI-brand luggage tags. They're often on sale. The pricing on luggage tags now is almost criminal. I've had zero problems with the REI tags and they're reasonably priced when on sale. Don't forget to put another copy of your bag tag information inside your suitcase and in one outside pocket. I always put my entire itinerary inside and in a pocket.
May 27, 2013 |
Dianne
Dianne
However, it's not really roomy enough for a six-week trip. Can someone advise, please? I'll be taking a guitar as well, so I want to have my other stuff in as little space as possible. I'll be able to do laundry at least sometimes, so I shouldn't need to bring all THAT much. Just clothes, a laptop, one book, a few other items. It doesn't NEED to be a carry-on, and it doesn't NEED to have wheels or not to have wheels, I think. I just need a good, functional bag and I don't know where to start. All advice will be appreciated. Thank you.