Following up on a thread over at FT, I thought I'd post the "traveler's middle path" here.
The middle path is the path of enlightenment. In this case it means traveling very light AND very comfortably with all the options.
There are two ingredients:
1. A lightweight shoulder or convertible bag such as the Airboss, the Tristar or even the ebags Weekender. Options abound so that everybody should find just the right pick.
2. A really small and ingenious luggage cart. Like this one: http://www.amazon.com/Samsonite-Micro-Mover-Luggage-Charcoal/dp/B000A7VRD2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=apparel&qid=1246065173&sr=8-1
The Samsonite Micromover is VERY small and weighs just under 1kg. Folded down it is 6.5 x 2.8 x 14.8 inches. This means it can fit INSIDE the bag or be very easily tied to it.
Luggage carts are usually not counted as an extra piece of carry-on luggage. It should also not be counted for the weight limit but that is a non-issue because when the weight limit is 8kg, you don't need a cart.
Use the cart when the bag gets heavier than what you want to carry or when you actually have two bags to carry. It accommodates that easily, as can be seen in the amazon link pictures. The handle is high enough to be easily comfortable for a 6ft person.
With the cart and an ebags weekender you have a maximum size carry-on item that weighs less than 2.7kg including the cart and 1.7 kg without it. You can carry it by hand, back, shoulder or wheel it. It is versatile enough for business and leisure use. It will never have to gate checked because it doesn't look so bulky and because it can squeeze a little in the sizer. There is no comparable solution out there.
The best thing: The cart and the weekender together will cost less than $100. If you already have the shoulder or convertible bag of your choice, the cart becomes a no-brainer.
Single Caveat: The cart is very quick to unfold. I'd say twenty seconds. If you need to fold the cart back together completely, that is a little tricker and involves tying the strings back up. This takes less than a minute if you have practiced it ten times or so.
Hope you like the suggestion and it will (en)lighten your travels.
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Following up on a thread over at FT, I thought I'd post the "traveler's middle path" here.
The middle path is the path of enlightenment. In this case it means traveling very light AND very comfortably with all the options.
There are two ingredients:
1. A lightweight shoulder or convertible bag such as the Airboss, the Tristar or even the ebags Weekender. Options abound so that everybody should find just the right pick.
2. A really small and ingenious luggage cart. Like this one:
http://www.amazon.com/Samsonite-Micro-Mover-Luggage-Charcoal/dp/B000A7VRD2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=apparel&qid=1246065173&sr=8-1
The Samsonite Micromover is VERY small and weighs just under 1kg. Folded down it is 6.5 x 2.8 x 14.8 inches. This means it can fit INSIDE the bag or be very easily tied to it.
Luggage carts are usually not counted as an extra piece of carry-on luggage. It should also not be counted for the weight limit but that is a non-issue because when the weight limit is 8kg, you don't need a cart.
Use the cart when the bag gets heavier than what you want to carry or when you actually have two bags to carry. It accommodates that easily, as can be seen in the amazon link pictures. The handle is high enough to be easily comfortable for a 6ft person.
With the cart and an ebags weekender you have a maximum size carry-on item that weighs less than 2.7kg including the cart and 1.7 kg without it. You can carry it by hand, back, shoulder or wheel it. It is versatile enough for business and leisure use. It will never have to gate checked because it doesn't look so bulky and because it can squeeze a little in the sizer. There is no comparable solution out there.
The best thing: The cart and the weekender together will cost less than $100. If you already have the shoulder or convertible bag of your choice, the cart becomes a no-brainer.
Single Caveat: The cart is very quick to unfold. I'd say twenty seconds. If you need to fold the cart back together completely, that is a little tricker and involves tying the strings back up. This takes less than a minute if you have practiced it ten times or so.
Hope you like the suggestion and it will (en)lighten your travels.