TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands What luggage do you like?

I was searching this forum for packing tips awhile back and wrote down a tip for a soft sided rolling carry on duffel bag. It was an Olympia 22" 8 pocket model. I just went to purchase 4 for my family and am seeing complaints on Amazon that it's over-sized for a carry on. Have any of you had that problem? I looked up the dimensions and yep...it's over the limit by 3 inches. What others do you recommend, I don't think I want to take chances that they force me to check 4 bags in at $25/piece each way.

We are checking, one bag! An Easton Hockey bag with rollers. costs $89 up here in Canada but should allow us to carry all we need including a few dry provisions.

This bag does not have rollers but I use the Patagonia Black Hole 60L. Excellent bag that complies with carry on.

Thanks for your feedback. I need to stick with something inexpensive as I'm buying four. We're all in need of new carry on bags and I like the price. Just worried about having to check them. That would be a huge drag and would defeat the purpose. I already own several very large rolling duffel bags that we used/loved for our own sailboat. If I wanted to check bags, I'd just use those. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />

The LL Bean rolling duffle works great for us.

https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/63915?page=adventure-rolling-duffle-medium

Cheers, RickG

I use my 22 inch Olympia as a carryon all the time without issue.

Thanks Felix! That's exactly what I wanted to hear! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Nothing with a hard frame or wheels if a boat is part of your plan. Wheels and frames always waste space.

We have ebags Motherload backpacks and love them. Also have the rolling versions that we check. Amazing customer service as well.

The backpacks pack like a suitcase and have very clever storage areas.

I will add that AA and Delta have been brutal about carry-ons lately. Last time we flew delta, gate agents were patrolling the gate area, asking customers to check there bags and questioning the sizes. AA was making people use the bag sizer!

Well if you are over 60 rolling bags are a plus! Both of us have a Timberland rolling duffel, that collapses flat. They can be stowed in the cockpit seating or even in the hanging locker if necessary. Mine is over 15 years old with countless trips to BVI, Hawaii, Mexico etc. No rip or tears and the zippers are all still working. We always check bags and take only minimal carryon with a change of clothes and bathing suit in case of delay. Learned early to split the bags with his and hers clothes so if one bag goes AWOL the other bag still has some of each of your clothes. With 3 weeks until wheels up I will be packing them yet again very soon. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

Yeah, we will be on a catamaran, so soft sided luggage is a must. We are boaters so we can totally appreciate the need to conserve space. Stowing large, bulky items is always a challenge.

I have a Timberland rolling duffel but it ripped after one use. I think it was just a defect in the sewing of the seam. It was gently used one time and not overstuffed. I got it at TJ Maxx, maybe that had something to do with it. But I do love that bag!
Wheels up for us in 7 days!!!!

We have an Olympia 22 that we use as a carry-on sometimes. If you stuff it as full as you can possibly get it then, yes, you are going to have trouble fitting it into the overhead, and the airline may force you to check it. If you do not over-pack, though, it will fit fine.

Its basic dimensions are 22x12x12. The 22x12 part is fine. it is when you stuff it all the way to 12" deep that you start to have problems. If you can compact the depth down to 7 or 8 inches you will absolutely not have a problem. At 9-10 inches it gets to be a squeeze. Beyond that is when you might have a problem.

Good luck.

We use rolling duffel bags that collapse pretty flat.
They are not as collapsible as totally soft-side duffels, but a good compromise. I'm too old to be hauling around traditional duffel bags.

I can sail a month with one backpack and my laptop bag. Everything is rolled in packing cubes, amazing how much you can squeeze in

We love our North Face duffelbags. They are waterproof backpacks and you can use them to carry towels and electronics on the dinghy during your trip.

The medium one is carry on size. My partner always seems to get away with carrying the large one on too.

http://amzn.to/2t8Zbsb

We have a WWII green duffel bag with a brass zipper. The FUGLIEST thing you will ever see. When it sits next to LVitton bags, we know there is ZERO risk of getting legs.

UNFORTUNATLY it has out lasted any other bag. For some reason the airport puppy's really like the time honored scent of it.

I've been using one for at least 25 years, still going strong. And you are correct it sure is ugly.

If you want durability, you may look for second hand stuff from big brands online. I know a couple of youtube channels that sell such stuff and even do giveaways. Now choosing a backpack was a more serious issue for me personally. I went through five of six online stores before I found what I needed. Maybe I am just choose of course. I try to do it according to practicality so buying cheap ones is not an option for me: http://tenres.com/. I have the one I like now even though according to experts there is still room for improvement.

The NorthFace duffels with shoulder straps. Old yeller has been all over the world and still holding up well.

We just used our Patagonia Black Hole 60L for the first time this weekend. Nice bag. If you don't stuff it solid you can use as carry on.
I like that it has straps to make it a backpack. No rollers but works for me (yes i'm over 60)
we will be bringing on our May trip along with 1 larger bag with rollers

Musto 100l wheeled clamcase...half empty on the way out, full to the brim on the way home. Rum rum rum.

Sorry for reviving this thread.
I'd like to say that I use this leather bag from Von Baer, and it's worked out great for me. The design is sleek, and the leather is full-grain, which makes it durable. It's within most airline size limits for carry-ons, so I've never had any trouble bringing it on board.
In case someone might be looking for recommendations, then I suggest this bag.