Author Topic: Mustachian luggage choices?  (Read 6403 times)

Will

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Mustachian luggage choices?
« on: January 05, 2015, 11:38:29 PM »
Some of you might have seen my post in the Christmas wish thread about potentially getting the Samsonite luggage that Costco had on sale in December.  I did indeed buy it and then later return it.  Why?  It was a 3 piece set, and that is probably about 2 more pieces than I really need/want.

Fast forward to today, when I see that one of the AmEx offers I have is for $10 off a purchase of $50 or more from eBags.com.  I go to check it out, and they offer 20% off my first purchase and free shipping.  I have poked around, looked at reviews and have 3 potential candidates.  What do you think?

1) the Eagle Creek Systems Go Duffel Pack 35L  (http://www.ebags.com/product/eagle-creek/systems-go-duffel-pack-35-l/271350?productid=10296883)  Lightweight, just the right size, versatile, attractive, softsided/backpack/duffel, but it seems that I'd have to buy the Pack-Its separately.  Total: $68.39

2) the Wenger Travel Gear SA7201 20" Hardside Spinner (http://www.ebags.com/product/wenger/sa7201-20-hardside-spinner/261837?productid=10267418) Carry-on size, lightweight, rugged, comes with TSA lock, and pretty damn spiffy.  Total: $66.79

3)  the Samsonite Winfield 2 Fashion 20" Hardside Spinner (http://www.ebags.com/product/samsonite/winfield-2-fashion-hs-spinner-20/264647?productid=10274589) Carry-on, lightweight, rugged, TSA lock, and a solid brand.  Total: $101.99

I know some of you travel hackers probably have an opinion (unlike other Mustachians who generally don't have opinions, HAH!), so what do you think?  Or do you have a better recommendation?  I looked on craigslist and didn't see anything there that looked like a better deal.  And a reminder why I need/want luggage:  I'm going to finally start traveling, and I don't have any good carry-on type luggage and don't want to check my bags.

Clarion

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Re: Mustachian luggage choices?
« Reply #1 on: January 06, 2015, 02:31:50 AM »
I think this is probably not very MMM price wise but the rimowa salsa air is on my wishlist for luggage.  I don't have one yet but I've heard good things about them and am saving up for one.  I'm tired of budget ones that fall apart after a few uses.  I want a good one that I can invest in and use for a long time (hopefully)

http://www.rimowa.com/en-us/salsa-air

cakie

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Re: Mustachian luggage choices?
« Reply #2 on: January 06, 2015, 03:37:19 AM »
I bought a 34L Deuter backpack 2nd hand (practically new) off ebay a couple of years ago. I spent a bit for it ($80?), but it is worth spending a bit to get something that will last.

I love my bag. Took it around Europe for 5 months, plenty of room once I worked out how to pack light :) super comfy, as long as i didn't go much over 10kg (can't carry on more than this in weight anyway most of the time for flights). It's still in top notch condition, SO uses it constantly for weekend trips, etc.

So personally, I say go for the eagle creek bag, as long as its a reliable, high quality brand. A negative with hard case bags is that they tend to be a bit heavier, which cuts into weight restrictions. But this is totally my personal preference for backpacks over suitcases coming through here! Rolling luggage has great pros as well!

cakie

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Re: Mustachian luggage choices?
« Reply #3 on: January 06, 2015, 03:42:00 AM »
ps. if you do go down the backpack path, try a few on in a store and look at common set-ups with pockets and the like. This made my decision easier because I could see the quality differences between brands and get a feel for the sizing.

The_Crustache

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Re: Mustachian luggage choices?
« Reply #4 on: January 06, 2015, 03:56:23 AM »
I got a climber pack, North Face 45L Terra a few years back.

This thing is amazing, while it might have cost a bit on the higher side (maybe 150, don't remember) it has gotten its use. I'm also pretty sure it has a good warranty in case it breaks somehow.

35-45L packs are a good size - if you're smart about packing and space allocation they fit as a carry on and you can put lots of stuff in it. Its also got a slot for a hydration pack, some hipstraps, etc.
I've found it useful for things like carrying stuff to the Laundromat, traveling, going to the grocery store on my bike. You might be able to find some good used gear on craigslist or get some good deals at sporting goods outlets or online; climbing/camping/hiking is one of those hobby sports that yuppie non mustachians pick up and spend lots of money on top quality gear, to find out they never use it 3 years later- your opportunity to snatch it up.

Why a backpack and not any other type of bag? They're lightweight, ergonomically designed to carry heavy loads efficiently. They're extremely durable, designed literally to be dropped off of the side of a mountain and still be functional. You can carry them anywhere, including on a bike. It's more easily identifiable than a black suitcase that everyone else on the plane uses. You can run with it faster, if you're rushing to catch a close airport connection. Rather than dragging some stupid goiter on wheels behind you trying not to run everyone else over. Can you say any of that about your roll-suitcase that has heavy wheels and metal handles and stuff? No. There are more reasons I'm sure, but this is just for starters.
ps. if you do go down the backpack path, try a few on in a store and look at common set-ups with pockets and the like. This made my decision easier because I could see the quality differences between brands and get a feel for the sizing.
2nd this^^


Cheers.
« Last Edit: January 06, 2015, 04:01:49 AM by The_Crustache »

Villanelle

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Re: Mustachian luggage choices?
« Reply #5 on: January 06, 2015, 04:08:14 AM »
Check your thrift store. 

When we moved from the US to Germany, we knew we'd be without our stuff, other than what we packed in suitcases, for a couple months.  OUr free baggage allowance was 4 bags each, so 8 total.

We didn't own that many, so I went o a few thrift stores.  I was most looking for huge, and I didn't care so much about convenience or ease of use. I used them once for the move and will use them again for the next move.  Other than that, they are tucked away.  But I was amazed at the many options, some of which were very nice pieces, and they were all under $10 (some were <$5).

If you are being picky and don't find what you want after checking several thrift stores, check out places like TJ Maxx, Tuesday Morning, etc., and see if you can do better than the ebags deal.

EDSMedS

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Re: Mustachian luggage choices?
« Reply #6 on: January 06, 2015, 05:39:09 AM »
+1 for backpacks.

I've used a canoe pack for backpacking (outdoor), backpacking (cities), business trips, local hikes, and city jaunts.  Plus it has the advantage of making you look poor, so thieves think "not worth it."  Make sure that you know how to use the compression straps so you can scale the pack to the journey. 

+1 for trying it on in the store.
+1 for thrift stores.  Thank *dog* that some backpackers are lazy gear nerds that would rather buy new and donate old than navigate CL.

starbuck

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Re: Mustachian luggage choices?
« Reply #7 on: January 06, 2015, 06:15:15 AM »
I travel regularly for business (and pleasure) and my choice would be something like the Samsonite one. I (think?) I have a larger size of the Wegner one and wasn't very happy with the wheels and their durability. I received a carry-on Samsonite 4-wheeled bag for Christmas year and it's been doing great and is really easy to maneuver (regarding both handles and wheels.)

When I travel for work I prefer 4-wheeled bags because I'm in and out of hotels and/or planes, and I carry a decent amount of electronics (2 laptops + peripherals.) When I travel for fun I bring my backpacking pack, or another small backpack, because I don't carry much and we're in and out of places with a lot of stairs/public transit. So really, it comes down to what type of travel you're doing.

SailAway

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Re: Mustachian luggage choices?
« Reply #8 on: January 06, 2015, 10:22:09 AM »
When we went on our honeymoon I bought 2 Samsonite wheeled bags at TJ Maxx. They are the biggest size that still fit as carry-on, so we never pay to check luggage. I've been very happy with them, I think they were $80 a piece.

GizmoTX

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Re: Mustachian luggage choices?
« Reply #9 on: January 06, 2015, 10:52:04 AM »
A soft-side carry-on is preferable for weight & fit issues. Budget & non-US airlines have weight limits, & you don't want your bag using much of it. Soft side carry-on bags will usually fit the airline sizers while rigid ones often won't. Soft side bags store more compactly, a critical issue in small hotel rooms & boats, & usually cost less.

You can pack more in a rectangular backpack than a similarly sized wheeled bag & it's more portable over cobblestones & stairs. However, it's also an age thing -- DH & I now use wheeled bags for airport travel, DS does not. If the airline allows a personal item plus a carry-on, that personal item is a tote bag that can ride on top of the wheeled bag.

We switched to duffle style bags when DS came along & used pack-its for organization & wrinkle control. Now we try to fly with carry-ons only.


Daisy

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Re: Mustachian luggage choices?
« Reply #10 on: January 06, 2015, 08:48:08 PM »
I got the same offer with my new AMEX 0% APR card. I used the $10 off and 20% sale to buy a hard cased ski bag. My soft sided ski bag fell apart - I think because I overstuffed it with clothes to avoid taking another suitcase, so it's mostly my fault.

Then I also started looking at getting a new carry on bag that would fit the new requirements, in order to take advantage of the sale prices. My "old" carry on suitcase from the 90s doesn't count as carry on any more since the size restrictions have shrunk recently. So I've stuck with the old bag and have checked it in but secretly wish for a small carry on one. That sucker has lasted me probably about 20 years.

I do like the new wheeled bags in that they are easy to roll around. I was wondering about hard case vs. soft case as well.

But after reading this thread, I'm thinking a backpack would be better for carry on purposes. After all, a small carry on bag would be limited in how much you could pack and the weight would therefore be less, so why not just go with a backpack that is easier to carry around, will weigh less due to no wheels, etc? Now it seems silly to get a good wheeled bag just for carry on.

I learn so much on these forums...thanks!

arebelspy

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Re: Mustachian luggage choices?
« Reply #11 on: January 07, 2015, 09:13:28 AM »
I use The Wirecutter for reviews.

Here's their best carry-on luggage: http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/the-best-carry-on-luggage/

And best other bags (scroll down to the various categories): http://thewirecutter.com/leaderboard/best-bags/
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jamaicaspanish

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Re: Mustachian luggage choices?
« Reply #12 on: January 07, 2015, 09:33:42 AM »
We've used our Rick Steves carry-ons for a decade:
http://travelstore.ricksteves.com/catalog/index.cfm?fuseaction=catalog&parent_id=8

And for maximum size/weight ratio for checked luggage, you can't beat $25 for:
http://www.amazon.com/Samsonite-Tote-ton-Duffle-Luggage/dp/B004YZCZL4



sunnyca

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Re: Mustachian luggage choices?
« Reply #13 on: January 07, 2015, 10:17:51 AM »
Not really a mustachian purchase, but I have Briggs and Riley Baseline luggage, which I purchased back when I used to have to travel a lot for work.  Incredibly well made and comes with a lifetime guarantee.  You can run it over with a car and they'll replace it.

If you plan on travelling a great deal, I can't recommend anything better.

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!