# What type of luggage do you prefer? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 22, 2016, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-type-of-luggage-do-you-prefer/769391 "2016-10-22T20:39:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2016, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-type-of-luggage-do-you-prefer/769391/21 "2016-10-25T19:04:11Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > 1. I always check everything. > > I’m one less asshole holding you up from deplaning. You’re welcome. I always wait in my seat and get off last. Since I don’t have to wait at the carousel, I don’t mind. I don’t have to deal with assholes who crowd up against the edge of he belt, so nobody else can see if their baggage is coming down the line. ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2016, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-type-of-luggage-do-you-prefer/769391/22 "2016-10-25T19:13:54Z")
I’m always on planes, I live on planes, I’m on a plane now… #1 for me, 2-wheels, carry-on only, never check (if I can help it). For my next one I might go with hard-sided and 4-wheels, if it doesn’t weigh more. But, I’ve expect a good 5 more years on this one, at least. ---
**Author:** ![NinjaChick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/71c47a/32.png) [@NinjaChick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinjaChick)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2016, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-type-of-luggage-do-you-prefer/769391/23 "2016-10-26T01:55:52Z")
Backpack. If needed (like, “I’m going away for 12+ months” type situations), a soft-sided two-wheeler. My regular travel companion is [this](http://www.ebags.com/product/ebags/tls-mother-lode-weekender-convertible-junior/241465) bag and oh, I love it so, _so_ much that I need to talk about it. It fits in the overhead even at maximum capacity. It fits under the seat in front of me for short trips. It has just the right number of pockets. It converts to a cross-body strap if I want. It has a mesh divider for laundry segregation. It has cinch straps that really cinch. It has a laptop compartment that’s padded but still easily accommodates a neoprene laptop sleeve as well. It has grab handles in convenient places. It’s light. It’s lockable. I have travelled with this bag across seven countries, for trips ranging from a weekend to two months of continuous travel, over the span of 4 years now, and it just now is beginning to show a _slight_ bit of wear (not damage, just normal wear). I love this bag more than some of the people I’m related to. Also, since we’re doing luggage talk: vacuum bags, guys. You don’t need the fancy type that require an actual vacuum cleaner, just the type you smoosh the air out of. Bring a tiny roll of duct tape for patching emergencies, and your luggage capacity skyrockets. ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Downtown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Mr\_Downtown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Downtown)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2016, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-type-of-luggage-do-you-prefer/769391/24 "2016-10-26T04:10:49Z")
Horses for courses. A 40L backpack for a few days, no dress-up clothes needed. A 50L backpack for multiple stops in warm-weather climes, and hopping on and off trains every 2-3 days for several weeks. A soft-sided 22-inch rollaboard if dress-up clothes will be needed, if more than one sweater will be desirable, or if the walk to and waits in airport and immigration lines will be more significant than the walks to accommodations. ---
**Author:** ![Flyer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/flyer/32/7298_2.png) [@Flyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flyer)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2016, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-type-of-luggage-do-you-prefer/769391/25 "2016-10-27T04:53:56Z")
> [@teela\_brown](#): > > I just returned from a vacation, and idled away waiting time by trying to categorize types of flying luggage. Here are the categories: > > Carry-ons: > > 1. Soft(ish) sided wheel-away. > 2. Hard clamshell wheel-away. > 3. Duffel-style wheel-away. > 4. Straight duffel. > 5. Backpack. > 6. Satchel. > > For convenience, I’ll have number 7 be any kind of luggage you check in. > > I haven’t checked in luggage for years and I don’t intend to ever again. Waiting at a luggage carousel instead of proceeding straight to vacation is no fun. > > The hard clamshell looks durable, but it won’t expand slightly if I forcefully stuff clothing and souvenirs in, so I like a soft(ish) sided wheel-away. > > My husband has a soft-sided satchel which is barely small enough to cram under a seat if necessary. > > What kind do you use? The only kind I ever use is the one kind that you didn’t specifially include – a suitcase. Of course, you hardly ever see them anymore; the overwhelming majority of people are too lazy to use one. The worthless idiot who invented that wheeled stuff should have been drawn and quartered for crimes against humanity. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2016, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-type-of-luggage-do-you-prefer/769391/26 "2016-10-27T06:07:14Z")
For checked-in luggage: Tough canvas holdall (which I assume is what is referred to as ‘duffel’ here, although duffel always meant a drawstring-style kit bag to me; this is the first time I’ve heard it used to mean a zippered bag with handles) For hand luggage: A soft-sided messenger bag just big enough for my laptop, book, pen and pad, etc; small enough not to need to go in an overhead locker. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2016, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-type-of-luggage-do-you-prefer/769391/27 "2016-10-27T06:13:01Z")
> [@Flyer](#): > > The worthless idiot who invented that wheeled stuff should have been drawn and quartered for crimes against humanity. Ridiculous. I use the only proper form of luggage; a steamer trunk, which I carry under one arm. In the other I carry a carpet bag for my personal effects. Of course, I employ numerous porters as well, as my scientific instruments fill several shipping tons. ---
**Author:** ![Dereknocue67](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6de8d8/32.png) [@Dereknocue67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dereknocue67)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2016, 8:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-type-of-luggage-do-you-prefer/769391/28 "2016-10-27T08:03:41Z")
Travel has never been a favorite for me so I prefer luggage that folds easily as you stuff it into a trash container and gleefully transport the container to the curb. ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2016, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-type-of-luggage-do-you-prefer/769391/29 "2016-10-27T11:57:34Z")
Modestly sized travel backpack for personal travel. Two wheeled carry-on for work travel. I’m an obsessively light packer and can live indefinitely out of either. ---
**Author:** ![DorkVader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2016, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-type-of-luggage-do-you-prefer/769391/30 "2016-10-27T14:34:41Z")
> [@Dr.Strangelove](#): > > I can pack for any trip under about 6 days in one, unless I need extra gear for some reason (hiking, etc.). Under duress, I’ll use a soft-sided wheel-away. > > Friends always wonder how I pack so lightly, but I wonder how they pack so much. Then I see that they’re carrying a full-sized tube of toothpaste, a giant jar of vitamins, 3 sets of shoes, and other crap they don’t need. The small amount of time I spend optimizing more than pays for the time (and annoyance) saving elsewhere. > [@Skywatcher](#): > > 7 is a military duffel from my time as a Navy recruit, can be carried by hand or as a backpack These two sum it up pretty closely for me, except I use a gym bag. Throw in a couple of small trash bags or plastic grocery bags to contain dirty laundry (if needed) and I can live for up to two weeks out of a gym bag. Much like the good Dr. my friends a family wonder how I get so much stuff into such a small space and the answer of “optimization” just seems to float right on by them without landing. Like **Skywatcher** , for longer trips my duffel bag from my army days can’t be beat. I can pack enough into the thing to live for a year if needed. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2016, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-type-of-luggage-do-you-prefer/769391/31 "2016-10-27T14:42:48Z")
1 and 4 are the main ones I use, but we’re looking at switching to a pair of 2s. I don’t fly much, but when I retire we probably will, and that will mean new luggage. The clamshells look like will do the trick nicely. ---
**Author:** ![That\_Don\_Guy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/that_don_guy/32/538_2.png) [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2016, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-type-of-luggage-do-you-prefer/769391/32 "2016-10-27T14:55:56Z")
1 for my main checked bag, although it has a hard bottom (I use an LL Bean bag); I have a 4 for my second bag, but I never use it because of checked baggage fees. I also have a 6 for carryon that I put under the seat in front of me, as I never assume that there will be overhead bin space left when I board. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2016, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-type-of-luggage-do-you-prefer/769391/33 "2016-10-27T15:01:55Z")
Leather weekender. I refuse to call it a duffel. ---
**Author:** ![UncleRojelio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unclerojelio/32/3160_2.png) [@UncleRojelio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleRojelio)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2016, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-type-of-luggage-do-you-prefer/769391/34 "2016-10-27T15:02:57Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > 1. I always check everything. > > I’m one less asshole holding you up from deplaning. You’re welcome. QFT ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2016, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-type-of-luggage-do-you-prefer/769391/35 "2016-10-27T15:13:11Z")
I only use traditional full-sized luggage when I am on a road trip. I guess if I took an airplane trip that lasted more than 2 weeks I’d consider it. I have a large hiking backpack that I sometimes do check in to the airlines because I can stuff it with all the clothes I’ll need on my trip, and if this is few enough clothes, I can use it as my carryon because it can squish into the overheads easier. I use a small soft-ish shell with 360 wheels I sometimes use when I am on a short road trip or hotel stay. It is too small to be worth the extra dough to check in to airlines, however. I have a computer backpack that I can stuff with socks and undies that I take when I am taking my laptop. I have a pink “hiking” backpack that is actually pretty similar to my computer backpack but used for hiking because it is more visible and I won’t get trail mix crumbs in my laptop. I sometimes take this and stuff it with clothes as well. ---
**Author:** ![Me\_Billy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e480ec/32.png) [@Me\_Billy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Me_Billy)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2016, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-type-of-luggage-do-you-prefer/769391/36 "2016-10-27T17:09:28Z")
Lately ANYTHING other than black! Hard to find your luggage in a sea of black luggage. Imagine trying to find your luggage in a situation like this… [![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UpubTR96hyw/Vb2nArOkZBI/AAAAAAAAaGQ/gLxIO4YK0xM/s1600/2015-07-19-alaskacruise.jpg) ](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UpubTR96hyw/Vb2nArOkZBI/AAAAAAAAaGQ/gLxIO4YK0xM/s1600/2015-07-19-alaskacruise.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2016, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-type-of-luggage-do-you-prefer/769391/37 "2016-10-27T17:17:45Z")
> [@Me\_Billy](#): > > Hard to find your luggage in a sea of black luggage. Imagine trying to find your luggage in a situation like this… > [http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UpubTR96hyw/Vb2nArOkZBI/AAAAAAAAaGQ/gLxIO4YK0xM/s1600/2015-07-19-alaskacruise.jpg](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UpubTR96hyw/Vb2nArOkZBI/AAAAAAAAaGQ/gLxIO4YK0xM/s1600/2015-07-19-alaskacruise.jpg) Not quite as bad as the British Olympic team [issuing everyone identical bags](http://static.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/british-olympic-athletes-red-bags-heathrow-airport-6.jpg). It seemed like a good idea at the time… ---
**Author:** ![brainstall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/35a633/32.png) [@brainstall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brainstall)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2016, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-type-of-luggage-do-you-prefer/769391/38 "2016-10-27T17:39:47Z")
Two years ago, when I was planning to fly across Canada to visit my family, I realized I didn’t own suitable luggage for a trip. I had a small duffel for weekend trips, but nothing big enough for week, so I invested in the cheapest, lightest, and easiest to store until next vacation MEC large size duffel. Wheels would have been nice for hauling it through the airport, but I coped. I did the same trip again recently, and the airline I flew charged more for a carry on than a checked bag, so I didn’t even consider an alternative to the duffel. I suppose if I had the opportunity to travel more I would invest in decent luggage with wheels, but for the rare times I get away, the bright green bag is good enough and easy to pick out on the luggage carrousel. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-type-of-luggage-do-you-prefer/769391.md?page=1)