Carry on Bag..Eagle Creek 20 Load Warrior or Steves

[Amethyst]

I'd never carry enough in a carry-on to warrant any wheels at all. Wheels are for checked bags. When I see all the carry-ons with wheels I think "Inefficient."

Sn waste an inch or two of height.

My only advice is to get the 2 wheel type, as the wheels seem less prone to damage, you can literally run though the airport with your bag, and you can fix them with wheels bought on ebay.

I

 

[Aerides]

I love a carry on spinner 4-wheel. I can pack for a 5 day trip, and the wheels make navigating the airport and parking lot, hotel, etc., so much easier. Especially if you have a short layover and need to get across DFW in 30 mins or something...

For a long trip, I still pack my carry on to have a nice selection of stuff to cover me the first 48+ hours of the trip in case my checked bag takes a detour...

I have a victorinox avolve that has lasted enough trips to see it's going to be with me for 10+ years.

 

[Amethyst]

Now that is efficiency. Would you be willing to share, in any detail, how you manage and what you pack that will fit in 2 carry-ons and suffice two adults for a 3-month trip in different climates? Do you purchase things along the way, and then discard them?

We started to go carry on after retirement. We travel quite a bit.

Why carry on only? First reason is our physical ability to handle it by ourselves. That could be lifting it up to a luggage rack on a train, into a small rental vehicle, up two flights of stairs in a hotel or B&B, along a narrow ramp to board a ferry, or indeed, as in Thailand, carrying it across two ferries tied together and then climbing down a short ladder to get to on to our ferry.

Apart from that we have had some airline connection delays that we were able to make much better by being able to answer in the negative to that question...do you have any checked bags?

Bottom line....it has made our travel much more enjoyable. It took some time to adapt. It is not for everyone. But with the exception of a car trip from home this is what we take for trips of one week to three months.

Recently came back from South and Central America. Started out in the snow where we live, warm in Santiago, BA, cold around the horn, then plenty warm in Chile, then warm in Costa Rica and Panama. Planes, buses, rental cars, trains. Carry on made it so easy. My spouse was somewhat resitent, now she is the biggest proponent.

 

[brett]

My warm clothes consisted of an Adidas jacket (wore to the airport, wore it for two days on the SA cruise, a pair of jeans (also needed for the plane), a cotton sweater (that I always take when travelling) plus an ear band that I wore for a few hours once on the ship (takes no room). No long sleeve shirts. One pair of shoes on my feet, one in the bag plus some very lightweight, compact Tevas.

When we leave Canada in Jan to go to SE Asia that gets shortened. Jeans always go because I get cold on the plane. Adidas jacket replace by waterproof nylon shell. The trick is to dress in layers.

We don't usually discard or buy any replacements. We did much the the same for a seven month trip however that did not include any cold climates. This is what we have done for the past four winters and will be doing again for air SE Asia travels this coming winter. We don't take a lot of electonics. Just an ipad each and DW has a camera in her purse.

 

[Sunset]

I'd never carry enough in a carry-on to warrant any wheels at all. Wheels are for checked bags. When I see all the carry-ons with wheels I think "Inefficient."

A long time ago, I used to schlep a bag over my shoulder, but I often put all the valuable stuff in my carryon, and it weighed 20 lbs, going though a bunch of terminals was a pain in the shoulder.

It's a lot easier to haul around so I'll stick with the roller blade 2 wheeler types.

 

[Amethyst]

Yeah, I suppose my time for that is coming.

Although I am more likely to switch to one of those capacious backpacks crammed so full, they threaten to deck everyone in their vicinity. Why should enormous young men be the only ones allowed to carry those?

weighed 20 lbs, going though a bunch of terminals was a pain in the shoulder.

.

 

[Lsbcal]

I wanted to do the go-light-Rick-Steves-cool-guy approach. But when I got one of the RS bags it was just too restrictive ... too small. So I sent it back and stuck with my REI 22 incher (2 sturdy wheels). DW has the Rick Steves bag from some years back when the extremes of today were not the in thing.

Thus we are still going the check-it-in route. We still manage trains and such just fine. Trick is to not have too much weight in those bags. Volume is not the issue but rather weight.

But yes, there was that 2 hour wait on arrival at Rome's airport while they got their baggage act together.

 

[Nemo2]

Carry ons, we have a couple "High Sierra" bags...wear 'em as backpacks or slung over one shoulder.

(Regular luggage...not so long ago I toted a canvas sailing duffel bag...but, as Mark Knopfler sings, "I don't do it no more but I used to could"..........now it's a "High Sierra" wheelie.)

 

[gamboolman]

Pelican Laptop case, model 1510-LOC.

This is tough and it is lockable with 2 X locker sized padlocks if so desired. Have known afew folks over the years that have had money, items stolen from their bags in the overhead. Understandable on long transatlantic or other long haul flights - and also in 3rd world countries when flying domestic. Just sayin.....

It is heavy about 13 lbs empty but thats ok with me.

But your pooter(s) and items will be secure and protected, especially if locked.

And it is size compliant with all major airlines for overhead carry on luggage- that is the reason I bought it years ago as United made a big noise about enforcing carry on size limits.
Unfortunately they did not carry thru with enforcing the size limits.
But I have been using this case ever since.

it is good kit

 

[jonat]

13 pounds comes close to using up your entire weight allowance on some international airlines (8KG on Lufthansa, for example.) Nice looking case, though.

 

[Bamaman]

In our worldly travels, we've noticed that many travelers use Travel Pro brand bags as they're decently priced, high quality and VERY LIGHT.
My wife and I are now using lightweight 21" collapsible carry on bags with swivel wheels.
We have found that soft bags stuff better into overhead plane compartments when we stuff the bags heavily.
And we have also noticed that those hauling wheel less backpacks are often very young. We're of retirement age--not 20 years old. And we have no desire to haul around a 22 lb. backpack and an 8 lb. secondary bag.

 

[brett]

Same here. We need wheels but two are preferable to four. We also need a max 20 inch since this is often the standard in Europe and in Asia. Zero interest in a backpack. Backpack with wheels definately yes because they tend to be lighter because of less structure.

We need and want light weight. Our goal is to have carry on weight of 7-10 kilos max. If the limit is 7 kilos and the airline is weighing (very seldom happens in our experience except w/ Lufthansa or Transat in Mexico) we will transfer some heavier items into a personal bag/purse. In four years of travel in Asia and Australia we have never had our carry on weighed. Same for European budget airlines but they do check for size and for 'bulging bags' as it were.

We bring a tape when shopping. We find that many of the bags touted as light weight carry ons are not only too heavy but are actually slightly larger than international carry on regs. Some seem to do a measurement that does not include the wheels or handle.

 

[RunningBum]

Any experience with the Eagle Creek Load Hauler? I can do without the wheels, for more luggage room and less weight. I also like that it can be carried over one shoulder (since I often have a small backpack to fit under the seat) as well as on the back.

 

[jonat]

We do have two Eagle Creek Gear Haulers - non-wheeled duffles that can be worn as a backpack. My wife loves these, me, not so much. They do have the advantage for cruises in that they fold down compactly for storage, and they fit in almost every airline's overhead bins.

 

[tulak]

Bumping an old thread...

I'm looking to buy a carry-on and I'm looking at the Eagle Creek Gear Warrior. The dimensions are 14 x 22 x 9 in | 35.5 x 55.5 x 23 cm.

I took a look at Norwegian's limits and they are: 1 carry-on bag: max. 55x40x23 cm. I looked at other airlines and they all seem to be around this size and the ones that aren't (Ryan Air) are airlines I can easily avoid.

So it's over by .5cm. I'm wondering if this will work?

I realize I'm pushing the size limits and it might be better to go with a 20", but I'm wondering if the bag is within 1cm, will airlines hassle me? Does anybody have any experience with this?

I was also looking at the Load Warrior 22, which is 14 x 22 x 9 in | 35.5 x 56 x 23 cm. That would be even better, since it looks like it's been discontinued and there are discounts available.

 

[Bamaman]

Bumping an old thread...

I'm looking to buy a carry-on and I'm looking at the Eagle Creek Gear Warrior. The dimensions are 14 x 22 x 9 in | 35.5 x 55.5 x 23 cm.

I took a look at Norwegian's limits and they are: 1 carry-on bag: max. 55x40x23 cm. I looked at other airlines and they all seem to be around this size and the ones that aren't (Ryan Air) are airlines I can easily avoid.

So it's over by .5cm. I'm wondering if this will work?

I realize I'm pushing the size limits and it might be better to go with a 20", but I'm wondering if the bag is within 1cm, will airlines hassle me? Does anybody have any experience with this?

I was also looking at the Load Warrior 22, which is 14 x 22 x 9 in | 35.5 x 56 x 23 cm. That would be even better, since it looks like it's been discontinued and there are discounts available.

Norwegian Air Shuttle's twice put my bag into their rack--to make an example of me. My 21 inch Travel Pro wouldn't fit because of the addition of the swivel wheels. I couldn't talk my way out of it, and had to pay $50. So I say go for a 20" swivel wheel carry on bag max.

I still see lines of people checking into airlines with 25", 50 pound suitcases--two of them. All I think about is those poor husbands. I hope they're really strong. If my wife can make it with 20" rolling carry on bags and an oversized purse, anyone can.

 

[candrew]

So it's over by .5cm. I'm wondering if this will work?

I realize I'm pushing the size limits and it might be better to go with a 20", but I'm wondering if the bag is within 1cm, will airlines hassle me? Does anybody have any experience with this?

Depends. If a gate agent decides to check your bag at the gate and it doesn't fit into their sizing box, then it likely gets checked. It happened to me once on Fiji Airlines. My bulging backpack wouldn't fit into their sizing box (I even tried cramming it in!). I had to check & pay.

 

[EarlyBirdly]

Yes...they WILL size your bag and, they WILL make no exceptions. Ancillary fees such as those for bags are a huge part of revenues for airlines these days.

Traveled around the World for 30 years with a 20 inch. Not a problem, even when I traveled for weeks at a time. You'll learn the Tricks with experience.

Also, I highly don't recommend paying more than about $50-75.00 for a bag. Just make sure it has good wheels ( skate style wheels with decent bearings) sturdy zippers, and a strong handle. Experience has shown me that my $38.00 dollar Costco and Kmart specials held up just as well as the $200-300 TravelPro's etc.


P.S. - Having a checked bag lost can more than just ruin your day...It may ruin an entire vacation.

 

[Nemo2]

. Experience has shown me that my $38.00 dollar Costco and Kmart specials held up just as well as the $200-300 TravelPro's etc.

It's our feeling that the more expensive the bag the greater likelihood that it'll be targeted.....by thieves.

We've often commented that our bags are so old/cheap that people will probably open them and put stuff IN.

 

[HFWR]

Not to hijack, but my 25yo luggage set finally needs replacing, after Delta managed to rip off the zipper...

Looking for a similar set, with one bib-sized and one overnite bag for under the seat. Most sets of two I’ve seen have one bin-sized, but the second is larger, rather than smaller...

 

[geeky_grrl]

tulak - Eagle Creek has international versions of the Gear Warrior bags that are the .5cm smaller.

 

[tulak]

Thanks for the feedback. I already travel light, so going a little smaller shouldn’t be an issue. I’ve taken one month trips with a 22” with space to spare. For me, the extra space let’s me be lazy in packing and it is nice to have in case I buy stuff.

I agree with going cheap (my current bag), but the Eagle Creeks look nice and I’m thinking of splurging. I noticed that they have a Gear Warrior International, which is 35x55x20cm and expands out to 24cm. It’s also lightweight and available on Amazon (5% discount).

Hmm...just checked out Rick Steves Rolling Carry-On, which has about the same dimensions/capacity, and it’s on sale for $128.

 

[Chapter 3]

DW travels a fair amount for work and goes with the inexpensive bags, replacing as needed. Her latest lasted one flight when it seems to have gotten stuck on the belt and got terrible belt rash - ultimately wore through the front pocket. Total hassle claiming damage with airline. We will stay with the inexpensive ones. YMMV.

 

[Sarah in SC]

I've used a max carryon Weekender bag from eBags for quite a few years, and an equivalent sized one from Patagonia. Both are good bags, easy to carry, and have the added bonus of being convertible to a backpack if you don't want to use the shoulder strap.

They'll fit anywhere if you mash them down, and if they still won't fit, just pull some clothes out and put them on, within reason.

 

[brett]

We have one of each, but the Eagle Creek is the 20" rolling duffle. Bought this because European and Asian carry on dimensions are different that NA.

Just got back from our third 2 month land trip. I use the Eagle Creek, DW the Rick Steves. We have had the Rick Steves for six years . DW has used it for our twice a year, two month trips.

Both are excellent. Wheels first rate. For us, they both weigh in, loaded, under 10KG. The Eagle Creek does about 8/9kg. This is perfect for us. We only travel with this.

One thing about the Rick Steves is that it has more pockets than my Eagle Creek rolling duffle. It appears to me that the Eagle Creek you are looking at does have more pockets than the rolling duffle model.

We are very happy with both and would buy them again.