In
this modern day of worldwide independent travel, steamer trunks are
long gone and carry-on luggage has become the preferred baggage of
the frequent traveler. By carrying your luggage with you on the
plane, you save valuable travel time, and you never need to worry
about the airline losing your luggage or have it miss the plane.
Just have this happen to you once when you're in a hurry and you'll
be a carry-on traveler for life. Here are some helpful tips on how
to choose the right bag, what to bring with you and how to pack it.
When looking for carry-on luggage, make sure you get something that
will fit under the seat in front of you. In general, try to select a
bag with dimensions not exceeding 14 x 9 x 22, including all straps
and wheels. Policies may vary, so always check with the airline for
its limits on the size, weight, or number of carry-on pieces. If you
are using more than one airline, you might want to call the airlines
to find out all baggage requirements.
Our favorite luggage
provider is Magellan's.
You will find a great selection of all types of travel accessories,
including luggage, on their Web site; and they even post special
offers which can get you big discounts on quality stuff. If you
still prefer mail order, request
a free catalog online.
L.L.
Bean is another luggage retailer that you won't want to miss.
They're well-reputable among frequent travelers and carry a full
line of garment bags, briefcases, duffel bags, carry-ons, and more.
You'll also find a wide selection of travel clothing, footwear, and
accessories, along with special
discounts on selected merchandise.
Good quality, softsided carry-on bags are lightweight, sturdy,
washable, and absorb shock better than hardsided luggage. Look for
durable, waterproof nylon with a high-density weave, strong double
zippers that can be locked, and comfortable handles and shoulder
straps. It's good to have a removable shoulder strap in case you do
need to check the bag so it won't get caught in the luggage
carousel. A great bet are carry-ons with two or three separate
compartments and three-quarter zippers that allow you to open the
bag up and lay it flat like a suitcase.
We highly recommend the "Rollaboard" type carry-ons with
wheels and retractable luggage handles which will save you from
having to carry your luggage long distances in airports. For a great
selection, try Magellan's
or eBags.com. There are also some
convertible backpacks on the market which are quite good,
particularly if you expect to do a lot of walking with your luggage
or are traveling by train through Europe. If you're not using a
Rollaboard or convertible backpack and plan on walking a lot with
your luggage, consider a luggage cart. We recommend the Deluxe
Travel Cart from eBags.
Remember, you're going to be carrying your own bag through airports,
train stations and looking for hotels. Make sure you can carry it
comfortably for at least a mile. If you're still dubious after
packing, take the luggage hike test. Go for a mile-long walk with
your bag. When you get back it will be a lot easier to decide what
you don't need!
