airline carry-on bag

[paceman]

hi all,

in the market for a good sized, carry-on luggage bag.  i have looked at a few different styles (wheeled, duffel, etc) and i am getting to the pointy end of my decision.

two bags towards the top of my list are linked below:

caribee skymaster 40
http://www.snowys.com.au/Travel/Luggage/Sky-Master-40-Carry-On-Black.aspx?c=11&sc=86&id=2958&utm_source=search&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=search

osprey porter 46
http://www.ospreypacks.com/au/en/product/porter-46-PORTER46_703.html


bag needs to be able to hold clothes for 3-4 days, maybe a pair of shoes (not counting the ones i wear on the plane), budget is around $150...

different modes of carry are important (backpack, shoulder strap, etc), wheeled is not a definite requirement...

i am leaning towards the caribee, mainly for price..

anyone have a bag that they really like?  one they have but don't like?

thoughts and opinions from frequent flyers appreciated.

[Joff]

I have a cheapy wheel bag. big enough for 5 or 6 days. been all over the place.

I found out a few years ago too that different inter airlines have different carry on size limits. A few have been caught out. Check your regular carrier and any you might need in the future.

[Goose]

Samsonite.. but they can be a little pricey tho

I find i only get a few years out of each bag when travelling frequently

The lighter the bag the better... i've had my carry on weighed at bag drop

[SimonM]

My mate makes these packs up in Brisbane - a very versatile pack only slight above your price pont. Very robust, great build quality and Australian made.

https://www.highrangeoutdoors.com.au/collections/packs-and-bags/products/sr20-plain-colours

[tk421]

hi all,

in the market for a good sized, carry-on luggage bag.  i have looked at a few different styles (wheeled, duffel, etc) and i am getting to the pointy end of my decision.

two bags towards the top of my list are linked below:

caribee skymaster 40
http://www.snowys.com.au/Travel/Luggage/Sky-Master-40-Carry-On-Black.aspx?c=11&sc=86&id=2958&utm_source=search&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=search

osprey porter 46
http://www.ospreypacks.com/au/en/product/porter-46-PORTER46_703.html


bag needs to be able to hold clothes for 3-4 days, maybe a pair of shoes (not counting the ones i wear on the plane), budget is around $150...

different modes of carry are important (backpack, shoulder strap, etc), wheeled is not a definite requirement...

i am leaning towards the caribee, mainly for price..

anyone have a bag that they really like?  one they have but don't like?

thoughts and opinions from frequent flyers appreciated.

I've got a Karrimoor (English Brand) 30L trekking rucksack that is coming up on 16 years old now and just starting to wear out. Works well for short business trips and for bush trekking. I used it for a month's backpacking around Cambodia and Laos and it held everything I needed. And I still use it today for work trips. I never had an issue with it being prevented from being used as carryon.

I like having something that has dual purpose and this suits that need. I prefer backpacks with decent hip belts if you are using it for bushwalking. Takes the weight off your shoulders a bit.

Top opening hasn't been much of an issue on business trips if you pack right (and hotels have irons). I like the side pockets as you can stick the stuff in there that you need to get to quickly - eg aerosols that airport security don't like.

Problem with the usual trolley dolly wheeled bags is that they're heavy (2-3kg) and you only get 7kg on Qantas, so if they weigh you, you could be in trouble.

Its similar in design to this but in a different brand:  http://int.berghaus.com/freeflow-25-rucksack/421597.html

Its also keeps the pack off the back to help keep it cool - I think they call it 'airspace' now. http://www.karrimor.com/rucksacks/airspace-rucksacks

[D4D]

As per the advice above, be careful of size and weight. Domestic carry-on is smaller than international carry-on. The crew/check-in staff can also get picky about the weight. That Caribee looks like US carry-on size rather than AU carry-on.

[Paddler Ed]

I use a 20 year old Timbuk2 courier bag (one of the original ones) and have done so for the majority of that time. It gets used for work, uni and all sorts of other stuff.

As others have said, I'm a big believer in light bags for the ability to carry the most stuff as hand luggage - I do the same with my main hold baggage as well; I reckon my 2-3kg duffle bag is about half the weight of the roller bags and hard suitcases.

For the day pack option, I'd look at one of the Summit Packs; I always liked the look of their kit as it was made in Katoomba.

[Bird]

use something as big as you like.. last dozen times I've been interstate the overhead lockers are full way before 1/2 the passengers get onboard..
everyone seems tro have a laptop bag the size of fitting a 386 + 12 in 1980s CRT screen, a bag thing you put suits in, and then their carry on bag - or 2...

[paceman]

As per the advice above, be careful of size and weight. Domestic carry-on is smaller than international carry-on. The crew/check-in staff can also get picky about the weight. That Caribee looks like US carry-on size rather than AU carry-on.

just double-checked the carry-on limits for jetstar (115cm) and virgin (105cm) and the caribee (105cm) complies, based on linear dimensions:

http://www.jetstar.com/au/en/help/articles/carry-on-baggage-what-can-i-bring-on-board

http://www.virginaustralia.com/au/en/plan/baggage/carry-on-baggage/


i'll only ever be using this bag for domestic flights... i have a north face duffel for checked luggage. if required...

[woftam]

everyone seems tro have a laptop bag the size of fitting a 386 + 12 in 1980s CRT screen, a bag thing you put suits in, and then their carry on bag - or 2..

Ain't that the truth.
I use a Black Wolf backpack as checked luggage, carry on is the Akubra and the iPad. But then I only go away for 6-8 weeks.

[macca]

Paceman, I have a Caribee Skymaster and to be quite honest I have never used it mainly because it is a very soft bag and doesn't hold its shape. It is also quite big but they say it is carry on. Not trying to sway you one way or the other it's just not my preference.
If you still think it's what you want give me a yell,  I have been just storing gear in it and it's never been on a plane

[scrapsD40]

My tip (I've been flying interstate nearly every week for 25+ years) get a bag with the least amount of extra pockets or zippers as possible.
Backpacks for domestic travel can be a PITA. Keep it simple, you'll only fill the extra pockets up with crap that you carry everywhere and never use. Same with an iPad or laptop bag, less is best.

I've just converted to one of these and have a second one now for swmbo. Duffle bag and shoulder pack in one. We don't use them as a full backpack as pictured, but do on occasion use one shoulder strap in an over shoulder style.

Never had mine full, but can accommodate 1 night to 4 nights away packed clothes.

[Bird]

FWIW
when ever I fly interstate for work (Bne, Syd, Per) I just take 1 bag and check it in and a normal laptop bag so I stand a chance of storing it overhead

[Swannie]

FWIW
when ever I fly interstate for work (Bne, Syd, Per) I just take 1 bag and check it in and a normal laptop bag so I stand a chance of storing it overhead

I have checked my bag in for years. Just throw the laptop bag under the seat in front. When landed grab it get of the plane and wait a whole 2 minutes for bag gives me enough time to grab a coffee S well. I then chuckle at everyone slamming in suitcases on top of laptop
Starsky

[AdrianLR]

I used a Crumpler Dry Red no. 5. Quite a versatile bag without too many pockets, 1.3kg empty and formal enough that it was ok to walk into a meeting without looking like you were there for the night.

Bit expensive but a lifetime warranty and as it's a "briefcase", tax deductible.

[Bird]

I have checked my bag in for years. Just throw the laptop bag under the seat in front. When landed grab it get of the plane and wait a whole 2 minutes for bag gives me enough time to grab a coffee S well. I then chuckle at everyone slamming in suitcases on top of laptop
Starsky

are you in the race to stand up first and stand there for 20 mins?? or like me wait until the very end, watchin the dude pinned to the window seat twitching for 25-30 mins

Nobody has ever managed to tell me why theres a race to be first to stand up...

[Swannie]

are you in the race to stand up first and stand there for 20 mins?? or like me wait until the very end, watchin the dude pinned to the window seat twitching for 25-30 mins

Nobody has ever managed to tell me why theres a race to be first to stand up...

When your in row 1 or 2 mate, you just walk off first 

[Bird]

When your in row 1 or 2 mate, you just walk off first 

**** off ya snob

[oldmate]

My tip (I've been flying interstate nearly every week for 25+ years) get a bag with the least amount of extra pockets or zippers as possible.
Backpacks for domestic travel can be a PITA. Keep it simple, you'll only fill the extra pockets up with crap that you carry everywhere and never use. Same with an iPad or laptop bag, less is best.

I've just converted to one of these and have a second one now for swmbo. Duffle bag and shoulder pack in one. We don't use them as a full backpack as pictured, but do on occasion use one shoulder strap in an over shoulder style.

Never had mine full, but can accommodate 1 night to 4 nights away packed clothes.

Geez mate, can't get too much "gear" in that

[marvellous_matt]

It is worth considering how much the bag weighs empty, some of the wheeled options can be 2.5 kg even before you put a tooth brush in.
I recall seeing a patagoina one that was light and well made, have you tried looking second hand on evil bay?

[Paddler Ed]

Geez mate, can't get too much "gear" in that

Our bags of that sort vary from 70 litre (24kg) to 120 litre (32kg-ish) depending on what we've put in there exactly; sometimes the bigger bags are better for bulky things (mine came over with 2x Exped megamat 10LXW's in it) so they aren't always as heavy as they seem.

Also, I'm a big believer in a the nature abhors a vacuum, the more space you have, the more likely you are to fill it with useless useful crap

[scrapsD40]

Geez mate, can't get too much "gear" in that

Thongs oldmate, take much less room

[oldmate]

Do you wear a top with that?

[scrapsD40]

Do you wear a top with that?

Mostly yes, but wear sox with them in winter

[Bird]

photo of him when he gets the call his flight is delayed