Bags for a week long vacation

[pretzelb]

Just curious how many bags people take for 7 days worth of vacation? I am interested in the Aeronaut but for the past few years I've taken nearly the same vacation and I've always taken two carry on bags plus checked a large hard plastic suitcase that is on wheels. After reading some from sites like OneBag I can see how I can cut down on my packing but I just can't see how I could get away without needing a suitcase to check.

Part of the reason might be my typical travel gear. I usually take my SLR camera with at least 2 extra lenses in a special camera bag backpack along with an iPod and such. I also usually do a running race on my trips so I need to pack at least two outfits of running clothes and a pair of shoes. After that it's just clothes for the most part.

The camera and electronics takes up one bag for carry on. I suppose I could fit the rest into something like the Aeronaut but the running shoes would make it tight right from the start. If I wanted to take a beach towel it seems like nearly all the room would be gone right there. If it's cold weather trip I like to take jeans and just one pair would also take up tons of room.

Why am I asking here? Well, it seems like if I need the platic suitcase for a 7 day trip, and the camera bag, then something like the Aeronaut would be a poor choice against a wheeled carry on. But then I read the reviews about 3 to 7 day trips and I wonder what I'm doing wrong. So, I thought I'd ask and see if people really do go 7 days with just carry on and if so what they're packing.

[Ken]

While OneBag is helpful, it is based on a prototypical person, not you. My wife and I travel reasonably light, but each type of trip dicates what needs to be packed. On many of our 4-8 day trips by plane, we each take a full carry-on bag, and we share a large mason bag and/or a garment bag that is checked through. Now, most of these trips involve weddings or family functions, so they often require formal clothes. And, since my family lives in the midwest, we often need clothes for cooler weather when we travel in the fall or winter. So, light travel for this trip is quite different than packing for travel to the beach.

Regarding cameras, I have learned to carry much less equipment over the last 20 years. This may not be possible if you use your equipment for work, but I find that less equipment actually suits my photographic style, and my back, just fine.

On your next trip, see what you brought that you did not use. This might be considered excess, or it might be your "insurance" in case the item was actually needed. Only you can decide.

[pretzelb]

Perhaps you are correct in that I'm trying to make myself into a travel type that doesn't suit me. I just read some of the stuff at OneBag and some of the reviews from people who only do carry on for week long trips and I can't figure out how they do it. I wish there was a forum for just travel tips. But the good side is I did learn some tricks from OneBag and the like so I should be able to cut down in the future.

[Meryddian]

I agree that OneBag has some good tips, but they won't work for everybody.

It's taken me years of traveling but I can finally get myself down to one roll-on bag for a week-long trip - but special events or plans can completely throw that out of whack, so I now have 3 roll-on bags... and every time I look in my closet and see them stacked, I wish somebody would come up with a truly convertible roll-on bag that would convert from a 3-day to a 7-day to a 10-day capacity bag!

[Ken]

...I can't figure out how they do it. I wish there was a forum for just travel tips. But the good side is I did learn some tricks from OneBag and the like so I should be able to cut down in the future.

There are books and web sites that list exactly what people take in one bag. I sometimes think that those poor bags must be butsting at the seams after I read what people carry! Either way, I would try to focus on what you normally take, and do not be afraid to experiment. Next trip, only bring one camera body and lens. Or, if its your cup of tea, only bring two pair of socks and underwear and try washing every night. There are enough "tricks" out there that you could occupy yourself until you are too old to travel. And, with enough practice, you too can someday be one of those people who cuts the handle off of their toothbrush to save weight and space! :0

In all seriousness, take a moment after a trip and think about what you did not use. It could be a spare pair of pants, or a long telephoto lens. Then, on your next trip, if you cannot bear to leave the item behind, see how much you really use it. If it still goes unused, its probably time to leave it behind.

And above all, remember that travelling too light can be as much of a blessing as a curse. I for one, do not like doing laundry every night, so you can bet that I will be travelling with more than two pair of underwear. On the contrary, a long and heavy lens will almost certainly be left behind when I travel by air, especially since most high resolution DSLR's allow for moderate cropping with minimal loss if an image is not printed too large (insert standard disclaimers for professionals and/or gear hounds that need or want to bring their equipment). The choice is yours. Happy trails!

[vinnieg24]

I normally take one large bag and a carry on. that normally does the trick for me

[Just]

OneBag is where you start from. Then you are pretty much forced to make allowances for your individual needs. Mine are that I am often traveling either a) with my mother who doesn't pack light, b) to meet relatives (requiring TONS of macadamia nuts on the way there, and TONS of assorted gifts and cast-offs received in return on the way back), or c) both.

So, while I would normally travel with stuff that doesn't take up more than half an Aeronaut + half an Imago, that remaining space is necessary for the extras... which is a dilemma, because most of that stuff doesn't need to be carried on. Also, that stuff is HEAVY! Here, I lead in to rolling bags.

Think about the travel you're doing. If you are lugging HEAVY stuff and only going to your destination, doing a bit of commercial tourism, and returning home (or similar) -- rolling bag, which you will most likely check.

Backpacking, adventure travel, you travel light anyway, and other travel associated with frequent luggage moving, with emphasis on making your load as light as possible -- Aeronaut or similar.

Other factors to consider - laundry, reliability of baggage handlers if you check your bag/how tight of a schedule are you running, availability of things you need at your destination...

[GaryS]

This article is a good read. I sent my teenager to France for two weeks with one of these but then he's an Eagle Scout.

[Just]

GaryS - re: first article. Yikes. I naïvely thought that the baggage handling got better, not worse since I read OneBag last. Even so, if you're not pressed for time or money, having your luggage returned in 48 isn't a huge deal. Personally, whenever I have to check luggage I just wish the lost bag on some other poor schmuck on my flight. =D

That Weekend Convertible is like an Aeronaut, except heavier, dorkier and cheaper

[GaryS]

GaryS - re: first article. Yikes. I naïvely thought that the baggage handling got better, not worse since I read OneBag last. Even so, if you're not pressed for time or money, having your luggage returned in 48 isn't a huge deal.

Sure could screw up your vacation though.

Personally, whenever I have to check luggage I just wish the lost bag on some other poor schmuck on my flight. =D

That Weekend Convertible is like an Aeronaut, except heavier, dorkier and cheaper

Oh, it weighs a ton. I got it for only $42.95 and figured if the kid lost it it wouldn't be any big deal. He's coming home from college tomorrow and I am afraid if he sees the Aeronaut I just got he will want to borrow it.

[Just]

Sure could screw up your vacation though.

A chance for an adventure!

Hide the bag! At all costs!! Heh, or get him his own

[pretzelb]

Personally I think my problem is trying to picture how some of these people who only go carry on for weekly trips handle their trips. I don't consider myself to be very odd but I have two things I like to take on trips that take up space. One is a pair of running shoes and the other is a DSLR with 2 lenses. Both items require a bit of extra space for accessories like running shorts and cables and what not.

Now I don't consider these to be strange requirements but starting with just those two things seems to blow the plan for carry on only. It bums me out because I want to travel light and use some of the bags recommended for traveling light, but it's almost like you can't consider it unless you're an extreme traveler. If you end up having to check something it seems pointless to get the bags that aid you in going without checking (to an extent).