Travel Bags

These packs are designed for sea, land and air travel.  These are great for keeping gear together when you don't need to carry it on your back.  Consider a Travel Bag when car camping or traveling to a destination where you will be sleeping indoors or won't need to move your gear very far from a truck or bus.

Travelpacks

Travel often evolves transferring gear from vehicles to holding areas to planes, trains and/or ferries.  You want gear that can take the abuse of being thrown, dragged and being crushed by other gear.  You also want easy access to your stuff and don't want it to get caught up in vehicles or on conveyer belts. 

Check in Luggage

For checked in luggage, you want gear that can survive the abuse of not only Scouts but luggage handlers and conveyer belts.  Expect gear to be thrown, crushed and dragged over gravel. 

• Durable fabric that can take abuse

• Heavy duty zippers - ideally No 10

• Minimal straps to reduce getting tangled up during transport

• Wheels are a HUGE plus!

• Wearable straps are nice to have when you need to transport you pack over rough terrain, or just grass

• Locking zippers are really nice, but zip-ties will seal just about any zipper

• Make sure bag meets check in size if there is one

  • The largest luggage size for airline check-in is 62 linear inches
    total length + width + depth must equal 62 inches or less

Luggage Design

• Duffle Bag

  • Usually most affordable option

  • Works fine

  • Can be used for multiple types of outings

  • Easy to pack and easy to find gear in

  • Great for long term camping in one place, such as Jamborees, Ships or NOAC

  • Far better than backpack for airport travel where conveyer belts tear apart packs with too many straps or thin fabric

  • Examples:

    • REI Duffel Bags 

    • REI Roadtripper 140 - used in National Jamboree  

      • Just over 62 inches if packed full

    • Aviator Kit Bag

      • Cube shaped, nylon military bag

      • Easy to pack

      • Can find used for very little

• Wheeled Duffle Bags

  • Wheels make life so much easier in airports, hotels and then on pavement

  • Osprey sells excellent travel duffels with oversized wheels

    • Oversized wheels allow you to drag gear over grass and rougher surfaces like trails and finer ground gravel

    • Osprey Transporter 90L Wheeled Travel Duffel Bag

      • This is just at 62 inches (or maybe a tad more depending on who is measuring) and is great for air travel

      • A larger one is available if you are doing ground transport

      • A smaller version is available for carryon

    • Osprey Sojourn Shuttle 100 

      • This pack has hidden backpack straps

      • Allows you to carry pack on back

      • Great for adventures where you will need to carry gear on back some of time but where wheels are greatly appreciated

      • The backpack suspension does take up some of your storage space

• Hardside Spinner

  • Great for airports with nice tile floors

    • Little wheels don't work well on uneven or soft ground

  • Generally not great for Adventure travel or Scout travel

  • Can be found for much less than a hard box

  • Many have a zippered closure

    • Zipper is NOT very secure so this is not a good option for a security box

• Hard Boxes

  • Allows you to secure gear during travel and at basecamp

    • Good of cameras, computers and medications

  • May work as basecamp furniture

  • Weigh more, so you will need to pack less

  • Generally very expensive 

  • Examples:

    • Pelican V525 Vault Rolling Case

    • Pelican 1510 Protector Carry-On Case

    • NANUK 935

Carry On

Your carry on usually includes a small day pack and carry on sized bag. 

Carry On Sizing

• Rule Number One to Carry On Bags

  • There is NO Universal Size for Carry on Bags

• Every Airline has a different Standard

  • US Airline Dimensions

    • Usually max 22 inches long, 14 inches wide and 9 inches high

    • Only a few US Carriers have enforced weight restrictions for Carry Ons (25-35lbs)

  • European Airline Dimensions

    • European Airline Carriers Don't Fool around - You WILL get charged if your bag is even a tad too big

    • Max of (including handles and wheels) 55 x 40 x 20 cm ( 21.6 x 15.7 x 7.8 in)

    • Few airlines accept 23 or 25 cm deep (9.84 in) 

    • Some do not accept more than 35cm wide (13.7 in) - 55 x 35 x 25

    • EasyJet - 45 x 36 x 20

    • Weight restrictions range from 8-23kg or 17-50lbs

    • Outside of Europe and the US, and dimensions and weight restrictions are all over the place

• How Much Really Too Big?

  • In truth, most airlines don't check your carry on size - especially in the US

  • A lot of domestic travelers really push the limits and get away with it

  • Budget Airlines make a significant amount of profit off fees and expect them to check

  • European airline have strict rules and are generally enforced

  • There are also many reports and some videos of airlines making passengers check bags that clearly meet airline requirements

    • youtube.com/watch?v=9nCKudLSXi4 

    • Consider this if you plan to push the limits

    • Some airlines provide a commission for each bag flagged by airline employees - there is a financial incentive to keep you from cheating or even cutting it close

      • youtube.com/watch?v=t0oWrHWGdz0 

  • If you go over by a fraction of an inch, you can get charged a LOT in excess baggage fees and other airline fees

  • Soft bags are more forgiving than hard cases

    • If you are just an inch over with a soft case, they may let this pass

    • A hardcase either fits or it doesn't

• Do NOT trust claims that bags are approved for Carry On 

  • Many will only work on US airline carriers but NOT European carriers

    • Calpak line of carry ons

    • Away Carry Ons (except their big ones that meet fewer airline requirements)

    • Monos (except plus and pro plus that don't meet any requirements)

  • Some will only work on a few airlines (like 2)

    • Beis Carry On Roller - Frontier and Southwest only

    • Quince Carry-On Hard Shell - Frontier and Southwest only

    • July Carry on Bags - Spirit, Frontier and Southwest only

    • Small version Quince Carry-On Hard Shell - Frontier and Southwest only

  • Some won't work on ANY airline

    • Consumer Reports measured bags from reputable luggage companies and found several that exceeded domestic airline requirements

      • Including bags from American Tourister, Samsonite, TravelPro, and Victorinox

      • Manufactures don't always include handles and wheels in measurements - but airlines do

  • Check airline requirements and measure the bag yourself 

    • Include the wheels and handles (sometimes left out on advertised measurement)

    • If it is too big, return it

Carry On Bags

• Most carry on bags are shaped like a rectangular box to maximize capacity

• Soft sides can expand and compress

  • You may be able to squeeze a slightly oversized soft bag into the sizing box at airport and in a tight overhead compartment - some attendants won't allow this, especially if they get a commission for flagging luggage

  • A Hardshell case an inch over requirements may need to get checked

• Wheels are a real nice plus!

  • Except on cobblestone, rough gravel and mud

• Some come with straps so you can wear your bag like a backpack

  • This is a real plus for adventure traveling

• Zippered panels allow you to open up your bag like a box, making packing and finding gear super easy

• Locking zipper are really nice to have when traveling 

• Examples for basic Carry On Bags:

  • Osprey Osprey Sojourn Porter 30

    • Converts to backpack

  • Osprey Farpoint 40 Travel Pack

    • Backpack style

Wheeled Carry On Bag

• Wheels make carrying a breeze when on tiles and asphalt.  A few bags come with oversized wheels which will work on some trails and finer gravel.

• Examples:

  • Osprey Daylite Carry-On Wheeled Duffel 40

    • Regular sized wheels

  • Osprey Ozone 2-Wheel Carry-On

    • Oversized 90 mm wheels

  • Osprey Farpoint 36 Wheeled Travel Pack

    • Oversized 90 mm wheels

    • Converts to backpack

Hard Case Carry On Bag

• Allows you lock up sensitive gear, meds and electronics

• Also nice if you are transporting things you don't want to crush

• Hard cases tend to be more expensive and heavier than soft cases

• Hard Case Examples:

  • Pelican V525 Vault Rolling Case

    • "Economy" version 

  • Pelican 1535 Air Carry-On Case

    • 40% lighter than other polymer cases

    • Designed specifically for air travel and is very expensive

  • Pelican 1510 Protector Carry-On Case

    • Heavy duty design

    • 22.00 x 13.81 x 9.00 in (55.9 x 35.1 x 22.9 cm)

    • Just a tad too big for European Airlines

  • NANUK 935

    • Canadian version of Pelican 1510 

  • Other Cases

    • SKB iSeries 2011-7 Case

    • Seahorse SE920

    • Monoprice Cases # 12139

See REI Carry On Luggage 

One Bag Travel Packs

• These bags are specially designed to maximize internal volume while meeting airline baggage requirements

  • Depending on the brand, travel bags are sized for domestic US travel and/or international travel

• Many travelers travel with just one pack

  • This makes travel by plane, car, bus, hitchhiking so much easier

    • Excellent for international Adventure Travel where mobility will enhance your experience

  • Requires minimalist approach to travel

• If not living in a hotel or hostel, this is challenging to pull off

  • Challenging to pack a sleeping bag/blanket, tent and everything else you might need in one bag

• Bags don't need to be, but tend to be expensive

  • If you get an economy bag, bring a sewing kit or duct tape with you

• Examples:

  • Vancropak 

    • Economy Amazon Special

      • Slightly more expensive than super economy bags on Amazon

      • Around $30 - depending on coupons, etc. 

    • Clamshell opening

    • Doesn't look too bad

    • Expandable zipper provided 2 more inches of depth

    • Straps tuck away

    • NO waist strap

    • NO water bottle

    • Compression straps on sides

    • 20 x 14 x 7-9" - US and International Airline Sized

      • Measurements confirmed with tape measure

    • Vancropak on Amazon 

  • Osprey Farpoint 40

    • $185

    • Clamshell opening

    • Nice straps designed for backpacking that can be stowed 

    • Designed to carry heavy loads

    • Other straps allow you to strap on other gear

    • 22 x 14 x 9" / 55 x 35x 23cm - US Airline Sized 

      • The the metric measurements: can be compressed down to allow for international travel (measure first)

    • 3 lb. 7.8 oz.

    • https://www.osprey.com/farpoint-40-travel-pack-farpont40f22-296 

    • Osprey Fairview 40 for ladies and smaller frames

    • Osprey Porter 46L is better designed for airline and hotel travel

      • Thinner straps

      • 3 lb. 7.2 oz.

  • Gregory Border Carry-On 40

    • Split-case design - 2 halves of clam

      • Good and bad - more challenging to pack

    • Thinner materials than Osprey Sojourn, Porter and Farpoint

    • 22 x 14 x 9" - US Airline Sized

    • 2 lb. 15 oz.

    • $190

    • https://www.gregory.com/travel/backpacks/border-carry-on-40/139311XXXX.html 

  • Coowoz Essentials

    • Super Economy option

      • These have known durability issues

      • Option if you need a bag for a single trip and are willing to deal with it potentially falling apart

    • Different bags have different listed dimensions which may or may not be accurate

    • Large Carry On Backpack

      • 42 x 30 x 16cm - US and International Airline Sized

      • 16.53 x 11.81 x 6.29" 

      • 2.2Lb/1KG.

    • Large Travel Backpack:

      • 42 x 32 x 20cm - US and International Airline Sized 

      • 16.53 x 12.20 x 6.69" 

      • 2.2Lb/1KG

    • amazon.com/s?k=coowoz+travel+backpack 

  • eBags Mother Lode Travel Backpack

    • "Budget" option

    • 21.5" x 13.5" x 6" - US and International Airline Sized

    • 3.9LB

    • ebags.com/collections/mother-lode/ 

  • Aer Travel Pack 3

    • Highly rated travel bag

    • 21.5 x 13 x 9" (54.5 x 33 x 21.5 cm) - US OK - Close to International Airline Sized - just compress the side straps a little

    • $250

    • aersf.com/products/travel-pack-3

  • Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L

    • Maximum legal carry-on

    • non-YKK zippers 

    • Complex design makes it susceptible to possible failure

    • Lifetime warranty 

    • 4 pounds 8 ounces -very heavy

    • Standard: 56cm x 33cm x 24cm (22" x 13" x 9.5")

    • Compressed: 56cm x 33cm x 24cm (22" x 13" x 9.5") (compression only happens at the top of the bag. 6" at top when compressed)

    • Expanded: 56cm x 33cm x 29cm (22" x 13" x 11")

    • This is a 1cm too long for international travel - you might make it fit if you don't over stuff bag

    • Tad too big for US airlines, but just don't overfill it

    • $300

    • peakdesign.com/collections/travel-bags/products/travel-backpack 

  • Peak Design Travel Backpack 30L

    • non-YKK zippers 

    • Standard: 53cm x 34cm x 18cm (20.9" x 13.4" x 7")

    • Expanded: 53cm x 34cm x 20cm (20.9" x 13.4" x 7.9") - US and International Airline Sized

    • $230

    • Good for fancy cameras

    • peakdesign.com/products/travel-backpack-30l 

  • Tortuga Travel Backpack Pro 40L

    • Classic Travel Pack

    • Maximum-sized carry

    • Favorite pack for those who go on extended travels

    • Sailcloth

    • More durable than Peak

    • Clamshell

    • Hip belt removable but shoulder straps are not stowable

    • 21.7 x 13.8 x 7.9 in ​ (55 x 35 x 20 cm) - US and International Airline Sized

    • 4 pounds 8 ounces -very heavy

    • $350 - very expensive

      • Bundles are less expensive if you buy 2 (can mix and match) https://www.tortugabackpacks.com/collections/travel-backpacks 

      • Discounts for Military, students, EMS, Teachers and Medical Pros

    • tortugabackpacks.com/products/travel-backpack-40l 

    • A Lite Version is also available

      • Less pockets

      • Made with regular zippers and 630D CORDURA nylon instead of waterproof zippers and Sailcloth

      • NO Additional front pocket (with an admin panel), tablet sleeve, mesh electronics pocket, second water bottle pocket, or two hip belt pockets.

      • Less padding

      • The straps tuck away in the LITE (better than Pro)

      • Hipbelt fits people with less than 34" waist 

      • Lighter by about a pound

      • $250 - significantly less expensive

      • tortugabackpacks.com/products/travel-backpack-lite-40l 

  • Tortuga Travel Backpack 30L

    • Smaller version of 40L

    • Weekend travel

    • $325 - very expensive

    • Compliant with some intra-European flights

    • tortugabackpacks.com/products/travel-backpack-30l 

  • Rick Steves Travel Bags

    • Rick Steves really made the one-bag carry bag popular

    • These used to be very popular and older ones were said to be well made and durable

    • These are sized just right for most airline travel

    • These are very popular with Rick Steves followers, but not very popular with younger travelers and review poorly

    • Store is in downtown Edmonds

    • They do have a lifetime guarantee and many have returned or exchanged bags

    • They also have deal alerts if you are into that and bags do go on sale

    • Convertible Carry-On

      • Fancy version of his back door bag

      • 21 x 14 x 9" - US OK but too wide for International Airlines (OK if you tighten side straps)

      • 3 lbs

    • Rick Steves' Europe Through the Back Door Classic Back Door Bag

      • No frills bag

      • Classic minimalist bag

      • 21 x 14 x 9" - US OK but too wide for International Airlines (OK if you tighten side straps)

      • 2 lbs

    • Spinner Carry-On

      • 19.5" x 14" x 9" main compartment 

      • 21.75" x 14" x 10" with wheels - Too Wide for US or International flights

      • 6.7 lbs

    • Rolling Carry-On

      • Most popular luggage RS sells is a roller

      • 20" x 13.5" x 9" main compartment 

      • 21" x 13.5" x 9" with wheels - US OK but too wide for International Airlines 

      • 6.5 lbs

  • Pacsafe EXP45 

    • Security option for paranoid travelers

    • 45L

      • 21.7 x 13.0 x 7.5" - US OK and Basically International Airline Sized (hair too long)

      • $290

      • 4 lb 5 oz

      • pacsafe.com/products/venturesafe-exp45-anti-theft-carry-on-travel-pack 

    • 35L

      • 20.5 x 12.2 x 7.9"- US and Basically International Airline Sized (tad too thick)

      • $270

      • 3.33lbs

      • https://pacsafe.com/products/venturesafe-exp35-anti-theft-travel-backpack

  • TOM BIHN Synik 30

    • Looks more like traditional backpack than a square travelpack

    • Fits on back more like backpack than a square cube

    • The Techonaut 45 and smaller Techonaut 30 are boxier 

    • 20.0 x 13.4 x 8.0-10.8" (50.8 x 34.0 x 20.5-27.5cm) - US and International Airline Sized

    • $330

    • tombihn.com/products/synik-30 

  • TOM BIHN Techonaut 30 and 45

    • Can be carried three ways

    • Looks like a backpack

    • 30 - 19.7 x 12.6 x 8.0 / 50.0 x 32.0 x 20.5cm - US and International Airline Sized

    • 45 - 21.9 x 14 x 9.1" / 55.5 x 35.5 x 23.0cm - Basically US and International Airline Sized (don't overstuff it)

    • 45 is larger than the 30 and they cost about the same

    • $400

    • tombihn.com/products/techonaut-30 

    • tombihn.com/collections/travel-bags/products/techonaut-45 

  • GORUCK GR2 (40L)

    • 210D CORDURA is heavy duty but heavy

    • Intentionally looks like a military bag 

      • Great if that's your thing

      • MOLLE attachments are nice

      • May draw unwanted attention while traveling 

      • Marked as a "GO Bag"

    • 40L Dimensions: 22 x 12.5 x 9” - US Airline Sized (just a tad too long for international)

    • $425!

    • They have a Dyneema version that's even more expensive

    • goruck.com/products/gr2 

  • ULA Equipment Dragonfly

    • One of the lightest travel backpacks available 

    • Oversized bottle pockets

    • 18.5 x 11 x 7″ - US and International Airline Sized

    • ula-equipment.com/ultra-24-packs

  • Able Carry Max Backpack

    • Clamshell

    • Low-profile water bottle pocket

    • 20.4 x 12.6 x 7.9" (52 x 32 x 20cm) - US and International Airline Sized

    • $280

    • ablecarry.com/products/max 

  • Minaal Carry-On 3.0 Bag

    • Clamshell

    • Bottle holder - that doesn't always hold bottles 

    • 21.6 x 13.7 x 7.87" / 55 x 35 x 20cm (fully packed)) - US and International Airline Sized

    • $350

    • minaal.com/products/carry-on-bag-3 

  • EVERGOODS Civic Travel Bag 35L (CTB35)

    • 20.5 x 14 x 8.75" - US and International Airline Sized

    • $350

    • evergoods.us/collections/civic-travel-bag-series/products/civic-travel-bag-35l 

  • Topo Designs Global Travel Bag 40L

    • Heavy duty fabric

    • Heavy-duty YKK zippers

    • A separate daypack can be attached to back of this pack

    • Looks like luggage 

    • 22.5 x 14 x 7.5" - Tad too long for US or International requirements

    • Topo Global Travel Bag 30L is also available

      • 20 x 12.5 x 7" - US and International Airline Sized

      • 2 lb. 10 oz.

    • topodesigns.com/collections/travel-backpacks/products/convertible-travel-bag-laptop-backpack-40l

  • Cotopaxi Allpa 35L and 42L Travel Pack

    • Polyester is coated with TPU for water resistance

      • Found on some models - flakes after heavy use

    • 1680-denier ballistic nylon, similar to the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45

    • 35L

      • 22 x 12 x 10" (56 x 30 x 25cm) - tad too thick for US and too long and thick for International Travel

      • 3lb 8oz

    • 42L

      • 22 x 14 x 11" (56 x 36 x 27cm) - tad too thick for US and too long/wide/thick for International Travel

      • 4lb 2oz 

    • Lighter weight than many of the dedicated travelpacks

    • cotopaxi.com/collections/travel 

  • Thule Subterra 34L

    • Rolltop with sider zipper

    • Heavier duty over all zipper, but more difficult to get into

    • 20.5 x 12.2 x 9.1" - too thick for international requirements but just about right for US

    • 3 lb. 3 oz.

    • thule.com/en-us/backpacks/backpacking-travel-backpacks/thule-subterra-travel-backpack-34l-_-3203441 

  • Patagonia Black Hole MLC 45L

    • Clamshell

    • Colors: tan, black, olive, green

    • $240

    • 22" x 14.5" x 7.6"  - Close to US and International Airline Sized (too wide for US and too long for international)

    • 3 lbs 9.7 oz (1635 g)

    • patagonia.com/product/black-hole-mlc-convertible-suitcase-45-liters/196924012462.html 

Personal Item

Many airlines allow for a personal item in addition to your carry on.  Frontier charges for a carry on, so the personal item is much more important.  This was intended to be a laptop bag, purse or handbag.

Size

• Common US Dimensions: generally not specified

  • Don't push limits, draw attention to self or be rude

• Spirit and Frontier - 18 x 14 x 8

  • Very strict and have been know to reject bags that touch sides of sizer when stretched out

  • Takeoff Luggage works if you remove the wheels 

• Jet Blue - 17 x 13 x 8

• Southwest - 18.5 x x13.5 x 8.5

• United - 17 x 10 x 9

• European Airline vary a LOT - around 15.75 x 10 x 7.9 

• Icelandic Air - 15.7 x 11.8 x 5.9 inches (40x30x15cm)

Travelpack Mods

A backpack or travel bag is a highly engineered piece of fabric.  There are a few mods you can do to make your pack better.

Travelpack Mods

• Nametags and Patches

  • Increases the likelihood of finding bag if left in storage of left behind somewhere

• Colorful Tape

  • This helps your bag standout and makes it easier to find

• Solar Chargers

  • Charge your gear powerpack if left in the sun

• Zipper Upgrades

  • Smaller zippers can be upgraded to YKK #10 Nylon Coil Chain Zippers 

  • No 10 coil zipper are easier to use and more durable than smaller coil zippers or metal zippers

  • This mod takes a bit of effort and skill but is so worth if if you use a bag long term

• Molle Straps

  • Adding a few straps to your daypack may come in handy later on if you want to hang something from your pack

  • Larger straps for larger bags are useful when securing bag to top of vehicle or in canoe

Security Mods

Some of our Scouts and Scouters have traveled to overseas to areas where theft is a greater concern.  There are many precautions travelers should take when travelling to such destinations.  Travel gear can also be modified to make them a little more theft resistant. 

• Locking Zippers

  • Really nice to have and many ways of upgrading zipper slides

  • Use mini carabiners, mini-locks or zip-ties to secure zippers 

• Metal Cable

  • Use a metal cable with carabiner, padlock or HemetLock to secure bag to table or chair

  • This makes it so much harder for the bag to walk off when you look the other way or take a short nap

• Slashproofing

  • We generally don't travel to places where this is an issue, but some of our Adults and Scouts have

  • Sew metal cable onto pack in mesh pattern to prevent someone from cutting pack open

• Secret Pocket

  • Great for storing and securing special items

  • Located deeper in a bag, a thief is less likely to access this in a quick grab where they may not feel or see the pocket

• De-Beatify 

  • This isn't for everyone

  • Making a bag less attractive may make it less of a target

  • Spray paint makes a bag easier to find in a pile and less desirable to steal

  • Talc powder on dark bags makes it look old and rotten and is temporary

  • Some (few) travelers add repair patches to their bags to make them look old.  This is usually done after bag are actually old and damaged, but using mismatched fabric and thread makes it look even more worn out.  Hand sewn repairs can look awful if you do it just right. 

• Hiding Brand Logos

  • Name brand logos on nice bags make them appear more valuable

  • Sewing a patch over a logo or blacking it out somehow makes the bag look less valuable 

• Avoid Bling

  • Avoid adding Scout Patches and American Flag patches to outside of pack

  • Avoid displaying electronics or chargers

  • Don't hang nice bling on outside of pack