Shopping for Luggage: In Search of the Rolling Duffel Carry-on Backpack Thing

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So you've decided to take the plunge and make this summer the one where you take your dream trip to Europe. Or Thailand. Or Australia. Or all of the above. But you survey your luggage situation and find, much to your chagrin, that you are in dire straights indeed. Do you need a bag that's extremely portable, because you don't know what sort of situation you'll find yourself in? Do you need one that can handle a sizable load but still remain manageable? Do you need something you won't be ashamed of in your posh hotel? Whatever shall you do?

If this is your situation (or if you're just looking for a new travel bag in general), maybe I can help you. See, I've been shopping for new luggage recently. On my honeymoon, my favorite rolling duffel, the one that they told me would last forever, broke while I was rolling it down a cobbled street in Mexico. When I brought it back and asked about the extended warranty they'd touted so highly when selling me the bag, I was informed that what I'd asked the bag to do was considered 'extreme use' and therefore was not covered (go figure...I expected a rolling duffel bag to, you know, ROLL). Ever since then, I've been looking for a new bag.

Believe me when I say that I've looked high and low. I've crossed hill and dale, mountain and valley, dry desert and lashing waves...you get the idea. Along the way, I've learned a thing or two.

1. Find your own qualifications for the perfect bag. What do you want the bag to do? Where will you use it, and when? Don't listen to other people (you and your spouse might have two very different lists). My qualifications are thus:

• The bag must roll.
  • The wheels must have ball bearings (none of that plastic crap.
• The bag must be made out of a material that is tough and durable. Water resistant earns it bonus points.
• The bag must have a backpack harness that will easily support the full weight of the ba.
  • The harness must include a padded waistbelt. Adjustable height here gets a bonus.
• The bag must have a medium-to-full-sized zip-off backpack attachment that can function as a daypack.
  • It would be helpful if my laptop, DSLR, and a water bottle fit comfortably into this pack.
• The main bag must qualify as a carry-on and the backpack as a personal item (because I hate lost luggage, but I hate waiting at baggage carousels more).

Since I don't live in a perfect world, I'm willing to give-and-take on some of these, but my ideal bag would have them all.

2. Get a sense for what's out there. Going in-person helps.

This weekend, I went to REI and spent some time touching bags, trying them on, and just getting a general feel for what's there. I chose REI because this type of bag is more sporty than anything else. Touching the different fabrics and getting the feel for what different bags and harnesses feel like on my back gave me a much better idea of what I really want, what's important to me, and which characteristics aren't essential. Also, check the zippers. Make sure they're sturdy.

3. Look where the pros are.

I happen to be a fan of Outside magazine, and I knew that they, once upon a time, had reviews of some bags like this, so I started at their website. If you're looking for a nice jet-set bag, Irv's luggage might have some good tips. This will help you get a feel for who makes the kind of bags you like.

4. Go directly to the manufacturer.

Sometimes it's hard to figure out exactly what the specs are on a bag, particularly when different retailers discuss it differently. The manufacturer has the last word in this, and they're often quicker to return your emails if you have a question than the retailer will be. Be sure to get the name and the size of several bags.

5. Compare based on what's important to you.

Literally make a chart. Draw lines and put in each category from your wish list. Mark where each bag fits into that category, so you can look at the specs of all your bags together.

6. Choose the best bag for you.

Since space was not on my wishlist (I know that I'll fill the space I have and be fine with that, no matter how much I get), I'm actually going with the smallest bag on my list. It's also more expensive than some of the others, but that's ok with me because it comes with a tried-and-true lifetime warranty. I read some travel horror stories and this company came through, so it sounds like they stand behind their products, unlike the last bag I bought.

7. Purchase your bag with joy.

Ok, haven't done this one yet. That requires a paycheck. But I will get it, and I know I'll get something I like because of all this research.

Enjoy the process--it's fun to learn what's out there and to imagine yourself traveling with each of the bags. Oh, and my big winner?

The Eagle Creek Switchback Max--22 (and they didn't give me anything for saying that!).