What luggage for airplane travel?

[YoungAmerican]

Increasingly I have to travel for conferences and live shows in other cities (I'm a public radio host). That often means carrying a suit with me, and sometimes a couple, in addition to socks and underwear and whatnot.

I'm sure there are many businessmen here who travel similarly. I've really appreciated the advice on luggage brands I've read here, but what style of luggage do you carry, and how much?

I'd been carrying a big half-fold garment bag with external pockets that I bought at Costco five or eight years ago, and it had been doing fun (albeit ugly as sin), but I just broke a fastener, and I'm thinking about replacing it.

Suitcases? Rolling cases? Carry-ons? Garment bags? Duffels? When you're going for that more-than-a-weekend trip, and bringing grown up clothes, what do you carry?

 

[fcuknu]

When I travel I usually go with a duffle and a small suitcase (pretty much a wider version laptop case with room for clothes). This wont help you with a suit though.

 

[earthdragon]

I invested in a Rimowa, last year - the rollong one.
I love it - good capacity and I can store a Suit in the top section with out too much wrinkling.
I guess you just have to get used to the fact that any luggage being checked in, is going to take a beating.
It comes with TSA integrated locks (into the fastening mechanism) - so also, one less thing to worry about.
I use a Tumi 'Duffle' type bag, as my carry on.

 

[MetroStyles]

I recommend a Briggs & Riley garment bag. You can get a large one that still counts as a carry-on but barely. Big enough for all your stuff, and it leaves your suits unwrinkled.

 

[Concordia]

At the moment, I am most likely to use a two-pocket suitcase from Glaser Designs that will work as carry-on. Can do 2 suits, shoes, and about 4 days' worth of shirts, shorts, socks.

You can get rigid and rolling gear that is roughly the same size, but it will be heavier and hold less stuff. Not a stupid trade-off, but one that should be carefully considered.

 

[YoungAmerican]

Originally Posted by Concordia

At the moment, I am most likely to use a two-pocket suitcase from Glaser Designs that will work as carry-on. Can do 2 suits, shoes, and about 4 days' worth of shirts, shorts, socks.

Do you fold the suits inside the case? What technique do you use?

 

[Caomhanach]

Secondhand, old,beat up,held together with duct tape.
A thief isn't going to target this luggage.
Hint find a old set of classic quality luggage that still has structural integrity.

 

[Kei-bon]

Originally Posted by MetroStyles

I recommend a Briggs & Riley garment bag. You can get a large one that still counts as a carry-on but barely. Big enough for all your stuff, and it leaves your suits unwrinkled.
i think i have the same bag, and i like it very much. it gets a little heavy, but it's sturdy and well designed.

 

[GuidoWongolini]

Originally Posted by YoungAmerican

Increasingly I have to travel for conferences and live shows in other cities (I'm a public radio host). That often means carrying a suit with me, and sometimes a couple, in addition to socks and underwear and whatnot. I'm sure there are many businessmen here who travel similarly. I've really appreciated the advice on luggage brands I've read here, but what style of luggage do you carry, and how much? I'd been carrying a big half-fold garment bag with external pockets that I bought at Costco five or eight years ago, and it had been doing fun (albeit ugly as sin), but I just broke a fastener, and I'm thinking about replacing it. Suitcases? Rolling cases? Carry-ons? Garment bags? Duffels? When you're going for that more-than-a-weekend trip, and bringing grown up clothes, what do you carry?
- No offense but do a search as this has been covered quite a few times, I know I have even posted pics of what I pack & the luggage I use. FYI I fly international every 3 weeks for 1 week at a time & need to pack at least 3 suits, 3 shoes, 5 shirts etc. - My choice is RIMOWA (yes do a search re the pros & cons v Haliburton)

 

[PocketCircle]

I really can't make myself invest in something really expensive for air travel thinking of how badly it will be handled by the ground crew. Something solid, light and durable is more than enough for me. Hand luggage is a different story tho.

 

[YoungAmerican]

Originally Posted by Phat Guido

- No offense but do a search as this has been covered quite a few times, I know I have even posted pics of what I pack & the luggage I use.
FYI I fly international every 3 weeks for 1 week at a time & need to pack at least 3 suits, 3 shoes, 5 shirts etc.
- My choice is RIMOWA (yes do a search re the pros & cons v Haliburton)

I did a lot of searching beforehand, and while there were a lot of brand recommendations, there weren't a lot of packing recommendtions.

I think I ran into your post (which was indeed helpful), but all the photos had expired.

 

[contaygious]

how does RIMOWA compare to the tumi alpha carry on garment bag?
http://a1472.g.akamaitech.net/f/1472...ei=450&wid=360
I'm thinking about getting this one.

 

[dopey]

I have been doing a lot of travel lately and have learned to appreciate the joys of checking luggage. Between the length of TSA checks and other hassles, I prefer to just drop my luggage off when I arrive at the airport and be done with it, rather than dragging stuff to the gate and on board. And in small airports, your bags are out before you can even get to baggage claim. (I have no idea if I would feel differently if I were doing a lot of non-US travel.)

Given that, I have made the switch to a medium sized Zero-H case. I open the clamshell, take the suit valise out and hang the suits up and I am done unpacking. The Zero is nice, but any hard case that pins stuff in place would be just as good.

 

[LabelKing]

I bring far too many toiletries to ever do carry-on exclusively.

 

[JohnnyCrockett]

Originally Posted by Phat Guido

- No offense but do a search as this has been covered quite a few times, I know I have even posted pics of what I pack & the luggage I use.
FYI I fly international every 3 weeks for 1 week at a time & need to pack at least 3 suits, 3 shoes, 5 shirts etc.
- My choice is RIMOWA (yes do a search re the pros & cons v Haliburton)

PG -- How do you do this? I can't imagine anyone who travels this much EVER checks luggage, but how can you do 3 suits and 3 prs of shoes in a carry-on?