New Carry on Luggage Recommendation

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Networkn
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#2108273 15-Oct-2018 16:01

I must admit, I am slightly leaning toward something like this now.

https://www.tombihn.com/products/brain-bag?variant=7785907978303

I'd like a slightly more upmarket LOOK, but the functionality suits me nicely.

If I could only find it in NZ this week!

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networkn

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#2108811 16-Oct-2018 12:41

Hmm I think I need to consider two options.

I think for my international/national flights etc, where I want more stuff something like this is my best option:

https://www.strandbags.co.nz/luggage/samsonite-72hours-deluxe-weekender-case/3166184

Then I want to find a backpack, which I would use as a day bag when I am out and about around town/city, with a jumper, laptop, battery and kindle.

I can't really see me packing business clothing into a backpack and travelling down country or internationally, living out of it for 2-3 days.

MikeAqua

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#2108882 16-Oct-2018 14:45

networkn:

Hmm I think I need to consider two options.

I think for my international/national flights etc, where I want more stuff something like this is my best option:

https://www.strandbags.co.nz/luggage/samsonite-72hours-deluxe-weekender-case/3166184

If you want a fabric case, I don't think Samsonite offers much advantage. They excel at hard-shells but are also rans in soft-shells.

Mike

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#2108938 16-Oct-2018 15:41

MikeAqua:

networkn:

Hmm I think I need to consider two options.

I think for my international/national flights etc, where I want more stuff something like this is my best option:

https://www.strandbags.co.nz/luggage/samsonite-72hours-deluxe-weekender-case/3166184

If you want a fabric case, I don't think Samsonite offers much advantage. They excel at hard-shells but are also rans in soft-shells.

Sorry, you lost me a little there?

I had a look at a couple of other brands like Pierre Cardin, and they were ok, but I felt the Samsonsite was better contructed and proportioned better.

Hard Shell cases seem to scratch more easily and look and feel pretty average.

Tinkerisk

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#2109190 17-Oct-2018 04:55

WTH is a brain bag? I won't put in my brain.

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MikeAqua

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#2109257 17-Oct-2018 08:51

networkn:

Sorry, you lost me a little there?

I had a look at a couple of other brands like Pierre Cardin, and they were ok, but I felt the Samsonsite was better contructed and proportioned better.

Hard Shell cases seem to scratch more easily and look and feel pretty average.

What I was trying to say was:

Samsonite make excellent hard-shell bags - it's their core capability. I could see the benefits in shelling out for a Samsonite hard-shell.

When it comes to soft-shell I see them as just another manufacturer, so the additional expense may not be worth it. But your research suggests they produce high quality soft-shells as well.

Scratch susceptibility of hard-shell depends what you get. The more expensive glossy ones do scratch easily (my partner has one). Mine is a cheaper model (most similar to the Octonite 55cm spinner) with matt plastic and doesn't seem to mark easily. I fast-bag it a lot so it has been at the mercy of baggage handlers its whole life.

Something anyone contemplating a Samsonite hard-shell carry-on should note is that they come in two different widths. The ones that are 40cm wide don't fit in the overhead locker on an AirNZ Q300 or ATR. The bag I have is 36cm wide and it fits. No problem with any of them on jets

Mike

networkn

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#2109267 17-Oct-2018 09:02

Thanks, that's much clearer. Build Quality was pretty similar between many of the bags, but features and layout were superior in the Samsonite in my view. There was quite a premium, but $100 over 10 years is insignificant.

One thing I do wonder about, is the really limited nature of the warranty of the luggage sold in NZ. Wheels and Handles are excluded on everything I've seen, despite having 15 year warranties. Given with the exception of the zips, they are the only moving part, I'd imagine they should be covered for less time, but still covered.

I have never had a spat with a retailer over a warranty of that nature, but I'd imagine a $250+ bag should be good in all departments excluding physical abuse, for at least 5 years?

I guess the thing in the manafacturers favour, is that with the exception of carry on luggage, luggage is often out of sight and control of it's owner for the majority of the time it's going from A to B.

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#2109574 17-Oct-2018 11:35

What would one term the type of bag that the Samsonite Weekender is ?

It's carry on, but not really traditional style...

I am trying to see if other options other than what strand had, might be worth considering.

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#2110012 17-Oct-2018 19:51

@sbiddle I see some backpacks say they are TSA friendly, and by the looks of it, this means that you don't need to remove your laptop/ipad etc from the backpack, just open it an put it through the scanner.

I am reasonably sure that wouldn't 'fly' here in NZ/Australia, right? They would insist you remove it anyway?

sbiddle

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#2110150 18-Oct-2018 05:59

networkn:

@sbiddle I see some backpacks say they are TSA friendly, and by the looks of it, this means that you don't need to remove your laptop/ipad etc from the backpack, just open it an put it through the scanner.

I am reasonably sure that wouldn't 'fly' here in NZ/Australia, right? They would insist you remove it anyway?

TSA approved bags are fine in NZ - I've got a Timbuk2 messenger and backpack which I purchased specifically for this.

The only annoying thing is that Avsec will not allow these for international screening (domestic is fine) so you'll need to take your laptop out. They can't really explain why ("it's policy" seems to be the only reason) and are the only country out of the probably dozen or so I've visited in recent years that has had an issue.

MikeAqua

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#2110208 18-Oct-2018 08:31

networkn:

One thing I do wonder about, is the really limited nature of the warranty of the luggage sold in NZ. Wheels and Handles are excluded on everything I've seen, despite having 15 year warranties. Given with the exception of the zips, they are the only moving part, I'd imagine they should be covered for less time, but still covered.

I have never had a spat with a retailer over a warranty of that nature, but I'd imagine a $250+ bag should be good in all departments excluding physical abuse, for at least 5 years?

I guess the thing in the manafacturers favour, is that with the exception of carry on luggage, luggage is often out of sight and control of it's owner for the majority of the time it's going from A to B.

The manufacturers warranty is trumped by the CGA. But the manufacturer isn't really required to cover damage.

Personally I rarely check luggage. I can go pretty much anywhere for pretty much any length of time with my Samsonite carry on. The exception has been specialised sporting equipment. Things like dive gear, fishing gear, hunting gear.

Mike

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#2110215 18-Oct-2018 08:52

With only a 7kg allowance (plus Personal Item, I guess)? I can only get away with a day or two worth of clothing without needing to check in a bag/suitcase.

People often mistake me for an adult because of my age.

Keep calm, and carry on posting.

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#2110218 18-Oct-2018 08:54

Stu: With only a 7kg allowance (plus Personal Item, I guess)? I can only get away with a day or two worth of clothing without needing to check in a bag/suitcase.

Same.

sbiddle

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#2110287 18-Oct-2018 09:42

Stu: With only a 7kg allowance (plus Personal Item, I guess)? I can only get away with a day or two worth of clothing without needing to check in a bag/suitcase.

You need to attend a @scottjpalmer course on minimalist travel.

networkn

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#2110290 18-Oct-2018 09:46

There are so many backpacks around, but nothing that exactly matches what I want. I have found a couple that look amazing, but don't open completely, others that are perfect functionality wise, but are as ugly as hell or massive.

I will keep looking.

So far my list of requirements:

20L Approximate

Professional looking, ideally in black.

Slimline but big enough to carry some shopping in if I wish.

13" Laptop slot with a way to secure the device with good padding (Devices designed for 17" notebooks, my notebook would flop around inside it even inside a case!

Fully openable.

USB Charging Port.

Sunglass Holder

Tuck away drink holder - Optional but nice to have.

Good quality tablet holder with a way to ensure the pouch can be secured by zip or vecro type thing

Excellent quality

Spill resistant.

Good straps ideally with a card holder built in (card holder optional).

Breathable back

Comfortable to wear for long periods.

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