Locating travelpacks

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Where can I find travelpacks in the carry-on size? Local stores only have very large Eagle Creek ones. I would like to find carry-on size with lots of compartments.

-- Val Donohoo (kvhc@thegrid.net), September 22, 1999

Answers

Hi Val;

It's not always easy to find the right sized carry-ons. Your traditional luggage store tends to like to encourage purchases of those large hard-sided suitcases, or else they think "just a little bit bigger than carry-on" still counts. If you do not have luck in your regular luggage stores, I suggest you check for camping or sporting goods stores in your city. If they do not carry travelpacks, then take advantage of the Internet by shopping online at places like REI.com. Fortunately for you, Eagle Creek's web site includes a list of area dealers, as well as mail-order companies. If you're interested in a *TRUE* carry-on sized "troller bag" (wheeled travelpacks) that will qualify as a carry-on with all airlines (both domestic and overseas), then the only one by Eagle Creek is currently the Cargo Switchback Compact (REI has them for $180.00).

One disadvantage you should be aware of: with the additional space taken up by the wheeling mechanism, you lose extra packing space in your pack. Unless you have a bad back or are otherwise troubled by carrying the weight on your back, I would recommend a standard travel pack, and perhaps a folding hand cart that will do just as good a job as a troller bag.

Happy travels!

--Baglady Lani

-- Lani Teshima (baglady@lava.net), September 23, 1999.


I found an American Tourister travel pack at an outlet store near my home. Cost me $35 if you can believe it. It is soft sided, can be carried like a suitcase or on your back like a backpack. I used it all over France for 10 days with no problem. Carried it on the plane and trains, ran through airport and Metro stations with it on my back. I had quite a bit of stuff but could easily have fit more if I wanted to. I'm not sure how water proof it will be because it's not nylon, but I figured it was worth a try at the low price.

-- Fran Sajewicz (marsaj@ici.net), October 02, 1999.

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