Travel duffel bag: On our last trip my rolling duffel bag died. I’m having a hard time finding a good light weight rolling duffel bag. I would prefer one with an expandable handle. The...

Photolady2014 Loc: Southwest Colorado

On our last trip my rolling duffel bag died. I’m having a hard time finding a good light weight rolling duffel bag. I would prefer one with an expandable handle. The cloth ones are not long enough and when you walk the bag hits you in the feet…
For trips like Alaska and Africa it has to be light weight and a duffel.
Thanks! If you have photos that would be great!

Bridges Loc: Memphis, Charleston SC, now Nazareth PA

Check these out. I have used an Olympia similar to the ones shown for several years. I like the large side pockets. The older style as I have has a top pocket but it looks like the new ones put a pocket/pockets on the flap that opens. I like that you can get a variety of sizes as well. Mine is 29" and if I fill it to capacity it's hard to lift! I can't imagine how much a 33" stuffed would weigh!

https://www.amazon.com/Olympia-Pocket-Rolling-Duffel-Lavender/dp/B0033399JO/ref=asc_df_B0010IK47K/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=167129094930&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7566063963336021078&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9006961&hvtargid=pla-273400251814&th=1

SkyKing Loc: Thompson Ridge, NY

Photolady2014 wrote:

On our last trip my rolling duffel bag died. I’m having a hard time finding a good light weight rolling duffel bag. I would prefer one with an expandable handle. The cloth ones are not long enough and when you walk the bag hits you in the feet…
For trips like Alaska and Africa it has to be light weight and a duffel.
Thanks! If you have photos that would be great!

…I love my Osprey…!

NatureShooter Loc: NW Illinois

This is the one I have, from Amazon, choice of size and color. The handle has two extension lengths which makes it long enough to not trip over it and the wheels roll easy. The side pockets are pretty small but interior is roomy.

Photolady2014 Loc: Southwest Colorado

Bridges wrote:

Check these out. I have used an Olympia similar t... (show quote)

Does it really only weigh 6 lbs? Is the material rather substantial. I got another and it was so flimsy….

Photolady2014 Loc: Southwest Colorado

SkyKing wrote:

…I love my Osprey…!

I have looked at this one. Is the material substantial enough that when it is open it does not fall in on itself? I understand it is also reasonably weather resistant. I do wish it had compression straps that would also work to keep it shut is the zipper broke.

Photolady2014 Loc: Southwest Colorado

NatureShooter wrote:

This is the one I have, from Amazon, choice of size and color. The handle has two extension lengths which makes it long enough to not trip over it and the wheels roll easy. The side pockets are pretty small but interior is roomy.

Thanks I have looked at this one!

Copyrat

Thule duffel bags are the best with depenable wheels.

neillaubenthal

Hudson Henry has several listed on his gear I use and recommend page…hudsonhenry.com…I have Eagle Creek bags that are rollers but have more of a frame than a pure duffel does and they're excellent as well. If you're going to Africa…you really need a duffel with no frame in it as it needs to squish into the luggage bay on those little planes…if I ever actually do one of those I'll get a little 60 or 80 liter pure wheelless duffel for clothes and carry my Nya-Evo 26 as carryon for the gear.

zug55 Loc: Naivasha, Kenya, and Austin, Texas

I will second Osprey duffel bags. My partner travels with one and is happy with it. I personally travel with a very similar Eagle Creek Warrior model that is no longer made. I use it on my long distance trips between my home bases in Austin and Nairobi as well as to trips to Europe.

Here are some hints when you look for a model:
1) Don't go larger than 90 or 95 liters. A full bag of that size comes in right at 23 kg / 50 lbs, which is the weight limit in international travel. (Smaller airlines in Africa may have different limits).
2) The quality of the wheels is key. Stay away from the four-wheel models with turning wheels. They may be convenient on a smooth airport floor but not in the field. They also break much more easily. A quality bag has recessed wheels that are relatively large and have solid rubber "tires."
3) Stay away from cheap bags. They generally don't last. The bags we use are in the $300+ category.

philo Loc: philo, ca

OAT sent me their own bag. We were told that we had to use the one they sent. I got to the airport with it, my camera bag (carry on) and a backpack. The bag they sent was impossible. I couldn't go 5 feet without stopping.
This was another reason I cancel my trip. There is no way I was going to use this bag all over Africa.
I know the reason why they wanted us to use this bag. Because there is very limited space on some of the planes that are used within the countries.

Photolady2014 Loc: Southwest Colorado

philo wrote:

OAT sent me their own bag. We were told that we had to use the one they sent. I got to the airport with it, my camera bag (carry on) and a backpack. The bag they sent was impossible. I couldn't go 5 feet without stopping.
This was another reason I cancel my trip. There is no way I was going to use this bag all over Africa.
I know the reason why they wanted us to use this bag. Because there is very limited space on some of the planes that are used within the countries.

That is too bad. I really liked the one I have taken to Africa 3 times, it just happened to die in Norway.

Photolady2014 Loc: Southwest Colorado

zug55 wrote:

I will second Osprey duffel bags. My partner trave... (show quote)

I am looking really hard at an Osprey. I won't go over 30" long. I have in the past added bubble wrap to fill the bag if I don't totally fill it! My bag I liked that died, they don't make it anymore, was a bit bigger than needed and just add bubble wrap. The bubble wrap was nice when I did bring home a couple gifts, plus the extra space!

zug55 Loc: Naivasha, Kenya, and Austin, Texas

Photolady2014 wrote:

I am looking really hard at an Osprey. I won't go over 30" long. I have in the past added bubble wrap to fill the bag if I don't totally fill it! My bag I liked that died, they don't make it anymore, was a bit bigger than needed and just add bubble wrap. The bubble wrap was nice when I did bring home a couple gifts, plus the extra space!

I think that you should go by volume; don't go over 90 or 95 liters. Bags in that size category are usually between 26 and 29 inches tall, so it won't be over 30 inches. Getting a bag that is larger than what you need is not a great idea. You will have to deal with an oversize bag when you travel, and you will carry extra dead weight as larger bags are heavier.

Photolady2014 Loc: Southwest Colorado

zug55 wrote:

I think that you should go by volume; don't go over 90 or 95 liters. Bags in that size category are usually between 26 and 29 inches tall, so it won't be over 30 inches. Getting a bag that is larger than what you need is not a great idea. You will have to deal with an oversize bag when you travel, and you will carry extra dead weight as larger bags are heavier.

True, I will not go over 30"!