<p>Our son will be going out of state and we need to purchase some luggage that will not get too heavy for the current airline requirements and also fit in dorm room. Is 29" too large (Mother Lode 29") or do most people use smaller ones and ship some? I also looked at LL Bean wheeled and Lands End but I hear they topple over when trying to stand them up. We do plan to purchase many items from Bed Bath and Beyond so it will just be mostly clothes.</p>
<p>We purchased some luggage (Ricardo Beverly Hills) through eBags.com. The prices were good as was the service and it was much more convenient than looking for luggage in stores. We purchased 3 pieces - a 21" wheeled carry on, a 25" wheeled suitcase, and a smaller wheeled tote. The 21" carry-on has been adequate for most trips (including up to 3 weeks - for a female) but the larger one was handy for a 3 month trip back east. We packed it to the gills and it ended up weighing in at 47 pounds (the limit for no overage charge is 50 pounds). If you get an even larger bag and really pack it you’ll go over 50 pounds.</p>
<p>I also checked into shipping just in case. For shipping 50 pounds from San Diego to DC was around $52 or so on FedEx ground which was less than UPS, DHL, and the post office. For some smaller shipments (5-10 pounds) the post office has boxes with a fixed cost (called ‘flat rate’) - you pack them full and they don’t charge by the weight.</p>
<p>Thank you for the information. Can the bags fit under the bed in the dorm? I know the dorms where he is going (U. of Oregon) are very small and I don’t know if luggage will fit under the bed.</p>
<p>So many loft their beds in small rooms you should find out if that is planned or what most do before planning under the bed storage. Some like to loft and some don’t. DD had to. It was the only way the dorm was configured for very small rooms. But they had a large common room where some things were stored and she could store a duffel bag behind the wardrobe.</p>
<p>When we flew with her for move in we took the extra bags back home with us, leaving her with a rolling duffel and small carry on.</p>
<p>I’ve got a 30" rolling duffel that I use for long trips abroad where I need different changes of clothes for different weathers. As long as I don’t stuff my duffel with books or heavy stuff, I don’t need to worry about weight limit (mine weighed around 20lbs stuffed. But it is true that it does not stand up on its own, partly because of the way I pack it, lying flat. I should try packing differently. The duffel does go under the bed in S’s dorm.</p>
<p>SDiegomom:</p>
<p>If they’re suitcases, they can generally fit inside each other and then go under the bed if not bunked and if the bed can be lofted a bit. Lofting a bed somewhat is very practical since it opens up a lot of space underneath. What’ll fit in a room varies so much that the individual room will need to be checked in this regard. I wouldn’t hesitate sending it though - I’m sure he’ll find someplace to stash the bag.</p>
<p>Duffles are easiest to store, so if you have to buy luggage I’d say just use standard duffles (like REI) has and don’t worry about wheels because they will mostly be used to and from school and be checked luggage if they come home before graduation at all. On the other hand, if you have old suitcases (like we did) that fit inside each other when empty, that works fine. Our son flew up to an orientation program with just his backpack. We went up for move in/parents welcome and each took one suitcase of his stuff that we checked and a carryon for ourselves. He just stored the suitcases in the bottom of his closet or under his bed each year–and used backpack and small duffle for travel home on vacations/summer. His school had free summer storage options but since this is not standard I’d maybe find out whether you need to take that into account. Ultimately, we obsess about these things–they don’t care much I find–and somehow it all works out…USPS flat rate shipping is good if you decide to send things.</p>
<p>Only slightly off topic-</p>
<p>Our son used bed risers to lift his bed, oh I’m guessing here, about 6 more inches off the floor. This worked quite well and allowed him to store all sorts of things under the bed, including luggage a couple two-drawer units from BB&B.</p>
<p>Son and room mate decided to raise the beds vs. lofting because they noticed that: the other rooms with lofted beds took on canyon-like feel (their words) and, once the beds were lofted, more furniture was needed for seating. They chose to use their beds for seating and it worked for them. YMMV, of course!</p>
<p>Sorry - when I said ‘lofted’ I meant each bed raised up as opposed to ‘bunked’. A lot of these beds have multiple positions where the bed platform connects to the end posts so it’s very easy to raise them up to a choice of levels.</p>
<p>Son is a flight away to school.
We purchased him 2 suitcases with wheels (Target, TJMAxx, SYMs all have reasonable prices for good luggage). The smaller fits in side the larger to store. IT has been fine for breaks or weekends away for him. Sons closet at school is 5 foot long so he has plenty of room to store it. If not, try the risers (available at BBB) for underbed storage.
We visited in the Spring and brought along an extra suitcase of his stuff to fly home, mostly books. Not too much clothes.
For summer, he stored most of his stuff with friends that have apts and a roomie that lived an hour away and could take last minute stuff like bedding. He shipped home one box via UPS and we will ship 1-2 boxes back to him via UPS. Heard on CC that FedEx may be cheaper. We need UPS as they will hold boxes (for a $10 fee per box) at the UPS store for pickup. His Univ refuses packages for 2 weeks at the beginning of the year. No storage for all of them, or so they say.)
We flew down with him last fall and rented a minivan to get the stuff to his dorm, shop, etc. Now he’s on his own and has friends with cars to help him gather all his stuff (his choice not to have us fly down with him.)
Good luck.</p>
<p>You can fill suitcases under the bed with stuff that you don’t use every day–winter clothes in the spring, for example. It can become another drawer or two.</p>
<p>With rolling luggage, you’ve automatically used up about 10 pounds of the 50-pound limit. So I bought S a Mountainsmith “Travel Trunk” duffle (size XL), which weighs 3 lbs, holds 8500 cubic inches, and exactly fits the checked luggage dimensions. I think this is the highest volume for a duffle that also fits the luggage dimension rules, so now the only challenge will be staying under 50 pounds. It’s going to carry all the bedding and lighter stuff, and will fold for storage, or fit under the bed.</p>
<p>If you are only going to use them once or twice a year, Target has some duffels that are under $20, very light weight and fold up smaller than a notebook. They are actually pretty rugged for the weight. Not the antiballistic fabric but would be great for transporting soft stuff like bedding or clothes. Save the rigid suitcase for your breakable items.</p>
<p>[Sportsman’s</a> Extra-Large Drop-Bottom Rolling Gear Bag: Rolling Luggage at L.L.Bean](<a href=“http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?page=sportsmans-extra-large-drop-bottom-rolling-gear-bag&categoryId=32162&storeId=1&catalogId=1&langId=-1&parentCategory=4518&cat4=2911&shop_method=pp&feat=4518-tn&np=Y]Sportsman’s”>http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?page=sportsmans-extra-large-drop-bottom-rolling-gear-bag&categoryId=32162&storeId=1&catalogId=1&langId=-1&parentCategory=4518&cat4=2911&shop_method=pp&feat=4518-tn&np=Y)</p>
<p>[Sportsman’s</a> Carry-On Rolling Garment Bag: Rolling Luggage at L.L.Bean](<a href=“http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?page=sportsmans-carry-on-rolling-garment-bag&categoryId=39065&storeId=1&catalogId=1&langId=-1&parentCategory=4518&cat4=2911&shop_method=pp&feat=4518-tn&np=Y]Sportsman’s”>http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?page=sportsmans-carry-on-rolling-garment-bag&categoryId=39065&storeId=1&catalogId=1&langId=-1&parentCategory=4518&cat4=2911&shop_method=pp&feat=4518-tn&np=Y)</p>
<p>These two from LL Bean (Sportsman Carryon Rolling Garment Bag and Sportsman Extra Large Drop Bottom Rolling Duffle) were HS graduation gift a few years ago for son who went to school across the country…when it was still possible to check 3 bags on Southwest! Now…with the baggage rules…they’re an even better choice! Carryon rolling garment is good for short trips…and a sport coat or suit can go in it and travel relatively wrinkle free (when on hanger and with dry cleaner’s plastic bag on it.) Rolling duffle fits a lot. Challenge is filling completely and having it stay under the airline’s weight limit…especially as these are the only 2 bags S flies home with at the end of the year (plus a “personal” bag with his laptop.) Fortunately…S learned how to do laundry when he was in HS since he’s a minimalist when it comes to having a large assortment of clothes! </p>
<p>Quality of bags seems good, and S hasn’t complained about how they “stand”. Also…trim and colors of these bags help them stand out when coming through the baggage claim.</p>
<p>Substantially more expensive than the Target or Marshall’s luggage…but…we hope these will last…and…if they don’t…LLBean will fix or replace.</p>
<p>Thank you. These are all great suggestions. We have plenty of 21-22" nice carry on luggage bags for short trips home, but the larger suggestions are all great. We do want something that will last. Appreciate all the great experience here!</p>
<p>I second the rolling duffel. I sent two each with my kids. They are light and can be tucked underneath regular beds or can be folded to stay inside another suitcase. I also gave them a wheeled carryon and a 25" suitcase.</p>
<p>Don’t know if this was already mentioned… you can go to the local BB & B or Target, order the stuff you need (bedding is so bulky, isn’t it?) and pick it up at the store near the school when you get there. That could save some room and some lugging.</p>
<p>We had two different experience—two different kids.</p>
<p>D ended up with rolling luggage–one very large bag, one med-large, and one small carryon. They all fit inside each other.</p>
<p>S had LL Bean’s large rolling duffel, plus two smaller duffels that “matched”.</p>
<p>D ended up leaving her two largest bags at our house after the first year, and begged for a large rolling duffel. After doing a study abroad borrowing S’s, she said her only specific request was that it “stand up” when loaded.</p>
<p>We bought her an Eagle Creek large rolling duffel (on special sale at REI for around $110). IT’S FABULOUS. </p>
<p>The large, more traditional luggage is bulky and although you can fill it with out of season clothes or bedding, it takes up lots of space. And if stored under a bed, the bed had better be raised to accomodate the suitcases underneath. Rolling duffels go flat and are way easier to store in small dorm rooms. </p>
<p>The LL Bean duffels we purchased for S are on the 4th year of use, including a 6 month stint in about as many countries, and looks and works as well as the day we bought it. The Eagle Creek duffel is more upgraded with many more pocket options. </p>
<p>Vote: 1st place: Eagle Creek, but much more expensive unless you can find last season’s colors or another great sale. Might be worth checking out ebags.com. #2: LL Bean is always around, ships quickly, and is a reliable old standby for very good prices.</p>
<p>Hope this helps.</p>
<p>Thank you curiouser! That was helpful. I did see the Eagle Creek bags and they are expensive. We have some time so I will find the best buy.</p>
<p>Inquire as to whether the dorm has storage for luggage. Our student’s dorm offers storage for luggage as well as storage for extra chairs, etc. that will not be used during the year. (Many students purchase their own “office” chairs for the desks.)</p>