<p>My S will be studying abroad next quarter. Any advice on luggage ? Thanks.</p>
<p>here ya go
backpack for the plane, rolling duffel for his other stuff</p>
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<p>Rolling duffel that doesn’t weigh much empty because weight can be a premium charge. I’ve sent kids to China with nylon bags from Target that cost $8 and they held up fine. Get something you like, that you feel right about, that doesn’t weigh much empty. Same with the backpack/bookbag.</p>
<p>Samsonite makes an inexpensive, sturdy rolling duffel in a variety of sizes.</p>
<p>Large, lightweight, cheap rolling suitcase to check. Backpack to carry on. Instrument case to carry on if applicable.</p>
<p>I think it makes sense to spend the money and get good luggage that will hold up for a long time. We have Tumi luggage and have found it to be strong, durable, and long lasting. My H is a business traveler (he’s away at least 5 or 6 times a month)–he’s had the same Tumi overnight bag since 1992 and it’s in great shape… Oldest D bought Tumi rolling duffel in 2004 when she was going to study in Spain. Younger D used that same Tumi bag when she studied in Russia last fall. The bag looks like new.</p>
<p>I am the parent of a very well traveled kid. The problem with high quality luggage is that it sometimes is simply most convenient for a kid to ditch the luggage in favor of something bigger/smaller along the way. So I’m all in favor of something sturdy enough to last the current trip, but otherwise expendable.</p>
<p>Another problem with expensive luggage is that it is more attractive to thieves, who figure there is more likely to be something worth stealing (or at least they should be able to resell the bag itself).</p>
<p>We prefer sturdy but less expensive luggage. Sometimes we have the kids take luggage specifically to discard. My kids like lightweight luggage that they can always carry aboard. The 25" pieces have to be checked as they are too big to fit in the sizers.</p>
<p>I really like the Eagle Creek Pack-it system. This helps keep whatever is in the luggage organized so that your socks and undies don’t wander down to the bottom of that rolling duffle. They can also be pulled out of a flimsy nylon duffle, and put straight into a bureau drawer to keep things sorted out. We picked up a bunch on mark-down just before a family trip around Australia several years ago. The socks never got lost, the formal conference-wear for Happydad arrived without a wrinkle, and my stuff (in green) was never confused for Happykid’s (in blue).</p>
<p>[Eagle</a> Creek Packing Solutions](<a href=“http://www.eaglecreek.com/packing_solutions/]Eagle”>http://www.eaglecreek.com/packing_solutions/)</p>
<p>One source for good packing ideas is <a href=“http://www.lostgirlsworld.com/[/url]”>http://www.lostgirlsworld.com/</a></p>
<p>I got my d a rolling backpack (Sharper Image on sale), very light, for her carry-on. That way, once her luggage was checked, she had the option of rolling it and didn’t have to have the weight all on her back. Then once she got her rolling duffle (LLBean) from baggage claim, she could wear it rather than try to manage two rolling pieces at once. She loved the option, and said it really saved her back.</p>
<p>Eagle Creek luggage - lightweight and holds up better than any luggage we have owned previously. Luggage has been to Asia, to Europe and across the US east to west more time than I can count. Luggage still looks brand new. Read the reviews for the luggage on line. It has a lifetime warranty. Sales and coupons can also be found on line as it is a little on the pricey side. </p>
<p>I still remember one review I read - reviewer said it was the first piece of luggage they could keep on returning from India to the US. It was thrown off the top of several busses; ended up in several ditches, etc., but wiped off easily and the wheels never broke.</p>
<p>You might want to check out this earlier discussion:</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/533426-best-options-luggage-duffels-when-flying.html?highlight=creek[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/533426-best-options-luggage-duffels-when-flying.html?highlight=creek</a></p>
<p>My kids have also traveled a lot and I agree with some of the posters who say the expensive luggage attracts unwanted attention, and also that sometimes it is easier to dump the luggage to get something different. We are true believers in going to thrift stores for kids luggage. There is usually a good selection of sturdy light luggage in different sizes for under $10. Then my kids get rid of it and get something appropriate for the next trip. Works great!</p>
<p>Here in a nutshell is my point: check the weight restrictions. Example: flying into many countries, you can only have 44lbs or so and individual bags may have limits. That means every pound the bag weighs is a pound less you can pack.</p>
<p>^^^ Agree with Lergnom. Last spring, for her semester abroad in 4 countries, D used a LL Bean rolling wide-mouth duffel. It was the best combination of size, quality, price, and (low) weight. When she got back home, the carry handle was starting to tear off. LL Bean sent a brand new bag, no questions asked. </p>
<p>D was on 5 - 6 different airlines in total. She packed for the one with the most restrictive weight limits.</p>
<p>[SCOTTEVEST/SeV</a> - Travel Clothing and Innovative Wrinkle Free Travel Clothes, Pocket Clothing for all your Travel Accessories and Travel Gear - Travel Wear including Jackets, Vests, Hoodies and more travel wear at scottevest.com.](<a href=“http://www.scottevest.com/]SCOTTEVEST/SeV”>http://www.scottevest.com/) Maybe too expensive if a student is forgetful. But on a frequent flyer website I visit, they rave about these jackets and vests. You take them off at security and put it through the x-ray. You can use your carry on for other stuff.</p>
<p>Waving hello to the other Tumi families… my husband loves his …</p>
<p>Target has duffels that are pretty sturdy and very light-weight and very cheap - like around $20. We have several and they have lasted through more trips than medium priced soft-sided suitcases. No wheels or fancy parts, but if your aim is to get the maximum amount of stuff from point A to point B, they are great. Plus once kid gets to (India, Costa Rica, Portugal or Namibia), they fold up small for storage.</p>