I thought I was the only one. I have 2 toiletry bags - one for international travel (it carries more of the “just in case” meds) and one for domestic (carries far less, as I know brands here and can easily find anything I might need, even at a 24 hour Walmart). They stay packed and ready, and refresh the items as needed (expiration dates, etc.).
Love @gouf78’s and @JustaMom’s tips above. Another time saver for me is keeping my small, underseat roller bag permanently packed with travel duplicates; I don’t unpack this one at home, just refresh anything that has gotten low or used up and put it back up on a closet shelf. It contains all my skincare, makeup, travel jewelry, toiletries, hair products/dryer, travel purse, phone/iPad chargers, and sundries. I also tuck in a clean pair of underwear, sleep tee-shirt, and footies in case I get separated from my roller bag (though I never check luggage). I have traveled like this for so many years that packing for any trip is simply laying out/packing clothes the day before.
When I traveled a lot for business, I had a similar set-up for toiletries. It was a huge time-saver and stress-buster. That was quite a while ago, and your post has prompted me to re-institute this practice.
I suggest you look for one with much “hardier looking” wheels to roll over cobblestones.
Yeah, that was me as well. I always post here that I hate/don’t travel. That’s because I was on the road for so many years. I’m just done, but I DO know how to pack light! ![]()
I’m leaving on a 7 am flight Friday. My clothes are all laid out on an extra bed. Just need to put them in the suitcase. Toiletries are packed pretty much…and I need to add medications, and my technology things.
It’s going to be an early travel day so this will all get done tomorrow.
My choice would be a Tumi. My husband’s two wheeler survived 25 years of use and abuse, including cobblestones of St Petersburg and Stockholm. Unfortunately these bags are $$$$
Yeah, because I will most likely store it in favor of my 4 wheel spinner I can’t justify the cost of a multi-hundred dollar bag.
I used my 4 wheel through France & Spain but it was a real drag to pull over cobblestones - and I was very concerned about breaking the wheels.
I have some time so I’m princess and the pea shopping right now.
We also had success with rolling duffels by Ful. Costco sold them for $50 back in the day.
I don’t travel much and am usually fine with my very old American Tourister carryon; and now a nylon backpack for under seat storage. But for our recent trip, we were limited to one large suitcase and a “daypack.” I thought I might need to buy something new but I got down my very old Travel Pro and discovered it was about the same weight as new lightweight ones. And had lots of handy compartments. There were three zippered compartments inside the lid. I used one for dirty laundry, one for clean underwear, and one for papers and such. It had a zip in fold out suiter and I used that for my one dress and one skirt and most of the nice tops. It had a clip in toilet kit. I used my regular one for daily wash up toiletries, and used the clip in for laundry sheets, sun tan lotion, body lotion, shower supplies, and other irregular bathroom stuff. I rolled pants and long sleeved shirts in the main compartment along with hiking shoes and evening flat sandals. And the snorkel and mask that we didn’t end up using.
I ended up bringing less clothes than originally planned. I lost one shirt and bought one shirt. Only bought small souvenirs - I already have a few from my brother and mother’s trips decades ago so didn’t need much!
As noted with hard sided luggage, it had to be opened flat to access everything so mainly I kept it on the floor and let husband take the luggage rack.
If you want to fold up a dress or shirt you and worried about it wrinking, fold it or roll it using some of that super thin plastic film that the dry cleaners use. Zero space and works wonders. Also good to wrap shoes in to keep everything clean.
Just had another thought about rolling duffels. For them to survive cobblestone abuse, the bags have to have a good layer of reinforcement between the wheels and up the bottom side that ends up touching the stones. Many duffels and suitcases don’t have that to avoid adding extra weight. The Ful bags we used have this reinforcement.
As we get older, we are more likely to splurge on easy transportation to hotel door. BUT there are a lot of charming international destinations where that is not possible… and the walk can involve cobblestone etc. Thankfully we travel fairly light with roller (2 wheel) carry-ons, keeping some of the weight in our backpacks. But if I see a 4 wheel spinner (maybe carry-on, maybe medium size) on good price someday I might give it a try.
Lol. We made it to the hotel door easily enough in France–to a very old historical (and really cool) building where they hadn’t really considered the installation of elevators 200+ years ago. They did have an elevator–maybe 3x3 which started on the second floor ( limited by historical renovation regs). Pack light and small and you’ll thank yourself!
Ohh, something to look for! Thank you.
I’ve been doing that internationally for ages. And plan on it for my trip in the fall, however, I have a train and a bus (2x each) to get to my biking tour, and will likely have some walking to/from the train station and to/from the bus to my next destination - I may be overthinking - but I sure would hate to break my favorite 4 wheel on that journey! ![]()
I don’t know your budget for a new rolling duffel, but we have this brand/style (30 inchers) and the wheels are pretty strong. This is a great sale if it happens to meet your needs, and the color is fine. (Same as my H’s 30 inch and I’m thinking of getting it for my son)
In my quest to find a smaller bag, I think I would like to get a hard sided case as the thought to have two sides to pack on seem appealing. I have narrowed down to an expandable carry on, as I will most like use this for car travel. If I find I can pack less, or get more in with compression travel cubes, I might also used it for a weekend trip to visit my son my air.
I am been comparing volume sizes on multiple brand, as of course my social media has shown me every ad available! I have also ready many reviews. Assuming my main use will be car travel, I would love to hear about your favorite brand. While I don’t mind spending more, especially if I end up using it for air travel, I am looking for the bag that has the best inners.
I mentioned above that I ordered the Quince, Expandable Carry-On Suitcase and like the size and price of this.
Others I have looked at are: the Away Bigger Carry on Flex, the July Carry On Max Expandable, the Monos Expandable Carry-On, Beis Carryon Roller, Travel Pro Maxlite Air V2, and well as others.
I do want spinner wheels and would prefer expandable, especially since it will mainly be for car travel; the more I can stuff and get by with a smaller bag would be nice!
While I have missed a few brands above, I am sure I have looked at them; they all start looking the same after awhile!
My husband shopped long and hard for his Eagle Creak rolling carry-on about 10 years ago. It did have one strap that broke (overtightened it), but he is still quite happy with the purchase.
We are Away fans. Light weight but sturdy so far. We have traveled a lot with them. The two sides pack nicely. I like the compression on the one side. I usually get them on sale so DH has a light purple one![]()
