Travel Talk

Travel Talk

Make your next

tripMake your next

trip

Mike Oetting Reference Librarian

moetting@hinsdalelibrary.info

With Special Guest:Mary Condon, United

Airlines

your best t

rip

your best t

rip

What we’ll cover today…•Luggage: trends, characteristics, features, brands and more•The “no-checked-bags” philosophy•Reducing weight of packed bags•Packing strategies•Travel accessories

Luggage: Trends•57% are packing lighter and using smaller bags•57% are checking fewer bags•79% consider luggage size to be the largest purchase factor (weight is 2nd at 69%, price is 3rd at about 64%

and features are 4th at about 61%)•Of features, 89% consider wheels to be the most important (retractable handles 2nd at 71%)

Source: Suitcase.com Consumer Luggage Report, 2010 blog.suitcase.com/consumer-luggage-report

Some trends are likely related to:

Checked Bag Fees

Checked Bag Fees

Source: www.kayak.com/airline-fees

Desirable

Characteristics

and Features

Luggage

Luggage: Materials•Nylon (ballistic or Codura)•Polycarbonate•Aluminum

Luggage: ZippersCoil vs. Tooth

Coil Tooth

Luggage: WheelsFour vs. Two vs. Zero

Wheels—A Tale of Two BagsGoLite TraveLite Convertible vs. TraveLite Wheeled Carry-On

2.2 lbs.2440 cu. in.

5.9 lbs.2318 cu. in.

Over 2.5xas heavy5% Less Space

Luggage: StructureSoft vs.Hard

Luggage: Size

•Carry-on: 22” x 14” x 9” (total of 45” linear)•Checked: total of 62” linear

45”

62”

Luggage: Desirable Features

•Handles: at least two (preferably three)•Locking zippers•Suitable pockets, compartments and dividers•Compression straps (interior and/or exterior)•Bright interior color (to make it easy to see contents)•Convertible to a backpack. If convertible, look for a sternum strap. 1

2 3

u

u

Luggage: Weight/Durability Tradeoff

Built like a

Light as a

Luggage: Brands Praised for Quality

•Briggs & Riley

•Rimowa

•Tom Bihn

•Red Oxx

Luggage: Warranty*Lifetime including airline damage•Briggs & Riley•Victorinox (some lines)•Boyt (some lines)•Red Oxx•Eagle Creek (some lines)

*Check with manufacturers for current warranty policies.

Lifetime (limited)•Travelpro•Delsey Helium 250 GX•Boyt (some lines)•Victorinox (some lines)•Eagle Creek (some lines)•Hartmann•Zero Halliburton•eBags•Tom Bihn

The “No Checked Bags” Philosophy

•Pros•Cons•Usually allowed one carry-on and one personal item•Size and weight are critical•Easier for short & casual trips•Hybrid approach using an expandable bag•carry the bag on for departure flight•unzip to expand the bag and add souvenirs•check the bag on return flight

Why I began to pack lightly:…about a bag

Take one 30 lb. bag + Paris Metro+ Lots of Stairs= One unhappy camper

How to reduce weight of packed bags

Choose lighter luggage•Consider carry-on bags with no wheels•Lucas or A. Saks Expandable Carry On (1.2 lbs.)•Outdoor Products Essential Carry On (1.75 lbs.)•Tom Bihn Aeronaut (2.7 lbs.)•Patagonia MLC (2.9 lbs.)•Rick Steves Convertible Carry On (3 lbs.)•Osprey Porter 46 (3.1 lbs.)•eBags Weekender (3.6 lbs.)•Red Oxx Air Boss (3.9 lbs.)

•Notable lightweight carry-on bags with wheels•International Traveler Landor & Hawa IT-0-2 21” Wheeled Carry-on (4.9 lbs.) [also Sub 0 G (5.0 lbs.)]•Heys X Case 20” Carry-On (5.1 lbs.)•GoLite Travelite Wheeled Carry-On (5.1 lbs.)•Travelite Starlite Cabin Trolley 51 cm. (5.1 lbs.)

note: not currently available in United States•Lipault 22” Foldable 2 Wheeled Carry On (5.3 lbs.)

Lighter Packed Bags (continued)

An Interesting Alternative to Wheeled Luggage…

Lightweight carry-on + folding luggage cart*

Option 1Rick Steves Convertible Carry-on (3 lbs.) + Travelite Folding Luggage Cart (2.7 lbs.)

5.7 lbs.Option 2 Lucas Expandable Carry-on (1.2 lbs.) + Samsonite Micro Mover cart (2.2 lbs.)

3.4 lbs.

*An approach suggested by Doug Dyment on his travel advice site onebag.com

Lighter Packed Bags (continued)

Lighter Packed Bags (continued)

Pack lighter alternatives•Avoid heavy clothing items (like jeans)•Instead, chose travel or technical clothing made from lightweight synthetics

33.5 oz.12 oz.

Almost 3x as heavy

Lighter Packed Bags (continued)

Pack fewer items•Buy locally•Do laundry every few days•Hand wash & drip dry•Locate a local laundry (ask concierge or read guidebooks by Rick Steves).•Use hotel’s laundry service

•Buy merino wool socks and shirts—naturally odor resistant (Smartwool & Icebreaker are two popular brands).

Lighter Packed Bags (continued)

Pack end-of-life clothing and leave it behind •This doesn’t help at beginning of trip, but it can help to make your bags more manageable later.

At the check-in counterTo avoid weight-based penalties for bags:•Remove liquids from bags and discard/drink.•Remove coat/jacket from bag and wear it.•Wear your heaviest pair of shoes•Remove shoulder straps and put in jacket pockets•Pack items into clothing with discreet cargo pockets (e.g., scottevest.com)

Tried-and-True Packing Strategies

Packing Strategies: Rolling•Great for socks, undergarments and t-shirts•Choose another method for clothing susceptible to wrinkles (esp. business travel)

Packing Strategies: Packing Envelopes and Cubes

•Especially good if you’re staying at multiple hotels•Provide organization and structure•Cubes: use for rolled items•Envelopes: use for pants and shirts (good for wrinkle-resistance)•Use tissue paper or plastic to reduce friction between items

•Measure luggage and cubes before you buy. Think of it as assembling a 3D puzzle.

Packing Strategies: Bundle Wrapping•Core items surrounded by wrapped clothing•Protects against wrinkles•Good way to maximize space in a single-compartment bag•Ideal for long stays at one hotel

Accessories: Luggage•Folding Luggage carts (e.g., Travelite Luggage Cart & Samsonite Micro Mover)•Replacement Shoulder Straps (e.g., Op/Tech S.O.S. Strap & Tom Bihn Absolute Shoulder Strap)•Luggage scales•Luggage handle extensions (e.g., Travelon Ergonomic Luggage Handle)•Compression Straps•Identifying tags (look for those which hide your name)•Locks (look for TSA-compatible)•Zip ties & fingernail clippers (makeshift lock and key)

Accessories: Security•Money belts/neck wallets•Clothing with zippered/hidden pockets•Decoy wallets•Slash-resistant bags and straps•Small bag attached by carabiner to carry-on bag (for security checkpoints)

Accessories: Electronics•Noise-reduction headphones•Noise-canceling•Isolation

•Universal extended-life batteries•Plug adapters/voltage converters

Accessories: Miscellaneous•Travel document wallet•Travel clothespins and clotheslines•Laundry detergent travel packs (e.g., Woolite)•Earplugs and eye-masks•Blister and chafing protection

Travel @ Hinsdale Public Library

•Extensive collection of travel materials:•Guidebooks: from Frommer’s and Fodor’s to the offbeat•Travel DVDs: Rudy Maxa, Rick Steves, Samantha Brown and Visions of…•Food Travel DVDs: Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations andSpain—On the Road Again (Mario Batali and Gwyneth Paltrow)

Question & Answer

SegmentMary Condon

United AirlinesMike Oetting

Hinsdale Public Library