Anyone like any particular travel luggage?


I have used tumi t-tech and been very satisfied with it. Seems like they have discontinued it. I am go try to get some at a tumi outlet but unlikely to get some.

I like very durable soft luggage with single set of wheels - not the 4 wheels rollers that are so popular.

Any one have a favorite brand?

Thanks,

Mike

Red Oxx works for me

quote:

Originally posted by lavaca:
Red Oxx works for me

Yep.
Since last August I have been using Red Oxx for carry on and checked luggage. So far 4 international trips and more domestic carry on as well.

One caveat, in inclement weather line the bottom and top with a garbage bag. On one trip they must have let the luggage sit in snow outside as clothes were a bit damp.

If you're flying to or through Johannesburg, do yourself a favor and get a hardsided suitcase like the Samsonite F'Lite case. I would avoid anything flashy or that advertises hunting or that valuables are contained inside. You stand a pretty good chance someone will open it and defeating a zipper takes all of 2 seconds. Trust me, the baggage handlers at JNB are true artists at opening bags.

I travel through JNB 4 to 6 times a year and haven't had anything stolen since I switched to a hardsided case. Other folks using anything with zippers are still having problems hanging on to their stuff. I also use an additional strap lock to keep TSA thieves at bay. It makes it very cumbersome for them to attempt to open it.

One other word of advice, try not to look like a lost tourist at JNB. I cannot tell you how many times folks have their bags stolen right from under them. A low profile will avoid a lot of potential problems. Think of it as urban camouflage. And yes, you can spot most American hunters from across the terminal. Most look like a walking Cabela's advertisement - and all eyes are on them.

I believe Opus gives great advice. I am very fond of Red Oxx rucks and carryons myself, but last year before my Namibia trip I asked this same travel luggage question, and somebody gave me the hard sided luggage advice. I went that route and it works great It's ugly, unassuming, and tough.

Also if you must take a shuttle bus to your hotel, watch the baggage storage area on the bus. I watched a guy last year who walked up to the back of a bus, grabbed a bag and started walking off with it like no big deal. Several of us yelled at him, he dropped the bag and he did his Ben Johnson down the street.

Never assume you're safe in Johannesburg. Nothing can screw up your hunt more than having your stuff stolen on day one.

I didn't want to accept but I think our UEG has the best idea. He uses the SAMSONITE hard sided luggage and it completely eliminates the pilfering of your luggage. There is no zipper that cannot be opened easily if you know how. If your chartering out to camp and the pilot objects to the hard sided just pack a lightweight cloth bag and transfer your gear to it.

Mark

I thought even hard sided cases have a zipper??

Saeed, a lot do have zippers too, but the Samsonite Samsonite F'Lite is a clamshell design with O ring seal and latches.

Samsonite FLite

If you are going through Johannesburg or most any Africa country. Go to the good will store and find the most beat up looking soft sided bag that the Zippers are in good shape, the more beat up the better. If necessary place some duct tape in strategic spots, The baggage handlers will think that there is nothing it worth stealing. In Africa keep a low profile, no flashy clothes or jewelry. My gun case is an old AC aluminum box that looks like it had been through ww2 with fishing stickers on it

I have Redoxx bags n they are great, but after years of having typical roller carry ons destroyed after a short period if time I bought what my airline friends use and it is indestructable.

Www.luggageworks.com

I have the Stealth Aviator and it is amazing how much fits in it and how easy it is to pull.

I fully agree with Opus1. For the flying route I wear simple urban fashion as I have no interest to show everyone I am here for hunting.
Particularly for the hunting travel, I prefer rugged duffel bags as I find them roomier and more practical than any other plastic competition. I have one from RedOxx and I chose black color for the same reason despite the fact I much more like the safari colors. For additional insurance I put together zippers and lock them.
The only one thing that could possibly indicate I am a hunter is my green daypack I carry onboard.

On my flights back from Sonora last year, My Filson Pullman was cut open, looked like it had been caught between a fender and tire on a luggage trailer. Destroyed 2 sets of Sitka gear and everthing else.
Its Samsonite for me this year to Zim.

http://www.pacsafe.com/luggage...arry-on-luggage.html


Pacsafe has some nice carryons. Zipper are resistant to popping open with a pen, and the fabric is lined with steel mesh to resist slashing. Nice for when you fly puddle jumpers and they 'check' your carry on plane side.

As stated by me many times before: Samsonite hard-sided luggage only, with no zippers for checked; Pacsafe backpack for carry-on, along a small soft side carry (the SCI Convention bags work very well for this item or one of the smaller red oxx bags) on the plane. No thefts world wide since I went to this system years ago.

I'll have to check out this Samsonite wonder. If it can hold as much as my duffel it sounds like a good idea for checked. Ugly thing. My PH and the staff are going to laugh at me -- perhaps openly.

still looks like it might be a good plan.

If I went with a hard case, anyone got a good source of Greenie/Liberal bumper stickers to put on it -- you know save the whales, anything BoBo, global warming, eat vegetables, etc. If you are trying to fly under the radar, let's at least give it the good college try. None of those bastards have anything worth stealing.

Pelican suitcases.

http://www.pelican.com/luggage/


I saw one of these last week at the baggage claim at Hartsfield. Talked to the owner and he loves it and feels it is undestructable.

When my current wheeled duffle breaks, this is what I am planning to get.

The pelicans look nice

lavaca: I haven't had a theft since I went to Samsonite hardside luggage back in 2008. No zippers at all. Before that, as an example, in 2007 while flying back to Joburg from Vic Falls, our bags were rifled through along with those of approximately 50 cuddly Chinese tourists. By the way, why the need for bumper stickers? They can't read anyway.

For many many years I have used a Patagonia MLC (Maximum Legal Carry On).
It has worked great. However I want a wheeled carry-on with maximum security.
Just yesterday I ordered a Pelican 1510 LOC.
It should be here in a few days. I will report what I think about it then.

I have a trip to Germany at the end of the month I will also report how I like it when I get back.

My thoughts are it is very secure enroute and also when left in the hotel/motel.
Also when vehicle traveling it can be cabeled securely inside the vehicle.

The best for my doubles.
The cheapest piece of crap for the other so as not to draw attention.
Cal

Also let me add that I never get into my carry-on once I get on the plane.
I always carry the Filson shoulder bag with a zipper that I can lock with what ever I will or might need while in the air.

I use standard issue Navy sea bags. They weigh next to nothing, are tough as nails, have a closure at the top (no zipper) that you lock with a TSA lock or padlock, and cost about $20. You can fit more "stuff" in a seabag than just about anything else on the market - ask any sailor!
I do use a Tuffpak for my rifles.

quote:

Originally posted by Beretta682E:
Anyone like any particular travel luggage?


I have used tumi t-tech and been very satisfied with it. Seems like they have discontinued it. I am go try to get some at a tumi outlet but unlikely to get some.

I like very durable soft luggage with single set of wheels - not the 4 wheels rollers that are so popular.

Any one have a favorite brand?

Thanks,

Mike

Mike - TUMI is a bit "GUCCI" for me - let me know if you want me to get you a Seabag at the local Navy Exchange.

Some have posted that the Samsonite F'Lite 31 is over the limit for bag size and have been charged extra for an over sized bag. Samsonite now makes an S-Curve model in a 28 inch size that does not have zippers.

The Pelicans look great...until you get to the specs; the carry-on weighs over 11 pounds!

....and the prices....$400-$600!!!

I have had great utility from The North Face Rolling Thunder bags.

quote:

Originally posted by peashooter:
Some have posted that the Samsonite F'Lite 31 is over the limit for bag size and have been charged extra for an over sized bag. Samsonite now makes an S-Curve model in a 28 inch size that does not have zippers.

I have just checked on this with Falcon Travel and they say the Samsonite F'lite is well with in specs to be checked without over-size charges.

I have just checked on this with Falcon Travel and they say the Samsonite F'lite is well with in specs to be checked without over-size charges.[/QUOTE]

That's good! Because I just bought one.

I couldn't find the Flite series so I bought the Samsonite CruiseAir Bold bags. Have only traveled with them in the States so far but they will get a test going through Joburg soon! My wife likes the way they look as they don't look like typical U.S. hunter gear and I can live with the silver color. Samsonite CruiseAir Bold

Does anyone have experience with the Samsonite S'Cure? It has a 3 point locking system with a built in TSA lock. It looks a bit smaller than the F'lite but also 3 pounds lighter.

quote:

Originally posted by ledvm:
I have just checked on this with Falcon Travel and they say the Samsonite F'lite is well with in specs to be checked without over-size charges.

quote:

Originally posted by Dog Man:
That's good! Because I just bought one.

Me too Huck!

Do you guys that use the Samsonite F'lite luggage...lock them with a TSA lock?

I use a Columbia rolling duffel with everything inside in zip tied compression bags then I ziptie all the bags together to make it hard to quickly get to my stuff. I use a maxpedition bag for carry on with cameras, iPad, ect in it. Gun case is beat up aluminum because I haven't found a beat up tuff pack yet.

Red Oxx or North Face when a bush plane is involved. Otherwise Eastpack roller

quote:

Originally posted by JGRaider:
....and the prices....$400-$600!!!

Most quality luggage cost this anyway....I travel about 35 weeks of the year, and most luggage bought at kohls, or department store last 8-15 trips...I have had Tumi luggage for 10 years expensive, but worth every penny... The Pelican luggage looks good, I will try one...

Ed

Tuff Pak for gun/s and some other stuff to fill it up is checked with a Red Oxx bag. Carry on is a small Red Oxx and a Westley Richards Leather Ruck Sack.

Larry Sellers
SCI(International)Life Member
R8 Blaser
Sabatti 'trash' Double Shooter

In 1988 I purchased an Orvis Battenkill large duffle, and used it for 12 trips to Africa. Getting on toward the "Autumn" of my years, I decided to upgrade to the wheeled version of the Battenkill duffle. The next ten trips pulling this duffle has been an absolute boon for me.

In the 22 trips to Africa (and numerous trips in the US) I have had but one incident of pilferage. when I packed, I included a sheath knife, and flashlight along with my personal belongings. Of course, those two items were taken, and nothing else. As previously stated, zippers can be opened by nefarious miscreants.
That one incident convinced me NOT to include items in my duffle which thieves are more likely to grab. Viz: Rifle scopes, binos, cameras, etc.

IMO,weight is an important issue when packing for an African hunt. The difference in weight between the duffle and hard sided luggage is a moot point I suppose. But, it seems as tho I can stuff a lot of "stuff" in the Orvis and remain below the airline(s) weight limit.

JLS