best personal boarding bag...

I bring my High Sierra day pack. It carries all I need for the plane ride, books, ipod, guide books, toothbrush/paste, camera, etc.

Inside that bag, I carry a smaller Pacsafe shoulder bag that I use for my day trip while sightseeing.

The daypack allows me room to bring items home that will not fit in my suitcase with my clothing. If I purchase something that might break, I know I can keep that item with me for the return trip home.

I also use a day back pack with a change of clothes, camera bag (which holds video cam, digital cam and batteries for both), toothbrush and paste, memory foam neck pillow, personal hygiene stuff and a PacSafe StashSafe 200. Once on the plane the Stash Safe comes out which acts as my purse. I have a passport holder around my neck and also a neck money belt which has copies of my passport, copies of the front and back of my credit cards and ATM card...along with international telephone #'s just in case they are lost or stolen. On my telephone list are #'s and the address for consulates or embassys in areas I will be visiting.

In the future my laptop will also go into the day back pack.

matthew,

I normally use my Eagle Creek Daypack for carry-on during international flights (it's designed to attach to my main Pack).

I always pack along my dSLR so also take a LowePro Camera bag. Most airlines in North American allow two carry-ons.

On domestic flights I usually just travel with a larger Daypack that has the capacity to hold enough clothing and gear for a week or so.

thanks...good stuff...i started this thread to see what is all out there...i always use rick's classic bag and put that in the overhead bin and i also like to carry a small personal bag that stays with me that has my cell phone, ipod, mags, guides, gum, pens, camera, etc etc...all the odds and ends you want to have on you...in the past i have mostly used an eagle creek daypack, also the appenzell backpack (though that is a tad big and a smudge over most airlines personal bag size of 36 total inches)...a small north face backpack...all fine to a degree but i have not found that perfect one of smaller size that utilizes its space and has nice compartments...the eagle creek one i use is close but maybe missing something i have not seen...on my last trip to ireland in june my friend bought and used the small swiss gear boarding bag for $20...not bad at all...shoulder strap style...would be perfect if it could also transform into a backpack style...anyone use rick's $50 veloce shoulder bag that also has the backpack straps?

matthew,

You might also have a look at www.redoxx.com/product_categories/1/products/11-gator-carry-on-bag. This appears to an extremely well made product, and about the right size for carry-on with lots of pockets.

Cheers!

I--and many other people on the Helpline--like Rick's Civita day pack. When empty it compresses well and takes up very little space.

I carry-on a smaller Victorinox-Swiss backpack with everything I need for the trip. Inside the backpack, I stow a Timbuk2 Metro Messenger bag that I use as a day bag while sightseeing.

I have a roll on bag from TravelSmith 8 by 13 by 14 that actually really does fit under the seat in front of me. In addition I use a tote bag with a broad (to keep the tote from swinging around) external sleeve that slips over the telescoping handle of the roll-on which I use for magazines and tissues, well, purse stuff. In the roll on is one complete change of cloths, two sets of underwear, my toilet kit, extra pair of shoes and glasses (oh, and usually a decent healthy light meal and a bottle of water). I'm 5'7" but using the roll on as a foot rest during long haul flights makes getting comfortable so much easier. The roll-on stacks and fastens onto the top of my small checked bag. If the checked bag is lost, oh well. There are stores in Europe. In my younger days I used a backpack but those miles of airport breezeways finally did me in.

Like Tim, I too, use a Civita bag for my "airplane" bag.

Yep, you can't go wrong with Rick's Civita Daypack...lightweight, sturdy, lots of storage space...

i have the civita bag also...i pack that cause it takes up no space and then use on the ground as my daypack when i'm out and about...i guess i could use as my personal bag also on the flight but i tend to use something more solid/padded...civita bag very strong and light but not padded...my eagle creek daypack is a bit smaller and solid with a lot of nice compartments...it works fine but always love to hear what else is out there...thanks

To add to my previous reply, I've also been taking my Civita bag along on trips lately. It's light and takes so litle room, it's easy to fit into either my main Pack or Daypack. It also works great as a pillow with a coat rolled up inside! Rather than unload my other Daypack for day trips, it's just as easy to throw a few items into the Civita pack. Since it's only intended for "light duty" uses, I try to minimize storing heavy items there (ie: Cameras & Lenses).

So far I've been using the companion Daypack to my Eagle Creek Backpack as my carry-on luggage. It's worked well but I'm always assessing and streamlining my travel methods, so might try something else in future. I've just ordered an Air Boss so will try that concept on domestic trips to begin with and see whether I can manage on longer trips with that method of travel.

Cheers!

I have an Eddie Bauer briefcase style bag with a padded compartment for my netbook. I also carry my video camera, binoculars, adapters etc and paperwork for reservations etc in it. It has an outside pouch with a zip at the bottom. When I bought it I could not figure out what it was for and the sales staff were no help. Now I realize it is for slipping over the extended handle of a roll along case. Works great. I usually wear cargo pants from Marks Work Warehouse which have oopen top pockets, great for my book when travelling and maps when out for the day.

Most Eyropean discount airlines, which I use often, do not allow you to take a second bag, so most of my stuff goes in teh checked baggage. I have been travelling this way for 5 summers and so far, my luggage has arrived safely.