Luggage -- duffel backpack + regular backpack or ONE piece only?

Well, Kyle, us women usually carry some kind of purse, bag or shoulder bag that we carry on. If you want a second piece of luggage, a day pack that holds the stuff you don't want to lose and keep secure that fits under your seat on the plane but also fits into your duffel when you're on the road and don't want to have to keep track of two items. In other words, keep room for it in your duffel. Keep your passport and money on you in a money belt, not in your day pack; keep your day's supply of money in a secure pocket. If you're planning on using cheap airlines overseas, check on their baggage size and weight restrictions; some of them are severe and enforced and it costs big bucks if you're not in compliance.

I always take a carry on sized backpack with all my stuff, plus a day bag of some kind - currently that is an eBags brand Piazza bag I wear cross body. There are lots of threads on this site with pros/cons of what to use for day packs, browse through a little for advice. No offense to your luggage choice, but are you checking that wheeled bag? It's unlikely to meet most airline carry on requirements (for example, Delta's limit is 22" x 14" x 9"). It's also quite heavy at 11.2 pounds EMPTY - before you take it, put in a standard load of clothes and toiletries and see how it feels.

You will have to check a bag that large. I would definitely recommend you take a backpack too, to put all the important things that you should not check, in addition to a change of clothes in case your bag doesn't make it to Europe when you do. On this very website you can find the Civita day bag. What I really like about it - it is very lightweight and when empty it takes up very little space in your luggage if you plan to put it in there. You don't say where you are going or for how long, but I would encourage you to reconsider your luggage choice. It is quite big and apparently heavy. Maybe you are a big guy and need a bigger bag, but my husband and I can travel for any length of time with a carry on bag (22" or less) and a personal bag. It is very freeing to be able to maneuver in tight spaces (think trains, subways, small stairwells, etc.) with a smaller bag. Don't forget a money belt for your passport, etc.! Have a great trip!!!!

Hmm! Amazon says the bag weighs 11.2# (on their website, High Sierra says it's 11.85#), but the shipping weight is 7#. Anyone know how that is possible (just add water? Or does it come filled with helium?). My thoughts? Per the dimensions, it's capacity is 5655 ci (HS says it's 6120 ci). Although I don't expect everyone to take 1400 ci, LT 10#, like I do, four times as much is ridiculous. My bag, packed, weighs less than this one weighs empty. Not only will you have to drag it, there will be times you will have to carry it. And yes, you should take along a carryon day pack, with everything you actually need, in case the main bag doesn't make it to you destination. In fact, put all the things you don't absolutely need in the HS pack, then assume it will get lost anyway and leave it at home.

Thanks for all the detailed feedback! That sparks an idea in my head I have a nylon sports bag (think: http://www.montana.edu/cpa/printshop/promos/images/Navy.jpg), and it seems like that might be a good idea for a day bag as, when not in use, it would take up relatively zero space in my luggage. Thoughts? Also, bit surprised to hear my bag is TOO big (as it is smaller than most of the women I am traveling with, and the reviews all state it is excellent for touring), but I suppose that's to be expected amongst a forum of seasoned travelers! Rest assured, I have checked Lufthansa's carry on requirements, and this bag meets them. Within Europe I'm fine with one carrier, and with the other (Vueling) the restrictions are so tight I doubt even my backpack would pass them. Thanks again for the guidance :). Cheers,
Kyle

Kyle, The Duffel you provided in the Amazon link appears to be more like the standard "wheelie bags" that many travellers use. Except for the extra strap on the top, it looks very close to the RS Rolling Backpack shown in this website, or some of the Eagle Creek models. The bag is a bit large but should work fine for your trip, but as you noted it will have to be checked. I always check my main Backpack, and don't find that to be a problem. You'll only be hauling it from the airport or rail station to your Hotel in most cases. However you will have to be able to lift it onto overhead racks, on and off trains etc. so the size and weight are something to keep in mind. You will of course need something for carry-on, and something like a Daypack works well for that. One of the advantages of a Daypack, is that it keeps your hands free for hauling the other bag when you're going through airports or train stations. I'll try to offer some further suggestions after lunch. Happy travels!

Definitely take a day pack and agree with of all the seasoned travelers here... you bag is too big. I would see if I could return it, listen to the advice of the people here, and realize the freedom you will have versus the hassel your friends will have hauling all their stuff. How will they be able to manage to buy things on the trip?
If you pack wisely you can look 10 times more fasionable then they do with far less. Put out everything you think you need to take, then only take half of it.

Kyle, I think you will be ok if you don't pack your bag all the way full. As far as the day bag, the one you suggested (the nylon "sport style") looks like a good size but I have one concern- I don't know where you are going but I know some thieves just like to slash the bottom of a backpack to steal stuff, and those packs are pretty flimsy. I know a friend who would tighten the strings different lengths and then wear it messenger bag style so she could tuck it under her arm and keep track of it in crowds.

Your nylon bag would be a better choice as a day bag. I use an LL Bean nylon bag that folds into its own little storage bag, but when I travel with it, I leave it flat in my suitcase until needed - takes almost no room. " reviews all state it is excellent for touring"
They probably do, but are they talking about flying, or touring by car? Your main bag is, in my opinion, huge. I don't win any prizes for light packing, but even for extended periods abroad I have never used more than a 22", except for a 3-week winter trip to China when I needed heavier clothes.

Kyle, A few Daypacks to consider..... > Rick Steves - The Appenzell model is well built and fairly robust. The Civita is also nice, but IMO the design is not robust enough for a carry-on. Although I use a Civita bag on a regular basis even at home, I consider it a "light duty" product. You could also have a look at the Veloce bag (either normal or iPad version) if you'd prefer a "man purse" style of bag. > Eagle Creek - Heritage Checkpoint Backpack. > Osprey - Porter 46 > Red Oxx or Tom Bihn - they may have one or two products that would work, but they tend to be on the "high" end of the price scale. > Magellans - they have a large selektion so you may find something on their website that will work for you. > REI - they have an enormous number of products on their website, so you could also have a look there. Good luck with your decision!

"I have checked Lufthansa's carry on requirements, and this bag meets them" "This bag"? I hope you mean the "nylon sports bag", because the High Sierra bag doesn't come close to meeting Lufthansa's carryon size requirements (21.62" x 15.75" x 7.88"). Plus their carryon weight limit is 17.6#, which would leave you only 6.4# for contents.

Wow, wasn't really interested in being flamed! I had a simple question about one bag vs. two, which was answered well in the original few responses. Thanks for your concern, and to those who provided insightful information such as Ken and Lisa. No further responses needed, thank you :)

Kyle, I didn't see anybody flame you. You should see what they're like when they get riled ;-) What I did see was a bunch of pretty experienced people trying to save you from big expense of late notice bag check and problems during your trip. Instead of feeling put down you should thank them.

I agree with Nigel. This is your first trip to Europe. The people who responded to your question have been there before, probably many times. We are just trying to help you. On my first trip to Europe my husband and I traveled with other family members. We heeded the advice to pack lightly in carry on sized bags. The others in our travel party packed large bags. First advantage to packing light - we had a connecting flight in Newark and the flight we were arriving on was late arriving. My husband and I literally had to run for the next flight. They then held the flight for the others who couldn't get there as quickly. If we hadn't gotten there when we did we would have missed the flight. We mostly traveled by car, where luggage size is not as much of an issue. It became an issue for them when the places we stayed required carrying those large bags up multiple flights of stairs. Our first public transportation with bags came towards the end of our trip when we took the Eurostar to London. We arrived in London and got on the Tube to get to our hotel. They had a difficult time with those big bags on the crowded train. Don't get me started on how hard
it was for for them to navigate the stairs there. Instead of getting defensive, you should thank people for trying to help you. We truly want you to enjoy your experience in Europe, or we wouldn't waste our time answering questions.

One thing I notice about that bag is the huge discrepancy - first noticed by Lee - about its capacity and empty weight. I found it hard to credit that Amazon could ship it for a bunch less than it weighs so I went a-lookin'. I can't find the manufacturer site so looked at Macys and a bunch of reviewer sites to try to get a consensus. They're all over the board. The only thing they seem to agree on, bar an expected few, are that it is a neat, cool, good bag. I'm pretty sure there's very little chance of using it as a carry-on. The big square shape looks like a non-starter. That looks like a great bag for car touring.

Nigel, I found the manufacturer's site here, http://hssc.com/product?number=AT358&lang=en. The name of the bag is the same, but the appearance is a little different than the one on Amazon. I assume this is their new, improved (i.e., heavier) version. The website lists the weight as 11.85#.

Thanks for that tip, Lee. Amazon must have dropped a "one" at the beginning of their shipping weight. I can't see how anything that large would ship at 7 pounds. I've looked at both photos and think they are the same product...