Folding travel bag

Packable duffle bags would work.
These are on sale at the moment:
https://www.eddiebauer.com/p/82300152/stowaway-packable-45l-duffel?ch=pla&cm_mmc=BingPLA-_-non_brand_NB-_-US-_-Catch-all-_-0230152357000000-_-590121452-_-Online&color=Dark%20Tan&msclkid=da3deccd850218d042c4891c7e0ccf36&size=ONE%20SIZE&sizeType=Regular&sp=1&utm_campaign=%5BPLA%5D_-_Bing_-_Catch-All_-_Shopping&utm_content=Online&utm_creative_format=&utm_marketing_tactic=nb&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=microsoft&utm_source_platform=microsoft&utm_term=0230152357000000

Thanks so much for the link Randy

Here are a number of inexpensive and packable bags to look at. Always check the weight - you want something that is lightweight (definitely under a pound) and folds compactly.

https://www.amazon.com/Samsonite-Foldaway-Medium-Duffel-Black/dp/B07DBHRDRM/
https://www.amazon.com/Packable-Duffel-Travel-Weekender-Duffle/dp/B07DF5M52C/?th=1
https://www.amazon.com/Samsonite-Foldaway-Packable-Duffel-Orange/dp/B082M3Z464/
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BHYTYLP1/?th=1

ETA: I will also mention that Amazon has dozens and dozens of bags like this. If you want to look through a larger selection, just do a search on Amazon for "packable bags" or "package carryon bags" or something similar.

If you are not fussed about high quality bags that will last for the next 30 years, you don’t need to bring one with you.
Every street market in Italy will have a couple of vendors selling all kinds of bags.
I’ve got 3 or 4 bought from markets in Italy that I’m still using many years later.
Near train stations in the bigger cities will be many stalls selling bags.

Our family of three used this bag to bring home “stuff” from France on a recent trip. We always carry-on but on return, one person checked their usual bag and carried this on instead. Worked great! https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07RGDT42W?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

Thanks for great suggestions. This forum doest dissapoint

I bring an Eagle Creek packable duffel with me every single trip to the States and check it on my way back to Europe. I think it's an older version of the one that Liz linked to in her response. It works great for me.

Our family of three used this bag to bring home “stuff” from France on a recent trip. We always carry-on but on return, one person checked their usual bag and carried this on instead. Worked great!

I bought that bag about a year or so ago, based on a rec here on the forum, but only used it once and then gave it away. It was a bit heavier than I liked, and it did not fold up all that small.

And I do agree that you might want to wait till you are over there to buy a bag. I had to buy one in Edinburgh and found something that worked quite well at TKMaxx (the UK version of TJMaxx) for around £7-8.

Kim

Apparently EagleCreek doesn't currently offer the packable duffle. That's what I have, too. The Eddie Bauer one looks similar.

We should be kind to our host and mention he sells a few "packable" bags:

https://store.ricksteves.com/shop/travel-bags#packable-bags-totes

Also as mentioned before, Amazon has a slew of them. You don't have to buy some epensive brand name if all you are gong to use it for is to carry home clothes.

I've got one of the Narwey bags Mardee linked above (2nd link I believe). I use it as a personal item. It hold so much. It has no pockets, so I use cubes to keep my things organized. It's very lightweight and flimsy, so I'd be hesitant to check it. I'd worry it would get snagged on something and would tear open.

I once bought a hard shelled carry on in Florence near the Mercato when I bought too many souvenirs. I also sent things home via Mailboxes etc. a few times, which was wonderful because it made managing the airport on the way home a breeze. I was going to do that again in Portugal last month, but it was so much more expensive than in Italy last year, so I ended up smashing it all into my backpack and personal item and lugging it around the airport with me.

I would suggest going to a handbag store and looking for a worthwhile product there. And then order the same bag through an online store. From my experience, I find it more convenient to take a suitcase. So go to the store, look, touch, open and make the right decision. After all, what is cool for one is bad for another.

Great ideas good people thanks so much

I have a luggage set that stores inside of itself.....you could also pack the carry on with your normal stuff, put it in the medium sized suitcase and then take out the carry on when you want to repack. I have pondered that a few times....

In December I took the Eddie Bauer packable duffle that Liz linked to in the first reply. I put it in my carryon suitcase on the way, and on the way home I checked it with my dirty clothes and some other things and carried on my suitcase. It is a sturdy duffle. I also have the Rick Steves Hideaway Tote https://store.ricksteves.com/shop/p/nylon-tote-bag and the Rick Steves Packable Duffle https://store.ricksteves.com/shop/p/packable-duffel-bag. The Hideaway Tote is a good size, but I think the Eddie Bauer duffle is better for checking. The RS packable duffle is good, but small in comparison to the EB and flimsier. I have used it for weekend trips, but would probably not want to check it.