Hi all,
I am looking for some outside the box thinking.. Currently, when we travel with our kids (ages 3 and 5) we use the Delsey Opti-Max Wheeled Underseat (from Macy's). It works out great for week-long trips, with the occasional spillover into parental bags if we are packing a lot of extras (e.g. beach toys). The wheels and size make it perfect for the kids to haul around the airport themselves, but it also has a trolley sleeve so if there is a meltdown or we're hauling luggage over rough terrain we can combine it with our luggage. The only thing I don't like about the Delsey is that you do loose some space at the top/nose as it is not square, but a little tapered.
With that said, we are doing 12 nights in Europe this spring (will have access to a washer nights 5-9) and would really, really love to do carry-on only size luggage so I don't think the size of the Delsey is going to quite cut it with my husband and I both bringing along smaller luggage (Delsey dimensions: outside: 14.75" x 15" x 8.75", inside: 13.5" x 14.25" x 7.5"). I am having a hard time finding luggage that has both wheels AND a trolley sleeve that is much bigger than what we have now. I don't care if it's a backpack, duffel, or something similar to what we have now, I just want to be able to wheel it and I want to be able to combine it with our carry-on size bags (with the longer handle length I should have more room to play with in the height of the bag). I would like to avoid a strap and clip type system because I never feel like those are totally stable.
I did find that Ricardo seemed to have some options that seemed roomier, but it's always hard to judge based on online dimension. I am hoping that some of you might have some insight into an item or line that I am missing. And if I really can not find anything, what is the possibility of a seamstress (or even a shoe repair??) being able to use rivets or something like those lines to affix a trolley sleeve? This being luggage for kids that we'll probably use for a few years and move onto the next thing (one day they'll be old enough to reliably haul their own luggage around -- regardless of mood or terrain) I am not looking to break the bank. With that said, suggest anything that might fit the bill!