Checking a mostly empty bag?

I almost always check my 22 inch Travelpro rollaboard. It hasn’t been damaged yet. I don’t think it would matter if it were mostly empty.

Could you bring your roller bag filled as your carry on & just place a backpack inside it? Then on the way home, pull out the backpack and use it separately.

One comment about your link - yes, the backpack is very light, but it you have it filled with clothes, those straps are going to be very uncomfortable. Maybe consider one with structured straps.

Is this plan for your return trip only or both ways. Are you planning 3 bags: 22" Travel Pro, an under seat roller and the backpack?

The backpack your considering has absolutely no structure, so you will feel every edge and point of any non soft items and heavy items will sink to the bottom. So it's not ideal for wearing more than a short while.

Unless you're purchasing duty-free at the airport on your return, you'll have to pack the bottle of scotch in a checked bag. And you will not want that bag to be mostly empty. You'll need filler (dirty clothes) to protect that bottle of whisky from breakage.

Another option is to just pack as you normally would but include a foldable duffle. Mine is old and from Sea-to-Summit and unzips from a pocket size into the size of a smallish gym bag. It is soft-sided like the backpack in the link but I can better protect gifts/purchases. Sometimes I wrap them up in a sweater, etc.
Then on the return flight I check my carryon and carry on the duffle.

We took a really lightweight duffel that we checked with hiking poles in it last summer. We bought way too much stuff in Italy and it came home stuffed. The bag did not take up much room if you wanted to just take it empty.

One time that I knew I would bring something from abroad (I'm not a shopper), I just brought a light/small duffle bag inside my carry-on, and a backpack. On the way back, I checked my carry-on roller (TravelPro 21 maxlite) with things I bought, some clothes I didn't mind if lost, and used the duffle for personal clothes.

I see your concern as you don't want to check your regular carry-on on the way back (afraid of damage) and rather just bring/check a larger carry-on both ways.

Years ago when visiting my parents abroad, I knew I would want to bring back some large items. So I checked a standard/medium soft bag "empty". I filled it with protective bubble plastic (like the ones that come in packages filled with air) to give it a firmer feel. Another option is to put inside some carbox and bubble wrap you can use to pack the bottles you are hoping to bring back.

Could you bring your roller bag filled as your carry on

I believe the OP is asking about checking the rollaboard because the 22 inch Travelpro is larger than Air France allows. It is usually fine on the major U.S. airlines but a bit too large on European airlines that strictly enforce size and weight limits.

When I have gone on trips where I know I will purchase a lot of bulky souvenirs, I bring my trusty Eddie Bauer duffel bag packed into my regular suitcase on the trip over. Anything breakable - like the bottles of scotch - goes into the checked suitcase, dirty laundry goes into the duffel. I then pay for one extra bag on the way home to transport my goodies. This system has worked well for me, your mileage may vary.

Well, you can do one of two things.

Buy a bag at Goodwill or a thrift shop, and that way it doesn't matter if it gets a little dented because it's empty. Or just put in just some lightweight towels or even packing popcorn to keep everything in place. Personally, though, I think that's a little cumbersome.

What I have done in the past is buy a suitcase when I'm there. I did that when I was in Scotland and realized my souvenirs were going to necessitate an extra bag, the day before I flew home from Edinburgh, I went to a TK Maxx (similar to TJ Maxx here) and bought a medium-sized duffel bag for about £7. It worked very well to get my souvenirs home, and I didn't have to carry it the entire trip, only at the end.

Or a third option would be to bring a packable backpack, which I have also done. It folds up very nice and small and square, and you just tuck it in your suitcase. Then at the end, you pull it out, and you can either put your souvenirs in your main bag and check the packable backpack, or vice versa. Whatever works best. I did that when I went to Romania, and it worked very well.

Is this plan for your return trip only or both ways. Are you planning
3 bags: 22" Travel Pro, an under seat roller and the backpack?

I would ship the Travelpro full on the way home, to protect the alcohol bottle.

The backpack your considering has absolutely no structure, so you will
feel every edge and point of any non soft items and heavy items will
sink to the bottom. So it's not ideal for wearing more than a short
while.

I would just carry it through the airport at SFO, at our transfer in Paris and then from the Edinburgh airport to the exit. Then I’d transfer the clothes the rolling suitcase and not use the packable backpack.

Unless you're purchasing duty-free at the airport on your return,
you'll have to pack the bottle of scotch in a checked bag. And you
will not want that bag to be mostly empty. You'll need filler (dirty
clothes) to protect that bottle of whisky from breakage.

Yes, the backpack will be full on the way home. Then, I’ll add items to the packable backpack as needed and carry it on. We frequently travel with wine so I know how to pack so things don’t break.

Another option is to just pack as you normally would but include a
foldable duffle. Mine is old and from Sea-to-Summit and unzips from a
pocket size into the size of a smallish gym bag. It is soft-sided like
the backpack in the link but I can better protect gifts/purchases.
Sometimes I wrap them up in a sweater, etc. Then on the return flight
I check my carryon and carry on the duffle.

Yeah, the issue is the carryon I have that does the restriction on the way out I don’t really want to check. I can’t replace it.

When I have gone on trips where I know I will purchase a lot of bulky
souvenirs, I bring my trusty Eddie Bauer duffel bag packed into my
regular suitcase on the trip over. Anything breakable - like the
bottles of scotch - goes into the checked suitcase, dirty laundry goes
into the duffel. I then pay for one extra bag on the way home to
transport my goodies. This system has worked well for me, your mileage
may vary

The issue is I don’t want to check the bag I would have to bring on the way there. I can’t replace it if it’s ruined during transit.

Well, you can do one of two things. Buy a bag at Goodwill or a thrift
shop, and that way it doesn't matter if it gets a little dented
because it's empty. Or just put in just some lightweight towels or
even packing popcorn to keep everything in place. Personally, though,
I think that's a little cumbersome. What I have done in the past is
buy a suitcase when I'm there. I did that when I was in Scotland and
realized my souvenirs were going to necessitate an extra bag, the day
before I flew home from Edinburgh, I went to a TK Maxx (similar to TJ
Maxx here) and bought a medium-sized duffel bag for about £7. It
worked very well to get my souvenirs home, and I didn't have to carry
it the entire trip, only at the end. Or a third option would be to
bring a packable backpack, which I have also done. It folds up very
nice and small and square, and you just tuck it in your suitcase. Then
at the end, you pull it out, and you can either put your souvenirs in
your main bag and check the packable backpack, or vice versa. Whatever
works best. I did that when I went to Romania, and it worked very
well.

Unfortunately, Air France is very restrictive on their dimensions. There are very few rollers that fit the dimensions and I’ve heard they can be strict. I can’t just bring a packable bag, as I don’t want to ship my roller that fits the size required and I can’t pack and check a tote style bag because I don’t want the alcohol to break.

I almost always check my 22 inch Travelpro rollaboard. It hasn’t been
damaged yet. I don’t think it would matter if it were mostly empty.

Thanks for your input! I check mine frequently as well and it’s never been an issue but it’s never been almost empty! Those Travelpro bags are workhorses!

I believe the OP is asking about checking the rollaboard because the
22 inch Travelpro is larger than Air France allows. It is usually fine
on the major U.S. airlines but a bit too large on European airlines
that strictly enforce size and weight limits.

You are correct. I’ve carried it on in the US as well as checked it. But I’ve never checked it virtually empty.

PandaBear- I may not have been clear, apologies. I have often had to deal creatively with weight (and size) restrictions to avoid checking my carry on suitcase just as you describe. But the folding duffel mentioned fits flat on the bottom of that rolling suitcase and weighs about 6 ounces.
Some trips I don't need it and it stays there.
If I do, though, checking the rolling carryon with all my laundry for the return flight isn't a concern, because I figure it will show up eventually (although that's never been a problem). I also find the duffle to be really convenient for airport shopping before the return flight. By that point I am past check in for the weight issue, familiar with genuine items in shops and haven't had to lug them around during the trip....