A friend of mine is looking for a Hide Away type bag that is strong enough to be checked. Has anyone done this with the RS Hide Away Tote?
On the other hand, has anyone had problems taking this on board as your carry on and checking your regular luggage?
I have taken this on board with never a problem. I have also taken collapsible duffel with no problems. In my opinion, the RS hide away is not sturdy enough to handle being checked. I usually pack breakable or crush able items in the tote and carry on board. But, only if they are not liquids. For those I will place in a ziplock and then place between layers of clothing.
I actually did just check Rick's Hide Away bag as i returned from the Prague/Budapest tour. i had real misgivings about doing that, but having our first grandchild, I found myself bringing home more souvenirs than I normally do (can you guess who benefited from my shopping). I packed my laundry in the Hide Away and checked it. The bag made it home with all the contents intact. It's a well made accessory.
That's exactly what my friend's plans are.....pack his dirty clothes in the Hide Away bag and take newer things in his carry on onto the plane.
I haven't tried to check it but have used it as a beach bag & used it as a carry on. Held up pretty good there.
I did the "dirty laundry and check i"t once too. It held up just fine. As long as you don't put anything in it that could be crushed or broken it should be good. The only real danger is the zipper breaking but that is a risk with luggage too. Mr bag has held up great on multiple trips to Europe and a few trips and cruises here in the states.
(This is from Stewart's wife Vicki, for full disclosure.) I bought a Hide-Away last year, and used it on 7 weeks' travel in Europe as my plane carry-on and then every-day carry-around. Found it too big for the everydayness, but main thing is that its seams started pulling apart and the fabric itself developed myriad pulls - I stopped counting at 50 - weakening the whole shebang. Didn't overstuff/stress the seams. Disappointing, for sure. I would not trust it for checking.
My extremely satisfactory day bag for the past 5 months at home/1 month in Europe/2 wks US road trip, is a Lite Gear product. Husband's using the backpack version, me the diagonally-strapped. Maybe they make larger sizes?
Interesting that you mention Lite Gear. The people behind Lite Gear originally had a company called Kiva. Up until a few years ago, Kiva designed and manufactured the Rick Steves baqs. Kiva was sold to the company that owns Baggalini who then retired the brand.
My friend likes the eagle creek packable duffel. It's larger than the hideaway tote and weighs in at 9 ounces empty. I've found their products to be durable but pricey. But they do offer a lifetime warranty. I have never had to try to use it as their products seem to hold up well. It might not meet all carry on size limits, but if you don't fill it totally you may get by.
