Luggage Wars- a topic that never seems to end....

Excellent point. Unfortunately there are many here who believe "my way is the right way and I'm going to prove it."

I personally don't care how anyone packs except for:

1) Those wearing backpacks forgetting there is something on their back especially when they turn around or back up.

2) Those lugging two wheelers far behind them and sauntering side by side oblivious to people around them

3) Those who believe anything smaller than a steamer trunk is carry on size.

And while we're at it, I feel the same regarding what people are packing. That's completely personal. What one person thinks is unnecessary another might believe is a must have.

The best way to learn is by experience.

1) Those wearing backpacks forgetting there is something on their back especially when they turn around or back up.

This is a longstanding pet peeve. On mass transit, when someone is wearing a backpack they essentially take up the space of two people, and inevitably shove and bump into people with their bag as they turn and move around.

Take the darn back pack off and hold it down by your knees -- you take up more or less the same amount of space as a person with no bag, you're less likely to have pockets unzipped and rifled by larcenous hands than if it were on your back out of sight, and you won't be bumping into people without even knowing it.

end of rant

I think Frank II nailed it pretty well.

For me, there is no style. Every trip seems to be a bit different and rather than letting the style define the packing I let the trip define the style. This next trip I will have a checked bag, first time in a few years, but that's what the trip requires.

Other trips have been with an under the seat bag. If I am going to the opera, its a checked bag trip. If I am going to the beach its a back pack. What ever it takes to get the most enjoyment out of the trip.

You will notice that all of Frank II points deal with consideration for others. If one keeps consideration in the front of their mind, then any combination that makes one comfortable is great.

Vaya con D-os amigos

I don't care what others pack or what bags they use (except as noted by Frank), as long as I'm not travelling with them.

But people come here and ask for advice. And we give it based on our own preferences and experiences. My experience is that I far prefer to travel with carryon only. I've done otherwise, and I still occasionally have to when I travel to certain events that require me to bring extra stuff, but I now really dislike having to check a bag or to deal with larger luggage, and I will do what I can to avoid it.

Others can do what works for them, but if they ask, I will give my opinion.

Other trips have been with an under the seat bag. If I am going to the opera, its a checked bag trip. If I am going to the beach its a back pack. What ever it takes to get the most enjoyment out of the trip.

I agree that the goal/purpose, season, and pacing of a trip is how I decide how to pack. Most of my travels now are of the "slow down and smell the roses" variety, and I tend to not make a lot of city to city to wherever transfers over the course of a 2 to 3 week trip, I tend to stay in the same place (and one hotel) for a while, and thus I have no concerns about how do I get a large rolling duffel bag onto a train...however, if the purpose of my trip was an organized tour, I would undoubtedly work a lot harder at achieving the "carry on" ideal, or at least packing lighter, knowing I will have to handle my bag with multiple transfers during the tour.

(For the Luggage Obsessed): The Ultimate Packing Solution is to buy a wide array of bags and luggage in different sizes, styles, colors, etc. Then, take what works best for your particular trip. 🤔 😉
This is a good excuse to buy excessive luggage and packing cubes/organizers and review them for others, 💰
Or, you can just be like my husband. Grab any large bag and just put your stuff in it and be done with it.
A Bag for Every Occasion and Every Trip!

Good points, and I would add ... the brand of suitcase you buy is really not that important. Stop and think for a minute, they are all made at the same handful of factories in Asia. Next time you're in a department store, swing by the luggage dept. and really take a good look at the offerings. They have slightly different features for marketing purposes, but they are just basically boxes on wheels that you drag somewhere. The only real decision is size, oh and for some folks color. Otherwise they are a tool to be used for a purpose, and if they break you fix or replace them. Not a lifetime commitment.

Stop and think for a minute, they are all made at the same handful of factories in Asia.

Except for baggage items made by small shops in the States and elsewhere. Expensive, often quite so, but built for a lifetime of exploring and bashing about. Such pieces are often purchased after extensive research or exasperating failures with lesser equipment. Also mustn't forget the point of origin xenophobes among us.

You know what? It worked for most people.

"Most" is a necessary qualifier. Guessing the few miserable debacles were out of sight.

I have influence over only a few precious things when traveling. The schedules, food, Covid, my seating neighbors, TSA lines, customs, airplanes, equipment, and staffing--all completely out of my control. It is my goal, to the best of my abilities, to never be one of those unfortunate travelers for whom the baggage system utterly failed.

Point of Origin
I wondered just how many luggage factories are out there and where. Many brands probably design the luggage, but outsource the manufacturing to one of only a few companies. I am more aware of point of origin than in the past. I would like my things to be made in humane, environmentally acceptable factories.
If I really wanted to help the planet - I would just use what I already have. That is, reduce consumerism and reduce traveling. 😱

What it all comes down to, is making sure you're using the right tool for the trip you're on.

If you're going on a two-week trip, and it involves both hiking in rural areas, getting sweaty with a chance of rain, and you're also going to have a few very nice dinners where a nice dress, blouse or, jacket is required...you're not gonna be able to do it with just a carry-on. I'm sure there's some people out there that will attempt it or, give an example....nice try. You're a unicorn.

I think if you're going on your first overseas trip, and you're not familiar with packing/traveling in-general, its best to follow some established, guidelines/advice and follow that UNTIL, you understand what you need to do and how you'll do it for your next trip.

As an example, visiting Venice, unless you've got the deep pockets to pay for big-time concierge service, packing lean, and light, makes negotiating all the bridges, squeezing through all crowds and route-finding down the alleyways much, much easier.

Lugging a 25" roller, that has the kitchen sink and you have to do a squat and thrust to get it up on/off the train...having a lighter, smaller kit would make life easier, and perhaps save your marriage. ;-)

Don't think that luggage companies just leave it to the factories to make any old bag.

Each bag must be made to certain specifications laid out by the manufacturer. Every bit of that bag is discussed in detail and a price is agreed upon. If the manufacturer delivers a shoddy product,
he doesn't get paid.

I know Eagle Creek had all their products madetin Vietnam. They even had a team of people stationed there to oversee the operations. I don't know if that's still the case.

I know Eagle Creek had all their products madetin Vietnam. They even had a team of people stationed there to oversee the operations. I don't know if that's still the case.

Eagle Creek closed down in 2021, was purchased from VF (by a former executive and Smartwool President) and has been reconstituted/revived in Steamboat Springs. They are slowly trying to re-establish itself.

Vietnam is the center of the universe for just about all outdoor equipment manufacturing, particular anything that involved nylon or, ballistic cloth. Osprey pioneered Vietnam manufacture as an alternative to China where their IP was getting stolen, and Taiwanese factories and mills found the country cheaper to operate with a large workforce to draw from.