For those more professional occasions I also usually need a briefcase/laptop bag and will carry a lot of paper to and from the destination. So for those trips it is not unlikely that I will choose the Plat5 roller plus the Tumi briefcase or BB107 backpack.

The quantity of things packed might be the same. I’d just do laundry once on a five day trip and none on a 3 day.

I use the shirt folder on most trips even short leisure trips. Actually got a 15″ model, too, so that I could use it in smaller bags. I just got this great Andiamo 18″ six pocket tote for a song. If a sportcoat is dressy enough, this would actually even work in a professional setting for a 3-5 day trip because it is not too big to use as a briefcase once I arrive. Using the 235x as a briefcase would be a bit ridiculous.

Pants get wrapped around the shirt folder. Socks and fragiles go in an extra pair of shoes. Underwear and t-shirts go in a cube, rolled. Sweaters just go in the bag.

The main difference is not so much in the length of the trip or in the bag size. I can live indefinitely from either my roller or my shoulder bags. The difference is in whether I have to carry a heavy tech case, meaning an extra case. Given that most of the travel I do with that need is urban, the roller plus briefcase combo serves me well then. Otherwise I just use a single shoulder bag and not even a personal item. The laptop, if I bring it, goes into the single bag. I will use a plastic bag or whatever I pick up in situ as my “daypack” but usually not even that is necessary because I have my travel anorak or coat.

Thanks; I’m sure Michael appreciates the feedback.

I haven’t had a chance to check the thread you linked to, but will.

I’m a fan of bundle packing, but I did pick up an Eagle Creek Pack-It 18 recently to give it a trial run. What approach do you take when packing for a 3-5 day trip?

What I don’t share is the positive impression of bundle wrapping. Yes, it does conserve space quite well. I’d estimate a 10-20% space saving over smartly done traditional packing but the wrinkles definitely do increase and it takes longer to pack and unpack.

This depends of course largely on the type of clothes you are bringing and of the style of traveling you are doing. If the clothes are wrinkle free, great. If you need some extra space in the bag at the end of the trip, great, too. If you must bring more stuff than what would normally fit in the bag but you must stay within the requirements for carry-on luggage, bundle wrapping is also a good solution, as long as you only unpack once.

Here is a little thread I started on OBOW on the subject:
http://www.1bag1world.com/obow.....ost/878417

I’m liking packing cubes more and more, thanks for sharing your experience with them.

Now my burning question is: what did you use for your under-the-seat personal bag?

I’ve used the RedOxx Gator with great success, although the darn thing is heavy even before I pack it. The much larger Patagonia Lighwire Brief is a bag I’m considering for next time – it’s not as well organized as the Gator, but I swear it FEELS lighter.