This is the bag I traveled with for years: a Club Glove wheeled duffel. It’s basically one big compartment with a zippered pocket on each side. The thing is cavernous, measuring appx. 22″ x 12″ x 11″, and the entire bottom of the bag is protected by a molded polymer cradle; loop web handles are joined by a padded snap-closure handle:
Although the bag saw a lot of miles and was never babied, it’s held up well. The skate wheels are in good shape, although I noticed a tiny amount of rust on the hardware:
The only issue I ever had with the operation of the wheelie was the handle – it’d stick every once in a while in the locked position – but it was never a big deal. You can see the handle has a few battle scars:
YKK zippers are used, and they still function smoothly and easily:
The duffel is made Cordura, with heavy duty webbing sewn and riveted in place. The duffel doesn’t scream heavy duty in quite the same way a Red Oxx product does, but it’s no sissy bag…
The only issue I ever had with using the bag – other than the weight, and the hassle of dragging it around behind me – was the fact that when I retrieved it from an overhead, it’d always seem to end up in front of me (that is, toward the front of the aircraft) and not behind me… proving once again that I am totally untrainable. (For confirmation, please contact my wife.)
I got this old war horse out this evening to take these quick pictures, and seeing it again made me think I should resurrect it & use it once or twice, given the right type of trip. By the way – I put it on our trusty bathroom scale, and it weighs about 7.4 lbs.
This exact version of the Club Glove rolling duffel is no longer sold, but the very similar Mini Rolling Duffel 2 is available. That version has been downsized slightly (the one I own is right on the cusp of not meeting carry-on guidelines). It sells for $179 on the Club Glove site. By the way, I have no connection whatsoever with Club Glove. I use one of the their “BurstProof” golf club travel bags, and can vouch that it’s a fantastic product.
How about you? Do you have an old workhorse in the back of your closet? If yes, please comment…
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October 22nd, 2009 at 7:54 am
It’s nice to remember what we used to use – helps us understand why we make our current choices.
It’s just hard to admit sometimes that the old stuff wasn’t really that bad after all….
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