As a few of you know, we’re planning for a 9 day trip to Italy in June. I’ve spent a fair amount of time thinking about packing strategies and what bags to use. Early on I decided to bring some sort of daypack for my onboard stuff, and spent most of the time debating which soft sided non-wheelie bag to use for most of my clothing, focusing primarily on either the Red Oxx PR4 or PR5.
That’s not gonna happen. As I mentioned several days ago on the Forum, I purchased an Adiamo Valoroso 20″ wheeled duffel for the trip. The bag is relatively light at 7 pounds, and frankly has way more capacity than I’ll need. I still plan on packing as light as possible, thereby leaving room for stuff I purchase while in Italy or during our brief, one night stopover in London.
Why the turnaround? I guess a confession is in order. Over the last decade I’ve had my lower back completely spazz out on me 4 or 5 times. When this happens, the muscles in my lower back completely knot up, making simple activities like getting out of bed and walking incredibly difficult. Each time it’s happened, I’ve spent 4 or 5 days shuffling about like a 110 year old man.
How is this relevant? It distresses me to admit that every time this has happened, it’s directly followed my traveling with a heavy bag slung over my right shoulder. My own diagnosis (“I’m not a doctor, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express…”) is that things get a bit out of kilter with my spine as the result of a weight being on my shoulder for an extended period of time; the next day – or perhaps two days later – I’ll do something relatively innocuous like swing a golf club, bend over to pick up something, or cough (!) and all hell breaks loose. My lower back muscles tighten up to prevent further injury; the result is the sort of stuff that could be shown on America’s Funniest Videos or whatever that show is called. I am basically crippled for several days.
The last time it happened was in December. I’d traveled for a couple of days with the PR4 overloaded (a bit) with clothing, books, netbook, my 3 lb Nikon D-80, and other odd bits and pieces, and about 30 hours after getting home (after noticing my back was “tight” the next day), I sneezed and was in agony for the next 3-4 days.
As you might imagine, I have very, very little interest in repeating this while in Italy.
And so, as the title says, I caved. I thought about using the eBags TLS Mini, but (feel free to roll eyes here) it’s a bit too downmarket for my tastes. I know, I have issues. Yes, I’m a bag snob. I can’t help it. The Andiamo bag is better suited to my tastes, and it’s black, which is far more attractive to my eye.
So the Andiamo Valoroso 20″ wheeled duffel is the bag I’ll use for clothing and perhaps – egad! – an extra pair of shoes. The Pacsafe Metrosafe 350 will be my onboard bag (iPod, netbook, book, snacks, etc.).
And so there you have it – my big confession, or more accurately, my bag confession. I’m still committed to one bag, non-wheelie travel, but in this case, I’m taking no chances.
- You may also enjoy these related posts:
- 3 items which proved indispensable on our trip to Italy
- Europe: 11 days, one bag + a personal item – how I packed
- A conversation with a reader… would you like to join in?
- Modding the Patagonia Lightweight Travel Duffel for business casual travel
- Italy trip packing dry run
March 11th, 2010 at 6:51 AM
It’s not caving if it’s for a health-related reason. (I’ve been there, too, with serious back problems; exercising, running in my case, and yoga has helped me a great deal.)
Caving would be getting a roller because you feel like bringing along various hardcovers, a 17″ laptop, multiples pairs of jeans.
Enjoy the trip!
[Reply]
March 11th, 2010 at 7:34 AM
I agree that it is not caving. The vast majority of carry on luggage is not designed to be packed the way most of us pack, and lugging all this stuff from one end of an airport to the other does put a strain on one’s body. Just adding “backpack straps” to a bag does not make the bag a backpack, and we all know the strain that is put on your shoulder by lugging an overpacked duffel. Have a good trip.
[Reply]
March 11th, 2010 at 8:17 AM
If you were flying to my neck of the woods – Asia – you’d be able to carry both bags on. But I’m not sure what happens when you transit through that black hole known as Heathrow….
[Reply]
Kevin Reply:
March 11th, 2010 at 5:32 PM
MW: I posted the British Airways guidelines on the Forum (Andiamo deal thread) and think we’ll be ok.
[Reply]
March 11th, 2010 at 9:00 AM
No checked bag?
[Reply]
Kevin Reply:
March 11th, 2010 at 5:31 PM
MW: I really would prefer not to check luggage.
[Reply]
March 11th, 2010 at 9:44 AM
As a frequent business traveler, I have a great interest in sites like these. However, I have never understood the need to “apologize” for using a wheeled bag. Wheeled bags are appropriate for many kinds of travel, including domestic business travel, for those with back problems, and aslo for those who would simply rather pull than carry. No need to consider it “caving”.
[Reply]
March 11th, 2010 at 11:51 AM
Your health comes first. You did the smart thing. I hope you enjoy your journey. And a wheeled bag will obviously help that. BTW, I have never felt that carrying a heavy load on one shoulder was a good idea. Backpacks in my non-expert opinion are better for that.
[Reply]
March 11th, 2010 at 1:04 PM
I would never carry a bag on one shoulder like that, and I’m still in my 20s. That’s painful; it’s much more comfortable to carry it like a backpack and have the weight distributed evenly. Moreover, I strongly prefer using bags that have an internal frame to better distribute the weight on my waist instead of my shoulders. It’s pretty amazing what a difference it makes even for as little as 15 lbs.
[Reply]
March 11th, 2010 at 1:08 PM
The only caveat I would give to wheeled bag use in Europe is that many old cities are not conducive to it. I lost count of how many times I had to help girls and the elderly lift their bags up stairs and over cobblestone streets and into trains or buses.
I think the best approach would be the wheeled bags that also have backpack straps. You lose a lot of room in your bag, but for this trip and your situation it would seem ideal.
[Reply]
Kevin Reply:
March 11th, 2010 at 5:27 PM
Andy – Thanks. We shouldn’t be wheeling bags around town much at all; I think it won’t be an issue.
Kevin
[Reply]
March 11th, 2010 at 8:18 PM
Kevin, it’s not caving, it’s smart. Besides, it gives you a wonderful excuse to get your hands on a piece of Valoroso luggage at a great price. ;)
Just yesterday I opened the VS-22 satchel I had bought for a friend. I’ve got my own one, too. As I opened it, I thought wow what a beautiful bag! I went to check my own bag and indeed it was the same and looked just as good. Call it bag fetishism if you will.
In any case, the carry-on 20″ duffel is a wise solution to the luggage task at hand and that’s what matters.
[Reply]
March 12th, 2010 at 3:11 PM
No apologies needed.
Perhaps all the advocacy for packing smart has gone too far and made the one bag philosophy too religious.
You have to do what’s right and healthy. I like a backpack or duffle but, like you, my husband’s back can’t go there. So he uses wheels.
BUT WE ONLY TAKE WHAT WE NEED. We both pack smart and just carry it differently.
[Reply]
March 12th, 2010 at 5:48 PM
I just have to laugh at your pronouncement about the ebags TLS Mini being “too downmarket.” I bought this bag at the end of 2009 and have made several car trips with it. I’m very critical of luggage and own a lot of it, including various pieces of Hartmann. I can tell you that the TLS Mini (25-inch wheelie) is a very good quality piece of baggage, with many desirable features. I don’t buy luggage for snob appeal, I buy for utility, performance, and value. I’m very pleased with the TLS Mini and wish you the best of luck with your new upmarket suitcase.
[Reply]
Kevin Reply:
March 12th, 2010 at 7:00 PM
Dianne –
Perhaps “downmarket” is a bit harsh.
I reviewed the 21″ TLS Mini a few months ago and like it quite a bit. You can see my review here: http://is.gd/645qk
I repeat: I like the bag. As you suggest, it’s loaded with features and is quite functional. These things don’t change the fact that each brand has an image and an audience. I like the TLS Mini, but sorry, I don’t want it rolling behind me as I exit Termini station in Rome, or walk through Heathrow. That’s my choice.
Finally, let me point out that the TLS Mini sells for ~$170. I paid $69.99 (landed) for the Andiamo Valoroso 20″ wheeled duffel. The Andiamo is better looking, boasts a larger capacity, and is built like a brick house. In terms of utility, performance and value, it’s tough to trump a bag of this quality at that price.
Moreover, I received the TLS for FREE. I’d rather travel with the Andiamo. That’s my choice.
If you’re happy with your TLS, fantastic. Enjoy it, and travel safe!
[Reply]
Till Reply:
March 13th, 2010 at 5:11 AM
Yes, downmarket may be a bit harsh a word for a $170 bag. But, hey, we are in bag perfectionist zone here, and a certain snob appeal is not something we are strangers to, if that much self-criticism is allowed. I am not sure if I would want to be seen with a Rick Steve’s bag for example even if it is clearly well thought out and all. The same can be said for ebags luggage although their weekender really seems to be nice in the normal version already. I also like the TLS version that’s currently OOS and that has been accused of mission creep. But the ebags house brand is just not particularly glamorous. Even we men are brand conscious, Dianne.
And Kevin is right that the Valoroso will totally trounce the ebags. Mind you, the Valoroso duffel was originally $275, so the comparison is not entirely fair. But the fact that Kevin, who knows his bags and has a closet full, decides to spend money on a roller when he already had a TLS sitting there for free, means something, I’d say.
Utility, performance, value are certainly the main criteria but snob appeal or brand image is something we can’t easily dismiss. I’d buy a Hyundai for example because I know about cars and have driven Hyundais critically and repeatedly. They are a flaming super value and really nice. But most Americans wouldn’t consider one based on brand image and their insufficient knowledge of cars.
[Reply]
Michael W. Reply:
March 14th, 2010 at 7:18 PM
I think “downmarket” is a running joke on this blog. Most of the posters here, and of course Kevin, are on the search for bargains and not brand labels. Hence the lavish praise given to the $39 Outdoor Products Essentials Carryon and minimal recognition given to the $160 Patagonia MLC. If this blog has a “zeitgeist” it is the search for razor precision function over form.
That having been said, it’s also not uncommon to hear an occasional allusion to our desire to make a better impression on our betters, the doormen and counter agents of the world.
But still, the occasional expression of desire for something “upmarket” is usually a sly counterpoint for the mostest and bestest in performance, not brand awareness.
I’m grateful, of course, that it’s not the other way around!
(Don’t ask how many of us have come to the collective conclusion that both the OPEC and the RedOxx AirBoss are “bargains.”)
[Reply]
Kevin Reply:
March 14th, 2010 at 8:14 PM
Thanks, Michael.
Actually, no irony or humor was intended with that description. There’s certainly not anything wrong with that bag at all – I rather like it, and have traveled with it – but it’s simply not a bag I want to bring to Europe.
My reasoning, as is often the case with our decisions about emotions, values, and brands, isn’t perfectly linear or perhaps even logical. But I do know that it has something to do with image, style, and meaning. And when I say image, I speak of self image as much as the eBags image.
I think Till got it right:
A quick trip to Des Moines or Denver? I’m perfectly ok with the TLS Mini. Checking into a hotel in Rome on a special trip with my wife? No.
[Reply]