Tote bag when travelling

Afternoon all,

When you fly, what sort of bag or tote do you use for the essentials of life in airport/lounge/plane? For me, that’s the wallet I use for passports, boarding passes, etc., tablet, Kindle, phone, a wrap in case it’s cold on board, newspaper, magazine, etc.

I’ve tried putting all that lot in the biggest of my large collection of handbags, but even then, not all fits so I end up with wrap over my shoulders, Kindle in hand, magazine under my arm - not good for unflurried passage through security. I’ve tried an open-top tote bag which holds everything but I’m never happy about the open-top lack of security.

There’s a thread on FT but posters seem to be US-based (so items not always available here) and business-based so with different needs/priorities and for whom it’s reasonable to spend shedloads of money for something that gets used several times a month instead of six or eight times a year for a leisure traveller like me.

So dear V-Flyers, what do you favour?

I use a cabin bag with several zipped compartments and a space in the centre fits a jumper. The many zipped areas mean I can find things quickly. The bag has both handles and a shoulder strap so I can vary how I carry it. It also sits snuggly on my wheeled main case until I check that in. I find it more convenient than a wheeled piece of cabin luggage. I also tried a back pack which was great for having free hands but I seemed to be forever having to swing it off my back to find something and struggling to put it back on my back ( ).
Hope this makes sense !!!

Small shoulder bag purchased by MrsPJH for my use. Zipped compartments inside capable of hosting passport, boarding cards, hotel booking confirmation, keys, headphones and tablet until boarding and then also taking wallet and phone.

Why Tablet and Kindle????

Paul

For me my essentials are a laptop, tablet and two cameras plus a few camera accessories.
I was in Debenhams a few months ago idly looking at luggage and was approached by staff with the usual, "Can I help you?"
Instead of saying I was just browsing I said I wanted a piece of luggage that I could carry on to a plane, it should have wheels and an extendable handle, but I would also like to be able to put it on my back.
"Certainly sir." and he produced exactly what I had asked for.
The back straps neatly pack away when not in use, as does the handle. It carries all my stuff with room to spare and has a pocket on the back so that Mrs D can retrieve our document carrier from it while I still have it on my back.
Debenhams own make Tripp
It was from £130 down to £49 so I bought it.
I have just used it on its first flight and it was great. I used it as a back pack while I was carting a couple of suitcases then once they were checked wheeled it up to the CH and subsequently onto the plane.
Dick D

Sounds like hiljil and I have a similar case, mine is getting old now and I have tried unsuccessfully to find something similar as it holds so much in separate compartments, my husband calls it the Tardis for that reason.
I have just checked out the Tripp cases on Debenhams site thanks to Dickydotcom and they are still on offer, but I cant seem to find the one he is talking about at present so may go into local shop and see if I can spot one.

Edit: think I have found the one DDC is talking about so will order it and check it out.

I've got a Knomo Weekender that I use when travelling for leisure then a Knomo wheeled business bag that I use when doing business trips as it carries my laptop

A butler.

I got red diesel bag that I have had for about 10 years.
Got a side zip where I keep my tickets, passport, etc.
Internally has a seperate compartment that holds my keys, wallet, phone, etc.
It has loads of room inside & there is also a zip around at the bottom where I can store my laptop.

I have used it as a weekend bag as well. As it is soft material, it is lightweight, but once full it is just big enough to still fit into ryanair/easyjet cabin limits.

My faithful Travelpro Crew pull- along which I've had for some years. It's been known to travel in the hold too on occasion .Generally it will take all my rubbish and things I've acquired before I get to the gate and then on -board .

DL

I am actually picking this up soon as I have always fancied a leather carry-on bag: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HME ... UTF8&psc=1 and everything gets chucked into this. For $20 I will risk it being rubbish.

I have a Fossil Erin foldover bag (had to google for the name) which was a wonderful bargain purchase from an outlet in the US (something like 81% off!). It has a magnetic closure at the top, it comfortably fits a tablet in (amongst other things) with the top folded down. I love having the additional capacity (when unfolded) for some last minute duty free shopping, too!

If I travel with a laptop (for work mainly), I take a 4-wheeler carry-on

Sounds like hiljil and I have a similar case, mine is getting old now and I have tried unsuccessfully to find something similar as it holds so much in separate compartments, my husband calls it the Tardis for that reason.
I have just checked out the Tripp cases on Debenhams site thanks to Dickydotcom and they are still on offer, but I cant seem to find the one he is talking about at present so may go into local shop and see if I can spot one.

Edit: think I have found the one DDC is talking about so will order it and check it out.

I think this is what I have but in blue. Not the colour I wanted but it does the job.
Dick D
http://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/sto ... +T41935_-1

I use a Samsonite lumo beauty case

http://www.samsonite.co.uk/beauty-case/

Tesco by Gucci for me

I normally use a Wenger/Swiss Gear backpack which takes all the junk I can throw in it including a sweater or jacket. I can't quite make a wrap work for me

On trips where we both need decent hand luggage then hubby takes the Wenger and I have a fabulous purple e-Bags Motherlode Weekender which is a backpack that can look like a soft suitcase (the straps can be hidden), cabin sized.

I've just invested in a Tommy Hilfiger manbag, and boy am I getting ribbed for that. It still feels a bit weird, a bit "I'm a lady and I do ladies things", and it may well get used on my upcoming nip over to Bremen where I don't need shed loads of stuff. It will take my iPad and kindle (will probably only take one), phone and documents etc, and it has a secure hook inside for keys.

Wouldn't say no to one of these though: http://www.montblanc.com/en-gb/shop/lea ... 12452.aspx

The good thing about the backpacks is that I often have room to shove any duty free in and reduce the number of bags I have to carry.

Thank you everyone, some great ideas. I'm leaning towards hiljil's tote with different pockets/zipped storage ideas. Backpacks don't cut the mustard for me - just as I've got it in place, I need something from it. And being on the short side, I reckon I might look as if I'm about to tip over backwards!

Why tablet and Kindle? Tablet app is fine for brief periods but on holiday I'm planning longer spells of downtime when Kindle is lighter and smaller. Also tablet will likely be on charge after it's been used for emails, BBC news, Times and of course V-Flyer.

Bretty, there must be a wrap to suit you, find one in your colours and swish it round your shoulders nonchalantly.

I use one if these for Carry on! Can easily get a laptop and iPad in as well as a bit of everything else and plenty of pockets for keeping passports and boarding cards to hand... That and I love Superdry!!

http://www.superdry.com/mens/bags/detai ... laptop-bag

I also find , when using a backpack, my spatial awareness goes to pot and I misjudge gaps between objects but worse than that between people !

I use one if these for Carry on! Can easily get a laptop and iPad in as well as a bit of everything else and plenty of pockets for keeping passports and boarding cards to hand... That and I love Superdry!!

http://www.superdry.com/mens/bags/detai ... laptop-bag

Do you have to warn people to put their sunglasses on when you are coming to town ?

my Knomo Bolsover. in red. squishy enough to pile in lots of stuff but still looks smart enough to wheel around the CH and UC. Took it on board a few weeks ago when flying UC to Cape Town and female crew were asking what make it is. for the guys, they do it in black too.

Do you have to warn people to put their sunglasses on when you are coming to town ?

Well considering mine is the Orange and White version in my profile pic, deffo!!

I might have to buy that black and orange one for LA though...cannot be using the same luggage on two long haul trips I suppose

my Knomo Bolsover. in red. squishy enough to pile in lots of stuff but still looks smart enough to wheel around the CH and UC. Took it on board a few weeks ago when flying UC to Cape Town and female crew were asking what make it is. for the guys, they do it in black too.

These a beautiful and are on offer at Knomo at present at £124.50 think I may go for the black one - thanks for the heads up on those.

my Knomo Bolsover. in red. squishy enough to pile in lots of stuff but still looks smart enough to wheel around the CH and UC. Took it on board a few weeks ago when flying UC to Cape Town and female crew were asking what make it is. for the guys, they do it in black too.

I've got the Scala in red and always get comments from the crew about it. The Bolsover I have in purple/black

Snomo - they had a flash sale last weekend and prices were even lower!

Bretty, there must be a wrap to suit you, find one in your colours and swish it round your shoulders nonchalantly.

Funny Lady

I can work a feather boa with some glitter on my cheeks...

Bretty, there must be a wrap to suit you, find one in your colours and swish it round your shoulders nonchalantly.

Funny Lady

I can work a feather boa with some glitter on my cheeks...

I was thinking maybe you could have a film night and channel your inner Clint Eastwood (in was it Fistful of Dollars?)

A butler.

I was going to add bags, what bags the staff handle those!

Seriously though I take a cabin sized wheelie whether for work or pleasure. For work I pack light so I never need to check baggage. For leisure I take more stuff and have the wheelie and suitcases checked.

A wheelie works for all those long airport walks.

Oh Louis Vuitton Damier Graphite if you're asking!