Packing: Part 1 - Choosing the right bag (updated June 2025)

Introducing the first in a series of blog posts focusing on the art of packing.
This initial post looks at how to choose the perfect bag for your travel adventures, and offers practical advice drawn from my personal journeys and years of packing mishaps.

​When it comes to travelling, the right luggage can make all the difference. As a seasoned traveller, I understand that different types of luggage suit different trips. Unfortunately, one size does not fit all when it comes to travel bags.
 
The duration, purpose, and destination of my travels play a crucial role in determining the most suitable type of luggage to bring along.

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The benefits of traveling carry-on are undeniable.

It saves time at the airport by avoiding checked luggage lines and waiting to collect baggage at your destination, saves money on baggage fees and minimises the risk of lost or delayed luggage.

Complying with carry-on restrictions encourages me to pack efficiently and not overpack with items “just in case”. A lighter load to carry is then easier to navigate through crowded airports and on public transport, and you’re less likely to lose something when you don’t have too much with you.
 
Even on extended trips, you can manage with less stuff; pack quick drying clothes as there will always be opportunities to do laundry during the trip, and decant all those liquids.

If I can, whether I am travelling for 3 days or 3 months,  I will always travel with a carry-on sized bag.

Buying new luggage

When making a luggage purchase, I always consider whether it represents value for money.
Investing in high-quality, durable luggage from reputable brands ensures that my bags can withstand the wear and tear of frequent travel and remain reliable for numerous trips, making them a sound long-term investment.
I look at the quality of their material and parts, check whether it is a company that has sustainable and ethical practices, and ensure that they offer a good warranty.
My goto companies are Osprey and Eagle Creek, both renowned for the quality of their bags and comprehensive warranty.

Eagle Creek

Osprey

How do I choose the type of bag?

For shorter trips, destinations with consistent activities or a single climate (whether it's all hot or all cold), I find that opting for a compact carry-on bag like my hard-side wheeled case is ideal. Not only does it provide the necessary protection for my belongings, but it also offers ease of manoeuvrability, which is essential when navigating through airports or train stations.

​If my trip involves carrying luggage for long periods, multiple train or bus journeys, small boat travel, or unconventional transportation methods (like last summer in Albania when my luggage was carried by a mule over a mountain pass), I choose my soft-sided carry-on sized bag that can be worn as a backpack. Whilst it may be more challenging to carry on my shoulder/back, the flexibility of fitting it into overhead storage or small vehicle spaces makes it worth the effort.

​​For journeys that involve multiple climates and diverse activities, or vacations where I anticipate collecting many souvenirs throughout the trip, I opt for a larger soft bag with wheels. This luggage provides ample space without sacrificing convenience.

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Whatever main bag I take, I also always take a small backpack for daily excursions, a small crossbody bag and a foldable duffle bag for additional storage or as a laundry bag. These enhance my packing capacity, flexibility and organisational capabilities.

Day Backpack:

​For day-to-day exploring or very short trips, a reliable day backpack like my Osprey 20L is a perfect choice. Its compact size makes it easy to carry around whilst still providing enough space for my essentials. This goes with me on every trip.  

I particularly like the following features of my bag: my laptop fits easily, even without a dedicated pocket (which I wouldn't want as I often use it without my laptop), durable waist belt with convenient pockets for essentials like lip balm and sunscreen, chest strap for even weight distribution, external pockets for water bottles and wet items, internal zip pockets for valuables, a top zip pocket for easy access to items like sunglasses, and the breathable back design that minimizes sweating. I have a rain cover for this bag from MEC (around CAD $20) that I take whenever I expect wet weather.
A slightly larger size could be useful, maybe around 24L, but definitely not exceeding that (it would get too heavy).

Crossbody Bag:

A small crossbody bag like my Fjallraven is versatile and convenient for keeping your valuables close at hand during your travels. It's great for exploring a new city or going on a day trip. This bag has 2 external zipped pockets, great for my passport, nexus card and boarding passes, and an internal divider. It also has a clip on the strap, which means that I don’t need to pull it over my head to take it off. Again, I take this on every trip.

Folding Duffel Bag

Its versatility as a laundry bag, overflow storage for unexpected purchases and the ability to check it in for the flight home with all my souvenirs makes this an essential for every trip.

Carry-On Bag:

Make sure the size is compliant with the airlines you are most likely to travel with and pay more for good wheels and the lightest version available, you will need to lift it fully loaded into the overhead compartment and some airlines have carry-on weight restrictions.

​Hard-Side Wheeled Carry-On Bag:
​A hard-side wheeled carry-on bag offers durability and protection for your belongings.
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My bag is the Monos Carry-On Pro Plus. As you can see from the many scuffs and scratches it has seen frequent use (on airlines like Air Canada, WestJet, Lynx, British Airways) and has always been carry-on compliant without any issues. I appreciate the internal organization, compression straps and pad. The wheels are smooth and the handle adjusts effortlessly. However, I find that the exterior compartment isn't as useful when the bag is full, so if I were to purchase it again, I might opt for a version without this front pocket. I usually carry my laptop in my small backpack anyway, and I don't utilize the front pocket as much as I anticipated.

Soft Backpack-Style Clamshell Bag:
If you prefer something more flexible, a soft backpack-style bag is perfect. Look for clamshell (opens fully like a suitcase) versions for easy access to your items. I personally would avoid a top loading bag; you can never find what you want as it's always buried at the bottom!
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My bag is a 40L Tortuga Backpack, which is convenient to pack since it opens fully and offers the flexibility to be carried like a suitcase or a backpack (with the straps stowing away when not in use). Despite enduring significant use, it has only required a repair at one seam and the customer service was very good. Lots of pockets means easier organisation, and it includes a padded laptop pocket. Mine is one of their earlier versions, the newer model appears to have some improvements in the fabric and the waist belt.

Within my family, we have two Cotopaxi Allpa 42L bags which I consider excellent. They offer a smart design with good organisation, shoulder straps, a waist belt, and plenty of compartments. When it comes time to replace my current bag, this will be at the top of my shortlist.

Cotopaxi

Tortuga

Checked bag:

Large Soft Bag (110L) with Wheels:
For longer trips or when you need to pack more, a large soft bag with wheels provides ample space and ease of transportation.
​I've always preferred soft bags as they only occupy as much space as their contents and can be compressed into smaller areas (which is crucial as a family of 5 in a rental car or if you want to squeeze into a Fiat 500 for your Italy trip!).
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My bag is a 110L Eagle Creek "Migrate" wheeled Duffel bag. It's a soft bag with reliable wheels which means I can pull it behind me in airports, stations, hotels, and more, rather than having to shoulder the weight.
Whilst it pulls well on a flat surface, on uneven ground, if you don't get the balance right, it has a tendency to flip.
That is the trade off, which is well worth it in my opinion: wheeled bags usually have a large, heavy internal frame, but the hardware for the wheels in this bag is minimal, taking up virtually no space inside the bag and adding very little weight. However, if needed, I can easily switch to using the backpack straps. 

​Other things to consider when buying Luggage:

Versatility: try to opt for luggage that can cater to various types of trips.
Weight: choose the lightest version available.
Value for Money: invest in durable luggage from reputable brands with good warranties.
Security: consider luggage with TSA-approved locks for added security (although you can always retrofit this.)
 

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​Selecting the right luggage for your trip depends on the duration, purpose, and destination of your travels. By considering factors such as value for money, durability, warranties and versatility you can be sure to choose the perfect bags for your adventures.
 
And don’t forget, if you are taking a trip that you do not have the right luggage for, ask friends and family first before you buy anything. They may have the perfect item that they will happily lend to you.

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