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I'm a luggage fiend
- Thread starter LilaBear
- Start date
I love the Transpack for my boots. It's a back pack carrier, so it's super convenient and easy to use. When I travel, I put my lap top in the center compartment, pad it with ski clothes, and carry it on (it fits in the overhead). I also bring it with me (minus the laptop) to the hill everyday.
For bringing my skis on a plane, I use a Sportube. It has a hard shell, so it's more protective than a soft shell case.
For bringing my skis on a plane, I use a Sportube. It has a hard shell, so it's more protective than a soft shell case.
This is a bad topic for me.
I am almost OCD about how I pack for a trip.
Rolling Gear bag, Rolling double ski bag
Hot gear bag for the boots and essentials, and an Ogio soft carrier for my computer and travel notebook.
I also have two other matching swix bags that match my rolling gear bag and double ski bag that I can and do use for shorter trips when I don't need the huge rolling gear bag.
DH had a similar set up, but with less thought or organization.
I am almost OCD about how I pack for a trip.
Rolling Gear bag, Rolling double ski bag
Hot gear bag for the boots and essentials, and an Ogio soft carrier for my computer and travel notebook.
I also have two other matching swix bags that match my rolling gear bag and double ski bag that I can and do use for shorter trips when I don't need the huge rolling gear bag.
DH had a similar set up, but with less thought or organization.
We have a large family, so I have an assortment of Briggs & Riley suitcases, duffels, and carry on bags.
For skiing, I use the Transpack XT1. I can fit my boots, helmet, 2 pair of goggles, various gloves and mittens, and lunch and I always repack it after skiing so it's ready for next time. My 4 kids have the Edge, and DH has the TRV.
When I fly, I use a Glissade ski bag (single or double). It's soft but very padded and takes good care of my skis. I can fit my ski pants and fleece tops inside which helps protect the skis and poles even more, and leaves my suitcase for the rest of my stuff. I used the Glissade boot bag too but it was too heavy to carry as carry on and didn't have the backpack feature, so for the Diva Summit I'll be flying with my Transpack. I'll use my soft briefcase for my 12" laptop and "purse" items and pack a purse in my suitcase so I don't have more than 2 carry on items.
My annoyance with traveling is the number of hair related appliances that I use. After over 40 years of going "natural," I look best now with flat ironed and sometimes curled hair, so I have a hair dryer, curling iron, and flat iron. All lightweight but they take up space and weight and I wish I didn't need them. The 2 times in my adulthood that I've had short hair (once at age 20 and again in my late 30s), I just didn't feel like myself, so this is the price I pay for my long hair now.
For skiing, I use the Transpack XT1. I can fit my boots, helmet, 2 pair of goggles, various gloves and mittens, and lunch and I always repack it after skiing so it's ready for next time. My 4 kids have the Edge, and DH has the TRV.
When I fly, I use a Glissade ski bag (single or double). It's soft but very padded and takes good care of my skis. I can fit my ski pants and fleece tops inside which helps protect the skis and poles even more, and leaves my suitcase for the rest of my stuff. I used the Glissade boot bag too but it was too heavy to carry as carry on and didn't have the backpack feature, so for the Diva Summit I'll be flying with my Transpack. I'll use my soft briefcase for my 12" laptop and "purse" items and pack a purse in my suitcase so I don't have more than 2 carry on items.
My annoyance with traveling is the number of hair related appliances that I use. After over 40 years of going "natural," I look best now with flat ironed and sometimes curled hair, so I have a hair dryer, curling iron, and flat iron. All lightweight but they take up space and weight and I wish I didn't need them. The 2 times in my adulthood that I've had short hair (once at age 20 and again in my late 30s), I just didn't feel like myself, so this is the price I pay for my long hair now.
Robyn
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
So, the only ski specific luggage I have is my boot bag. And it's the same one I had when racing 20 years ago. It was used for a number of years for other things but is now back to being a boot bag and holding up very well. No reason to spend money on a new one.
Oh, actually, I just remembered I ordered a new back pack this spring through my team. It's the Govy backpack which was designed by a Team Summit parent. It's hard to see in the pic but on the side it has slings for boots and a hard pocket for goggles so it will be great for going from my car to lodge, especially on coaching days.
Oh, actually, I just remembered I ordered a new back pack this spring through my team. It's the Govy backpack which was designed by a Team Summit parent. It's hard to see in the pic but on the side it has slings for boots and a hard pocket for goggles so it will be great for going from my car to lodge, especially on coaching days.
Lilabear, I think I'm a clone of you. I like to have the right anything for what I'm doing.
As for luggage, ski in particular, I have a boot bag/backpack that sounds like Robyn's. The boots go on the outside in straps, but the interior is one big space. It's great for day trips. For longer travel I have a huge duffel type bag that I bought at North Face. There are pockets on each end that hold one boot each and other stuff. Centre space is huge. Only problem is no wheels!! Since I haven't travelled by plane in years, I only have soft bags for skis. I'm on the hunt for either a Sportube or similar for coming Diva Summit. It will have wheels.
For the summit though, I'm thinking about using a regular suitcase for clothes. As I have a large pullman with wheels. Boots in a backpack with computer, camera, jewelry etc. Air Canada states only skis and poles in ski bags, but I like to pack bulky stuff in there too. We'll see what kind of hard case I end up with and if I can.
As for luggage, ski in particular, I have a boot bag/backpack that sounds like Robyn's. The boots go on the outside in straps, but the interior is one big space. It's great for day trips. For longer travel I have a huge duffel type bag that I bought at North Face. There are pockets on each end that hold one boot each and other stuff. Centre space is huge. Only problem is no wheels!! Since I haven't travelled by plane in years, I only have soft bags for skis. I'm on the hunt for either a Sportube or similar for coming Diva Summit. It will have wheels.
For the summit though, I'm thinking about using a regular suitcase for clothes. As I have a large pullman with wheels. Boots in a backpack with computer, camera, jewelry etc. Air Canada states only skis and poles in ski bags, but I like to pack bulky stuff in there too. We'll see what kind of hard case I end up with and if I can.
cyn
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Aside from our boot and ski bags, we each have a rolling duffel when we travel. Our very favorite is a wide mouth extra large duffel from LL Bean. It's over 10 years old and starting to get a bit frayed around the edges, but it works better than anything else we have tried.
The bag opens really wide and stays open while you are packing. There's a separate drop bottom for things you don't want to get too wrinkled. The wheels are inline skate type and smooth. The bag is bright yellow, so it's a snap to find at the luggage carousel.
But of course, there's a downside: LL Bean doesn't sell this bag anymore!!! I even called them to beg, to no avail.:Cry:
The bag opens really wide and stays open while you are packing. There's a separate drop bottom for things you don't want to get too wrinkled. The wheels are inline skate type and smooth. The bag is bright yellow, so it's a snap to find at the luggage carousel.
But of course, there's a downside: LL Bean doesn't sell this bag anymore!!! I even called them to beg, to no avail.:Cry:
Shannon D
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Dakine Boot Locker. My boots go into a bottom compartment with drain holes. Everything else ski related goes into the top compartment. Love mine so much, hubby had to get one of his own. My Heli Pack goes everywhere with me too. Always bring it to the mountain, rarely leave it in the car.
LilaBear
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
I've just seen a piece of luggage I want on Backcountry - it's an ideal design.
The Eagle Creek Toybox 90 is a large duffle, with 3 internal lift out "boxes" each of 30, with labels for bike, kayak etc. And there's a mudbox. It's brightly coloured and a perfect way to organise all your gear. However, the price is too high to tempt me.
The Eagle Creek Toybox 90 is a large duffle, with 3 internal lift out "boxes" each of 30, with labels for bike, kayak etc. And there's a mudbox. It's brightly coloured and a perfect way to organise all your gear. However, the price is too high to tempt me.
pinto
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
I have a bunch of eBags Mother Lode bags. At first I had the 29" Mother Lode, which is AWESOME, but then they started enforcing that 50lb limit on the airlines, and oops. So I can still take it, but I can't fill it up.
We also have the smaller 25" version, and it works almost as well.
But the 29" is super ... it has a lower compartment with moveable velcro dividers, perfect for packing a helmet and other gear. You can unzip the compartments to make one big area, too. It's bright orange inside, so you don't lose things. (Unless they are bright orange, too.)
And when you stand it on its end, it stands up. It doesn't tip over, period. Very solid piece. We also have a roll-aboard Mother Lode.
the Mother Lode!
We also have the smaller 25" version, and it works almost as well.
But the 29" is super ... it has a lower compartment with moveable velcro dividers, perfect for packing a helmet and other gear. You can unzip the compartments to make one big area, too. It's bright orange inside, so you don't lose things. (Unless they are bright orange, too.)
And when you stand it on its end, it stands up. It doesn't tip over, period. Very solid piece. We also have a roll-aboard Mother Lode.
the Mother Lode!
Attachments
There're soft bags with wheels too. Though sportube really is very nice.
I just throw my boots right into the carry-on, which is a small size suitcase with wheels.
The only drawback is I have to bring along a real bootbag for use day to day once I'm there. I fold up my regular boot bag and put it in with the skis in the Sportube.
The rest of my clothing, I either wear them (hint: helmet), or stuff them into the Sportube (my skis are short, so I can stuff just about my entire worldly belonging into the end of the tube).
LilaBear
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
I know, same thing for me. The number of hair products and styling items I use are ridiculous - even for a low maintenance look.
I'll be doing a lot of weekend trips this season and I just can't work out how to pack lightly. It's OK if we never leave the house except to ski, but I feel we'll be going out of an evening and the lounge pants, shiny faced, slicked back hair look is not my best! Not for a single woman on the side of 40 where nature is asking for help.
Hence I need some great packing solutions where I can get all my gear into the house without looking like I'm staying for a week. Also need some tips on how to keep all the gear organised when there is nowhere to unpack and floor space is very limited. I looked at a toolbag today and wondered if it's a good solution for toiletries and hair stuff!! Love all the pockets.
When I travel by car, I keep all of my cosmetics etc. in a "train case" made by Briggs & Riley. It zips up and goes in and out of the bathroom. Easy to pack the hair dryer and flat iron in the suitcase and take out as needed. Biggest challenge is using the flat iron shortly before packing to leave and needing to let it cool down before packing!
