Luggage... your largest travel companions

I come from the school of travel that says "if you're carrying that much stuff you're doing it wrong".

I've done a few months of travel with two bags that wouldn't fill half that amount of space, and even then, I felt like I was carrying too much. There are of course extraneous circumstances (like the reason for Munson designing the Saddleback Beast being that he needed to transport some large drums). Those wheeled bags with handles are great for airports, but once you're hauling it up three flights of stairs their convenience fades. If I were going to be living out of a bag for a year, I would consider these two giant duffles, but even then I'd probably try to prioritize down to a medium duffle worth of stuff -- though a need to travel with suits or more formal clothing would obviously shift the priorities and result in a need for increased volume. 

while not leather or likely to become beautiful with age...i've been using an eagle creek load hauler for travel the last few years. i've used it for week long business trips, but also used it as my only bag on a multiple month long trip around the world. it's versatile, unassuming, squeezes into any overhead bin, and when worn as a backpack has no exposed pockets or entry points.

...But are they sick convenience fades...bro?

i've never had the need for such a large duffle. the G duffle I have seems to work well for basic weekend needs. I still want a duffle from Vermilyea Pelle and maybe a medium Filson. I don't need them but want them.

My travel usually consists of my G duffle (V1) and my Ona Brixton bag (laptop bag which was my "other" bag when I got my Ernest Alexander - it's surprisingly solid). The beauty of the G duffle is that is never gets prompted for gate checking bags. I do need to consider a better option for my extended travel that warrants a suitcase or something along those lines. Maybe the Saddleback is worth considering.

Truth, I traveled more often for work a couple years back and I learned to travel light and buy thinner fabric clothing to wash/dry quicker as well as packing space. For a week of traveling, I use a small timberland weekender bag which would prolly work for up two weeks. When I was overseas for 2-3 months I was just using a carry-on rolling bag and brought the full size luggage with another gym bag to put my purchased goods in. 

I think sometimes its cheaper to just buy certain items at the destination than to bring it. And I figured that it's easier to wear sweats/slippers/slip-ons for going through security checks.

I cannot remember the last time I checked a bag.

If traveling with someone checking a bag,
Before 12pm: "Good luck with that; I'll be at the gate drinking coffee."
After 12pm: "Good luck with that; I'll be at the bar."

I got questioned for about half an hour at the ABQ airport for a 5mm Allen key in my bag a few years ago. I doubt a 737 even has an exposed 5mm bolt, not sure what the run around was all about. You can throw out my $0.33 tool, I'm sorry to threaten the world!

I once forgot to take my toiletries out of my duffle bag when I went through security. They didn't notice or stop me. I'll assume they had no issues when it ran the x-ray...

Another related security story - I home-brew and brought in 4 smaller bottles (less than 20 oz) each to give to my coworkers. Once of my coworkers didn't drink his. He put it aside to bring home. A few weeks later, we're all in route to San Francisco for meetings and waiting on this coworker. He put the beer in his bag to go home and never removed it when he packed to travel. We get to the gate and he comes strolling up late and explains that he got stopped by security for having that bottle of beer in his bag. They claimed it. Hopefully someone enjoyed it.

Suit bags are just a lazy way of getting you to roll your stuff. Rolling works the best and takes up a lot less space. Plus I bought an expensive Tumi that fell apart within a few years and realized that big luggage companies are a scam.

A hot shower and a small bathroom press anything back into serviceable shape and a quick wash in the sink or tub keeps things clean. Dr Bronners strikes again.

And with a little strategic knotting, they double as a flotation device!