My Favorite Travel Bags
With a trip to Australia in January 2024 (can’t wait!), it was time to revisit the condition of my travel bags. My black soft-sided Samsonite carry-on, which I’ve rolled and lugged around for decades, had seen better days. And my computer backpack, which I thought was so savvy at the time, was stiff, uncomfortable, and offered limited space. I was in the market for an upgrade.
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I’ll present with my good friend Samantha Coates at one of her popular Pizza, Pinot, and Pedagogy events.
Although I usually don’t share my latest purchases with the world, I’m so pleased with my finds that I’m sharing my new favorite travel items just in case you are in the market for some. In all transparency, the links for the bags are affiliated, so I get a small cut at no cost to you if you purchase any of the items I mention in this post.
Among others, I mainly held off on purchasing a new roller bag because manufacturers aren’t designing 24” bags like my old Samsonite. I’ve grown accustomed to this spacious bag with generous side pockets. As I packed for a recent trip to Florida, I discovered I don’t miss the extra space and especially the weight of it, thanks to my new bags.
My search for a carry-on replacement took me to several good choices. My husband also needed to replace his bag and ordered a Swiss Gear bag from Amazon and a Samsonite from Costco. Both looked outstanding–wheels turned easily, handles popped up like a breeze, and felt roomy despite the smaller size. The Swiss Gear was deemed the keeper as it seemed a little sturdier than the Samsonite. I was about to order my own Swiss Gear but after narrowing down all my options (I have to know them all before I make a decision!) I ordered the Travelpro Maxlite 5 Softside Expandable Luggage with 4 Spinner Wheels, 21-Inch Carryon in Champagne for about $50 more than the Swiss Gear. I leaned toward the suitcase because it weighs in at a whopping 5.4 pounds. Sometimes, I had trouble heaving my old Samsonite into the overhead bin. The lightweight, the rave reviews, and the Champagne color nudged me to push the “Add to Cart” button.
With the champagne roller bag in my cart, I could now finalize the color of the backpack to replace my old one. The cream-colored Taygeer backpack was my top choice because of its ample space for shoes, clothes, a computer, a Kindle, and a water bottle. After it arrived, I was thrilled with its soft yet durable fabric and padding. Compared to my old pack, it feels like a pillow, and I adore the strap that lets it slip on my carry-on handle if I wish.
Although I had packing cubes, my husband did not and ordered compression cubes that turn a significant amount of clothes into a small brick. I was stunned by how many clothes I could squeeze in one “brick.”
I rounded out my luggage update with a four-compartment makeup or toiletries bag. The bag has four clear pockets with solid zippers. It opens up, and I can lay it out on a table or hang it on a towel rack and see everything inside. The four pockets fold up, and with the help of strong zippers, I store my toiletries into a tidy “mini suitcase.” After my bags were packed for Florida, I could still easily lift the carry-on over my head—score!
As the wheels glided silently across the crowded B gate at Denver International Airport and the soft backpack hung snug but not tight across my back and shoulders, I was high-fiving myself. That’s when I asked my husband to take a pic of me and my bags to document my moment of travel bliss.
What confirmed the fact that I had made the right choices was when I stopped for a restroom break. As I washed my hands, a United flight attendant commented,
“Oh, I love your bags–we use Travel Pro bags for our luggage but only in black. Your whole ensemble looks terrific!”
Nailed it.
BTW…these bags may help you carry your items to the 2024 MTNA Conference in Atlanta. And if you are interested in offering group lessons, check out the Recreational Music Making scholarship opportunity!
Safe travels wherever you are headed next.
Would love to know if I get to see you in Melbourne or Atlanta!
Let me know if you have questions…
