My trusty Caterpillar carry-on suitcase has finally bitten the dust... well, my wife will say that it is hers, and yes... well, it actually technically was, but I used it the most! Anyway, it is still crazily sturdy and technically is still functional as well, but the zip tabs have gone, and more problematically, the zip itself is open on one of the front pouches, and that means that it is likely to catch on various bits and pieces whilst traversing the baggage train behind the scenes (Yes, it is carry on size... but I lose that ability when I am travelling with violins).
But still... not a bad run for a roughly twenty year old bag that has travelled multiple times all around the world and Europe!
Sadly, Caterpillar (yes, the same as the monster mining trucks!) doesn't make baggage anymore... and the very few types that they do make aren't available easily in Australia. And so, I've been on the hunt for a replacement for the last half year.
I do have a leftover similar sized bag from my mother that she left on one of her visits... but it is smaller in available volume, and heavier. It is weird how varied these things can be.
So, millions of review and millions of reading through customer complaints... and it was practically impossible to figure out what is a good bag or not. Cheap ones can survive or not... and the same goes with expensive ones as well. I even had a look at some reviews where they tested the bags to destruction by dropping a car on them!
In the end... I knew what sort of thing I was after... a soft sided bag, not a hard shell.... and TWO wheels, I hate the four wheel ones... that just seems to be an weak design point for durability if you ask me, and I don't care for wheeling a bag next to me... I have a violin already occupying one side space and my computer bag on the other side!
So, lots of searching around... most things tend to be hard shells and four wheels these days... everything that I detest in a bag from a durability standpoint... rigid vs flexible... like most things in life, I prefer flexibility over strength. I really am of the philosophy that that is the stronger option over time.
... and finally, a roller bag from Eastpak came across my feed. I have a Katmandu large roller bag, and I love it... but it is HUGE! The Tranvers comes in three size options... and I ended up settling for the larger medium size instead of the carry on small size. Again, I am generally away for a week, and the small carry on is only JUST big enough if I pack crazily tightly and efficiently. And I can't bring back new stuff!
The bag is a sturdy soft material (water resistant, not water proof... but I guess I can spray it if I really want to)... with one hard back side and a softer "front/top" side. It unzips to reveal a central compartment area, and two zipped and separated additional compartments. Already got me hooked... I LOVE POCKETS!
A hard back side provides the strength with a metal skeleton... and two nice fat big wheels for towing behind me!
Compression straps for the lower side compartment that is again backed by the harder skeleton that houses the handle apparatus.
Outer pouches as well for easy access... and a belted fastening system to further compress the bag and contents.
Nice sturdy handle, good balance point... and a TSA compliant lock... although, I never bother locking any of my bags!
So, I'm keen to take this for the first trip in a few weeks... it is perfect timing, as that trip away will be a back to back of a couple of different projects which means that I will be travelling for two weeks... and this is perfect size for that!