Please Come To Boston: Resolve Your Travel Issues with Excess Baggage (Men & Women)

[merkman]

Don't want to steal baghandler's thunder, but maybe she can answer a question that popped to mind reading her post.

Normally when I travel, I have up to 3 bags I take with me.

1) A Black Skyway Garment Bag for suits and dress clothes.

2) A Red American Tourister 25" Suitcase I bought within the last year when my old suitcase was giving up the ghost.

3) A Black Targus Trailpack

Now I know what your thinking? A trailpack you say? Well, while in college, my day's worth of school books, binders, and other gizmos and gadgets wouldn't fit in a standard backpack. A couple of the cutest girls on campus had the same problem, and found these great Eddie Bauer backpacks that fit all their junk. Well, I went to the outlet, the mall stores, and couldn't find a similar one. So I ended up finding this Targus bag that was far bigger than the rest of the backpacks I'd seen, but didn't have the fancy metal "skeletons" and crap, and bought it. I've had it since I graduated with my 3rd degree, and have used it on almost every plane trip I take. It's my carry on for cameras, video games, MP3 players, computers, you name it. And while it isn't the most stylish option, it has held up AMAZINGLY well and been the most functional of bags I've ever owned.

So how DOES a Damier Keepall work as a carry on? I've been looking at the rep sites VERY closely since Posh's very first attempts to help us guys improve our baggage. We've discussed what I like, what she feels is fashionable, and last night agreed on 3 different bags we both liked. Only one of those 3 was a keepall, but if that's as great as people say it is, and the reps hold up well, maybe that's my first purchase!!!

If anyone has experience with these rep as it sounds like baghandler does... please share whatever you will. The size and shape of a keepall is very different from what I'm used to. And I normally keep my carry on under the seat in front of me. Will that work with these bags? Or are they over the seat in the compartment only? Any info is great, as I've only been following these topics since they started getting brought up here.

And my thanks to our tour guide, the lovely Posh. Her experiences really make the site, don't you think?

[Posh]

Don't want to steal baghandler's thunder, but maybe she can answer a question that popped to mind reading her post.

Normally when I travel, I have up to 3 bags I take with me.

1) A Black Skyway Garment Bag for suits and dress clothes.

2) A Red American Tourister 25" Suitcase I bought within the last year when my old suitcase was giving up the ghost.

3) A Black Targus Trailpack

If anyone has experience with these rep as it sounds like baghandler does... please share whatever you will. The size and shape of a keepall is very different from what I'm used to. And I normally keep my carry on under the seat in front of me. Will that work with these bags? Or are they over the seat in the compartment only? Any info is great, as I've only been following these topics since they started getting brought up here.

And my thanks to our tour guide, the lovely Posh. Her experiences really make the site, don't you think?

Thanks.

First: American Tourister? Do you know how close I came to mentioning that in this guide and cut it from the final draft? And by cutting them I mean

Second: A backpack you've carried since COLLEGE? Merk, I know your age and I say it is time to give this backpack up to the Good Will and let another young boy make a future with it.

All Keepalls, except for maybe the 45s, will NOT fit under a seat. They will fit in the overhead compartment but not under a seat, no.

Merk, why not go to a Louis Vuitton boutique in Seattle and check these all out in person. It sounds as if you have far too many questions that can't possibly be answered by any of us or the replica sites themselves. If you go to the boutique and after handling the bag decide you like it, then look at the replica sites and buy it.

Right now, you're splitting hairs. These bags and suitcases are all different from what you're used to but how does that affect their functionality in regards to being able to carry all your belongings? They do it just as well as all your current luggage, I promise. The only thing that changes is the fashionability.

[merkman]

Second: A backpack you've carried since COLLEGE? Merk, I know your age and I say it is time to give this backpack up to the Good Will and let another young boy make a future with it.

Well, I'll just mention that I got my third degree in '97. So yeah, I've probably held onto it for far too long, but I swear the thing looks brand new... and after all, I didn't know any better until a few weeks ago. Your getting through to me, but it take a little time for change.

Merk, why not go to a Louis Vuitton boutique in Seattle and check these all out in person. It sounds as if you have far too many questions that can't possibly be answered by any of us or the replica sites themselves. If you go to the boutique and after handling the bag decide you like it, then look at the replica sites and buy it.

Good point. I didn't really think about the fact that there is probably a LV in Seattle. Now that I think about it, it MIGHT be right across the street from my favorite Seattle restaurant, Benihana. Maybe a road trip is in order...

Right now, you're splitting hairs. These bags and suitcases are all different from what you're used to but how does that affect their functionality in regards to being able to carry all your belongings? They do it just as well as all your current luggage, I promise. The only thing that changes is the fashionability.

I mostly agree with this, but not completely. Reason I say that is the functionality depending on the bag. It's true, most bags are made to hold stuff, and therefore very similar. But the Targus bag I have has SEVERAL pockets. One I use for plane tickets and other important paperwork. Another for medication or my cell phone charger. A third right in front for my sunglasses case, and of course the big section where I place all my electronics (typically in their own cases), and kinda let things all fall together.

But unless there are dividers or pockets I'm missing in the pictures of most of the rep bags, they are really just one big "purse" or "carryall" without more than a couple of seperate "pockets" on the outside of the bag at the most. I'm sure the computer bags have a few extra dividers or something, but it really is a different way to carry your stuff... at least to me. Maybe if you've used bags like these all your life, it's no big deal. But again, I've never really even looked at Coach bags before. My sisters have and have bought them of course, but if it wasn't for the C's all over their bags... I couldn't tell 1/2 of them came from there.

Maybe I'm wrong, but I think if you give me a chance I'll figure all this out. Might even impress you a little before I'm done. But give me a chance to wade out of this end of the pool, before you go throwing me into the deep end without a single waterwing to my name!

[Posh]

I mostly agree with this, but not completely. Reason I say that is the functionality depending on the bag. It's true, most bags are made to hold stuff, and therefore very similar. But the Targus bag I have has SEVERAL pockets. One I use for plane tickets and other important paperwork. Another for medication or my cell phone charger. A third right in front for my sunglasses case, and of course the big section where I place all my electronics (typically in their own cases), and kinda let things all fall together.

But unless there are dividers or pockets I'm missing in the pictures of most of the rep bags, they are really just one big "purse" or "carryall" without more than a couple of seperate "pockets" on the outside of the bag at the most. I'm sure the computer bags have a few extra dividers or something, but it really is a different way to carry your stuff... at least to me. Maybe if you've used bags like these all your life, it's no big deal. But again, I've never really even looked at Coach bags before. My sisters have and have bought them of course, but if it wasn't for the C's all over their bags... I couldn't tell 1/2 of them came from there.

Maybe I'm wrong, but I think if you give me a chance I'll figure all this out. Might even impress you a little before I'm done. But give me a chance to wade out of this end of the pool, before you go throwing me into the deep end without a single waterwing to my name!

I'm afraid that there is no designer bag with that much functionality, not by Louis Vuitton anyway. What you see in those pictures is exactly what there is. They are all about throwing a lot of your things in them, nice and neat of course, and going about your business. The bags that have that level of competence and functionality you like and actually use tend to be very hard on the eyes.

But it sounds like you don't fashion, you want function. Substance over style. I mean, you carry three different bags with you where most people don't even want to carry two! Sometimes, a bag is not for function, it is, in the words of Nicholas in The Devil Wears Prada: "An accessory is merely a piece of iconography used to express individualy identity."

Your identity is complete utility and total functionality. When you are ready to give up this identity, then looking for new luggage may be SO much easier.

[baghandler]

Merkman - Here is my experience thus far: The keepall I have, the 55, goes in the overhead. It works fine as my carryon for several reasons. First, I also carry a small (for me, that is) purse when I fly for my tickets, passport, gum etc. Second, I don't overstuff (shocking!) the keepall because I'm hand-carrying it. Having to schlep a fully -loaded keepall from check in to gate at O'Hare would require far too many hours at the gym for this noodle-armed chick. Third, while it is just one large open space (it is just a duffle bag, after all), I use smaller bags/pouches (not to mention the ubiquitous quart-sized ziploc full of 3oz containers of lipgloss ) inside of it to keep things somewhat organized and relatively clutter-free.


I defer to our Lady Posh on all of the rest, above. Except I would like to add my voice to this sentiment: Please , for the love of all that is good and beautiful, get rid of the backpack... GET RID OF THE BACKPACK!

[Posh]

I defer to our Lady Posh on all of the rest, above. Except I would like to add my voice to this sentiment: Please , for the love of all that is good and beautiful, get rid of the backpack... GET RID OF THE BACKPACK!

I wanted to say that but I thought it would sound all mean in tone on here. Thanks!

Get rid of the backpack unless we are going camping.

[roflwaffle]

I didn't really think about the fact that there is probably a LV in Seattle. Now that I think about it, it MIGHT be right across the street from my favorite Seattle restaurant, Benihana. Maybe a road trip is in order...

Yes, the LV store is up near there... diagonal across the street.. .cant miss it. attached to the IBM building I believe?

[quizvan]

But unless there are dividers or pockets I'm missing in the pictures of most of the rep bags, they are really just one big "purse" or "carryall" without more than a couple of seperate "pockets" on the outside of the bag at the most.

If you want pockets, check out the LV Damier Geant line. Most of the pieces are available as replicas, and are very lightweight and have plenty of internal and external pockets and dividers. Two of the cabin-sized pieces are the Aventurier and the Souverain, both very stylish and well-replicated. Check your LV catalog or the LV website for pics. I have those 2 plus about 6 other pieces in that line in the Terre/Earth color, all excellent replicas. The only drawback to the Damier Geant line is that the cabin-sized trolley (Conquerant 55) is not accurately knocked off (someone posted a link to a Damier Geant small trolley, which is totally wrong) -- I like to have a trolley on which to perch the smaller pieces.

If you want to stick to LV mono, the Alize 2-Poches has, as the name describes, 2 compartments as well as plenty of pockets; it is also cabin-sized. The Bosphore 50 trolley has 3 external pockets as well as a garment carrier -- one of those and a smaller bag will hold everything you need for a long weekend.

I've found the replica LV luggage to be remarkably robust -- never had one fall apart on me. I don't baby these bags the way I do my leather Terrida or Mulholland bags. I think that they actually look better a bit beat-up and well-travelled, so I have entrusted them to the commercial carriers and baggage handlers. I would bet serious money that LV makes its genuine luggage partially or wholly in China.

[quizvan]

///

[Posh]

When I first started dating my husband, he was carrying a 15+ year-old grubby safety-orange nylon backpack which was literally held together by dental floss -- and this was not in college BTW, but many years into a good career. I found it so endearing that he treasured his trusty backpack and lacked the need to prove anything to anyone. I still tease him about what I dubbed his "lucky backpack", and tell him that I married him because I knew that if he loved his ol' backpack all the more as it fell into disrepair, he would treasure me all the more as I aged... Alas, the lucky backpack finally deteriorated beyond repair; but my husband still totes his papers around in backpacks -- that's him.

Quizzy, that is cute! Awwww! I swear, that's so damn sweet I'm gonna into sugar shock!

And since you know luggae, where could one get replica LV pieces custom made? I'm curious because I know it can be done.

And I'm with you, I think they DO make some of these luggage pieces in China. Especially the Conquerant. It's too close to the original not to be made there.

[quizvan]

And since you know luggae, where could one get replica LV pieces custom made? I'm curious because I know it can be done.

I wish I knew! It may require bringing a prototype to one of the Guangzhou LV factories. Many of the Chinese suppliers claim to be affiliated with a LV factory, but I believe that the claim is spurious except for Shaly@superalv -- her LV prices are generally significantly lower (and her quality is authentic) that it is possible that she actually does have ties to a factory. However, I have often asked her about some hard-to-find pieces in the past, and she can't source them -- but perhaps if I offered her a high price, she may be able to have a piece made.
I fantasize about commissioning sets of trunks and steamer cabinets, although I would settle for having an accurate Pegase 70, a hat box, and steamer bag made. There are a couple of Chinese suppliers which will custom-make handbags, with a minimum order of upwards of 5 pieces -- I imagine they could do the more-basic and bag-like luggage pieces (not trolleys).

[Posh]

I wish I knew! It may require bringing a prototype to one of the Guangzhou LV factories. Many of the Chinese suppliers claim to be affiliated with a LV factory, but I believe that the claim is spurious except for Shaly@superalv -- her LV prices are generally significantly lower (and her quality is authentic) that it is possible that she actually does have ties to a factory. However, I have often asked her about some hard-to-find pieces in the past, and she can't source them -- but perhaps if I offered her a high price, she may be able to have a piece made.
I fantasize about commissioning sets of trunks and steamer cabinets, although I would settle for having an accurate Pegase 70, a hat box, and steamer bag made. There are a couple of Chinese suppliers which will custom-make handbags, with a minimum order of upwards of 5 pieces -- I imagine they could do the more-basic and bag-like luggage pieces (not trolleys).

I would do a group buy on that if that were the case. I'd feel like I was really commissioning a piece from LV. I would settle for a RepGeeks only special suitcase like an Alzer or Bisten covered in Monogramouflage or Mancrazy canvas . . . I hate the Mancrazy Nurse line but it would look AMAZING on a suitcase.

Mmmmmmm

[baghandler]

I would do a group buy on that if that were the case. I'd feel like I was really commissioning a piece from LV. I would settle for a RepGeeks only special suitcase like an Alzer or Bisten covered in Monogramouflage or Mancrazy canvas . . . I hate the Mancrazy Nurse line but it would look AMAZING on a suitcase.

Mmmmmmm

I'll take two. Paypal OK?