Typing six foot three inches and 220 pounds causes all that shit.
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Typing six foot three inches and 220 pounds causes all that shit.
IOS “upgrade”, amirite?
Yeah, a right-sized charge would feel like less of a screwing…
Yup. Upgraded earlier this week. I just upgraded Tapatalk too. I’m afraid to hit reply.Quote:
Originally Posted by ::: :::;[emoji[emoji[emoji638
FTFYQuote:
Originally Posted by riser4
Rollers with tuck-away or zip-away pack straps!
They are clutch for places (like Europe) where the wheels only get you part of the way!
Why are these so hard to find these days?
The High Sierras I have are both needing replacement.
Carryon roller: 22" expandable split roller bag with a hard bottom that fits in the overhead bins but can expand a good chunk for checked use. Bent the telescoping handle so it only comes out halfway.
Big roller: 35" 110L drop bottom duffel roller with 34" of internal length, pretty sleek at 14"x14" which keeps it balanced and the drop bottom is hard sided. It sits happily upright on the wheel end. The zippers are going making it sketchy to travel with.
They both have rigid base and back, the rest is padded or soft. I hate rollers with a soft back as they sag putting the weight on your arm instead of the weels. The zipaway pack straps on the hard-side gives you a frame and carries nicely when your room is down the snow covered alley and up 5 flights!
I absolutely cannot find a 30+" 110-130L roller duffel with one hard side and pack straps on the hard side. High Sierra doesn't do backpack straps anymore. The closest thing I've found is the Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler XT series. Straps are on the soft side of the bag, which I can tolerate, but the largest size is only 32" which makes it fatter (bukly/tippy)... guess that is OK since ate least it claims 120L as long as there is at least 29"n of internal length.
What else is out there?
I looked at Osprey’s stuff but didn’t see a roller bag with a harness that was 100l or more. 80-90 liters seemed to be the biggest with a harness. I like my Osprey luggage a lot. Pack lighter?Quote:
Originally Posted by summit
https://www.osprey.com/travel/luggage/wheeled-luggage
None of those fit the bill of pack straps and at least one hard side (and thus a telescoping handle). (I had come across that page).Quote:
Originally Posted by plugboots
As far as packing lighter, its nice to have one of these duffels because you can compress down when it is partially full, but expand it when you, say, buy a buncha wine or liqour in Europe. And having a long bag, at least 28" of internal, means my BD treking poles fit inside lengthwise rather than diagonal, along with various other long things.
I wish the Osprey Sojourn 100L had backpack straps. They literally have a backpanel zip compartment where the straps could live and attach, just like my High Sierras, but Osprey just uses it for an ID pocket and "extra storage." Maybe I could add them...
Attachment 500614
Attachment 500615
Although that looks uncomfortable as it would be the hadle tubes rather than a plastic sheet like the High Sierras.
Back when Osprey was located in Cortez and they made the packs there you might have been able to get them to custom add a harness, but these days…Quote:
Originally Posted by summit
/uselessnostalgia
/theworldisgoingtohell
I think you're right that they are hard to find now...but IMHO it is because they don't really work that well for most people.
Eagle Creek does have a 110 and 130L version of the cargo hauler, but you get a webbing handle rather than an extendable handle and you give up rigidity....so you'd better actually be filling the thing or it will be a floppy mess.
When they get that big, the weight becomes pretty unwieldy fast, so people are happy to drop the extra weight associated with frame/handle/wheels...or they are unhappy to carry it on their back so the straps never get used. A loaded 130L pack with basic straps (rather than a real frame and load-carrying hip strap) is no fun to carry long distances. Pretty narrow subset of people who want all in one at that size.
FWIW, when I was in Europe last fall, I brought a convertible option...and I didn't end up using it in backpack mode a single time. Nice big wheels plus a decently sized/stable handle setup is perfectly manageable around Europe even with cobble streets and questionable footpaths. I ditched it when I got home and replaced it with a REI Big Haul rolling duffel without backpack straps.
I used the heck out of my packstraps on the High Sierra 110L just lately in Scotland... even in the city when going up two flights of stairs and through literally 11 doors to get to a room.
This Eagle Creek XT is probably the call. 32" 110L. Same weight (4kg) and size as the Osprey 100, thouhg it won't roll as well as an Osprey. It won't pack carry as well as the High Sierra but I need to not worry about impending zipper failure.
https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/revie...t-wheeled-120l
Attachment 500616
From the linked review:
Quote:
Although the backpack straps are a clever idea, we found them to be less than practical for anything longer than a quick trip upstairs, etc. The straps and their connection points to the bag are flimsy and there's insufficient padding or structure to ease the pressure of all that weight on back and shoulders.
That's why they barely exist anymore. I'm with you that it is a nice to have feature in those instances where it works...but I can usually manage to just carry it by hand for a few flights of stairs or whatever.
Maybe I should pick one up for when I need to travel with bulky but not super heavy things that won't put me over the limit. Going on first big trip (Maui) with a baby in November and might be stretching what I can do with my 30" REI Big Haul roller--the eagle creek weighs less and has more capacity.
I have one of these ridiculous bright orange discontinued Arc'teryx Carrier 100L duffels that I picked up for cheap on Sierra Trading Post years ago:
https://www.campsaver.com/arc-teryx-...fel-100-l.html
Attachment 500625
Absolutely zero structure or features/pockets. Just a big zip-up container with handles on 4 sides and 2 straps that can be used as backpack, shoulder, or as compression straps to take up excess volume.
Makes it very light, and the fabric is burly and holds up to being checked...but not great for carrying long distances (better pack it so nothing pointy is near your back!)
Looks like they've released a new version with better straps, more structure, and easier access...but the nice thing about this is how small you can pack it up for how cavernous it is. Good for if you need to go somewhere and return with a lot of stuff (or if you are never more than 100' from the car)
Ok, what do the TGR travel gurus have for making long (~10 hour) flights survivable with children? Is making them run around the airport before boarding and then dosing them with melatonin gonna work?
Grandparents?
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EdiblesQuote:
Originally Posted by toast2266
Prayers are your only hope.Quote:
Originally Posted by toast2266
Yes.Quote:
Originally Posted by toast2266
Have one parent board early with all the luggage.
2nd parent explore the terminal with the kiddos - board dead last.
Have plan B, C, & D… new toys, new books, and the kryptonite (Frozen 1 and 2).
Most of all - don’t stress too much. It will not go perfectly… on most flights there’s a crying kid and no one really cares…
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What are their ages?Quote:
Originally Posted by toast2266
Speaking of travel "hacks", this is what is being shown to me as "Popular This Week on TGR". I haven't really been in the market lately, so I don't think it's my cookies, though I have an ad blocker running, so maybe that is making things weird?
Attachment 500633
I've done this a bunch as one set of grandparents (and at one point some of my wife's work projects) are in India and last year we went to Aus/NZ. How old are the kids? We try to get him to run around before, try to schedule flights that have natural bed times, then give him a bit of melatonin to help him sleep somewhat normally. Honestly, it's pretty easy these days with our son as if we're flying that long, the plane likely has a screen. My son doesn't get unlimited screen time any other time, so he will just happily watch things for an extended period. When it's a reasonable bed time, give him a melatonin with 20 minutes or so left in a movie, then make him sleep after before he can watch anything else. If it was only 10 hours total and during the day, I wouldn't necessarily make him sleep.Quote:
Originally Posted by toast2266
We also have a Nintendo Switch which we often bring. A new game before the trip will also hold attention. Before our Aus/NZ trip I bought the new Zelda for myself and my son was also fascinated.
Also, my son is obsessed with airliners. So that helps.
as asked already, the ages is a crucial missing piece of data. also, how familiar are they with plane travel in general? and what are they like on those trips?Quote:
Originally Posted by toast2266
They'll be about 5 (twin boys). On shorter flights (< 5 hrs) we've done, they've waffled between being totally fine and thrashing uncontrollably (which resulted in one of them kicking the stewardess).Quote:
Originally Posted by MontuckyFried
Getting them to sleep I think is going to be the real trick. We're going from a small airport (Kalispell) to a small-ish airport (Geneva), so unfortunately that makes timing the flights around logical bedtimes essentially impossible. At some point, either on the outgoing or return flight, pretty much all available itineraries have some level of suck.
Do they play video games? My son was 6 when we got the Switch, specifically for an India trip. It became a life saver when we all got Covid during the journey and ended up stuck in a bedroom for a week. I understand if you don't want to embrace that, but I suspect the novelty and a headphone splitter with a game like Mario Cart might go a long way to entertaining them.Quote:
Originally Posted by toast2266
Still sticking with my original answerQuote:
Originally Posted by toast2266
Yeah, use any and every screen to keep them occupied.
Quote:
Originally Posted by summit
That Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler XT looks like a pretty good option for your requirements.Quote:
Originally Posted by singlesline
I recently purchased and traveled with a couple of Eagle creek migrate 130l wheeled duffels which I think is the one singlesline is referring to. Bit lighter, bit bigger and much less expensive than the cargo hauler xt but does not meet your requirement of a rigid bottom.
Everything is a tradeoff - for us the 4lb lighter bag meant not exceeding airline limits and when fairly full the fabric handle was perfectly fine.
FWIW - airline did a real number on one of them and it got abrasion holes in the bottom (1680d ballistic poly). Eagle creek stepped up and warrantied it without question.
We also travelled with some regular duffels (Gregory Alpaca, now discontinued ) that I like quite alot for their burly simplicity, pack straps and tie downs but no wheels,
Bags are like skis - need to have a good quiver!!
Looks like Amazon has a couple of colors at a pretty big discount too: https://www.amazon.com/eagle-creek-T...221e06445&th=1Quote:
Originally Posted by summit
Campsaver has other colors for $265 with code AUTUMN:
https://www.campsaver.com/eagle-cree...l-120l-32.html
For the parents and cough syrup for the kids.Quote:
Originally Posted by Buzzworthy
No video games currently, but I'll certainly crack that egg open for this trip. Normally our kids don't get a ton of screen time, but that policy is on hold for airplanes. In the past, it hasn't been quite as helpful as I'd hoped though. They've always gotten restless ~45 minutes into any given movie (including ones they'll happily sit through at home).Quote:
Originally Posted by MarcusBrody
But yeah, definitely planning on bringing every feasible form of entertainment. Books, games, movies, hookers & blow, etc. Might also bring some extra NRS straps for securing them in the overhead bins.
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Have the wife sit in first class and then trade seats with her half way through the flight.
Both of you sit in first class. Put the kids in coach. Separate rows are best.Quote:
Originally Posted by muted reborn
This is how marriages last.Quote:
Originally Posted by muted reborn
And feed her extra wine.
Rub whisky on the gums
Quote:
Originally Posted by muted reborn
Quote:
Originally Posted by Buzzworthy
I'd like to watch as Toast pushes aside the first class curtain , walks up to his sloshed-on-wine wife and says " time for you to go back to economy and manage the kids. They're hungry and grumpy and the seat's smaller and beside the toilet."
The roar of 1st class laughter will be real as Toast gets ejected.
Right, what are the odds his wife asks a flight attendant to please direct this man back to cattle class where he belongs? :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Djongo Unchained
I've flown from Europe to the US starting with a single 6mo, and slowly progressing up to 3 kids at almost yearly intervals with 3 years off for the pandemic. Went back last year with a 7, 5, and 2yo.
By the time they are 5 they can watch movies non stop. Getting them to sleep on the Euro-bound direction is brutal, and there's a lot of whining about comfort. US-bound, just let them stay awake and be ready to schlep them onto the connecting flights after they've crashed out.
The key is having a mindset that you will not get your own free time. You will, but it only counts as extra credit. This can help with the "what the fuck do you need now?" factor.
I've done it sober and with drinks, and drinks is 100% the way to go. Just keep the buzz going. This works for trains too... confined spaces chasing toddlers, best to take the edge off. With little babies maybe no booze.
For the readers that don't have 5 year olds yet. Just be prepared to walk them around the plane a lot, and hang out holding them in the common areas. You actually feel better after all that activity on a long haul flight, it just seems like a pain in ass when you're doing it.
Twin 5 year olds?! Yeah, I'd say you have the right game plan in place already. I think the biggest thing is do whatever it takes to keep them from getting hangry, and NOT with empty calorie cheesy poofs. Substantial, healthy foods, ie fruits/veggies/proteins. When travelling with our kids, we'd make a bunch of hard boiled eggs and bring those along with fruit, nuts and stuff. Also, making sure they get a good night's sleep the night before. Never bust out the screens until last resort. Start with books, activity/coloring books, games, etc. until you finally want to give in and allow them to watch/play something screen-based. Lastly, engage with them! Sure, it can be exhausting but it goes a LONG way with kids that age.Quote:
Originally Posted by toast2266
Our kids are now 7 and 9, but from babies til now, they've done numerous cross-country road trips and full days of air travel and they have been absolute rock stars. Some might call us cruel as we've blasted back and forth from Montana to Texas non-stop minus gas stops. Almost 24 hours of driving. All of the above tips are what made it possible. Keep em well fed and never over-tired. A little boredom from time to time is good for them too. Let them stare out the window for hours on end and use their imaginations. Anyway, that's all I got. Godspeed, toast.
Ha, you are right. But i do think having an escape chair for team Toast is a luxurious way to go.Quote:
Originally Posted by Djongo Unchained
This got me poking around the Gregory website. Now I have a boner for this bag.Quote:
Originally Posted by dcpnz
https://www.gregory.com/collections/...64&cgid=alpaca
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