We’ve fitted a power washer, full-sized vacuum cleaner and even a new barbecue inside them. The bags are relatively inexpensive, fold down nearly flat for stowage, but have a huge carrying capacity, even more than the Stahlsac. Returning to New Zealand with the Stahlsac bag filled and the rest in cardboard boxes.Īfter doing some research, we bought an LL Bean extra-large rolling adventure duffle. This worked well, but still wasn’t enough to hold everything. The Stahlsac is soft-sided and easy to manage, yet holds a huge amount and is wheeled for easy transport. We had an old Stahlsac dive bag on board that we started using. If the luggage ends up sitting out in the rain, the box could break and the contents be lost or damaged. These usually are the last to come out, so we end up delayed at the airport.Īnd finally, cardboard boxes aren’t very durable when wet. Instead, we have to pick them up in a separate place with the special luggage. We typically have to sign a waiver indicating they are not liable for any damage, and cardboard boxes often don’t come out on the carousel with the rest of the luggage. The boxes have all been resealed with TSA inspection tape.Īnother issue is that airlines really don’t like cardboard boxes shipped as luggage. One of our three boxes was delayed into Fiji until the next day, likely due to the TSA inspection.

On our very first return trip to the US, from Fiji, one of our boxes was delayed until the next day, we suspect due to the inspection. (We often wouldn’t have even noticed were it not for tag they leave to indicate they’d inspected the contents, and the special TSA-labelled tape used to reseal a box.) But the potential for loss or damage increases with every touch of the contents, and the inspection can delay the luggage. The inspection is always done very carefully, and we’ve never had anything lost or damaged as a result. The first is that a cardboard box always attracts a TSA security inspection, where the box is unpacked to inspect the contents, and repacked. On our first couple of trips, we brought most of the parts back in cardboard boxes. Unpacking shipments for consolidation at our Seattle UPS store on a return trip from New Zealand. The service has always been remarkably good. The UPS store has been more than just a mailbox to us, they have been like our representative in Seattle. Then we unpack and repack everything to minimize the volume in preparation for the return trip home. We had most parts shipped to our local UPS store at 815 1 st Ave in Seattle, where we’ve maintained a mailbox since we first moved aboard on our previous boat. And many other items simply could not be obtained locally, or were prohibitively expensive. We sourced items locally when we could, but anything 110V or 60Hz, such as a kettle, must come from North America. The gear usually weighed at least 200 lbs (90kg) in aggregate, and sometimes as high as 300 lbs (136 kg). And on every one of those trips (when international), we brought back a lot of boat parts and spares in checked luggage. And when you’re not moving, the brand says the rolling duffel has been designed to stand upright on its own - which is certainly not something that can be said of every two-wheeled bag.In the decade we spent travelling the world in Dirona, we typically returned to Seattle two-three times a year. Conveniently, its design means the bag can be carried any number of ways: Like most duffels, it has a top handle and a padded shoulder strap like most rolling luggage, it also has a suitcase handle you can use to pull or push it along. (At this size, though, you’ll probably have to check the bag if flying.) It also has handy pockets inside and out for stashing and organizing smaller essentials, and is made with a water-repellent, abrasion-resistant exterior that should keep both the bag and any possessions within looking good as new. The bag’s 120-liter main compartment is way bigger than the 40-liter ones found in your average carry-on, so you can easily pack two weeks’ worth of clothing inside. This extremely practical (extra-large) rolling duffel combines the best features of both of those types of bags, so needless to say our antennae went up this morning when we spotted it on sale for 35 percent off.

L.L.Bean’s duffels and rolling suitcases have each been recommended to us for their sturdiness and style. Whether you’re taking a trip or just returning to the city you escaped early on in the pandemic, you may be in the market for some fresh luggage to take with you.

With vaccinations on the rise, the prospect of actually traveling again is one more and more people seem to be considering.

Ll bean rolling adventure duffle