Rolling duffel bag. With a non-traditional color or pattern. Over half the bags are BLUE/BLACK.

@Tropical_Willie Do you check it? Doesn’t it get squished horribly if you can’t carry it on?

Roll all my clothes before I put them in the suitcase, pack in layers. Something like THIS.
Wheels and handles work great, can put a small carry-on on top to get out to taxi or bus.

High Sierra Titan 65 backpack with internal frame. I have not had to check it because I have not flown since I got it. I used to fly with my old Rucksack all the time.

Rolling, telescoping handle, one that can be checked so stuff doesn’t have to go through security.

Backpack is the current mode of transporting your clothes, while traveling.

My son taught me this trick. I believe you can carry some backpacks onboard, if the dimiensions are correct.

Other bigger backpacks can be stowed in the plane.

Roll your clothes and you will be surprised at how much you can “stuff” into a quality backpack.

Did this on a trip to Italy and it worked like a charm.

What do you think about the suitcase I just bought having clothes on both sides?

@JLeslie: i have the standard one where clothes go on one side and then zip the top shut. I am not sure about the one you have, but if you like it, that’s what counts.

@john65pennington: the downside about carrying anything on board is that it has to go through security. If you want to bring on liquids like shampoo, there’s a limit and big hassle with packaging.

Now, the downside about checking the luggage is having to wait when you arrive, for the luggage to come out of cargo and onto the carousel.

@JLeslie I don’t really like that style. I used to have a hard sided suitcase and it worked well enough, but the backpack is so much easier for me.

I prefer suitcases that zip properly. Seriously, lol. I have a big suitcase that only zips half the time… it’s temperamental.

@jca I am afraid I won’t like it, that’s the problem. I am second guessing my purchase.

@JLeslie: My last luggage purchase was Nautica from Marshalls, $40.

@jca This wasn’t a fortune, I think it was $130. I never buy very expensive luggage, I think it makes your suitcase a target to be robbed. Plus, I don’t want to spend a lot of money anyway. Although, mylast piece of luggage was around $200 I think with a sale and employee discounts, and it lasted a long time. The quality is noticeable with the very cheap stuff compared to the expensive, the fabric and the way it is sewn. But, it does not change whether the space works well or not.

The most important thing to me is having it an uncommon color so I can find it quickly at the destination. I prefer rectangular luggage with one whole side that zips open. I like it to have a pull-out handle and roller blade wheels. I don’t buy expensive luggage. The airlines tear up the good stuff just like they tear up the cheap stuff.

I am actually going through the process of looking at the moment. I like the look of something like this The material is apparently really, really tough. We are looking at getting a couple of medium sized bags though. Definitely the wheelie ones though.

@Bellatrix Mine is similar to your link, but I opted not to buy the shiny finish, because it seems it would scratch and mark easily. There was one a really liked by Samsonite like that, because it actually unzipped to expand, which I have never seen in a hard case, but it was a shiny finish and I just worried it would look like crap fast. I kind of wish when I flew last month I had paid more attention to how everyone’s luggage looked coming down the belt.

This is what I bought.

@JLeslie: Very nice. Did you get lavender?

No, I bought the grey. There aren’t too many grey suitcases in the airports from what I remember, so I don’t think it will be hard to spot. My last bag was brown, and that worked out fine. I thought about a brighter and more unique color, but it really isn’t me. If they had a red or dark green I might have chosen one of those colors.

I like those @JLeslie and good point on the shiny material. I have only looked at one place so far but both our bigger suitcases are in need of replacement. I also have a couple of holdall type bags too. I like the idea of the tougher, lightweight, hard material though for our general suitcases. Good question and nice luggage @JLeslie.

@Bellatrix and @JLeslie: AND good price!

@Bellatrix I just packed it up for the first time a few hours ago. So far so good. I actually put all my shoes on the slightly smaller side, it was nice to be able to fit the shoes without stressing out. Part of the reason everything fit easily is because the entire suit case is much bigger than my other valise. But, also I think it might like being able to separate the items into categories. Not sure. I’ll see how it goes.

Thanks everyone.