When we started traveling, back in 2013 (it took us that long to get out of the US!), I had read enough to suggest we do carry-on only. Dan was leery of that idea, but was willing to give it a go. Turns out it was pretty easy to do, and not having to check luggage is a wonderful thing!

But finding the PERFECT bags? Hm. Is that even possible?

When I started getting more serious about photography Dan suggested that no camera bag is perfect, and that I’d end up with a collection of them. He was right. I have too many camera bags. None are perfect.

The same goes for our travel gear. I have searched. Again, for this trip, I have ordered several of the larger bags hoping to find that perfect bag. I had purchased a newer Osprey bag but returned it immediately. I had thought the few added pockets and compression straps would be handy, but it was really not worth the extra expense and weight. I’m hoping Osprey will eventually update again, getting rid of a few things that seemed like stupid add-ons to me. Funny that they haven’t written to ask me what to do! (Joking … promise!)

Today another, this time a Gregory Detour 40 pack, arrives, and I already know I have to return that as well. (Backpack straps can’t be stowed away on this smaller version and I hadn’t read that bit until after ordering.)

This time there is another choice we have to make: do we do our Gregory roller luggage, or do we do our usual Osprey Porter 46L bags?

Pictured above is what my backpack option. It’s an older version, no longer available. It’s very basic: very few pockets, no compression straps, and it is wonderfully lightweight.

As we get older, the backpack is not quite as easy to lug around, but dragging a wheeled bag over cobblestones, up stairs, and into trains isn’t exactly a breeze either. So far we are opting for the Porter bags. I’m sure, though, we won’t know for sure until we pack them and see how it feels when we put them on our backs. And those Gregory bags (we took them to NYC) are pretty darn nice! We bought the Gregory Quadro 22″ from REI when they had a great sale on them (probably a discontinued version).

THEN we also have our little Peak Design everyday sling (6L), pictured below, that fit inside our smaller under-the-seat person bags.

We both purchased the Cabin Max bags and they work quite well … or so we think at this point. We’ll fill people in after we travel, of course! One requirement (with both this bag and the larger backpack) was that the backpack straps can be stored. Some Cabin Max bags have that option, while others don’t.

As I mentioned, my Peak Design camera bag fits inside this bag above, but when we have no choice but to check our larger bags (a few shorter flights don’t allow the Porter or Gregory … even those small things are too large for them) we will remove it and put essentials into the Cabin Max in case the larger bags go missing. I doubt the larger bags will get lost, but I’m not a risk taker!

And then there is the weight of it all. I weigh everything, because every ounce counts. I also make sure all my clothes work together so I have multiple outfits with fewer items, and I take things that are lightweight, and can be hand washed and dry quickly. I do not travel with jeans because they are heavier and they take so much longer to dry. Besides, they just aren’t all that comfortable. I want clothing with “give” … nothing tight, thank you very much! My shoes are lightweight as well. This time I’ll probably wear my very lightweight Merrill shoes and pack one pair of sandals and one pair of slightly nicer shoes to wear if I feel like I need to look a bit nicer. But we’ll see … once I pack I usually end up pulling a few things out due to weight.

The trip still is over a month away, but I have been “packing in my head” for ages now! It’s how I operate.