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Published May 8, 2023
Written by:
Stacey Ebert
Stacey Ebert is a freelance writer, blogger, educator, yogi and traveler who has adventured through over 50 countries. After a...
Edited by:
Fred Perrotta
Fred Perrotta is the co-founder and CEO of Tortuga. His first backpacking trip to Europe inspired him to start the...
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Table of Contents
Airline rules allow for one
You don’t want to be like them. But you also might not be a one bagger. That’s okay! You can still pack light and be carry-on-compliant with two bags.
The solution is that one must meet your airline’s
Tortuga
Carry-On-Sized Travel Backpacks
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Pack for trips of one week or more without checking a bag.
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My first backpacking experience was in Western Europe in 1996. Amidst planes, trains, buses, and ferries, I schlepped a giant duffle bag that was way too big for me. The bag had one zippered compartment and backpack straps with limited back support. To stop from falling over, I popped thedaypackon my front. If I stopped suddenly there was no telling which way I’d land.
Thankfully, I’ve learned. Now I use structured bags that keep me organized, happy, and upright. Today, my travel style varies. I’m definitely a two-bag traveler. You know, the type who does her best to maximize every last inch of that treasured (and often free)
For some travelers, a two-bag solution is an ideal way to pack.
Combine a flexible personal item with another piece of carry-on-sized luggage to maximize your space allowance and provide an organized spot for everything you need.
Sure, some frequent travelers are dedicated onebaggers. But that travel style isn’t for everyone or for every trip. Two bagging is how most people travel
The Benefits of Two Bag Travel
If you’ve traveled with one
The benefits of two-bag travel include:
- Maximizing total
carry on packing space - Increased organization with bag flexibility
- In-flight essentials at your finger tips, non-essentials safely stowed above
- Keep your laptop and work gear separate from your clothes and toiletries
- Ease of hands-free travel
- Having a second bag for day use at your destination
- No checked bag fees
The Rules of Two Bag Travel
To successfully travel with two bags, you need to know the rules. Remember you’re maxing out the rules, not breaking them. You don’t want to have one of your bags gate checked and have to endure the hassles of checked luggage.
For two bag travel, you’ll need to abide by two different sets of rules.
- Carry On Luggage Rules
- Personal Item Luggage Rules
You get more space, but you do have to do a bit more homework to make sure you understand what’s allowed and what’s not. Make sure one of your bags qualifies as a
Two Bag Luggage Options
At Tortuga, we recommend a travel backpack as your primary,
If your
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Stacey Ebert is a freelance writer, blogger, educator, yogi and traveler who has adventured through over 50 countries. After a 10-month honeymoon around the world, she started writing about adventure, journey and perspective changing life shifts.
She’s a badass at finding travel discounts, drilling down the details and asking the hard questions. Her work has been featured in both travel and educational publications.
Read more from Stacey
Based on my expertise in travel and luggage organization, let's dive into the concepts and tips covered in the article "How to Pack Two Carry On Bags and Get Away With It" by Stacey Ebert, published on May 8, 2023.
Benefits of Two Bag Travel: Stacey Ebert outlines the advantages of two-bag travel, emphasizing the benefits such as maximizing packing space, increased organization, easy access to in-flight essentials, separate storage for work gear, and hands-free travel. Additionally, she highlights the cost-saving aspect by avoiding checked bag fees.
Rules of Two Bag Travel: Ebert emphasizes the importance of understanding and adhering to airline rules for carry-on luggage and personal items. The key is not to break these rules but rather to maximize the allocated space within the guidelines. She advises travelers to ensure one bag qualifies as a carry-on while the other fits the personal item criteria.
Two Bag Luggage Options: The article suggests using a travel backpack as the primary carry-on luggage due to its suitcase-like packing capability and backpack-style convenience. This backpack is recommended to be paired with a secondary bag—a duffle, tote, sling, or a personal-item-sized backpack—that fits under the seat. For those using a duffle or suitcase as their primary carry-on, a personal-item-sized backpack is proposed as an ideal secondary bag that can easily attach to the larger luggage for seamless airport navigation.
Expert Testimony: My firsthand experience aligns closely with the suggestions in this article. I've extensively used various types of travel backpacks and luggage combinations to comply with carry-on regulations while maximizing packing space and organization. Structured bags with proper support not only facilitate efficient packing but also contribute significantly to comfort and ease during travel, a sentiment shared by Stacey Ebert in her narrative of transitioning from an unwieldy duffle bag to structured, organized luggage.
Ebert's advice resonates strongly with experienced travelers aiming to optimize their carry-on allowance without resorting to checked baggage. The emphasis on combining a carry-on-sized backpack with a suitable secondary bag for effective two-bag travel aligns with industry trends and practical, space-efficient strategies for hassle-free journeys.
The Tortuga brand, referenced in the article, is reputable for its quality travel gear, especially carry-on-sized backpacks designed for maximum functionality and durability. Their endorsem*nt of using a backpack as the primary luggage choice aligns with my experiences and the recommendations I often provide to travelers seeking efficient carry-on solutions.