Luggage & Bags
The right bag can make a huge difference in how easy a trip feels. From getting everything to your destination to carrying what you need during a full day of exploring, these are the suitcases, carry-ons, bags, and accessories I use or recommend for different parts of the journey.
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30" Checked Luggage
A spacious hardside suitcase for longer trips when a carry-on just isn't going to hold everything you need.
(Paid Link)
Personal Item Backpack
A travel backpack designed to keep your most important items organized and accessible during flights, airports, and travel days.
(Paid Link)
BAGSMART Carry-On Luggage
Compact, easy to maneuver, and has plenty of space to keep everything organized without overpacking.
(Paid Link)
Packable Daypack
A lightweight backpack that folds down small inside your luggage and opens up when you need a bag for sightseeing or day trips.
(Paid Link)
Crossbody Bag
A compact crossbody for keeping your phone, wallet, passport, and other everyday essentials close while you're exploring.
(Paid Link)
Foldable Checked Bag
Packs down small in my luggage and gives me an extra checked bag when I need more space for the trip home.
(Paid Link)
How I Choose the Right Bag for a Trip
I don't think there's one perfect suitcase or bag for every trip. What I bring depends on where I'm going, how long I'll be away, how often I'm changing hotels, and how much I'll actually have to carry everything myself.
If I'm moving between several cities by train, for example, I'm thinking a lot more about how easy my luggage will be to maneuver through stations, onto trains, and down crowded streets. For a different kind of trip, having more packing space might matter more. I try to choose luggage around the trip I'm actually taking instead of automatically reaching for the biggest bag I own.
Think About What Happens After You Land
It's easy to spend all your time thinking about the suitcase that gets you to your destination, but I also think about what I'll carry once I'm there.
When I'm sightseeing for hours, I want a bag that's comfortable enough to carry all day while still holding the things I don't want to leave behind. For me, that includes my everyday essentials along with the diabetes supplies and fast-acting carbohydrates I want accessible while I'm away from the hotel.
The right setup might mean a suitcase for getting there and a completely different day bag once you arrive. Thinking about both before the trip can make everything from navigating airports to walking around a new city much easier.
Keep Planning Your Trip
Explore more of my travel gear recommendations, including travel technology, flight essentials, luggage, diabetes travel gear, and other products that make traveling easier.