Duffles and Rollies

Duffel Roller 2One of the top 10 inquiries I get asked is, “What kind of luggage should I take?”

After 10 trips to India, I have gotten it down to a fine science. I check-in one large duffle-style roller bag, with a large tote packed in it. I carry-on a 20” small rollie (this size is perfect for the smaller domestic flights in India), and I carry-on a medium sized handbag.

When we travel from Delhi (base camp) to another city for a couple of nights, we often leave our large duffels in the hotel’s luggage storage and carry-on our small rollies and large totes.

Dakine Split Roller
Dakine Women’s Split Roller Bag
Dakine Split Roller
Dakine Women’s Split Roller Bag

Check-in Duffle-Style Roller Bag

My all time favorite check-in luggage is by Dakine. I have travelled the world with my 100L Dakine Women’s Split Roller Bag and have not found a single thing I would improve. I still have the original split roller that unzips into 2 separate bags. This comes in very handy when I am over the weight limit. Unfortunately, Dakine does not manufacture this bag anymore. I also have the newer model, that does not separate, and I love it just as much. This split roller also comes in 65L. What I love most about the split roller is the single large and three smaller inner, compartments to keep me super organized. The outside pockets also come in handy for packing dirty clothes and shoes in. With handy, travel zip ties, the outside pockets, are easy to secure.

Description
The iconic Split Roller is an ideal companion for the adventurous life. The split level design and divided pockets allow you to keep your gear organized and separate from your street clothes. The burly handle, urethane wheels, #10 YKK locking zips, and durable fabrics keep all your belongings secure and safe, while you chart the course for the next big adventure.

 

Dakine Duffle Roller
Dakine Duffle Roller

Dakine’s Duffle Roller and Sherpa Roller are popular models as well. The Sherpa roller is cool because it can convert into a large backpack.

Dakine Sherpa Roller
Dakine Sherpa Roller

Carry-On Roller Board (Rollie)

Even though several major airlines will allow you to carry-on a larger rollie than my 20”, this size is perfect. Airplanes in India, for domestic flights, are smaller, and larger regulated rollies will not fit in the overhead bins.

It was love at first sight, when I saw the French luggage brand Lipault. It screamed cool, stylish and sexy! I could not resist the gray and chocolate colors!

Lipault Rollie
The Lipault Rollie comes in several colors.

Description
Ultra-practical, lightweight and spacious, this case folds away neatly into your closet, freeing up a considerable amount of space. Thanks to its intelligent design, the suitcase can be folded and easily stored in a specially designed pouch. Available in a brilliant range of colors, these two-wheeled companions will be constantly by your side whenever you travel.

The Lipault packs away small.
The Lipault packs away small.

• Retractable handle that stores in a zippered pocket when folded down.
• 2 inline wheels.
• 1 internal zippered pocket for greater organization.
• 2 hold down straps to secure contents while traveling.
• 1 outside pocket to store quick access items like boarding passes or newspapers and periodicals.
• Padded top an side carry handles.

Weight: 5.29 lbs.

Tote (Pack this in your large check-in duffle roller bag!)

I have several favored travel totes. The front-runner for India is the MZ Wallace small Metro tote. The quilted, light-weight fabric on this tote is phenomenal and I love the little removable, matching pouch that comes with it.

MZ Wallace Tote
MZ Wallace Tote

Handbag (Carry-On)

For handbags, I have two contenders: The Patagonia Lightweight Travel Courier and the Kipling Erica Crossbody bag.

Patagonia bag
Patagonia Travel Courier

The Patagonia bag would be perfect with its fabulous light weight fabric and its nifty design to fold up into a little sac, but it has one major design flaw. The Patagonia bag offers two small zippered, outer pockets but desperately needs a single large outer zippered pocket. This large zippered pocket is essential for traveling. When I need to put my passport and ticket in an easy, accessible and secure place, I like a large outer pocket for it.

Kipling Erica Bag
Kipling Erica Bag

The Kipling Erica bag has five separate zippered pockets on the outside of the bag, which is great, if you can remember what is stored in each pocket.