Flying to Camp or Anywhere Else - The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Bags and Accessories

There's something special about flying to camp and air travel in general. The thrill of flying, the buzz and excitement in the airport, the anticipation of what awaits on the other side... But wait... I need to pack first! Excitement gives way to stress. What size bag can I take? How will I fit all my stuff in? What if my bag is too heavy? 

Choosing a bag is a balance between navigating airline restrictions and your own personal preferences and needs. This guide looks at the basic factors you should consider when choosing your bag for air travel and we'll also suggest some packing accessories to make the whole process easier. Let's get started!

Maximum Bag Size

Most airlines allow a maximum bag size for checked baggage of 62 inches of all the dimensions combined (length + width + height). A 30- or 33-inch bag is definitely small enough to fit all requirements. If you can’t fit all your belongings in that size bag, you can go with one of our most popular bags for air travel - the slightly bigger 36 inch duffel. Although it’s actually 68 inches combined, most airlines will let it through. If you choose to take a 42 inch soft trunk, though - that’s considered OVERSIZED by all airline standards and you will be charged for the luxury.

Packing cubes are an excellent way to take more stuff without needing a bigger bag or extra weight. Pack your items inside, getting as many items as possible into limited space, and you’re good to go

Wheels or No Wheels

Wheels add weight to the bag itself, so if you’re short on space inside the bag, you might want to pack in a soft trunk without wheels. But if you can afford the extra weight, consider the convenience of having a trunk with wheels. This is especially helpful if you need to walk long distances inside or outside the airport. If your airport has carts available for a small rental fee, you can forgo the wheels and rely on the carts. 

Weighing Your Bag

There’s nothing worse than getting to the airport and discovering that your luggage is overweight. You are forced to move some items into your carry-on, throw things out or pay extra for another piece of luggage. You can avoid this inconvenience and expense by weighing your bag at home with a luggage scale. Instead of making a rushed decision at the airport, you will make calmer and better decisions about what to take and what to leave at home.

Identifying Your Luggage

We all know that feeling of standing at the baggage claim, looking for our luggage which looks exactly like everyone else’s. All of our bags can be personalized with your name or other words that you can identify. Also, colorful luggage tags may ensure that your bag stands out and save you time identifying your luggage.

Foldaway Luggage

We also recommend bringing along foldaway luggage. They take up very little space and weight in your trunk and are extremely useful during your time away. You are likely to need a smaller bag for short trips, and you may very well be bringing home more than you went with, especially if you like to shop. 

If you were unable to weigh your luggage in advance and you get stuck at the airline counter with an overweight bag, you can just whip out your foldaway duffel bag and fill it with some of your heavier items.

Enjoy Your Travels

Packing for flying to camp can seem daunting, but when you have the right luggage and accessories, it becomes much easier. Of course, you still have to figure out what to take and how to fit it all in, but that’s a subject for another blog post...