Packing List > Luggage

travel pack or shoulder bag (& luggage cart?)

This topic is discussed at some length in the various "What To Pack It In" sections.

daypack (fanny pack? purse?)

Daypacks are covered in the "Leisure Travel Bags" section, although many business travellers find them every bit as useful.

lightweight duffel/laundry bag

A (light, strong) nylon bag will isolate your dirty laundry until the next washing. More importantly, it can be used as a second bag if necessary to bring extra stuff on your final flight home: simply check your principal bag, and use the duffel to carry your more fragile/valuable items aboard the aircraft. An excellent choice is Easy Going's excellent "Last-Minute Bag" (pictured at right), which weighs about 3.5 ounces (100g) and folds into its own side pocket, measuring about 6 × 8 × 0.6 inches (15 × 20 × 1.5cm).

The true minimalist will consider combining this functionality with a light, roomy daypack.

luggage lock(s) (cable?)

Your bag should have zippers designed to be locked with a small padlock. Which you should use accordingly, to keep the contents from the prying fingers of airport hangers-on and street thieves, not to mention the curious eyes of your B&B host's children. Make sure to lock all entry points to your bag, especially in poorer countries. Use combination locks, rather than the keyed variety, and you needn't worry about dealing with (or losing) keys. Most locks sold at travel stores are very cheaply made; search out good quality ones (I like the "Prestolock" brand). Casual pilferage can often be avoided by securing bag openings with nylon cable ties (available from electronic supply stores), or even dental floss, but proper locks are more convenient, and more acceptable to the airlines.

It's worth noting that some carriers will not accept bags as checked luggage unless all external openings are locked. Some will not accept bags if they are locked. And some require the use of specially approved locks that can by opened by security personnel (and anyone else with the correct tool). Go figure. Should you plan to check baggage, you should make yourself aware of the damage that can result when padlocks and airport baggage handling systems collide.

A locking cable lets you secure your bag to an immovable object (or even to other bags, which is better than nothing), in case you need to be apart from it briefly. This can save you from "snatch and grab" thefts, and is sometimes a useful technique on trains and other public transit vehicles. If your separation from your bag is more than brief, however, remember that luggage is inherently insecure.

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A one-page checklist version is available here.