Luggage recommendation for airline travel.

[kodiakfly]

I've always used SKB bow cases and then pack a bag or two and I'm set. But I've got an upcoming trip that'll involve hunting and fishing and my wife! So it's going to be a lot of gear and I don't want to mess with taking a bunch of bags and I'd like to just have the bow case and then another single piece with wheels. I don't want the standard black airline roll around like everyone on the planet uses. And my job at work is changing a bit in that I'll likely be flying more often and needing to throw a bunch of gear in one bag and go. So I'm looking for a good piece that will last me.

So, recommendations for a big airline type piece of luggage for gear, camo, boots, fly reels, rods, flats pack, etc.

 

[colonel00]

I can't help directly with a piece of luggage but, now many rods and what size? In the past on AK trips I have used a big rod case but recently realized that if I just had a couple rods, I could either tape them together or fashion a small enough case out of PVC pipe and carry it on. Just ask an attendant to put it in a closet if it wont fit along the top of an overhead bin.

Another thing, I actually like large duffles. The flex so you can usually get away with slightly larger than the usual airline regulations. Also, when you go to weigh the duffle, it usually overhangs the scale so you can possibly get a little extra weight in there I actually have one duffle bag that can hold my PR-49 and the rest of the rafting gear much better than any "real" suitcase would.

How much are you wanting to spend? I ask because you could probably something decent for a hundred bucks and you can probably spend over $500 if you really wanted to.

 

[go4thegusto]

I just bought a hard bottom duffel style roller at TJ MAX. It is a Timberline brand. My arrow tube, takedown recurve and everything I need for a week long hog hunt to TX goes in the one bag and stays under 50 lbs. My backpack is my carry-on. I will be damned if I will pay extra baggage charges unless it involves meat home. This new bag is under 6 lbs. My old Nike roller was over 10. Bag weight is the key. 4 lbs is a lot of gear.

We used to buy cheap 48 quart coolers at WallyWorld for the meat home. Last year we brough down dry bags and went to the produce department in TX for free apple boxes. Freeze the boned meat in the bag and box for trip home. That saved 5 lbs in coller weight that can be meat.

 

[mtswampfox]

be liking the briggs riley stuff, just not the prices. have found all my briggs used on ebay for substantial savings and it all looks brand new. from carry ons , wheeled duffle and garment bag

 

[kodiakfly]

Thanks guys. Planning on bringing 2-3 fly rods in tubes, which are 30" each. My Wife will have a couple spinning rods broken down to like 24" or so. I'm not worried about the rods themselves as much as all of the other bulky crap we'll have with us. I'm going to have flats boots, fly boxes, binoculars, camo, fishing clothes, flats fanny pack...just a bunch of stuff. I've got big duffles, but I'm probably not going to be able to fit all of my fragile stuff into the hard bow case, so I'd like something sort of rigid to help protect the optics (two pairs, mine and my Wife's), fly reels, etc.

 

[Craig Van Arsdale]

Check out the LBT (London bridge trading) large wheeled load out bag. It's big and built really well. I think it's built to max size airline regs. I use mine on any big trip where I'm bringing all my gear it works great.

 

[charvey9]

Check out Dakine luggage options. They make some big rolling duffels, and don't overlook their bike bag.

http://www.dakine.com/p/bike/gear-bags/bike-bag

I actually like their older bike bag better, since it had somewhat of an internal frame, but I don't know if you can find them anymore.

 

[shaun]

FYI...read airline baggage coverage information in fine print optics are not covered bring them in carry on

 

[Ohio Darin]

You give up a lot of weight for gear due to the weight of any wheeled piece of luggage. I have always used a large duffle and will be picking up a Kifaru XL duffle for my next trip. I always use a sky cap or trap a luggage cart for my gear son wheels are not really needed. Like Shaun said optics in the carry-on. I switched to a backpack a couple years ago for this.

 

[AZ Vince]

I use a frame backpack but I place it inside a Samsonite wheeled luggage when traveling and then leave the Samsonite at the main lodge or a locker at the airport until I fly out.

 

[Trr15]

You give up a lot of weight for gear due to the weight of any wheeled piece of luggage. I have always used a large duffle and will be picking up a Kifaru XL duffle for my next trip. I always use a sky cap or trap a luggage cart for my gear son wheels are not really needed. Like Shaun said optics in the carry-on. I switched to a backpack a couple years ago for this.

I've had a lot of luck with the base camp duffles by TNF. I have a couple different sizes and have used them as checked luggage on dozens of flights. They're light weight, highly water resistant and extremely durable. I Highly recommend them for airline travel.

 

[OR Archer]

These are pretty slick. Not sure it will accommodate all of your needs however.
http://www.badlandspacks.com/terraglide-hunting-Travel Bag.html

 

[kodiakfly]

Thanks guys. Good point about the optics. I've always carried them on before to prevent theft. But I'll carry them again to prevent damage, and let the reels take the beating.

 

[Beendare]

I've got the original SKB double bow case and like the new Sitka nomad. 42" long, hard bottom soft case, fits a compound even in a soft case [which is nice] and at 10.5# you can load it up with gear.

i think its better than those old hard cases as you can pack them better still protecting your bow. With the hard bowcases, you have TSA rearranging your stuff which could be a disaster. On sale at mtn archery

I would not pack rods loose but in a tube of some sort
View attachment 23557

 

[Where's Bruce?]

I've got the original SKB double bow case and like the new Sitka nomad. 42" long, hard bottom soft case, fits a compound even in a soft case [which is nice] and at 10.5# you can load it up with gear.

i think its better than those old hard cases as you can pack them better still protecting your bow. With the hard bowcases, you have TSA rearranging your stuff which could be a disaster. On sale at mtn archery

I would not pack rods loose but in a tube of some sort
View attachment 23557
View attachment 23558

I could not disagree more. At least with a proper ATA rated bow case the bow is velcro secured with foam protection and won't get crushed when they load 50 heavy bags on top of it. Sitka's bag almost guarantees your bow will be damaged once the airport monkeys rummage thru it.

 

[Beendare]

I could not disagree more. At least with a proper ATA rated bow case the bow is velcro secured with foam protection and won't get crushed when they load 50 heavy bags on top of it. Sitka's bag almost guarantees your bow will be damaged once the airport monkeys rummage thru it.

Well thats one take. How many times you have flown with a bow?

My opinion comes from multiple hunt trips per year for about the last 30 years- probably close to a hundred flights with a bowcase- and my opinion is this Nomad is the best I've owned. The hard bowcases do a good job of protecting the outer stuff but when TSA opens it...and they always open bowcases.....you could be F'd depending on how they repack.

 

[kodiakfly]

I've got the original SKB double bow case and like the new Sitka nomad. 42" long, hard bottom soft case, fits a compound even in a soft case [which is nice] and at 10.5# you can load it up with gear.

i think its better than those old hard cases as you can pack them better still protecting your bow. With the hard bowcases, you have TSA rearranging your stuff which could be a disaster. On sale at mtn archery

I would not pack rods loose but in a tube of some sort
View attachment 23557
View attachment 23558

How's that Nomad held up for you? Some of the reviews on their own site aren't too glowing...but I take online reviews with a grain of salt.

I'll have my bow and the Wife's bow in a doublbe SKB...and bows only for the reason you mention. The TSA clowns sorting through it and suddenly I'm missing a stabilizer or arrows.

Rods will be in their individual aluminum rod tubes and arrows will be in a PVC tube, inside the big bag. May carry on the rods as I've done in the past. And like I say, normally I don't have issues with travel...but this is the first time taking so much hunting AND fishing gear.

 

[colonel00]

I'll have my bow and the Wife's bow in a doublbe SKB...and bows only for the reason you mention. The TSA clowns sorting through it and suddenly I'm missing a stabilizer or arrows.

If you have room and weight to spare, put a handgun in the case. Then lock the case with your own lock. The TSA will check the case with you there but then it will remain closed for the duration of the flight. At least that is my understanding of how it works.

 

[recurve shooter]

Don't know if it's too big for you but I've had good luck with a hard golf bag case from SKB. It has rollers, holds my bow with the top limb removed,arrows in a tube and lot's of clothes packed around my stuff. I've never slapped a golf ball in my life and bought one to use just for hunting travel on the recommendation of a lawyer dude that I met who hunts everything/everywhere. I think you could haul a nuke in it cause TSA has never searched it. I guess golfy guys don't look like terrorists.

 

[choovhntr]

I've got the badlands terra glide and it works well as long as your bow is under 34 ATA. I stuff my clothes around the bow pretty heavily and cover my sights,rest, and cams with wool socks. Also put socks in the corners. Haven't had a problem yet. Hope this helps.