So... Originally all I had was my massive suitcase that my mum bought me a few years ago.
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When I use it in NZ I always get compliments and people think it's great. I'm worried though that it will seem naff or overkill in Europe. I'm probably still taking it. Why buy another suitcase when this works perfectly.
But I needed something else. A day pack, a way to hold my passport and money safely and a carry on bag.
Usually on NZ flights I take my Māori Teacher's Conference bags - I'm hoping this year while I'm in Europe the bag they give isn't connected to the ones I already have!! Because I'd hate to miss out on the collection!!
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These days I use my huiatau backpack for my weaving classes on Sundays to hold my korowai sampler and my threads and wool.
The other bag was recently peed on by both cats. So... Yeah.
Anyway - I knew I wanted a strong, secure carry on bag. One that was lockable and one that was going to be easy to transport and had loads of space.
I've been a fan of Kathmandu for the longest time but I'd never really needed to make any full on purchases.
This year though.... I've made plenty!
Their website is brilliant. Simple to use, great for comparisons of products. I used the website so much to figure out which bags I wanted that when I went in store to try them on and test them with my sister, I seemed to know more about each item than the Kathmandu staff member who was trying to help me.
Recommendation: use the website first, then go in store.
The staff at Kathmandu were so incredibly helpful and each time I had a question, they didn't mock me but do continue to give incredible advice and support always.
I originally thought I wanted the Transit Carry on - it had a cool compartment at the top with a hard case for anything you wanted to grab out of the overhead locker quickly. But for some reason it didn't sit on my shoulders properly.
I was gutted.
My second choice was the Litehaul 38L Carry On bag. It is HUGE. And has LOADS of pockets, most of which are lockable. It has this incredible versatility to it, where you can carry it by a single handle, by a side shoulder strap and also as an actual backpack. The cool thing about this versatility is that if you want to swap out the backpack shoulder straps, you do so simply by using the outer layer zip pocket and zip them inside. This outer layer can be hidden when using the straps too of course.
I think it was the versatility of the straps that finally made my decision that I wanted the Litehaul series.
When I tried it on instore, I fell in love. It fit perfectly on my shoulders. It had a waist belt and clipped over the top of my chest too.
It also has clips on the straps that you can click the Litehaul day pack on as well so that you have a front pack and back pack as well. This will be great when I finally get good at packing and can minimise my items for that holy grail of packing: just a carry on.
Albeit to say, I got the Litehaul 38L.
On that first trip to Kathmandu I also purchased the Transit Pouch which I've kept calling the Transit Purse. It has an awesome internal RFID pocket inside that you'd put your passport, cards etc in to avoid having your data scanned by scam artists. It also has inside pockets, a strong zip and a simple, yet ingenious security system where the zip [thread?] can be inserted into the nearby lockable hole.
Better still, it has an outside pocket, with a magnet which is self-closing that you can hide items that you need quickly. My phone fits in there easily and you'd never know it was in that pocket due to the embroidery and stitching of the purse, the style of the pocket itself and the way the magnet sits so softly against the side of the purse. The bag itself has a detachable shoulder strap and a wrist handle too, for a use as a travel clutch which is great!
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Recently, I purchased the Litehaul day pack and am excited to use this as well. It is the same colour tones as the previous two pieces and has great internal pockets and is lockable too. But the only downside is that it doesn't have a drink bottle holder. Although I tend to carry my CamelBak bottle wherever I go anyway so it's not that big a deal.
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I will need to figure out exactly what I'm taking on the plane, whether I take both my 38L and day pack or just the 38L with the day pack in my checked suitcase.
Good luggage is crucial. Now that I have made the investment, I won't need to worry about it when I go on my next trip.
