Underseat Carry-On Review

I have been on the hunt for a rolling carry-on which will fit under the airline seat for an upcoming International journey. So far I have bought five different models to get a first-hand look at them and I have it narrowed down to my two favorites listed below.

The creators of these handy bags have all incorporated some very nifty features into their individual designs. And now that I have been exposed to several of them I want to cut them apart and put all of the best features into one awesome bag.  Here is hoping that some luggage head honcho will catch a glimpse of this post and make me the ultimate bag!

Features I love!

- Lightweight. Some airlines now impose weight limits on carry-on bags

- Small enough to fit under the seat in front of you

- Rolling bags with a preference for spinners which are hard to find or very high profile

- Back strap to fit over checked luggage handle

- Sturdy handle that retracts well

- Unstructured handle for picking up on the go but is not bulky taking up space under the seat

- Shoulder strap for when rolling is not an option and you want your hands free

- Organizational pockets. Lot's of them and well designed

#1 Pick

Travelon Wheeled Underseat Carry-On with Back-Up Bag

This get's my #1 vote and is the one I am keeping primarily because it has spinner wheels. This feature is extremely handy especially when trying to fit down those narrow plane aisles! Another pro is the look of the bag. It is available in several fabrics but I like the matte quilted look. The Con: The interior pockets are far less functional than those on the #2 pick bag below. I also wish it were a bit lighter. Some airlines now weight carry-on bags with a weight limit of 15lbs. This bag eats up a lot of that allowance.

Lightweight	5.2 lbs
Small Size	16 x 8.5 x 13 inches
Roller wheels	Spinners!
Back Luggage strap	Yes, fits over other luggage handles
Retractable handle	Seems pretty sturdy, slides up easily
Unstructured handle	Webbing, love that it is flexible and falls out of the way when not in use.
Shoulder strap	Yes! Not many bags have this option
Organizational pockets	Nice net pocket on the side for a water bottle, second snap pocket on the opposite side. A good variety of multi-use pockets on front and interior… however not very impressive when compared to other bags. This is my primary negative review of this bag.

#2 Pick
Samsonite Wheeled Underseater (Large)

This bag would probably get my highest rating if it had spinner wheels on it.  It is made with tons of functionality and the interior pocket systems are AWESOME. In addition to the many well thought out compartments with frosted fabric allowing you to see what you put in them, there is one entire snap in a pocket system that can be pulled out to hang in the bathroom. It breaks my heart to send this wonderful bag back, but the lack of low profile spinners was it's demise although the lighter weight and pocket system almost won the day! A sweet smaller size is also available.

Lightweight	6 lbs
Size	18 x 9 x 13” (size listed on Amazon is incorrect) I am concerned about the size fitting under some airline seats, however, it does come in a smaller size.
Roller wheels	Two wheels, low profile
Back Luggage strap	Yes, fits over other luggage handles
Retractable handle	Seems pretty sturdy, slides up easily
Unstructured handle	Fabric, love that it is flexible and falls out of the way when not in use.
Shoulder strap	No. No place to attach one as an option
Organizational pockets	Some organizational genius designed the pockets on this bag.  Love, love, love it!  One multi-pocket section with a handle can be removed and hung. Many wonderful interior pockets.

Other bags I considered and the reasons that steered me away from them. Maybe they will fit your criteria so they are worth a look!

Samsonite Luggage Silhouette Sphere Spinner Boarding Bag

This bag had the spinner wheels I was looking for however they are very high profile and make the bag larger than it needs to be.  The width is also wider that will most likely fit under an airline seat even if it is only partially filled. While the specs say it is 7.5 inches on actual measurement it is closer to 10 inches. It also does not have a back strap to piggyback it on your checked luggage.

LUCAS Wheeled Under the Seat Cabin Bag

I liked this little bag and the price is right.  However, it does not have spinner wheels which were negative and I do not like the pull handle. This T-style hurts my hand and does not allow for a second tote bag to be piggybacked over the handle. The bag itself also does not have a back strap if you want to piggyback it over your larger checked luggage.

Disclosure: Bear in mind that some of the links in this post are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a commission. Keep in mind that I link these companies and their products because of their quality and not because of the commission I receive from your purchases. The decision is yours, and whether or not you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

A visit to the Dead Sea

Have you seen pictures of people floating in the Dead Sea reading a book? It is an interesting experience but it is not all that intuitive. So before you take the plunge – Don’t!  "Plunge" that is. There are some things you want to take into consideration to prepare for this unusual phenomenon.Lastly, if you are staying overnight at one of the spas, make sure you take advantage of their salt water pools and spa treatments.  Indulge a little!

It is best to avoid shaving for a day or two before you head to the Dead Sea.  Shaving inevitably irritates your skin and causes small cuts or scrapes. Freshly shaved legs will definitely get the wow factor when you step into the salty water.  The same is true of any cuts or wounds you may have.  At the same time the Dead Sea is touted to have medicinal and healing properties so if you can stand the pain, it might help you heal faster.

Remove your jewelry – salt is corrosive. If your watch is waterproof it probably is not salt proof, so take it off and leave it in your bag. Along the same lines be very cautious with any electrical items you bring down to the water’s edge.  If you plan to take pictures make sure that your hands are free of salty water.  Take a few hand wipes to clean up before you grab for your i-phone or camera. If salt water does get on your items wipe them down quickly with a clean damp cloth.

Consider packing an old swimming suit for this experience. The salt water is very hard on spandex and elastic. The lifespan of your suit will be diminished considerably after this adventure. And naturally make sure to wash it thoroughly as soon as you get out.

There really is a method to bobbing around in the Dead Sea. After walking into the Dead Sea you need to just ‘lay back’. This is so counter intuitive it is really hard to do, but here is where you can learn a little bit about faith. You seriously can just gently sit down and lift up your feet.  Keep your arms out to the side and use them to maneuver your way around. 

Do obey the ‘no splash’ rule!  Remember this is the saltiest body of water in the world and you do not want to get it splashed on your face and especially not in your eyes. This is not the place to ‘swim’.  Keep your head up and out of the water.  You've probably already guessed that it’s not the place to gulp down a swig of water either.

Speaking of ‘not the place to swim’ take heed to the notices posted about venturing too far away from the shore. While you can float indefinitely individuals have been lost in the vast Sea and there have been fatalities. Remember you cannot just ‘swim’ back to shore, you can only float so make sure you are not out of range as night approaches.

When you finish up your float it won’t take you to long to dry off from evaporation. Although you may not be wet you will still have a good amount of salt caked on your skin. Take time to shower off soon after you finish up.


Disclosure: Bear in mind that some of the links in this post are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a commission. Keep in mind that I link these companies and their products because of their quality and not because of the commission I receive from your purchases. The decision is yours, and whether or not you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

A must have item in my bag... the Sarong.

One of the most useful items I pack when traveling is a sarong.  It is lightweight and can be used in many different ways.

The Sarong…

A large rectangular or square piece of fabric.  It is available in a variety of fabrics and colors.  My favorite is a soft cotton fabric that is not transparent and has a nice drape.

What to use it for…

Your creativity is the only thing that will limit how you can use this little bit of fabric!

Ideas for clothing...

-      A beach cover-up. Wrap it around your waist or under your arms for a more covered look. Tie the upper corners together to keep it in place.

-      A scarf or head covering.  It works equally as well to protect you on a windy or sunny day as it does to cover your head in places of worship.

-      A fashion accessory. There is nothing like a pop of color to make you feel like you haven’t been wearing the same outfit for three days straight. Tie your sarong around and around for a fun chunky scarf or belt.

-      Fold it in half and tie it around your waist for a short skirt or leave it long for more coverage.

-      A Dress with several styles

   Draped Dress:

1)    Hold two corners on the long side of your sarong and tie them behind your neck.

2)    Grab the side edges below your waist and gather up a few inches to pull behind you.

3)    Slide both edges all the way around to one of your hips and knot the edges together.

   The Toga:

1)    Hold two corners on the long side of the sarong and wrap it behind your back horizontally.

2)    Wrap one corner all the way around your body and tuck it under your arm. Pull the corner over the back of the shoulder.

3)    Keep a hold of that corner with one hand while pulling the other corner in front of your shoulder and tie the two corners into a knot at your shoulder so the fabric drapes down the front of your arm.

   Wrap Dress:

1)    Again hold the two corners on the long side of the sarong and wrap it behind your back horizontally.

2)    Bring one end across your body to the opposite shoulder.

3)    Wrap the other end underneath your bust, around your back and to the opposite shoulder.

4)    Tie both ends at the shoulder.

Multi-purpose ideas...

-      No place to sit but on the ground? Pull out your sarong for a ground cover to sit on.

-      Need some shade? Tie it to something to create a makeshift tent.

-      Layover in a chilly airport? Use it for a lightweight blanket.

-      No towel handy? Use it to dry off with the extra advantage that it dries out itself very quickly.

-      It can be used as a screen or curtain to shield you from others. If you are sharing your accommodation it can be strung between the beds for a bit of privacy.  If you find yourself at the beach with no place to change into your swimming suit have a friend hold it out in a circle to create a changing room. Or it can be used as a curtain over a window or to block the sun or a light.

-      An extra tote bag!  With a little creative tying of 

    the corners it becomes an awesome bag.

A fun choice to consider... La Leela Super Soft Sarong

Disclosure: Bear in mind that some of the links in this post are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a commission. Keep in mind that I link these companies and their products because of their quality and not because of the commission I receive from your purchases. The decision is yours, and whether or not you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

The lightest weight luggage!

My favorite travel suitcases... 

This superlight suitcase gives you the option to pack more weight in one bag. The smaller handle on this bag allows you to loop other bags designed to piggyback over it. This bag is also available in a 31" spinner roller bag. and weighs under 8 lbs. The weight limit for most organized tours is only 50 lbs. so you can add 42 to this bag which weighs in at an astounding low 5.2 lbs

And unless you are the ultimate traveler who can live for weeks out of a carry-on you will want to consider your checked luggage. This 28 inch spinner bag has a push button trolley design which has been upgraded and offers a soft touch and effortless maneuverability along with a unique and stylish finish. The wide handle is a unique touch, it is designed to slide down on the outer edges so you have a flat bottom on the interior for packing. The weight limit for most organized tours is only 50 lbs. so you can add 44 to this bag which weighs in at an astounding low 5.2 lbs 






Or you can get the entire set of these wonderful bags in a variety of colors! The new World's Lightest 8 Wheel Spinner 3 Piece Set is now even lighter and stronger. The new push button trolley design has also been upgraded and offers a soft touch and effortless maneuverability along with a unique and stylish finish. This is the best and lightest ultra-lightweight spinner on the market. With its award winning design, ultra-strong high tensile fabric and tough fiber glass structure, this luggage is pretty amazing..


*Affiliate links are attached




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Glimpses of Greece

Photographs by Becky Phillips

Packing Check List For International Travel

Toiletry Bag

q Deodorant/Anti-antiperspirant

q Moisturizer

q Travel-size shampoo, conditioner

q Hairspray, hair products

q Body wash or soap

q Wash cloth (not always supplied at hotels)

q Toothbrush and travel container
q Toothpaste 

q Sunscreen

q Shaving items

q Personal Hygiene items

q Contact solution, case & eyeglasses

q Travel size detergent

Make-Up Bag

q Make-up with Sunscreen

q Make-up removal towelettes

q Eyeliner, mascara, etc.

q Tweezers

First Aid Bag

q Antacid, gas-relief tablets

q Anti-diarrhea medicine

q Mild laxative

q Pain reliever

q Motion sickness medication or wrist band

q Allergy/Cold medication

  

Gadget Bag

q Camera

q I-Pad Tablet / Kindle Reading Device

q Charging Cords
   -  Dual voltage extension cord

    -   Phone

   -  Camera

   -  Tablet/Laptop

q Voltage Adapter

q Voltage Converter

q Headphones

q Video Camera

q Alarm clock

q Flashlight

Catch All Bag

q  Bible

q Journal / Notepad / Pen

q Sunglasses

q Snacks

q Ziplock baggies

q Travel pillow

q Travel blanket

q Money belt or neck pouch

Disclosure: Bear in mind that some of the links in this post are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a commission. Keep in mind that I link these companies and their products because of their quality and not because of the commission I receive from your purchases. The decision is yours, and whether or not you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

What To Wear and Pack on a 10-12 Day Tour

Anyone who knows me will tell you I love clothes  (i.e. my closet doth overflow). So trust me when I say I feel your pain when you are trying to pack for a 12 day tour and are told you only can bring one suitcase. (gasp, did you say one, as in uno, suitcase? Yep, tours only allow you to take one bag with a maximum weight of 50lbs.) And before you run out to buy the biggest suitcase you can find, you definitely need to read my blog post on packing because a big bag does you no good if the bag itself it eats up to 25% of your weight limit. You should be as concerned about the actual weight of your suitcase as you are with the things you put in it. Many suitcases can weigh up to 15lbs. which is crazy when you can now get an ultralight and durable suitcase for less than 6 lbs.

Here is an overview of my suggestions, which I admit are geared for women but hang in there because it is followed by packing lists for both women and men.

Packing Tip #1 – Limit footwear

I know we love our shoes but trust me, you don’t need a pair to match every outfit. You can easily get by with only two pairs (and definitely not more than three) – a closed-toe walking shoe and a pair of sandals. As you are picking footwear make sure they are extremely comfortable. Don’t wait until the last minute to buy a new pair of shoes, get them early and break them in.   

Packing Tip #2 – Color Coordinate

Choosing a neutral base color will allow you to pack less and wear each piece in more ways. On an extended trip like this there is no getting around the fact that you will need to wear the same clothes over and over again so it needs to be versatile. I always build around black because it hides dirt and looks chic. 

Packing Tip #3 – Layer

Build your wardrobe choices around clothing that you can layer. It is usually cooler in the mornings and evenings, so wear a base piece that you can easily pull your sweater or jacket over.

Packing Tip #4 – Dress Conservatively

Drawing attention to yourself is not a positive thing when traveling. Be careful not to be suggestive – or – offensive in the way you dress.

Packing Tip #5 – Bring the old and leave it behind

One of the things that you won’t want to skimp on but will take up a fair amount of space is undies and socks.  So go ahead and pack a pair for every day, but bring your old stuff and instead of continuing to lug around a bunch of worn, dirty underthings, toss them away at the end of the day. You will lighten your load bit by bit and end up with some extra space to bring home treasures you buy along the way. You can even take it to the next level and bring tops and clothing you don’t mind leaving behind.

Clothing List For Women:

• 1 pair walking shoes with rubber treads
• 1 pair of walking sandals or a second pair of walking shoes
• 1 medium rain windbreaker jacket with hood
• 1 fleece jacket which can be layered under windbreaker
• 3 pairs of pants (I love cargo pants because it gives me a secure pocket for my passport! I also usually fly wearing a pair of stretch or yoga pants for comfort).
• 1 pair of capris (or a knee-length or longer skirt) in case it gets warm
• 3 long sleeve shirts
• 3 short sleeve shirts
• 1 heavy weight sweater 
• 1 lightweight wrap (I have an ultra thin one that I can jam in my bag) 
• 2 scarves to accessorize (one lightweight, one cozy warm)
• 1 pair of gloves (the weather can get chilly in Jerusalem)
• 1 pair of PJ’s
• 6 pairs of underwear (12 if you are going to throw them out)
• 2 bras (wear one, pack one)
• 1 bathing suit (take an old one, the Dead Sea salt is hard on them)
• 1 lightweight cotton sarong (use as bathing suit cover-up, ground cloth to sit down when there are no benches, shoulder/head covering for certain sites)

Clothing List For Men:

• 2 pairs of shoes with rubber treads (walking shoes/athletic shoes or sandals)
• 1 medium weight rain windbreaker jacket
• 1 ball cap (some religious site require you to cover your head)
• 1 fleece jacket which can be layered under windbreaker
• 3 pairs of pants (2 would probably be enough, again cargo pants are perfect)
• 1 pair of long shorts (optional)
• 3 long sleeve shirts
• 4 short sleeve shirts (polo’s or t-shirts without slogans are fine)
• Sleepwear
• Underwear
• Swim trunks 
• Suit Jacket and tie (just kidding, leave them home!)

* Disclosure: Bear in mind that some of the links in this post are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a commission. Keep in mind that I link these companies and their products because of their quality and not because of the commission I receive from your purchases. The decision is yours, and whether or not you decide to buy something is completely up to you.