[Closed] Travelling question: luggage weight

46kgs is a LOT of stuff for a couple on a brief holiday, don't overthink it.

You should be able to find a weight for the hardshell cases you're looking at? It can make quite a big difference in my experience.

46kgs is a LOT of stuff for a couple on a brief holiday, don’t overthink it.

That too. 23kg cases are a pain to move about.

but I am wondering to what degree such cases will reduce how much I am able to carry.

Quite right. My missus bought me one of those big TNF Rolling Thinder duffles, but it's never been used as it weighs about 5 or 6 kilograms. Pointless if you only have a 23kg allowance.

We use the basic TNF duffle, or the Berghaus Mules if we're skiing.

None of which are hardshell, but I totally agree don't buy heavy luggage

I spent over a decade travelling the world with work, using a hard shell suitcase. It would be hard to count all the corners of the world that suitcase visited. But in the 20 subsequent years of travelling, I have not used those hard shell cases once. Soft, but strong bags which roll more easily and are more stable are 100 times better imo.

Sports direct are usually good for that kind of thing.

Only ever use duffle bags now. We’ve one 120l osprey rolly duffle which we’ll use if travelling alone (say I go to Ciclo for a week as it’s easier to shift), but otherwise either mountain equipment or montane duffles. Strong, light, waterproof enough, don’t present a “challenge” to baggage handlers, good options for converting to rucksack mode.

As others have said, 46kg is a shed load of stuff for two people.

Thanks for all these comments.

We travel quite a bit, but seldom by plane (when we’re together, that is), and this time, it’s just that we’re flying to Malta to start an 8-day cruise. We would never carry that much luggage otherwise. We’ll need a much wider array of clothes than normal.

8-day cruise would be my Barbour weekend bag. The art of travel is what you leave behind. I have a larger roll along carry on victorinox suitcase but that’s for bringing purchases home. Since the kids have grown up, I don’t do that any more. Three times 23 kilos was for when son2 moved to Spain to study for the year!

Next bag will be a 21” four-wheel TravelPro Elite. Probably my last suitcase.

The mark of a well-packed trip is that every item of clothing is worn. I didn’t fill a 33L osprey rucksack for a week long trip to see son2.

@TiRed I’m spending a month in the USA with my kids, we’re only taking hand luggage, and they want to buy stuff when we’re there! Are your packing services available for hire?

I’m spending a month in the USA with my kids

The art of travel is what you leave behind

There's an easy answer hannah

Junior generally rocks up from wherever with a rucksac and his laptop in his hand. At least half the contents of the rucksac being dirty washing to put through our machine. For a month away walking/camping down to 0°C my rucksac weighs 12kg including a litre of water. Don't they provide bedding on the cruise?

I spent a few days in Cyprus compliments of the MoD and took a black hold-all as luggage. Flew out on the Trooper from Brize. Being “VIPs” we were afforded the privilege of collecting our baggage first on arrival - to be confronted with about 8 baggage carts of black TNF or ME holdalls 😂

The art of travel is what you do when you get there

FTFY

As others have said, 46kg is a shed load of stuff for two people.

I wouldn't say it is really. Assuming there's a point to your journey Then it's not a lot.
Last time me and the missus flew transatlantic we had about 140kg luggage between us, very carefully packed. But then it did contain
Bouldering matt
Tent and camping gear
Two snowboards and 4 boots
4 skis, poles and boots
Winter clothing
Cycling kit ( though no bikes)
A full desert sandstone rack, ie triple/ quadruple set of cams etc
2 climbing ropes.

I don't get this pack light philosophy. If you're not taking anything with you then why exactly are you going there instead of staying at home? 🤩

Ah, OK, a cruise. As you were. 46kg is wayyyy too much

Ah, OK, a cruise. As you were. 46kg is wayyyy too much

To be fair, I need to have (at least) a dinner suit, a couple of proper jackets and trousers, plus the clothes I will wear when out and about, and shoes for each type of occasion. And of course I will need clothes for the gym!

We use holdalls, without wheels for this exact reason - much lighter. And they give you trolleys in airports to carry them around. However I would not put my dinner suit in one 🙂

However I still think 23kg will be absolutely plenty for an 8 day cruise even so. Before splashing out on new luggage I'd get out the things you're likely to take and weigh them first.

I've got a big (120L) Helly Hansen workwear duffel bag, which gets used for long-haul travel.
Its pretty indestructible and is lighter/more flexible than a huge suitcase.

I think its this one (or very similar) Helly Hansen bag

Suitcases are, unbelievably enough, ideal for packing suits and frocks so may be the ideal thing for a cruise but take up loads of cupboard space when not in use.
For most other stuff holdalls / duffel bags all the way. If you're carrying a long way though you might want one with wheels or a wee trolley that you can pack in the bag.
After a couple of fancy bags got wrecked we bought £9.99 Argos wheeled holdalls for ski trips. They lasted about 4 trips each but were lightish and per trip way cheaper than the fancy one my wife had before that. One died memorably running down the stairs for a train at Gatwick a wheel fell off and bounced away onto the track but generally fit for purpose and no tears when they did break.
Big soft duffles seem much harder to kill.

To be fair, I need to have (at least) a dinner suit, a couple of proper jackets and trousers, plus the clothes

One decent hard case and a soft bag for the rest, we had to do this a week or so ago, although not for a cruise but there was a formal dinner so tux, another proper jacket, Mrs k’s gown(s) went in a hard case with load of other stuff and all the rest in a North Face big soft bag. Think ours is just some bog standard M&S case.

I used to be a very regular traveller. Was hand luggage only everywhere but it was easier on a work trip

I now use holdalls (usually TBF duffles). I can see how you might need more weight if you need casual and smart stuff. A few pairs of shoes can take up space and weight

One thing to consider is a big hard case stays the same size. So when you get into your room you’ll have to store it somewhere. A holdall just squashes down into a cupboard

That's 23kg EACH on the booking. Even if Sir packs a different suit for each evening, along with the battery-powered revolving tie rack, shoe brush kit, and entire cologne collection, Sir will struggle to hit the limit.

Consider leaving the Corby Trouser Press at home unless desperate for a cheese toasty in your room.

The art of travel is what you leave behind

Your wallet, your tickets and your passport.

I'm going away tomorrow and I'll probably take a big Samsonite suitcase I have - various shirts, running,training kit, clothes, boots for fieldwork etc. Considered taking softbags, but I find it easier to keep stuff organised in a suitcase.
I am sure there'll be a space for a suitcase on the boat in the room as most people have them