I had never considered writing about my travel bags until someone I met recently asked me what kind of bags I use when I travel. I thought about it, and yes, there are several things that I must take with me on my trips. Therefore, here is an article about my travel bags.

My Travel Bags

When I first started traveling many years ago, it was very basic. Back then, there were no gadgets or anything complicated to bring along, unlike these days. A bag, shoes, toiletries, clothes, and a bulky camera. That was how simple it was back then.

Nowadays, just the thought of wires can drive me up the wall. There are camera wires, phone wires, battery pack wires, laptop wires, speaker wires, and most importantly, that international charger! That alone can fill a quarter of my bag, so you can imagine how tedious packing a bag can be these days.

Alright, let’s get to the good stuff. These days, my travels are pretty quick and easy. I hardly travel more than 7 days in a single trip as my workload here in Kuala Lumpur piles up whenever a trip comes up.

So, my travel gear is more for the casual traveller and not the round-the-world (RTW) traveller or backpacker. Maybe Flashpackers can be included in this.

I have some travel bags, ranging from suitcases to overnight bags. In total, I personally own about six travel bags in various sizes. But my ultimate favourite is the medium 24″ aluminium wheeled Calpak bag, as you can see in the picture above.

This very convenient bag is my first choice for trips lasting 3-7 days. The inside is spacious, while the bag overall is lightweight and sturdy. It has been taking a good beating at many airports around the world and still looks good on the luggage conveyor belt.

A seven-day trip with this bag? No problems. The trick is in the art of rolling your clothes, as this saves heaps of space. The best part about using this bag is wheeling it around. I no longer belong to the under-40 travellers, so carrying your bag is totally out of the question.

With this bag, I simply roll it on all four wheels around airports, tarmacs, hotel corridors, and just about anywhere else. Life became so simple after using this kind of travel bag. The material is very tough, so I do not worry about damage. But at some airports, luggage is thrown about, and I have personally seen how some airlines handle baggage.

My Dive Bag

I have even used this aluminium bag as my ‘dive bag,’ where all my dive equipment can easily fit inside. Yes, my OxyCheq BCD, Aqualung Regulator, Dive Mask, O’Neill Wetsuit, scuba fins, and general stuff go in without any problem. So, my tip is to invest in a good, rugged, lightweight bag like this and forget those canvas-style cheap ‘polo’ bags.

The Cons—So far, I have experienced nothing negative about these bags. They seem to be perfect for all kinds of travel I have encountered. Maybe I hear stories of a wheel breaking and so on, but it’s better to buy a good-quality one compared to those cheap promotional ones.

My Travel Backpacks

Another essential part of my travels is my backpack. Though I have used many types over the years, I have settled for three. That’s right, I have several backpacks, and I constantly have headaches about which one to take. So, depending on my assignment or trip, I will weigh the pros and cons before choosing which one to take.

Update: I stopped using this in 2017.

I have dreamed of owning a Vanguard Up-Rise 48 for many years. Finally, I bought one here in Kuala Lumpur for about RM500. It was the ultimate travel and work backpack for me.

Every electronic item I owned easily fit into this backpack, and cables and charges were comfortably slotted in the many compartments. The best part is that my 15″ laptop has a slip-in zip slot at the side of the backpack. Now, my friends, this is a functional backpack.

It also comes with a custom backpack raincoat, and you can strap a tripod to the side. The Vanguard Up-Rise 48 also has side mount access for quickly removing the things you need.

The compartments inside the bag are movable and have Velcro fastenings, which I customize to fit my lenses and other equipment. I travel with only two additional lenses and a portable video camcorder, so everything fits inside perfectly.

The cons—So far, I cannot find anything wrong with this bag. It would be great if it was fully waterproof! Size-wise, yes, it is a little on the bulky side, but hey, all those electronic goodies in one backpack!

Update: I stopped using this in 2015.

Ikea Family Upptäcka 2-Piece Backpack—When I saw this recently at our local Ikea Store in Malaysia, I thought to myself, “Wow! A spacious backpack that can be split into two portions and yet store a 15” laptop. How about that? “Now, this totally messed me up.

I kept walking around the store, thinking how convenient this bag would be during my travels. I ended up going back to the bag section and purchasing the Ikea Family Upptäcka. It only cost me about RM140, and I thought, why not, since my last bag cost me three times more?

So, when I used the Upptäcka for my first trip to Beijing in October 2012, I was totally impressed with the two-section design. I could fit everything I owned in except for the laptop charger, which went into my general travel bag.

When I reached the destination, I would unzip the two portions and take the smaller portion out for my general walkabouts. This was awesome! Instead of carrying everything in one bag, I could split them now.

When I go for morning walkabouts, I usually only need my camera, extra battery, zoom lens, and camcorder. All of that can fit into the smaller section of the Ikea Family bag. Since I got this bag, it has been my favourite travel backpack.

The cons—It is not your professional camera bag, so lenses go in typically. The bag is bulky when attached together, so moving around in narrow areas can pose a slight problem. Oh, and never walk into a glass souvenir shop with this backpack on; you are bound to knock something over.

Travel Backpack #3

The third backpack is for my ‘other’ trips. Others mean when I go on Eco-adventure trips like hiking, walking, water rafting, bird watching, and so on. This is where my Timberland Whitebluff 30-litre backpack comes in handy.

I usually pack this bag into my main luggage, and when I reach the destination, I change to the Timberland Bag, as it is lightweight and practical. Items that are needed go in perfectly, and there is a hook attachment in the bag where you can bring it out to hang items.

I also find the Timberland Whitebluff convenient for quick city walks, as it is big enough to fit several things, especially when you go shopping for minor things. Overall, this backpack is a must-bring on any of my trips. The cons—I wish it had more padding so I could carry my electrical equipment, but this is more suitable as an outdoor backpack. I would recommend it.

My Travel Pouch

Sorry, but I never use those. I think I should start using one, especially those inner neck pouches, when travelling. I spoke to some seasoned travellers, and they recommend using one, especially when visiting high-traffic areas. That will be my next purchase when I see something that suits my style.

Update: Since 2018, I have been using waste travel pouches, which seem to fit in some of my camera lenses and are essential items for my short walks.

Conclusion

I am sure many of you reading this have had good and bad experiences with travel bags, with some breaking or even being damaged during trips. If you would like to add a comment, please do so below, and I hope you will find that perfect travel bag for all your journeys.