Luggage - Help!

[bealos]

I need to purchase a few new suitcases as we're off to NZ for a month at Christmas. We don't have any bar one small rolling cabin case! (Our holidays up 'til now have been camping in France and UK).

We have 30kg each luggage allowance with Qantas plus cabin baggage and baby stuff. There's two adults, one child (8), one infant. So we have 3 x 30kg plus cabin baggae.

I'm wondering what bags to buy. I've been looking at the soft bag Eastpak rolling cases (as we don't have storage in our house for hard cases) which come in 60litre and 89litre for check in bags. I don't want to accidentally get a huge bag and then discover I can only fill half of it before I reach the 30kg luggage allowance.

Eastpak Spinnerz Medium - 60 litre
Eastpak Spinnerz Large - 89 litre

What do you think? How do you manage long haul? I'm very keen on the 4 wheeled cases for ease of movement - whilst navigating kids, buggies etc too.

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Hello, this thread is a little old and some of the recommendations might be out of date. Whether you’re looking for cheap and cheerful family luggage or you’d like to invest in a quality cabin bag, take a look at our round-up of the best suitcases (according to Mumsnetters) for more up-to-date advice. MNHQ.

I would just get x2 medium size suitcases. Many airlines only accept 23kg max so a large case can only be half full when you travel again on different flight. Also 30kg is heavy so you want to aim to keep under so they can be lifted up stairs etc If needed

I would take x2 medium suitcases with 4 wheels ( 2 mean that one adult can have them, other adult can have small handluggage case if needed plus hold had of infant if future once walking)

Take the small case as handluggage. Can fit all stuff needed for infant on flight. Plus handbag for yourself with valuables.

8 year old has own rucksack for handluggage with spare change clothes, plus entertainment

We've got 2 of the large red super light ones from Argos (can't remember the brand name sorry - world's lightest or something) - we've done 2 family long haul trips with them, family of 5 and it works really well. Fully loaded on the way out they've come in at 19, 21, 21 and 22 kg - absolutely crammed.

Then we just have a rucksack each on the plane. The cases only have 2 wheels but are light enough for the 10 year old to pull them, DP one and I had the buggt etc.

I've trued loads of things and this works the best for us - I can't travel light and take all sorts if crap for the beachblike buckets and spades, snorkels etc. Normal cases end up too heavy in the large size and 2 medium isn't enough space for us.

30kg is a max, not a target, and remember you have to carry it. Don't even think of putting more than 20kg in one bag and you'll find that is a two-person lift. Also heavier bags get murdered by baggage handlers; they only use one handle as they are in a hurry.

it will be summer - obviously this isn't a guarantee in NZ but you really don't need half a ton of stuff. I can't suggest for the baby (who will need a fair bit) but otherwise: one decent raincoat each, two fleeces each, one pair lightweight long trousers each, shorts, t-shirts etc. You'll need to cover up more than you think in places, both for sun and sandflies.

wheels add weight and nuisance, and only really work in airports where there are trolleys. Once there is a crack in the pavement they catch, fall, twist your back and are an absolute pain.

buy the bulky beach clutter when you get there from the Warehouse, and don't bring it back.

30kg is a max, not a target

Also for baby get any nappies etc once you arrive. Just take enough for flight in handluggage, and first 2/3 days. Buy a reusable swim nappy ( happy nappy one best)

Never pack for more than a week. Can rinse / wash/ rewear. Imagine 3 weeks worth of dirty pants in case I bring back! That would be horrid, just rinse underwear/ socks/ baby vest in sink each eve. Takes less than 5 mins, and saves horrid smells in heat of old underwear sitting around

Remember that for long haul it's best to pack x2 outfits in Hand luggage in case of major delays or lost luggage. So that means only need 5/6 outfits each in main luggage.

Take a look at the 'Tripp' brand. I think it's debenhams, but hard wearing, and our Tripp case has lasted better than the more expensive brands. ( we fly 1-2 times every month so well handled)

Oh and those eastpack bags do look quiet good tbh. Can store under bed easier

Have you seen the babyzen yoyo pram? Folds into handluggage size

My concern was knowing what we usually pack for summer holidays camping (quite a lot) and taking christmas presents with us.

However, we can buy stuff out there and our family will be happy to lend us anything too I'm sure. Not going to wear my MIL's clothes though. Draw the line there.

This is all great advice - thank you. Will look up all those brands.

And remember to pack changes of clothes in our hand luggage (I do remember well a trip to India when ds was 1 and he got the runs on the place... ended up wearing just a sarong!)

Dp (he's Kiwi) is convinced it's going to be BOILING. I'm not so sure. It's like an English summer, isn't it?

Bealos - a small child is now running around with ds2 Tshirt on after he threw up on our flight back from India in April. His poor father was flying alone with him and he had already thrown up on spare outfit!

Luckily we often travel handluggage only now (it gets a chore checking in earlier and waiting for cases when you fly often), so I gave him one we had!

Definitely get collapsible bags with wheels. Do not pack over 22kg. The baggage handlers won't handle it. In the USA you would be asked to get a other bag at over 26kg! We have Antler wheeled holdalls. They have lots of pockets and compartments which are ideal for packing anything that needs washing!

I've been lucky enough to experience several Kiwi summers. It does seem to rain quite a lot in January, then the weather becomes lovely as soon as the schools go back. Same as the UK.

Also incredibly changeable weather; and I speak as a Brit!

north island will be warmer. Remember the latitude and don't sunbathe.

I second the very lightweight suitcases from Argos. I've got them and they're good although the wheels not so robust when case heavily loaded.

We go to NZ regularly (I'm a Kiwi) and between four of us take one suitcase (got it down to a fine art now!) It will be warm there - generally warmer than an English summer. 20 degrees there feels a lot hotter than here as the Ozone hole makes a difference. The light is much more intense than here so take good sunglasses for all. As with all holidays, take layers. Clothing much cheaper here so take what you need. Take or buy good suncream and use when you least expect to burn!

Yes, yes to multiple changes on plane for DCs, plus a few sealable plastic bags in case you need to put wet/soiled clothing in hand luggage.

Have a lovely time.

If you are staying with relatives then you should have access to a washing machine - so you need less stuff. Either the weather will be ideal for drying or do they have dryers?
Make sure you are prepared for when you get back - so have jumpers/coats, and the heating is on or comes on (I have a fancy control panel that you can program to start reheating the house a day before you get back).

In your hand luggage have at least one complete change of clothes for each person - both for lost/delayed luggage and if someone is sick they will be sick over someone else.

I agree with taking less clothes if you have access to a washing machine, we do this every year. I personally do not like doing hand wash all the time on holidays, emergency yes but not knickers or sweaty T-shirts.

Think layers for the flight, planes can be cold and you can strip off when landing.

Take toiletries in small size and buy at your destination. Can you order some presents online like Amazon.nz or similar for your relatives? When we fly to visit the grandparent we also come home with more stuff than we anticipated, so keep lots of space in mind.

Shoes go in a decent gym bag and into the hold. That means suitcases are only for the rest. We each have a largeisch back pack like 25-30l and DD a smaller one. That means all electronics, most of DD's books and paper and pens are stored there. Since having a kindle means DH and I do not carry 5 books each around.

most accommodation in NZ gives access to a washing machine. Top loaders are common and have a quick cycle.

be aware that cold water washing is also common, and assuming that it isn't raining, you've no need to tumble dry.

Long haul to Australia and New Zealand do accept cases at 30 kilos but that is masses and if you have a washing machine then you can definitely cut back.

Those trolly bags are expensive. Take a look in TK Maxx. They had 4 wheeled trolly bags and cases in last weekend.