Luggage recommendations for School trip

[mumzy]

Ds1 is going on school trip in Oct half term. He will need a suitcase please give me your best recommendations for tried and tested wheeled suitcases (size suggestions also welcomed) suitable for yr 7 school trip for 1 week.

One that he can carry/wheel himself.

What have you got in you loft?

An old one !

As knowsabit says he'll have to handle it himself including stairs and it'll be chucked about on the coach.

size, I'd say the 2nd size of a set of 3 IYKWIM. Not bigger. REally hthey don't need at lot of the stuff they might think they do (at least you have a lad, the primping and preening stuff will be low priority!)

My comstantr mantra packing for trips (especially the activity/bonding ones ) is " it's not a fashion parade" these faded joggers, old leggings are ideal .

We got dd1 a decent one from M&S. It's sort of a small medium - but is expandable. Has wheels, lasted well and came in acceptable spotty pattern

We've got all our luggage recently from Bags Etc. We've also used M & S in the past, but Bags etc was cheaper. Agree with middle-sized suitcase as they'll have to deal with it themselves.

Definitely one he can easily manage himself.

Small pillow, almost all school trips seem to require long into the night coach travel.

Internal compartments and large toilet bags and spare carriers are useful.

Some attempt at keeping shampoo, toothpaste, clean clothes, dirty clothes, muddy shoes, wet swimming kit etc apart does help.

If electric gadgets are allowed, a back up charging battery gadget is useful.

DD1 bought her own on a plane. She's a great one for reading on her iPod.

Sadly more spending money than it says. Our bunch stop at MW services and Just a hot chocolate is stupid. Schools advice on money is years out of date.

A lot will depend on how many pairs of shoes he has to take but I wouldn't imagine he would need anything beyond the middle size suitcase.
Show him how to stuff his worn boxers and socks into the shoes to take up less room.

Look at Matalan TK Maxx, Primark or BHS online. Remember to check how heavy it is when empty. Some 'wheels' weigh huge amounts. If you get a black one you can tie somthing around the handle to make it stand out.

Small pillows - Ikea 90p
Overnight on coach - Cheap fleecy throw Ikea £1.50 (the pale blue one)

Thanks all I was thinking of getting him a nice new one but since its a trip involving lots of wet muddy activities I'll give him my old wheelie which is quite small and he can take some bits in his rucksac too