I have a problem that a bunch of you probably share: I love to shop when I travel, but I hate to check a bag. Or at least I hate to check a bag before I shop, and I don’t typically think about whether my shopping habit will get the better of me when deciding what size suitcase I should bring.
Instead of worrying ahead of time about how I’ll zip up my carry-on that’s filled to the brim, I have a simple solution: a fold-up duffle bag. It lays nearly flat in my suitcase, and it quickly and easily zips open into a medium-size bag to check or carry on.
Buy: Paraval foldable duffel bag on Amazon for $60 (normally $75)
Made of 22 recycled bottles, this nylon Paraval fold-up bag has a permanent home in my suitcase. About the size of a gym bag, this handy product folds right into itself. You can toss it into the bottom of your carry-on and know you have another bag waiting if you need it.
You can fill it up with your other travel essentials and bring it as your personal item on the plane. Alternatively, you can use it as an actual gym bag at a hotel or as a handy way to carry beach towels and sunscreen around a resort.
For me, this bag has been a lifesaver after overwhelming shopping days in London, Paris and Tokyo. Depending on what I’ve ended up buying on certain trips, I’ve moved soft items (like clothes) into the strong nylon duffle and brought it home as a checked bag; this allowed me to keep expensive or fragile items with me in my hardshell carry-on bag. At other times, like after a candy shopping spree in Japan, I used the duffle (which was filled with every flavor of KitKat you can imagine) as my carry-on bag.
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Needless to say, it’s smart to have an extra bag strong enough to check at the airport but also lightweight and small enough to carry with you around the world. Buying my tried-and-true favorite duffle right now while it’s on sale for the holidays is even smarter.
It’s usually $75, but you can snag one right now on Amazon for 20% off, making it $60.
If you shop on Amazon, be sure to use a credit card that allows you to earn the most rewards or cash back. Options to consider include:
Bottom line
Whether you’re a shopaholic like me or just someone who likes to be prepared, having a flat-pack duffle bag hiding in your suitcase is an easy way to protect against a lot of trouble later. And now’s a great time to buy one that’s travel editor-approved.
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