Luggage allowances on no-frills flights

[OldBloke]

Just booked a late holiday but I'm limited to 15k hold luggage but have a ridiculous 10k allowance for the cabin.

I would much prefer the split to be 20/5 but I guess 15/10 caters for the people who do not want to pay the Ã,£40 quid charge for hold luggage (apparently the trick is to wear as much stuff as possible and stuff the rest in the cabin allowance).

Anyway, my existing luggage is the hard-bodied Samsonite type which are quite heavy even when empty but do offer protection from the bag slashers (been a victim twice which prompted the switch to hard cases in the first place). With the 15kg allowance they're no longer practical so does anyone have any suggestions for lightweight luggage? Can I get a mix of light weight and security?

[Gorion]

My family has always used the fabric with hard plastic edges on the inside.  Best way for the cheap airlines.  Always make sure you have insurance.  There is also a medical card which will grant you free health services within the EU.

They don't need to be of any particular mark, just an average cost/look boxy type thing.  All the security you need is a padlock, a 2x name/address tags (one for your hotel/residence, and another for your home whilst coming back.) and a piece of coloured ribbon so you can identify your luggage easily.
Most of the times, the less attention your luggage gets, the safer it is.

What I can suggest is to only pack what you need/essentials.  If you are going overseas for a 1 week holiday all you need to pack is:

Minimum amount of toiletries
1-2 jeans/trousers
4-6 T-shirts/shirts/sweaters
A pair of underwear/socks for each day. + 1 extra.
A hand-held weighing device/scale.

Plus, whatever you are wearing on you.

That's pretty much it, the other things aren't essential.  If you run out of underwear, wash whatever you need in a handbasin and let dry.

Always make sure that your "hold" luggage is 5kgs less before you leave home.  Sometimes the airport luggage movers/scales are inaccurate/rigged, and you'll end up paying for extra weight.


Also, if you are travelling with Ryanair they don't usually weigh your hand luggage.  Just make sure it easily fits their size specification and give the impression that it's light.  I've packed over 25kgs in my hand luggage more than once, whilst coming back home like that.

[DuVeL]

My handluggage is more then 25kg (my Shuttle). Never had any problem with it as handluggage. To bring another bag with me costed about Ã,£20 extra though but then again it was Easyjet.
 
Any decent bag will do I reckon OB...

[Tutonic]

Who needs luggage? http://boingboing.net/2010/09/13/rolf-potts-is-travel.html

More seriously, I travel with a Berghaus backpack and a couple of padlocks. It's nearly indestructible, Berghaus = win.

[Luminance]

I also had about 25 kgs in my rucksack, I didn't want to pay the 40 euros for bringing my hardtop (I'd only fill it up with syrup waffles the first 2 times, and maybe some more clothin).

[Penfold]

I've not been victim to a bag slash but can sympathise.

I used to have Tumi luggage but it was so damned heavy.

The latest acquisition for my Marrakech trip was the Berghaus Mule 100 which is a wheeled carry on with handles that convert into a cunning backpack. Worked well and I would recommend it.

However my single ever best purchase has been this. Worth every penny ! ]

I don't think you'll get lightweight and security as they don't go hand-in-hand really.

GL!

[Penfold]

What did  you buy in the end?

[OldBloke]

What did  you buy in the end?

Apologies for not replying earlier :blush2:

First off, I bought the Salter scales you recommended :thumb:

I took on board the comments about how light weight and security would not really be an option so, in the end, went for a couple of these. Big, light and easy to wheel about.

Testing starts tomorrow

[Penfold]

Perfick

Also, remember that airline check-in scales can be notoriously badly calibrated.  It happened to me recently. I had used my Salter scales and my case was 17.3kg. The airline scales came in a 22.1kg so they wanted to charge me. I refused and asked them to check on different scales and lo and behold - 17.3kg. I wouldn't mind so much but at Ã,£15 per kg it's taking the proverbial.

Have a nice holiday!