Bag for shipping pack?

[TomEske]

I'm headed out to the southwest in a couple of weeks for a 10 day trek. We are doing the train-bus-plane-bus type of trip and I'm wondering if anyone knows of a source where I can get some large heavy plastic bags to put the packs in to protect the straps, etc.
Those airport conveyors scare me. Someone suggected shrink wrapping them, but that would make it hard to inspect, and wouldn't work for the return trip.
I'm sure someone in this elite group has a great solution based on past experience. Could y'all enlighten me?
Happy Hiking,
Tom

 

[Jay H]

I have a huge Outdoor Research black bag that I use to ship my backpack in. (a 4000ci Gregory Reality). It's fairly cheap at Campmor where I got it.

Alternatively, if you do go to the airport, some airlines will put it in a huge clear plastic bag for free, but I wouldn't count on it, a lot of it depends on who you deal with, some are friendlier than others.

Also, one of those Pacsafe things works well as a strap holder too...

Here's a campmor link to some of the duffels there. The OR one that I have is very basic. It's just a nylon bag with two handles, it's not waterproof and probably isn't designed to handle a ton of abuse but it'll keep straps in and keep things hiddle from view.

Campmor

If you want something more durable, I would suggest that heavy duty miltary duffel. I inherited something like that from my father in a heavy pea green canvas with a lockable metal collar on the end that I have used before when I went to Alaska.

Jay

 

[TomEske]

Great Idea Jay! I never thought of that (DUH), the OR might be a bit much price wise for both Pete and I, but I might find something along those lines in one of the major local stores.
We are traveling with a group and I heard a rumor that they might make a deal with the airline to pick up those bags ahead of time, but I want to make sure we are "covered", just in case.
Thanks again you Devil,
Tom

 

[Willie]

Tom, about 5 to 6 times per year I do the train-plane-automobile thing from Chicago to the ADKs. Here's what I do....

For my travels, I use a large wheeled duffel bag (36" x 18" x 18") that I got from ebags.com. In that bag, I can pack my backpack, plus, in the winter, I can pack my snowshoes and all that winter stuff.

For trips of longer duration, I have a large canvas bag to carry extra gear, which I can place on top of my wheeled duffel bag as I go through airports.

Happy trails!

 

[iceNsnow]

hockey gear bags

Find a friend who has a bunch of old hockey gear bags. They are huge and don't look like they carry your valuable hiking gear!

 

[Peakbagr]

Inge,

Great idea. Find a hockey goalie bag and you can sleep in it with all your gear.

PB

 

[Ridgerunner]

Polythene

Tom, in all my travels, I use a polythene bag with duct tape reinforcements. It works very well. Before returning, I buy another bag in a hardware store as the first is usually torn when I undo the duct tape reinforcements (they are just horizontal and verticle loops). Most airlines provide them. I was able to buy a bag for the return trip in Katmandou, La Paz, etc. BUT you need to carry your roll of duct tape, but you kmew that, right ?

 

[Rick]

Tom,

check a local Army Navy Surplus Store.

About 10 years ago, I picked up a couple of huge black heavy cotton/light canvas duffle bags from the local Army/Navy Surplus for around $5 each.
I can fit my full pack, boots & hiking poles in them and they zip shut along the top. The zippers aren't great ( I always wrapped some cord around the bags to take stress off the zippers), but the bags take a beating. They have been to Europe several times, out West 4-5 times and to Alaska and are still in great shape.

Also, don't forget to check out standard Army issue Duffle bags - Depending on your backpack and contents they might fit in one of those.