Whether you like to shoehorn all your bags and essentials into the airplane like you’re playing a master level game of Tetris, or you’re more of a toss-it-in-the-baggage-compartment type, we don’t judge. We do, however, know a few things about the quality of the gear you should be carrying on those cross-country trips.
Durable trumps cheap. Flight bags, carryons, and suitcases come in all price points, but a well-made item proves its value again and again, whereas cheap stuff ends up in the landfill.
Soft is better than rigid. Packing can be as much of an art form as you make it, but it’s hard to argue with soft-sided items that conform to fit baggage spaces, as opposed to hard-shell items that can potentially scratch airplane interiors.
Some products can work in multiple roles; others can’t. A cooler that can double as a weekend bag? Heck yes. A weekend bag used as a cooler that leaks onto your upholstery? Maybe not. If something’s designed for a specific job, trust the designers and use it for that purpose. [email protected]
Dirty clothes bag
You’re on the go, packing for the next AOPA Fly-In or another destination, and need a way to isolate wet, smelly socks, underwear, shirts, and slacks from your clean clothes. If you throw them in your baggage without properly sequestering them, the damp, soiled clothes can intermesh with clean duds and cause a fashion malfunction in short order. Take it from a frequent traveler: Avoid unwanted, semi-permanent scents in your traveling gear. An ultralight, water-resistant, compressible, roll-top stuff sack can isolate your nasty clothes and maximize your comfort, especially when space and volume are tight. Osprey’s durable Ultralight Dry Sacks fit the bill in sizes ranging from 3 to 35 liters. —DT
From $18 | osprey.com
Flight Outfitters Seaplane Duffel
I first used these duffle bags while flying in Pennsylvania after a winter storm, and I’m a fan. It’s hard to drag roller bag luggage across a snowy FBO ramp, and with the Seaplane Duffel I didn’t have to. The carry straps double as backpack straps, so you can haul your stuff on your back while trekking through snow, water, grass, dirt—and more. And you won’t care where you set the duffel bags down because they’re waterproof. The smaller duffel has a 40-liter capacity that works well for trips up to three days. For longer trips I use the 60-liter duffel. Buying both is a pretty good deal and they lay flat while stored in my closet, barely using any space. —KS
Starting at $49.95 | flightoutfitters.com
RTIC Insulated Tote
This versatile tote is useful for keeping sandwiches fresh for a long summer flight or just carting groceries home from the store. Less structured than a soft-sided cooler bag, the insulated tote fits easily in the baggage compartment of a general aviation aircraft or tucked behind the seat, and at 18 ¼ inches by 15 ¼ inches, it’s plenty large enough for a family day trip. A zippered interior pocket and two exterior pockets keep smaller items accessible, and the lining is easy to clean if those peanut butter and jelly sandwiches end up a little worse for wear. —Sarah Deener
$59.99 | rticoutdoors.com
AOPA Pilot Gear Ranger 25 oz Stainless Bottle
I carried this on a flight at the height of a Mid-Atlantic heat wave, and my water stayed cold despite temperatures soaring above 90 degrees Fahrenheit on the ramp. The base is a bit wide for standard cupholders, but the console of the Cessna 172 kept the bottle contained and within reach. The one-touch push-button lid made it easy to drink while keeping one hand on the yoke in afternoon turbulence, and a locking mechanism meant I could toss the bottle in my flight bag with confidence. —SD
$32 | pilotgear.aopa.org
AOPA Packing Cubes
The first time your shampoo explodes in your flight bag you’ll wish you’d bought these packing cubes from the AOPA Pilot Gear store. Designed to organize the items in your suitcase, backpack, or carryon, these ripstop nylon packing cubes not only protect your items, but the built-in stuff pouch keep them tucked away until needed. AOPA Pilot Gear products proclaim your passion for flying and the designs of airplanes in tropical settings completes that message. —JSW
Starting at $22 | pilotgear.aopa.org/lifestyle-accessories
Pro Tip AirTags to the rescue
Apple AirTags and Android’s Tile tag equivalent can act as your eyes and ears when you’re separated from your valuables. The little circular or square-shaped Bluetooth trackers keep tabs on important items after they leave your possession. AirTags work via Apple’s Find My app and rely on nearby Bluetooth activity to “ping” their whereabouts back to your iCloud account. Both types of tags provide anonymous and inexpensive peace of mind when needed. —DT
AirTag: Starting at $28.99 | apple.com/airtag
