Mrs FD is going to be spending the next year working away from home, quite a bit of travelling and living out of a suitcase.
Sometimes it will be attending meetings with bag in tow, sometimes train/aeroplanes etc, so needs to be smart but functional.
I can see that you can buy essentially rucksacks with wheels and extendable handle. Are they any good or a compromise too far/bulky/heavy.
What would you recommend?
Oh approx 40-60ltrs capacity
Ta
North Face do one that fits your bill, I'm sure I've seen it in Cotswolds or Ellis Bringham. Not cheap, but seems solid.
I think Osprey do something similar too.
How will she be travelling?
I've used the Lowe Alpine Roll-On 40 for the last few years and can't fault it. It has back pack straps stashed away too which makes it a doddle for trains and buses.
TBH unless she really wants a rucksack styled bag I would go for a quality suitcase with four wheels. These are far easier to move than two wheeled bags particularly on smooth surfaces such as airport terminals.
A suitcase would also (probably) keep clothes neater than a rucksack.
I would be looking at Samsonite and getting a colour other than black.
I've been using an Osprey Sojurn bag for the last couple of years on regular long and short haul flights. It's made very well, balanced on wheels and on the back. Also lots of organiser pockets internally.
Highly recommended.
OK, there's quite a bit more to this than just buying a bag..!
(1) Is Mrs FD going to be working in the same place or a variety of places?
(2) what's the max length of trip away?
(3) What sort of work "uniform" will she wear?
The reason I ask is that the secret to travelling with work is to travel light. This means minimising the quantity of stuff carried.
So, if she'll always be in the same office in a particular destination, can she leave a washbag somewhere (office or hotel). If she's taking gym kit, can she stash trainers with the washbag?
I only work away in the UK, so have to contend with train travel. And I'm located at one place only. Also, I don't have to wear a suit, so don't need awkward suit carriers.
I travel with an old Jansport rucksack. There's no bulky laptop sleeve in it. Everything goes in the main compartment. I usually do 2 nights away, but can easily do 3 and 4 at a push:
Bag will take:
Laptop + charger cable
Notebook + pen
iPad mini
iPhone charger + cable
Current reading book
Socks + boxers for the week
Shirts for the week
Change of trousers
Change of shoes (though these are a squeeze)
Swim trunks + goggles
I travel wearing a jumper and a jacket/coat (and ditch one/both in the summer).
Wallet, phone, earphones, car + house keys in pockets.
Overseas trips are like this + passport.
Washbag stays at work and is replenished locally.
Backpacks are great and much less hassle than dragging wheeled bags around (I speak from experience) and fit into trains and planes much more easily.
The bag is knackered and looks awful, but works perfectly.
+1 for Osprey. Excellent bags. Although fabric have enough structure to avoid creasing clothing, provided you pack sensibly.
Noticed this Lowe Alpine on sale at Tiso
http://m.tiso.com/tiso-lowe-1129858/lowe-alpine-at-wheelie-60l-duffel-bag