Anyone tried the "Foldie" carry-on bag? Want someone's real-world input
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Anonymous
| We have some trips coming up where we want to go with just carry-ons and I'm seeing lots of IG ads for the "Foldie" carry-on. No way to tell, since I can't actually handle one, if it's as sturdy as they claim or holds all the stuff they claim. Has anyone here actually used one? Did the top zipper actually hold up with as much stuffed into it as they show? I'm skeptical and wondering if they're worth the money. Thanks. |
Anonymous
| Don't know anything about this product, but chances are things heavily advertised on Instagram are s--t products |
Anonymous
Eh, depends on the product. No more crappy products there than on the millions of ads I get here and on every website. That's why I'm posting here asking for people with actual experience. |
Anonymous
|
I had the same question. I read real reviews of the foldie bag and they were all bad. Apparently, there's that eone cruddy product sold by many companies.
So, I searched Google and found one at REI with real reviews. With some of the backpack style, you can choose to roll them like a suitcase or wear them as a backpack. This one is more like a backpack. They have a selection so you can look at others if this one doesn't suit you. I'm considering something like this: https://www.rei.com/product/207403/thule-aion-travel-pack-40-l I want to it to be allowed on an airplane while holding as much as possible. |
Anonymous
Everyone on here will say "Haven't tried it because I don't get product recommendations from Instagram" |
Anonymous
| Go on Amazon, they sell it there and there are a million reviews. |
Anonymous
| Amazon has a knock off for less than $20. I've used mine a few times and it works well. |
Anonymous
| How about this. use a real suitcase and check your bag, cheapskate! |
Anonymous
Facts. |
Anonymous
|
it's really just a tote bag, by the look of it. Like a longchamp. I'd personally go to a TJMaxx or any similar store and look at their zippered tote options. The benefit of a bag the folds up into itself is limited to the times that you are actually packing the bag into another suitcase. Otherwise it's just a gimmick (though may speak to the thin or lightweight material, which can be useful.
fwiw I highly recommend LeSportsac for these types of suitcases. Mine have held up for decades (literally) and are lightweight, washable, and fit easily into other suitcases when I worry I'm going somewhere where I'll be coming home with more than I left with. |
Anonymous
| I would buy a classic Le Pilage tote. I love that it is lightweight, resists dirt, can fold up easily and has a zipper. |
Anonymous
| I have one of the Amazon Chinese knockoffs for under $30 and I love it, having used it for many flights and road trips in the year I've had it. It holds a TON -- many days worth, especially if you can compress the items in packing cubes or plastic zip top bags. I like the bottom gusset to expand it. I've never found use to fold it back up into its tiny self, i.e., stowing in a suitcase as an "extra' on the way home. My only complaint is that the strap/function on the back that acts as a sleeve to hold onto a rolling suitcase handle is very tight and awkward and if you've stuffed your tote bag with a lot, it will likely topple over to the side when placed on top of your rolling suitcase. I've spot cleaned mine many times with soap and water including when I had to check it (against my wishes) and it got lots of greasy dirt on it from being mishandled by the baggage folks at the airline. I would not shell out for the "real" Foldie (although sometimes they go on sale BOGO) but the cheap one punches far above its weight. Good enough review for you? |
Anonymous
| as compared to the Pliage, which I also have -- its strap is much sturdier and thicker and doesn't dig into the shoulder as much. It also has wonderful internal pockets for organization which the Longchamps famously do not have. I honestly don't even put them in the same category for travel as the Foldie/Amazon knockoffs are far more structured and organized. |
Anonymous
Huh? I get free checked bags but why would I check a bag if I don't need to? I don't want to add on time at baggage claim and I really don't want to run the risk of my bag getting lost. If I can pack what I need in a carry on, I'll use a carry on. Even when I do check a bag, I still usually have a small carry on with a couple days of clothes etc in case our bag gets misplaced. |
Anonymous
I'm the OP (that's not me above) but I agree with this PP. "Use a real suitcase and check your bag" like a jerk posted above--doing carry-on only isn't about the expense, it's about time and the risk of bags going astray, and yes, that's happened to me. And if I'm moving around during a trip and not just checking into one hotel for the entire stay, I don't want to be lugging a suitcase around, even one with wheels, up and down onto subways, trains, in and out of cars, whatever. Some of us don't go to just one place and hunker down for the whole trip. |