Favorite checked bag?

[Green Chile]

Since we're in safari season after the shows, does anyone have new favorite duffle bags or checked bag options? My rifle case is a tuffpak 1050 but I'm looking for a good duffle/backpack style bag or other good checked bag options for this year's trips. It will hold my locked ammo box and whatever doesn't fit in the tuffpak. I would prefer a backpack style to compliment the rolling Tuffpak transiting through crowded airports, etc. This isn't a carry on question but feel free to share your favorites there as well.

 

[Green Chile]

I've been researching the Red Oxx bags. Those look promising.

 

[JimP]

I have a rolling duffel from Cabela's that I got way before Bass Pro took over. For a carry on I just use a Badlands day pack.

The last thing I heard with duffel bags at Joberg is that they need 1 hard side, but that may of changed

 

[Green Chile]

I've read that a few times here on the forums about needing 1 hard side but that hasn't been in any of the material from travel agent, meet/greet services, etc. Duffle bags are always common in safari camps and airstrips in Africa. I wonder how accurate that info is?

 

[channelkat]

I have been looking too. I was wanting something like the improved GI. sea bag. Found timbuk2 had something that sort of met my thoughts, but I'm kind of liking the Red Oxx Green Chile posted.

 

[Sarg]

I've read that a few times here on the forums about needing 1 hard side but that hasn't been in any of the material from travel agent, meet/greet services, etc. Duffle bags are always common in safari camps and airstrips in Africa. I wonder how accurate that info is?

In the 2019 season it was brought in, I arrived with my Duffle in June & when I left in October it was banned but I just went over to the wrapping guys, they put the Duffle on a piece of cardboard & Wrapped, all good then, in Africa just make a Plan !

Not sure if it is still in force as I took my travel pack last year ?

PS the wrapping is a good idea any way as it keeps the straps & handles from catching the equipment, which is what they were looking to stop !

 

[Tra3]

Patagonia black hole duffel bags. My family and I use them for travel. They have different sizes. The smaller ones work for a carry on (with shoulder straps). The bigger ones get checked. I put my ammo case inside the bigger duffle. They really are well built.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Here we use canvas, in keeping with the theme. I think M&M does a wheeled one.

 

[Spearhead]

I use my circa 1992 Filson luggage and pay to rent a cart. It's been allover and never an issue or hassle.

 

[JES Adventures]

I've been researching the Red Oxx bags. Those look promising.

I switched to Red Oxx a couple of years back and have been very impressed with the quality. I used Boyt for years but their quality is not what it used to be and I had a few different bags fail.

 

[Travis2282]

Although I only use it as a carry on I love the red oxx sky train. It converts to a backpack.

 

[Challer]

Been using Red Oxx for decades

 

[BeeMaa]

Wife and I have been using Pelican Protector 1560’s for our checked bags and they work great. I use a 1510 for my carry-on and Dive Bomb Industries Duck Blind Bag as my personal item. The 1510 can be checked if it has to, but the duck bag always stays with me. Wife uses a backpack for her personal item.

Rifles go in a Pelican 1700, but I made the assumption that you meant specifically checked luggage and not firearms.

 

[Philip Glass]

You can no longer take Tuffpack or a standard duffle through JNB. The big duffels with a flat back and wheels are ok but not a standard duffel.

 

[Fatback]

Phillip,

Soft sided duffel bags are no linger allowed in Joburg? Is this a recent restriction? I went through there last Oct with one and no issues. Also the tuff pack wheeled gun cases are not allowed? I did not travel with a rifle last year but plan on bringing one this year and have always used a tuff pack case. I would hate to have to get a new gun case. Any insight you could provide would be great. Thanks

 

[Doug3006]

I just bought a new one for my upcoming trip to South Africa. It’s a Boyt Covey Bag. I’ll let you know how it performs, but it seems well-built.

 

[Wade J VanGinkel]

Phillip,

Soft sided duffel bags are no linger allowed in Joburg? Is this a recent restriction? I went through there last Oct with one and no issues. Also the tuff pack wheeled gun cases are not allowed? I did not travel with a rifle last year but plan on bringing one this year and have always used a tuff pack case. I would hate to have to get a new gun case. Any insight you could provide would be great. Thanks

Not sure what the actual rules are but I checked in with a normal Cordura duffel that weighed 45 pounds 2 weeks ago with no problems at all.
I was unaware of restrictions or I wouldn't have tried

 

[sureshot375]

I’m trying something new this year. I’m going to use a pelican air 1615 as my checked bag. For a carry on I’m going with the Red Oxx Beano 5.0.

I’m only taking one rifle, a breakdown double, so I’m looking to take a a compact gun case.

 

[Anbessa Gedai]

Patagonia black hole duffel bags. My family and I use them for travel. They have different sizes. The smaller ones work for a carry on (with shoulder straps). The bigger ones get checked. I put my ammo case inside the bigger duffle. They really are well built.

I've not the time right now to dig up citations, but I understand the Patagonia company is strongly
anti-hunting. I'm not saying they don't make a good product, but I cannot patronize a company
that is anti-hunting when there are perfectly good alternatives that actively support our sport (Cabela's, Filson, Boyt, KUIU, et al).

 

[Green Chile]

Since when is Tuffpak not an option? I just bought a new one last week! No Tuffpak and no duffles will affect almost everyone and I haven't gotten any notice from Gun permits.com or Travel Express on this.