Why I Chose Two Medium Suitcases for Our Family of Three.

 Why I Chose Two Medium Suitcases for Our Family of Three

Packing has never felt simple to me.

Whenever I prepare for a trip, I find myself asking the same question: Should I travel with a carry-on, or should I check my luggage and walk through the airport with only one small bag?

For years, I usually traveled with one carry-on and one backpack. It sounded efficient, but it did not always feel easy. The carry-on had to be pulled through the airport and lifted into the overhead compartment, while the backpack became heavier as the day went on.

I already own a Monos carry-on, and although I like its clean design, it feels surprisingly small once I begin packing. By the time I add shoes, toiletries, and a few outfit choices, there is very little room left.

That made me realize something:

The smallest possible suitcase is not necessarily the easiest suitcase for me.

What Travelers Taught Me

As I researched how people pack for three-week trips, I found many travelers who successfully travel through Europe with only a carry-on. Their most common advice is to pack for approximately one week, create a small capsule wardrobe, and do laundry along the way.

Rick Steves has long encouraged travelers to fit everything into one carry-on-sized bag, especially when moving through Europe by train. Other experienced travelers follow a similar “pack for one week, wash, and repeat” approach.

I admire that kind of minimalist packing, but I also found another perspective that felt more realistic for me.

Susan Blakey of Une Femme d’un Certain Âge traveled through London, Paris, and Milan for three weeks with a carefully planned 12-piece wardrobe. Although her clothes could fit inside a carry-on, she chose a medium-sized checked suitcase—approximately 26 inches—because she wanted room for shopping and gifts.

That sounded much closer to the way I actually travel.

I want to pack thoughtfully, but I do not want every item compressed into a tiny space. I also enjoy fashion, bringing home meaningful finds, and having a little room to breathe.

Our Family Luggage Plan

For our family of three, I decided to begin with two medium checked suitcases rather than buying another carry-on or one enormous trunk.

A 26-inch medium suitcase provides enough space for a longer trip, while still being manageable in airports, hotels, taxis, and train stations. Two medium suitcases also allow us to distribute the weight instead of overfilling one very large case.

Our plan will look something like this:

• For a four- or five-day trip within the United States, we can take one medium suitcase—or two if the season requires bulkier clothing.
• For a longer Canadian trip, we can use the two medium suitcases and carry only small personal bags onto the plane.
• For Paris or a longer European stay, the two medium suitcases should be enough for all three of us if we pack seven to ten days of clothing and do laundry once.
• For Korea, we can use the two medium suitcases first and add a larger trunk later if our itinerary and baggage allowance make it worthwhile.

The largest suitcase does not need to be purchased now. Once our Korea trip is confirmed, we can review the airline allowance and decide whether we truly need it for shopping and gifts.

Why Not One Extra-Large Suitcase?

An extra-large trunk looks wonderfully spacious, but it creates another kind of problem: it is very easy to exceed the airline’s weight allowance.

A suitcase may have room for everything and still be too heavy to check without an additional fee. It can also be difficult to lift into a car, maneuver through a hotel, or carry up a few unexpected stairs.

In Europe, where train platforms, older hotels, compact elevators, and uneven streets are common, two manageable suitcases make more sense than one enormous one.

The length of the trip does not necessarily determine the size of the suitcase. A three-week trip does not require three weeks of clothing. It requires a realistic wardrobe, access to laundry, and enough room to travel without feeling squeezed.

A More Comfortable Definition of Packing Light

I used to think packing light meant fitting everything into the smallest possible bag.

Now I think it means carrying only what I can manage comfortably.

For some travelers, that may be one backpack. For me, it may mean checking a medium suitcase and walking through the airport with one light personal bag. There is no prize for struggling with an overhead bin or arriving exhausted because I tried to follow someone else’s packing philosophy.

So our family luggage collection will begin simply: two medium checked suitcases for the three of us.

They will cover our shorter trips, longer stays, and most European travel. If Korea eventually calls for something larger, we can make that decision when the itinerary becomes real.

Sometimes the best travel purchase is not the bag that holds the most.

It is the one that makes the entire journey feel lighter.

Sources & Further Reading

• Rick Steves — Packing Light & Right
• Une Femme d’un Certain Âge — Three-Week Travel Capsule Review
• Briggs & Riley — Baseline Medium Expandable Spinner

Editorial Note: This post reflects my personal travel preferences and research. I already own and have used the Monos carry-on mentioned above. The Briggs & Riley luggage discussed here is part of my current purchase planning and has not yet been personally tested.