Transporting an 85L pack

Are the airline (SAS) going to make a big deal over my full 85L pack and the sleeping pad strapped to it? I can imagine the sleeping pad going missing, somewhere between my departure and arrival.

So how do you transport yours?  Have you had any problems?

wrap it tightly with cling film (think pallet wrap) at the airport - I just get a cheap roll of wrap and spend a few minutes in the line securing everything on the outside with 5 or 6 layers of cling film.  Leave the grab handle free and ,at the other end, rip off the cling film.  The fee area also lets the sniffer dogs hae free access

Yes I do sometimes get a few odd looks from other passengers and often get asked if they can have whats left on the roll in an attempt to do the same thing.

You will regularly have to carry it down to outsized  - and if security see anything naughty, be prepared to rip the wrap off, show them the offending item and rewrap. It will also be weighed to see if it is over weight - make sure it isnt.

Bedouin wrote (see)

Depends on the weight and if its likely i.e. they think you've got anything naughty in there like say fuel. As for the sleeping pad make sure its VERY well secured. I don't think you'll have a problem but nothing in life is certain. Last trip took my 100ltr Naos pack on 7 flights using 4 different airlines and had no problems other than there was an absolute insistence that it was weighted and that it couldn't be over-weight. I had to carry it to the oversize luggage area a few time and was told to make sure there were no dangly straps. Pay extra.... fly direct.

Unfortunately it's not possible to fly direct. But the weight won't be an issue. I like to travel light.

Thanks for the cling film idea GOF I'll be sure to use it.

A large duffle bag (like this) adds a lot of security against damage, but then you need somewhere to store it until you fly back.  Clingfilm is the next option - a lot of european airports offer this as a service, for a price.

SAS checked baggage weight has dropped to 20kg within Europe and they will normally charge if it's over this, with a maximum single item weight of 32kg

Lemming wrote (see)

A large duffle bag (like this) adds a lot of security against damage, but then you need somewhere to store it until you fly back.  Clingfilm is the next option - a lot of european airports offer this as a service, for a price.

SAS checked baggage weight has dropped to 20kg within Europe and they will normally charge if it's over this, with a maximum single item weight of 32kg

I like the idea but the weight is a bit of a pain, like you say storing it until I need it again is also a bit of a pain. Think I'll stick with the cling film idea.

Are you sure about the 20kg weight? On their website they still say it's 23kg

I've had a lot of hassle at various airports/with various airlines [but mainly EasyJet], taking a North Face duffle.  Even if I tie up all the dangling straps so they can't snag on anything, the check-in people really don't like these bags.  Tried the paid-for wrap-up service at Gatwick last summer: wrapping largely fallen off by the time I got the bag on the scales.

But, I have a great Outdoor Designs rucksack cover with a simple zip fastening which takes my Macpac Glissade very neatly and has never caused as much as a raised eyebrow at a check-in desk.

Is this the  Outdoor Designs cover that I'm hearing good things about?

http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/outdoor-designs-tote-cover-large-p103979

Any idea on whether it will fit an 85L MacPac Torre with a sleeping pad wrapped around it?

I put mine into a large hold all, saves all the faffing about with cling film, etc.

Airlines seem to like it to, no straps to get caught in conveyers, bits falling off, less likely for 'sac to get ripped.

 Mine fits into a 2lt sack, weighs 0.75kg, if I'm going back to same airport, I'll leave in left luggage, or as at Information desk if someone can keep for me. I've not had a problem, either way, sometimes one of the car hire desks have kept for me, even if I haven't hired a car.