Where in the world am I today?: North Vancouver, BC, Canada

Got an email last week from Bob Cates talking about the challenges of traveling with lots of gear. The biggest challenge these days is keeping luggage to the 50 lb. weight limit that has been imposed by airlines and which they’ve become very very sticky about. There are still a few tricks and loop-holes that Bob discusses on his Blog, but for me the best way to deal with things it to simply play the game by the rules that the airlines have imposed. If you show up with bags that weigh in at less than 50 lbs. you’re good to go. Period!

Mind you, as a comedy juggler/prop comic I tend to carry a lot more gack than your typical stand-up comedian does, but that’s just one of those occupational hazards that I just have to suck up… Is what it is.

So? How do you get all of your gear into bags and still have it weigh less than 50 lbs.? The answer I’ve come up with is to make sure the container you’re putting your gear into weighs a little as possible when it’s empty. To that end I switched from a laminated trunk to a plastic case which saved me about 10 lbs of weight just in the case. I went to a plastic shelled suit case by Samsonite which is both strong and light, and when ever possible I use one of the bags pictured above.

These custom made bags are great! A bunch of years ago now a friend turned me on to the work done by Colin Seddon and his staff at Northwest Textile Innovations. Most of the bags that I have made start with a layer of cordura fabric (available in a variety of colors) on the outside, a layer of flexible plastic which helps give the case some rigidity and shape, then a layer of blue foam to protect the contents of the case and finally a lining material that holds it all together. These bags are incredibly well made, very robust and incredibly light.

Colin also gave me a hint that allows me to prolong the life of these bags. Inevitablly after numerous trips the cordura fabric may start to show signs of wear, especially at the corners and areas that rub against the ground a lot. His tip (which has worked beautifully) was to get some Shoe Goo and apply it to the worn areas to build up a tough shell to fix any minor holes or areas of wear.

Interested in having a bag made? Then contact Colin directly, give him your measurements and let the party begin. Here’s the contact information –

Northwest Textile Innovations
Attn: Colin Seddon
Unit One 19299 – 94th Ave
Surrey, BC V6N 4E6
CANADA
Wk: (604) 882-4890.