My dad has been on a couple of international trips. He takes a metal box that contains some supplies that can't be crushed along with his meds(sensors and needles for his pump). The box is approximately 5x12x18 inches and puts that in a army duffel bag with some clothes and what not. He checks this bag. Its big, its cumbersome and we are looking for a better solution.

Can anyone recommend a hard sided or crush resistant backpack that is between 17 liters and the carry on limit of most airlines?

ETA: This will be a carry-on. I'm wanting him to carry his meds stuff with him rather than checking any of it.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Skull Leader,

As far as a crush-resistant backpack all I can suggest is a camera bag with inserts. You can move the inserts around to get whatever size/shape you want.

Either that or a hard plastic case inside a normal backpack. I would be hesitant to check such supplies.

Sent you an email

I had an aunt with us that used a pouch for her diabetic medications. I know you mentioned a hard-case, there might be some options with the below company.
FRIO Insulin Cases

If you're looking for a backpack that is sturdy to retain it's shape or, an actual hardshell, you're looking at a pack that's likely priced beyond $150. There's not that many on the market so, demand doesn't help with overall pricing, not to mention the cost of the mold which is built into the consumer price. Size of such an item will dictate a larger than book bag type pack so, it's going to be bigger than 17L

This fits however, larger than you wanted and the goofy straps can be pitched.

Semi-rigid packs are available
The North Face Access

Camera bags you'll probably have the best success, with their internal dividers, that will help with rigidity and segmenting meds from everything else.
Peak Design
https://www.amazon.com/Lowepro...KS8?tag=theworpur-20
Peak Camera Cube is another consideration

I've had checked bags lost too many times. Diabetic supplies go in carry-on. TSA won't question it.

Anything crush proof, or durable, I use Pelican.

https://www.pelican.com/us/en/products/cases

quote:

Originally posted by Beancooker:
Anything crush proof, or durable, I use Pelican.

https://www.pelican.com/us/en/products/cases

Pelican might be the way to go.

Pelican makes an airline carryon hard case, the 1510 (in their "Protector" case line, not their luggage line).

It has wheels and an extending handle just like any other airline carryon but the case itself is a Pelican hard case. It is just within the maximum airline carryon dimensions.



It's available in a bunch of configurations:

Standard foam interior (1510):



Empty (1510NF):



Foam lid, padded camera dividers (1514):



Foam lid, TrekPak dividers (1510TP):



Foam lid, partial foam partial TrekPak interior (1510TPF):



Pocket lid, padded camera dividers (1510SC):



Pocket lid, foam bottom (1510LFC):



Pocket lid, zip-closed bottom (1510LOC):



If you or he was willing to take the time to set up the dividers, the TrekPak version might be the best - I hadn't heard of TrekPak before, but it looks pretty neat, it's comes with a bunch of foam-padded dividers that you can cut down to any size you want to make a completely custom padded divided interior. It makes me want to redo a couple of my hard cases.

quote:

Originally posted by Fredward:
I've had checked bags lost too many times. Diabetic supplies go in carry-on. TSA won't question it.

I agree. My wife who has been Type 1 for about 60 years would be in a world of shit without her insulin and supplies. That's why she always carries her supplies with her in carry on.

To clarify, in the past he's always kept a weeks worth of supplies on him and checks the rest.

We are planning a trip to Israel, Athens, Edinburgh, and Dublin next summer and I'm pushing for him to ditch his old duffel bag and box. He'll be near 72 years old for the trip so guess who's going to carry the bags. I'm wanting something more compact and light. So a full thickness pelican case wasn't what I had in mind.

I'm thinking of just getting him a nice regular backpack and do as Comet suggested and put his stuff in some Tupperware or the like.

Thanks for the suggestions! Keep them coming though if you have an idea of what might fit the bill!

I was suggesting more of a pelican case the size of what would carry half a dozen insulin vials, and 50 or so sharps. Something more like this:

https://www.pelican.com/us/en/...?sku=RKR600-0000-TAN