Don’t leave Home Without… Luggage Scales
Tanzanian Wilderness Safari, Tanzania , The Maasai Mara Ride, Kenya , The Okavango Delta Ride, Botswana , The Patagonia Trail, Argentina , Khovsgol & Arhangay Rides, Mongolia , Chilko Lake Ride, BC Canada ...
As veteran globetrotters, we have seen all too many travellers bitten by fees or frantically repacking their luggage at the airport because their bags have exceeded the weight limit. It’s a common sight, but it’s also one that can be easily avoided – especially with the help of portable luggage scales.
Chronic overpackers and pedantic minimalists alike will rejoice in the ability to check the precise weight of their bags on the fly (pardon the pun) thanks to this handy gadget! Luggage scales strap onto any kind of handle and are then lifted up, bag in tow, to give an accurate weight reading.
If you’re headed on a horse riding holiday where you’ll be catching internal flights, or where the luggage weight limit is likely to vary from one flight to the next (think Kenya, Botswana, Tanzania, British Columbia, Patagonia, Mongolia), we HIGHLY recommend spending a few bucks on one of these – trust us, it’ll be worth it for the peace of mind.
From old-style mechanical scales to digital scales that are accurate to the gram, there’s a luggage scale for every traveller. You can purchase them from all good travel stores and some outdoor stores, and they are also available online. If you do purchase a scale online, bear in mind that depending on the seller’s location, it may take a few weeks to reach you; best to choose a seller in your own country, or visit your nearest travel store, if your departure date is getting close.
Here are a few portable luggage scales that come recommended by fellow travellers:
Camry Digital Luggage Scale
This scale has a 110lb/50kg capacity, digital LCD display, date lock and tare functions, and as a bonus, the in-built thermometer tells you the ambient temperature – because why not?!
Tarriss Jetsetter Digital Luggage Scale
The sleekest design we’ve seen, the Tarriss Jetsetter has a capacity of 110lb/50kg, data lock function, a smooth stainless steel top plate, and it shuts down automatically after 30 seconds to conserve battery life. You can switch between pounds, kilograms and stones, too.
EatSmart Precision Voyager Digital Luggage Scale
This one wins for practical design – it actually looks like a grippy handle. This should make it easier to lift heavy luggage, and a beep tells you when the weight has been read so you can put that 35-kilo bag down as quickly as possible! Digital screen, pounds and kilos, 110lb/50kg capacity.
Samsonite Manual Scale
For the old-school among us, this super simple scale has a round face with a dial displaying pounds and kilos. Two needles point to the weight in both units and as a bonus, there’s an in-built tape measure so you can ensure your bag isn’t oversize, either. It weighs up to 80lbs/36kg, so perhaps not the best option if you’re packing heavy.
Orbis 3-in-1 Digital Luggage Scale
Gadget lovers rejoice! It’s not just a luggage scale – it’s also a torch, and a power bank for phones and tablets. The micro-USB outlet has a 5v output and the powerbank also charges the digital scale. It can weigh up to 110lb/50kg and switches off automatically when not in use.
Go forth and prosper, globetrotters! No more overweight fees or pre-flight stress for you.
***Oh and don’t forget to check out our GT Apparel online store if you’re keen to invest in some new gear ahead of your ride!
Image credits: feature image by Golub Oleksii/Shutterstock.com, preview image by Africa Studio/Shutterstock.com.