What kind of travel gear do you use?

What kind of travel gear do you use?

I travel across the USA and usually my paint gear is in tow. So my kit has to be practical and compact.

Over the years I have had a variety of different paint boxes. I started with a tackle box and travel easel and eventually I progressed to a French style easel.

The French easel does have it's problems- the legs are cumbersome and have to be strapped down with bungee cords now that it is getting older or the legs will flop out. Another issue is that the pallet scrapes on the upper lip of the drawer skimming off paint if I am not careful.
I have a folding chair if I will be painting outdoors.

When the legs are up they have a tendency to slowly collapse if the set screws are not extremely tight and checked frequently. The legs extend out enough to trip a passerby in a cramped space. Airline travel is hampered by the metal lining of the drawer- not a problem prior to 9-11 now it requires a search at each airport.

Now that my French easel is beginning to become more bother than help I have been researching pochade boxes.

The main difference for me between a pochade and French easel is that the canvas or board is stored inside on the pochade where it is protected while wet. The palette is also protected and one can start painting by simply taking out the brushes and opening the lid. This of course limits the size of painting to the size allowed by the box. Not a problem for me as I do not work larger than 11 x 14 while on the road. When home I use my large studio easels.

I have a new pochade and will post a review in a week or so when I have had a chance to test it out.