Another bag question

My first reaction is that the four wheel is not going to solve your problem but in fact may add to it. You might what to review some of the previous discussions here about 2 vs 4 wheels.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/packing/wheels-spinners

The 4 wheels generally work best on smooth, flat surfaces found in airports and the US. The 4 wheel do not travel well on rough sidewalks, cobblestones, bricks, etc. In those situation the 4 wheel often has to be tip to a two wheel but the swivel nature and small size of the wheels makes for difficult handling on rough surfaces. In those situations the wrist stain might be greater. Maybe you could borrow a spinner from a friend to make a local trail run to see if that is the solution you need.

ebags gives the best descriptions

Yes, if you're talking about cobblestones, etc., spinner bags - at least sizes 20" or less - with large-enough wheels might be very hard to find. The typical spinner wheel will pop right off after a few bounces over cobblestones. And all that bouncing will be harder on your wrist.

I have a question - I have the same problem with one of my wrists, and travel can really exacerbate it! - can wearing a splint help while pulling your bag? I'm asking because it helps me (1) remember to be mindful of my wrist, and (2) it keeps my wrist 'in alignment'. Wearing my splint can make a huge difference in keeping my wrist happy. Plus, I sleep in it just to keep things where they should be, since I like to fold my hand backwards or make a fist under my pillow when I sleep and that's not good :-(

There was a product I bought just a few years ago called a Travel Tow, but apparently it's no longer available. It was fabulous! I'm just sick about the fact that it's disappeared from the face of the earth. The next best thing is this Travelon 3-in-1 Handle , but I would definitely modify it so that it looks more like the Travel Tow and its two Velcro straps that won't slide all over your suitcase handle. These allow you to hold your wrist at any angle. It doesn't have to be twisted nearly backwards in order to pull your bag (and it's easier on your back, too!). My Travel Tow allows for a 360* rotation, and the Travelon looks like it could work, too, and this - along with the extra 5" or so in length - allows you to hold your hand down at your side, in the small of your back, wherever it's most comfortable. It's made a world of difference for me.

If you travel only in the USA, meaning on airport concourses and very smooth sidewalks, a spinner bag could work for you. Definitely get one with two larger wheels in the back and a sturdy, protected back so that you can drag your bag up stairs if need be. Many people like to shop at close-out-type stores like Ross, Marshalls, SteinMart, Tuesday Morning, etc., for great deals on luggage.

I second the suggestion to shop around on eBags; their photos are the best around!

I have never seen a spinner with your weight and size requirements and I'm always on the lookout for one to review.

The problem you're going to face is that the extra wheels add weight and most bags with your dimensional requirements may not be available in the U.S. as most people who carry-on here want the max allowed of 22 x 14 x 9.

And bags normally designed for the European market are wider than what's allowed in the U.S.

I did find this but it's smaller than you want:

The Rimowa Salsa Air Mini Multiwheel measures 17.1 x 12.6 x 8.3 and weighs 3.5 lbs. $425

The other suggestion I might make is if your bag has locking handles, push it instead of pull it.

You might also want to go over to the "Travel Products" section on Flyertalk and ask your questions there. These are the wheeled bag people:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travel-products-639/

Thank you Frank and Mary.
Frank, you have a good point, I didn't realize that I'll probably strain the wrist anyways with the spinner bag. Will have to experiment at some department store.

Irene, I have a question. Can your current bag be retrofitted with spinner wheels? I went to eBags searching for a photo of the bottom of your bag, but I can't tell if it's a hard/solid bottom or not.

Another thought is to buy a smaller, under-the-seat sized wheeled bag, and use a very lightweight bag on top. A bonus of this would be two smaller, and lighter, bags to handle when they aren't strapped together. Something like this. (I paid no attention to dimensions, weight, etc., of these products, but only wanted to offer a photo of what I'm referring to. And sorry; you'll have to click through the photos to see them stacked together.)

Victorinox makes several lines with a monopole ("T") handle that swivels to accord ate a more natural hand position. ( palm parallel to the side of your body, not facing down). I find mine extremely comfortable and easy on my wrist. I could not find an 18" but they do offer a 20" one. It is a bit heavier than your Osprey, however.

Eileen, thank you for your suggestion! I will have to find the handle and will check it out. I am also wearing splints on both wrists, especially after dragging luggage, my carpal tunnel has been getting worse recently, and after my last trip, it took several weeks to improve...
I don't like to wear splint in the airport or train stations, mainly because my hand feels clumsy in it and I don't get a good grip on a handle.
Frank II, thank you for the link to Rimowa bag, it looks nice, size can work for me but just briefly looking over reviews- they mention that the handle is short, and I am 5'8''; not sure if it will be comfortable. Is the length of the handle important for a spinner?

Eileen, thank you again. I am not sure about adding wheels on the Osprey bag, I could ask them, I guess.
Lola, thank very much. Will check out Victorinox.

...my carpal tunnel has been getting worse recently, and after my last trip, it took several weeks to improve...

A new bag is cheaper than a Doc in the short run but doesn't fix the problem.

A Doc friend specialized in hand surgery and performed thousands on carpal tunnel surgeries. (He stopped cutting when he hit 60).
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/carpal-tunnel-syndrome/basics/treatment/con-20030332

Carpal tunnel syndrome should be treated as early as possible after
you begin to experience symptoms.

If these techniques don't offer relief within a few weeks, additional
treatment options include wrist splinting, medications and surgery.
Splinting and other conservative treatments are more likely to help
you if you've had only mild to moderate symptoms for less than 10
months.

http://www.webmd.com/pain-management/carpal-tunnel/open-carpal-tunnel-surgery-for-carpal-tunnel-syndrome

Edgar, thank you very much.
I know, I know where it is heading:))) I just don't have time to do surgery right now.

I continue to be 3 sigmas off the mean in these discussions. I love my spinner and have experienced none of the broken wheel, cobblestone issues that others often mention. I do tilt it, or lower the handle and carry it when needed.

I have found that twisting my arm/wrist to pull it gets old, so sometimes I pull it the opposite of the "normal" way. Instead of turning my wrist/arm to have the palm of my hand facing down, I hold my arm straight back and grip the extension handle with my palm up and the back of my hand down. It does feel awkward at first.

I am also 5'8" tall and when "trying on" rolling bags found that very few had extension handles that were tall enough for me. I have been happy with my Lipault Paris 22" spinner for 3 years and lots of use. Their measurements include the wheels and the soft handles on the top and sides, which the measurements of some roller bags do not.

As someone else said, finding a roller bag, especially a spinner, that is super light, is almost impossible. Pay close attention to any you try or look at online. The measurements are usually pretty close but the weights can vary by quite a few ounces.

Everybody has their favorites, but I can't seem to beat my Lipault. The company is French, so the sizes are more in the European direction. They make smaller bags than mine, even one with 2 wheels that folds up (http://www.ebags.com/product/lipault/22-foldable-2-wheeled-carry-on/203724). It weighs 5 pounds, 5 ounces. And a 19" 2-wheeled carry on that weighs 5 pounds (http://www.ebags.com/product/lipault/2-wheeled-19-carry-on/280845?productid=10324245).

One thing I would never get is one of the bags with the T-shaped handle like yours. That's partly because I use Baggallini totes that have a zip open pocket on the side that can slip over the handle of my spinner. Very secure and stable.

As I'm writing this, I wonder if part of your wrist problem is the way you have to grip that T-shaped handle. I have tried those and found them very uncomfortable and not ergonomically designed for me. They certainly weren't very stable with that single extension rod.

Stability is one of the reasons I prefer a spinner. I have never been able to pack a 2-wheeled bag in a way that keeps it from falling over. Spinners stand on their own 4 feet.

This is a link to all the Lipault bags on eBags -- http://www.ebags.com/brand/lipault.

I hope you find a bag that works well for you, but there may not be anything any better than what you already have. That's been my experience whenever I look at other luggage recommendations.

Thank you very much, Lo. It's all very helpful! I will look into your suggestions.
Irene.

If you have any luggage stores in your area, chances are they carry both Lipault and Rimowa. They might have the bags you're interested in. It would give you a chance to try them out.

I know Leatherworld carries Rimowa. Call first to make sure they carry the exact model you want. I'd also suggest trying out a few spinners to see if you prefer them over the Osprey.