Anyone use rick's bags?

I use Rick's carry-on back pack and my wife has the roll-on bag. I also have his day bag. They are good bags, we like them. For a day bag I use an old Eagle Creek shoulder strap bag with the convertable back pack straps if I need them. This was the bag Rick recommended back in 2000 before he started selling bags. It has a broken zipper pull and I replaced the shoulder strap with the one from the Rick Steves store, but other than that after 11 years and much use it is still serving me well!

We have 5 different RS bags and are completely satisfied with all of them. You can spend a lot more money and get fancier bags but we feel that you get a lot of bag for the price. They are light weight, water resistant and do exactly what they are designed for. They pack away almost flat compared to others that tend to be bulkier.

anthony, "Not to mention what they do to your back." Actually, I find that a properly fitted Backpack is very easy to carry and not a problem for my back. Most of the weight rests on my hips and not my back or shoulders. I'd much rather use a Backpack than any other form of luggage, although I've been trying an Air Boss for domestic travel lately and it's been working well. I use Rick's Civita Daypack not only for trips but often around home as well. I don't use Rick's full size Backpacks for travels, as they don't provide any adjustment for torso range, so they won't work for me. If I ever have to resort to a "wheelie bag", I'll probably give up travelling!!! Cheers!

"I can't understand why anyone would want to walk around with a backpack." Unless you are comparing it to a hiking/camping type backpack - I have a bag (in my case, 11#). How do I carry it. Do I suspend it from a single hand? Or do I use a single shoulder strap that digs into my shoulder and is constantly sliding off. For me, the most comfortable option is two shoulder straps distributing the weight evenly on my shoulders. A sternum strap would be nice, but for me this is the best, simple solution. "Not to mention what they do to your back." Learn to pack light. Eleven pounds is not hard on my back. I carry that much from the grocery store every week. I used a RS convertible bag for 5 trips. I only replaced it because it was too big for my needs.

If a backpack is hard on your back, then the weight needs to be on your hips in a hip belt. In THAT case, I certainly wouldn't want ALL of that weight on one side of my shoulder/neck like I'd have with the Autobahn Messenger bag. Ain't it great that there's soooo many choices?!? ;-) It's what makes the world go 'round... ("...you say 'tuh-may-to, I say tuh-mah-to...") (and yes, I - ahem - own a few of Rick's bags...and while I have some problems with some of them and they'll never be my "Europe" bag, they each have a place in my travels. I DO love the Civita line - soooo lightweight! I'm really liking my new Veloce Guide Bag, too...)

I can't comment on his messenger bags, but I have his convertible carry on, appenzell day pack, and civita day pack, and love all of them. I too was worried about my back before I purchased the convertible carry on, since I have some back troubles from time to time( I have a partially degenerated disc in my lower back, and when my back "goes out" it really does a number on me) but I've never had an issue with these bags. Of course "packing light and right" is my mantra like many here. I use the convertible for longer trips, with the civita as my day pack( awesome combo), and the appenzell( again, I take the civita as my day pack) for shorter trips when I don't plan on buying anything of significance. I've also used the civita for weekend trips with no problem at all. So, my experience has been that his bags are sturdy, dependable, functional, and priced right...can't ask for any more than that. If you like his messenger bags, I would think they would also be worthy investments

I assume you are talking about the autobahn messenger bag as opposed to the larger roller bag that you can wear on your back? I do have the autobahn messenger bag and it is very well made. I have used it as my "under the seat bag" and it is quite roomy. For me it is too bulky to take out for daytime touring, but for traveling days it works great.

Well thanks a lot everyone. I might want to add, I'll be pulling my clothes in a small rolling suitcase. The messenger bag would be to hold my camera, rick steve's book, and what ever I might buy. Maybe that bag would be too big. And it is important that no one can unzip it during crowded metro rides.