Back to the Bags...Ladies?

Bev,

I spent 2 months traveling through Italy with an Eagle Creek convertible bag. It has wheels that I usually used but it also has straps so I could put it on my back when going up and down the many stairs I encountered at train stations. I thought it was the best of both worlds and I appreciated both options at different times during the trip. I used the 25 inch model but they have a smaller one if you prefer.

I used the RS 21 inch rolling case like his wife and daughter. I also use the Civita bag. I do take another shoulder smaller bag that will fit into the Civita which I put across my body. I don't want to check anything.

I like my roll aboard. I can carry on or expand it and check on the way home with the presents. i usually also have a pack of some sort. I carry camera equipment that can be tricky. Pam

I need the wheeled carryons. Even though I am determined to pack light, I'm still lousy at it. My spare eyeglasses, 2 paperback books & papers, and spare orthotic shoes already take up a lot of space and are heavy to boot. My back and shoulders just cannot handle the weight if I carry a full backpack or non-wheeled bag. And of course, I collect stuff on the way to bring home! Even small things add to the overall weight. I'm still working to succeed on packing light.

Most of the guys I know prefer non-wheeled bags. They like duffel bags.

I have always used Rick's non-wheeled bag (more than 20 years with the same bag)as my "suitcase". I like the light-weight, yet very durable/strong fabric and the "classy" look. Both my husband and I use his bag. We have always found it roomy enough, no matter the season or how long the trip. In fact, my hubby can pack for 3 weeks and his bag will weigh less than 10 pounds. Mine will weigh in at about 12-15- but he makes me carry the "common" things that we both use!

I have used lots of different "day bags" over the years and have yet to find the perfect one. I've tried lots of different styles, from large camera bags, to school book bags, computer cases, and one that looked like a briefcase to smaller messenger bags. Right now I am mostly using a one sholder sling bag.

I've always used a wheeled carryon. Figured the weight was worth the convenience. But I just bought a new 19 inch bag that weighs only 4#6oz. I can't wait to try it out this fall. They no longer make the 19 in - the smallest now is 20.5 inch but that one only weighs 4# 8oz. The brand is Landor & Hawa & it's the sub 0 G series. Reviews are good. I like it because it doesn't have a lot of useless pockets. I can use my packing cubes & folders. Also, although it has both a telescoping handle & wheels, the interior space isn't compromised by them, so I can have more packing space than my 19 in Travelpro.

I prefer a wheeled duffle as they open up wide for easy packing / unpacking and have less useless pockets. They also tend to be narrower and have more handles making them easier to heave into trunks, buses, trains, etc. I have a no-name brand right now but I'm looking at purchasing the Eagle Creek one (Load Warrior). Does anyone have experience with that model?

I think a wheeled bag is still a great option; I use both types. Last time I went to Europe I used a really old RS convertible bag (non-wheeled), and it was a good choice because we were doing trains and lots of public transportation. Just much easier to get on and off, up and down. If I were feeling flush, I'd get the Tom Bihn Aeronaut in a heartbeart. Great quality and look. It also seems perfectly functional, and weighs less than the Tri-Star, which has lots more compartments (not always a good thing to have many compartments, IMO).

I think a wheeled bag is awfully convenient if traveling by car, or not moving around a lot. I far prefer it for those long treks through the airport, to the distant parking garage, etc. The only concern I have about a wheeled bag is something people run into on European flights: the 21-22" ones often are too big to qualify as cabin luggage.

My daughter and I took a Tumi and the RS wheeled bag on a recent trip. Although they are the same dimensions, the Tumi weighed so much more than our new RS bag! The only thing we didn't like about the RS bag was that the wheels were far noisier than the Tumi's wheels. But overall, I really liked Rick's wheeled roll-aboard.

I use the non-wheeled backpack style from RS. I take trains (never cars). I like how discreet wearing a backpack seems. In the past, when I used a rolling back, I felt that attention was being drawn to me as a tourist and the bag was difficult to drag over cobblestones. Also, it's an incentive to pack really, really light if you know you will be carrying everything on you back. I lock it with a padlock when leaving in bag checks. I think it weighs about 15 pounds packed, which is about as low as I can get it since I generally travel in winter. It does make me feel a bit off balance sometimes--I'm 5'5" and small boned, but otherwise no problems. I try to walk carefully when the bag is on my back!