Best Carry on luggage for Europe

First off, you do NOT want spinner wheels because they are a very small diameter wheel will catch in every crack and cobble stone. While I will advice against rolling bags in Europe because of the rough streets, sidewalks, etc,m IF you are going to get a rolling bag make sure the wheels are large as you can find so that the wheel roll easily over the rough surface. Rolling bags add at least five pounds or so of weight and reduce your available space. It is trade off you make. Often wheeled bags are advertised as carryon base on the size of the actual bag area but when wheels, handle, and supporting structure are added the total bag is too big. Unless you have physical limited your really should consider a light weight, back-pack style of carry on bag and then focus on packing light. That you will not regret.

Carmen, I do take roll aboard type bag when I go to Europe. And yes, there are times when it's hard, but for the most part I've not had trouble. So, I wish I could personally recommend a bag. I've opted for a more expensive bag that has lasted for over ten years and counting. But budgets are budgets. The Rick Steves bags get a lot of recommendations here, so you might want to look at them. BTW my bag has the expandable feature. Even if you don't want to check your bag on the way out, you might want to check it on the way home. Pam

"I really would like lots of space, lightweight, and spinner wheels." That's what my business school professor called "conflicting requirements". Wheels add weight and take space. With a rollaboard bag, plan on limiting yourself to an American airline, which don't seem to have a weight limit. If you fly one of the European airlines, many of them have an 8kg (17.6#) wt limit. If your rollaboard weighs 7# empty, that means you can only take 10# of your own stuff. Instead, get a 1¾# Essential Carryon bag. With a total wt of less than 12#, you don't need wheels. Also, with European airlines, many have a sizing boxes next to the gate, so they can check the size, so really pay attention to that 21-5/8" (not 22") length limit. Since Rick introduced me to carryon ten years ago, I've made 8 trips to Europe, all with a convertible bag, and I would never change.

Lee- We are flying continental. Do you have any suggestions for a bag?

Spinner wheels are useless anywhere other than in the airport and hotel lobby. While not a fan of wheels in general, if you are gonna use wheels go with the larger two wheel models not the tiny four wheel models.

I agree- wheels are NOT the way to go. We have used Rick's bags for more than 25 years (40+ trips worldwide and more than that in the US). Yes- the SAME bags for that whole time and they still look almost new! They hold all you need and more. When packed mine will weigh between 12-15 lbs and hubby's will weigh in at less than 10 lb. Uless you have severe back or arm problems, you really don't need wheels. We use the covertable "backpack" type straps for husteling through the airport, onto trains, etc. and for longer walking distances. Otherwise we just use the hand-carry strap for short walks to hotels, etc.

My husband and I both prefer a rolling bag, one with good sturdy wheels. If we encounter cobblestones or stairs, we just pick them up and carry for the short distance. One of bags is the Rick Steves 21 inch rolling bag. It is basic, about as lightweight as you can go with wheels, and roomy due to the straight sides and rectangular shape. We have never had a problem with the weight or been asked to weigh our carryon, but we only fly Brisish Aiways, so I cannot speak to other European carriers. My husband tried the RS backpack bag and hated it. It hurt his back (odd since we are fit and do a fair amount of hiking with overnight backpacks). Also, he did not like the floppiness/unstructured aspect; he found it hard to pack and keep things neat. I probably should organize a Rs meet up here in Seattle and give it away as a door prize.

I have a RS 21" roller bag and have used it for years, both in the US and in Europe every summer and have never had a problem with using it either with street surfaces or checking it into European airlines - Turkish Air last summer. I have a skeleton problem that affects my back so back packs are not an option. The handle on it would not collapse all the way several years ago so I took it up to RS in Edmonds, WA. They inspected it and told me to go over to the bag section and pick out a new one which I did. The new one has an expansion capability. I pack light so I do not worry about the checked weight restrictions.

"Also, he did not like the floppiness/unstructured aspect; he found it hard to pack and keep things neat." The trick I have found for packing and keeping things neat are packing cubes. A set of RS packing cubes fit perfectly into the RS bag and keep the items and weight evenly distributed.

We've been using the RS 21" rolling bags for the past 5 trips to Europe and trips in between. We love them. Haven't had any problems on any surface ever. They easily fit in the overhead bins on all the planes we've been on.

For our upcoming trip to Europe in the Sept., I purchased 2 types of carry on bags for everyone in my family: Eagle Creek Switchback Max 22 and the Eagle Creek Tarmac 22. The Switchback has an attached day pack, and the Tarmac has lots of storage pockets. The Switch also has straps to carry as a backback. We've used them on some short trips so far. The are sturdy and with large wheels. As mentioned in the other posts, the wheels add weight, however, my children all need to be able to pull their luggage. Eagle Creek came out with new models this year. You may be able to find some bargains on the old models. Good luck on your search for a good carry on bag.

My top two based on functional, light-weight, and inexpensive are: Convertible carry-on: Campmoor Essential Carry On. http://www.campmor.com/essential-carry.shtml?source=CI&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=60795
Roll-aboard: Heys USA. http://www.ioffer.com/i/heys-usa-xcase-20-carry-on-luggage-case-silver-210890078?source=eisi This was about the lightest roll-on I could find and is well made. The extra wheels add unneeded weight to a bag, so don't go for a spinner.

I travel with my trusty old Travelpro Rollaboard. Yes, it's heavier but the tradeoff is that my tote bag slides over the handle and it is much easier for me physically to walk longer distances pulling a bag than carrying it. (I'm very petite but strong.) It fits in the overhead on the plane and in a pinch fits under the seat which doesn't impact my footroom since I'm only 5'2". Last fall we visited England, France and Italy and I didn't have any problems with the wheels and rough streets. You have to decide which style of bag fits your physique and needs.

Carmen - I also use the Campmor Essential Carry-On. I find that this bag meets all my needs.

I have the Campmor carry on. Very light weight so you can pack more up to your weight limit. The only drawback is it has a huge CAMPMOR logo, which I covered with a piece of black fabric and hot glue. :)

Those people, who say that the terrain in Europe doesn't give them a problem with their wheeled bag, haven't gone up the path to Stahleck

As Lee so ably points out, I have never used my RS 21" Roller Bag to go up the "path to Stahleck". However, I have used it throughout Scandinavia, the European continent including Eastern Europe, down thru Spain and Portugal and thru Turkey and have never had a problem using it. When I have to climb some stairs to my sleeping place, I merely pick it up and carry it - same as I do when going up or down big curbs.
Works fine for me.

My husband and I are both taking Osprey Porter travel packs with us for our trip to Italy. We purchased them from REI for $99

I think it depends on the type of terrain you'll be traversing as to whether or not wheels will work for you. So if you're bypassing Stahleck this trip, but are heading for places like Amsterdam, Munich, Budapest, Vienna and Paris, you'll do fine with wheels, even SPINNER wheels.
Assuming you are not too co-ordination-challenged to walk and pull a bag at the same time?

Check out Osprey line of wheeled bags. They come in different sizes. Check the size guideline of all the airlines you will be traveling on then make your choice.

I have a High Sierra purchased at Carson Piere Scott (yonkers or Bergners outside Chicago) in Chicago. It is a carry on with a detachable back pack. The carry on portion has wheels and hidden shoulder straps as well as a zipper to attach the backpack. When not getting on a plane I have them attached and can wheel them both around or have them on my back if not too heavy. When checking in and boarding the plane I separate them and use the back pack as my "personnel" item with my purse. I also stash a baggalini for my extra goodies should I need it. I have traveled to Europe twice with this luggage and it works great. I spent around $125 on sale plus 10% off opening up a cc and it's been well worth it. Enjoy your travels.

Lee's too generous. Look at the area around any metro or train station where the concrete stops and the cobbles begin - - all those little round pieces of plastic are what used to be wheels.

I did a lot of research on roller bags and decided on Eagle Creek Taramac 20. Reviews stated that sometimes the Taramac 22 "failed" the airline bin test to/from/in Europe so I chose the 20 instead. We've only used it for domestic travel so far, but can pack everything I need for 5-6 days. I searched on line for the lowest price along with on line coupons, and purchased the 1st one for $150 (instead of $250 retail) and after testing that one on a couple trips purchased the 2nd for my husband for $180.

I love wheeled bags and wonder why it took us so long to invent them. It is all I use, as I hate, hate, hate carrying a bag if I don't have to. Cobblestones are noisy, but I never have problems with them. When stairs are there, I just pick it up, as it isn't that heavy to begin with. I just don't want to carry a bag on my shoulders or on my back for a couple km. when I can pull it behind me instead. I also like the fact that if I buy some extra items, like groceries on the way to the hotel, I can plop the bag on top and don't have to carry it. Not planning on going to Stahleck, so that is not a selling point for me to not use a wheeled bag. I buy my bags at Woolworths or some other cheap store for about 20 euro, and when the wheels break after about 5 years of use, I just go get another one. This is one of those questions where there is no wrong or right answer, as it is personal as to what fits each person.

Wheeled luggage is all I've used in over 10 years of travel to Europe. I have a Delsey carryon-size suitcase which is very light - only a few pounds - and I haven't had a problem carrying it on (knocking on wood). I've only flown American airline companies because European airlines are more expensive, at least at the times of year that I've flown in the past. Cobblestones or rough sidewalks don't bother me. Another reason I like my suitcase is that the wheels are all the way to the edges, so that the chance of the suitcase flipping over is pretty small (unlike my previous carry-on suitcase whose wheels were toward the center). On my last trip to Europe, several of our train connections (in smaller towns) were only a couple minutes apart so we had to hoof it down the stairs, across the station, and back up, but it was all right. So if you want a rolling suitcase, look for one with wide-set wheels and a handle on the side as well as the top, for the times that you have to run up 2 long flights of steps in a train station to catch a train. And pack light! Take a look at Rick's packing list for women on this site.

Please note: Everyone in this thread who is "pro-wheels" who then went on to described the wheels in use described wheels that most definitely are not "spinner wheels" Two large roller blade style wheels are okay. (not my cup of tea, but okay). Spinner wheels are useless outside the airport.

I love my Landor-Hawa Sub-zero 21.0 in. It is very light and spacious. It's my carry-on. When I have to haul it up steps, I just carry it and not worry about the wheels. I try to pack as light as possible. Costs under $100.00.

One more household that loves its Rick Steves' Rollaboards. Purchased one several years ago. When it arrived, my husband suggested we immediately order a second one....obviously immediately impressed with the quality, use-ability. They have been on MANY trips with us and are as good as new years later. Well made, durable, easy to use. Glide through airports and also wheel well over the mixed surfaces in European villages. Have recommended these to friends, who now love theirs and recommend to others, too. While relatively compact (compared to non-carry-on luggage), we manage to each pack one for 10-14 days of travel with a little room to expand. We actually use a light-weight nylon garment bag to surround our clothes on hangers and then tri-fold it within the bag, with room left for socks/undies/spare shoes, etc. Other bag carries folded items and toiletries, along with second person's spare shoes. Love that the handle adjusts (up/down) so easily. Fits nicely into most overheads.

"I have a Delsey carryon-size suitcase which is very light - only a few pounds" They must have discontinued it. All I can find today from Delsey are a couple of non-wheeled shoulder bags at 2-3 lb. The lightest wheeled carryon bag from Delsey is the Helium Super Lite Trolley Tote at 6½ #, but it is only ¾ of the full carryon size. The lightest full sized Delsey bag is the SuperLite 21.5" at 7½#. Hardly what I would call very light.

Thanks everyone for all your help! I have decided to get a rolling bag with bigger wheels and not the spinners. For me rolling it is going to be most convenient. I am sure I will have to carry it some but I will make sure it has good handles. Thanks for all your help!

I did a review of the Flylite Medium Foldaway Wheeled Cabin Holdall on One Bag, One World. It's carry-on sized and weighs just over 3 lbs. http://www.1bag1world.com/blog/2011/5/8/flylite-medium-foldaway-wheeled-cabin-holdall.html