Luggage-What brand do travelers use?

To get a good intro to carry-on luggage and the "art of traveling light," I suggest you go to:

Onebag.com

In addition to the bags mentioned on that sight, here are some more:

Ebags Weekender Convertible

Outdoor Products Essential Carryon

Unfortunately, many of these bags are only available online and not in stores. However, some might know of stores that carry them.

I have seen Rick Steves luggage in stores. You should google it. I travel a lot for business and before I decided to go for quality over price I used to go through a bag a year. I finally popped for an Andiamo bag and I haven't had to get a new one since. I love it. And when parts of it wear out, they have fixed either for free or for a reasonable charge. Check out luggage stores. They really do know their products. Pam

I use Rick Steves luggage 21 inch plus flight bag which snaps on top of 21 inch luggage. No more slipping and sliding problems walking with both and I usually take both on plane.

laura,

I've been using Eagle Creek products for several years, and so far I'm really pleased with them! I've found EC to be very responsive in repairing damaged luggage (subject to the warranty provisions, of course).

I'm probably a bit different than most here. Although I'm an "older" traveller, I prefer to travel with a Backpack. My normal kit lately consists of a Continental Journey pack (2003 vintage, now discontinued) with attached Daypack, and a small LowePro dSLR Camera Case. For shorter range trips closer to home, I use an EC Matrix Titanium Backpack (this is technically a Daypack, but it works well and has enough capacity for short trips).

I have looked at Rick's Convertible Backpack, but I don't think it fits my torso range, so probably wouldn't work for me. I do use a RS Civita Daypack around home and sometimes when travelling, and it's a great product (albeit for light duty uses).

Cheers!

Try out your local AAA store. They do carry Rick's bags. I have a RS 21 inch Roll-aboard and I love it. It is light weight. The AAA people told a friend the bag is not sturdy enough for checking but I have had no problems with it. Even fully packed I can still lift it into an overhead bin. Many rolling bags are too heavy. I learned that by buying one at Costco and I do like the bag but it exceeds weight limits for some airlines.

My husband and I have used RS bags for more than 20 years. That's more than 40 trips to Europe plus more "local" trips. We gave both our kids RS bags when they started traveling with us, too. We all love them. They are sturdy, and just the right size. They are definitely "tough enough" if you want to check them-- but there's no need to if you pack right.

I 2nd the vote for Eagle Creek. They do sell wheeled suitcases and bags if you don't want to go the backpack route. My Eagle Creek backpack fell out of an unsecured luggage hold on a bus, hit the ashphalt at about 70 mph and was clipped by several cars that were following our bus.

When I got my pack returned to me, I had a busted luggage lock (not made by Eagle Creek) and a couple scuff marks on the outside, but that bag protected everything. I had several fragile souvenirs inside and absolutely nothing was broken or damaged. Definitely a quality product and worth the money.

We have both the Ebags weekender (very sturdy) and Rick Steves convertible.

RS bag broke on us, even though it was lightly packed, but they sent us a new one upon our return. If I had to choose between the two, I'd go with Ebags to be honest. Their zippers seem a lot better than Rick's bags.

I am thinking about the eBag Weekender Converitble or Eagle Creek Cross Roads 22. I really don't want to spend $200.00 for the Eagle but I really like that it expands and has wheels just in case. They have the same dimensions and capcity but the Eagle Creek weighs 2x more. I will probably be able to find the Eagle Creek in stores to check it out but how about the Weekender? How durable are each?

http://www.eaglecreek.com/bags_luggage/wheeled_carry-on/Cross-Roads-22-20144/

http://www.ebags.com/ebags/weekender_convertible/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=15026

First, if you are going for the maximum carryon volume, most bags don't do that well. I think an effective bag needs to me as close to a "rectangular solid" as possible - that is, no tapering at the top, no pockets on the side that take up width but don't give you that dimension all the way up. The ETBD and Essential Carryon bag are the only ones I have found the meet the criterium. I used an RS convertible carryon for five trips before switching to my current Essential Carryon bag for two trips.

Second, no wheels. They just make the bag heavier to carry (and you will have to carry it.)

Laura - The RS convertible carry on is my absolute favorite! I have always been a small wheeled case kind of girl but after reading this site, I purchased the RS for the whole family. We spent most of the month of June traveling over five countries and I never regretted my decision on luggage. Not alot of escalators/elevators and many cobbled streets - wheels would have been a real 'drag'.
Have fun!

You could order both the EBags Weekender and the RS bag from Ebags and if you don't like them, send them back. Ebags offers free shipping on returns. And ordering both bags will get free shipping to you as well. This way, you won't lose anything to check them out. But order what you actually like because you might want to keep them. (No law says everyone has to have the same bag.)

Awhile back, I did a comparison of non-wheeled convertible bags. Here are your choices regarding price (from high to low)

Under $100:

Outdoor Products Essential Carry-On

Ebags Weekender

RS Convertibles (2 versions)

L.L. Bean Quickload

From $100-$200

MEI Voyageur

Patagonia MLC

Tom Bihn Aeronaut

MEI Executive Overnighter

We've gone a bit Rick-Steves-Overboard in our recent luggage purchases. A few years ago we bought four of the convertible carryons, one for each family member. A couple years ago we bought 2 of the 21" roll-aboards because my wife and I were getting tired of carrying the other bags on our back. Early this year we added two of the Avanti rolling totes for short-duration trips. We've been happy with all of these bags.

Last week I was at REI and was amazed at the array of bags they carry, all sorts of styles, sizes, and brands. RS certainly isn't the only choice out there. In fact, the range of choice can be somewhat overwhelming.

We each have Rick Steves' 21" Roll Aboard and love it as it expands and the larger rollers are great on the cobblestone streets and sidewalks. No wear and tear after 10 weeks of use.

I use a Patagonia MLC. Strong, it squeezes into overhead compartments and holds a surprisingly large amount of items. I probably have 15 trips with it now. One 30 day trip and the rest all less then 5 days.

For a wheeled bag, I have a 20 inch Eagle Creek bag that is great for business travel and for when I won't need to move it around much (i.e. I'm going to be in one place, not staying in a hotel without an elevator, not having to haul it for blocks over cobblestones, etc.)

I have a RS wheel-less backpack that I've had for years. I don't use it much anymore because it tends to allow heavy things to sink to the bottom of the pack and doesn't distribute the weight all that well. When I'm wheel-less, which is most of the time I travel, I swear by Tom Bihn bags-- I use the Aeronaut and the Western Flyer, and use the Zephyr as my laptop-personal item. Built like a tank to take all the abuse I can dish out, but lightweight, well-designed and made right here in Seattle.

By the way, no matter what kind of wheel-less bags you carry, get one of the Tom Bihn Absolute shoulder straps. Without question, the best strap going--it distributes the bag weight, soaks up strain from bag-bounce while on the move, and stays put on the shoulder instead of slipping off.

Ditto the Tom Bhin Absolute Strap. No matter what bag I take, even if it came with a shoulder strap, I replace it with the the TB Absolute. Bags feel lighter with it. Amazing strap.

laura,

If you were thinking of buying any of the RS bags, you might want to do it soon, as they're all on sale for 20% off at the moment. I'm not sure how long those prices will last?

Cheers!

Alright with the much appreciated help from Frank I have narrowed it down to two bags.

eBags Weekender Convertible (burnt orange and blue)on sale today $55.99 +s/h 3 lbs. 3066 cu. in.

Rick Steves Classic (slate and blue)
$63.95 + s/h 3lbs. 2500 cu. in main compartment

I have read that many people like thier RS bags but why? I am leaning more towards the eBag because of it's style. But the onebag.com recommends RS Classic.

This is NOT intended as anything but a clarification, because I am a huge fan of the RS products. But just to be accurate, onebag.com doesn't recommend the RS Classic. Doug Dyment's recommended bag for leisure travel is the MEI Voyageur.

To find his comments on the RS bags look in the section on what he terms "luggage bloat":

http://www.onebag.com/wheeled-bags.html

No onebag.com does not recommend RS convertible bag but he "did" recommend his classic bag which is the one I would purchase.

Laura- My husband has used a Rick Steve's classic bag for years, but it is hard to put into words "why" he loves it versus other bags. He really hasn't tried any other bags. I guess when you love what you have, you don't have to look for anything else. The classic bag holds his stuff so nicely, it is easy to carry around, it fits in luggage compartments and on trains neatly. It just "works for him". When you tour around Europe and see them on other people, they always look so neat and efficient and small. However, they hold plenty of clothes and other items. I have always used my own wheeled carry on and refused to buy a Rick Steve's one since I loved the one I had. However, after years of use, the zipper has started giving me trouble and I did not trust it for a 5 week trip. I bought the Rick Steve's version and I am now a convert. It was even better than the one I had. It somehow seems smaller, but fits more and is a lot lighter. We are both content and love to travel with our bags. Have a great trip

laura,

One point to make regarding the RS Classic Backpack is that I don't believe it has a waist belt. If your travel gear has any weight at all, a waist belt is essential to take the weight off the shoulders.

However, even though the newer Convertible Backpack does have a waist belt, it may not work for everyone, as it's not adjustable for torso length AFAIK. If your torso is within the range the pack is designed for, it should work well.

I know the value of a properly fitted Backpack from experience, and find that I can wear my Pack for hours with no strain on the shoulders at all! That was confirmed last May, when waiting for a train (which was delayed for several hours) in Austria. I didn't bother taking my main Pack off, as I hardly noticed it.

I always recommend those considering a Backpack purchase to ensure they are properly fitted for torso length, and try it out fully loaded for an hour or two around home to make sure the fit works. If you have any questions on which RS Pack will be most suitable for you, I'd suggest sending a note to the RS office. They're always very helpful and will be able to recommend some the best options.

Good luck!

Please remember that the opinions on the onebag.com site is just one person's opinion...

He doesn't like the RS Bag because it's expandable and doesn't have an internal suspension system.

Interesting how the Red Oxx Sky Train, an excellent bag that he recommends and helped design, doesn't have a suspension system or waist belt.

And, the RS bag he reviewed was before the padded waist belt was added.

If you are using the backpack for serious backpacking, then I agree, you need that support. But, if like most, the backpack straps are used to lug the bag through airports, train stations and perhaps a short walk from transport to hotel, then an internal suspension system is not really needed. It would just add weight.

Thanks to everyone we purchase two eBags Weekender Convertible in the Burnt Orange and Sapphire Blue. They will be here 11/24/08 and I can hardly wait.

Eli...what color was your RS bag that had problems? Was it slate? I don't remember where but I heard they had some problems with slate bags.

... I'm a bit late...

I've had my Costco (Kirkland generic brand?) 22" bag for about 6 years. I fly at least once every month (in the U.S.).. it's taken a good beating but the only thing that's fallen off was me puling the zipper pull too hard, so the little zipper pull thing came off, but it still works fine.

I also have a Travel Pro (computer bag) and massive 27" luggage (roller), that's gone through several international travels (Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Japan), still going strong too. But you pay a pretty penny for Travel Pro, but so far so good - I've had the bag for at least 7 years.. still use it, everything works fine.

Should you ever want to consider backpacking...

I'd recommend the Gregory brand (they make women's specific as well - comfy in the shoulder and hip areas) BUT Gregory is a bit on the expensive side... but I've tried on a few other brands and I personally liked the way it fit for me (I'm a 5' tall female).

But as everyone's feet are different... people also have different torso lengths.. most of the outdoor friendly stores (www.rei.com) will have torso measuring devices for the major backpacking brands. I'd recommend getting measured should you ever want to consider a few nights out in the mountains or backpacking through Europe :)

I just read this on Ebag's site. This is what happened to us as well, but they did replace the bag.

Date Posted: October 2, 2008
Reviewed By: Anonymous Customer from Brooklyn, NY

Review of Rick Steves Travel Gear Convertible Carry-On

"Pro's: Decent bag, very lightweight, more useful than a wheeled carry on. Pockets well thought out. Decent price. Con's: Doesn't have much structure, Zips have come open as I've picked it up (although I haven't lost anything)".

My Rick Steves backpack has worked great for me, along with an older Eagle Creek laptop bag. My wife recently bought the Rick Steves roll-aboard suitcase for carrying on the plane, and it worked well for her.

We (a family of four) just returned from a ten week trip to Europe. Each of us had a medium-size "Quickload Upright Duffle" available at LL Bean (llbean.com). Only $99! They held up great (they have wheels and handled European cobblestones just fine) and were easy to pack. We chose them because they had the largest capacity in that size range. The claim is that they meet carry-on specifications, but we checked them (we had small backpacks as well). Good luck!

My husband has a slate bag from RS and I read about people having trouble with the zipper. When I asked at the RS travel store, they said it was just the zipper pull disconnecting from the zipper making it harder to unzip. They advised we carry a safety pin or paper clip to put on it for the trip and if it happened, they would replace the bag when we got home. They also said that it had happened to a small amount of bags versus how many had been sold. That set our mind at ease. (I had thought the problem might be more serious with the zipper actually coming apart-not a good thing on a big trip) We traveled 5 weeks without any problem. The slate bags came into the store later, so may be why it has happened to a particular color (The maker got a hold of a few defective zippers for that run) My husband has traveled for years with a RS classic pack and loves it. We have never had any problem with the "zippers opening when it has been picked up". I'm not even sure how that could happen. (except someone trying to get into it without permission ala a pickpocket) The zippers have always closed and stayed closed.