RS 21'' Roll Aboard Luggage

I have this bag and used it on my trip to Europe this past January. I did not have any trouble using it as a carry-on. I actually love this bag, because you can really put a lot in it, it has a lot of pockets, and it's light. I bought this bad specifically for my Europe trip and it was perfect for me! Hope this helps.

Karen

I agree with Karen. We have had the bag for approx five years and have flown frequently with it. We have never had a problem with it as a carry-on. Not in Europe or in the USA.

The bag is well organized, it is sturdy, it is well priced, but the best thing about it, is that it weighs only around seven pounds. I wish they also had a 26" one available.

George - There are larger Rick Steves roller bags. They are just not sold on this website. Ebags has RS 24" and 26" roller bags on sale.

I have used mine for 5 years everywhere.

The only time it doesn't carry-on, is when you
are flying some of the intercontinental airlines.

It is a light 7 pds.

I agree with the previous posters. I've used it for both domestic and international carryon and never had a problem. I've been able to pack for 10 days in Europe with it with nothing essential left out. Go for it!

I have had my Roll Aboard for 6 years and love it. It has been with me on every vacation since.

I have used it as a carry on on international flights and have also checked it.

Had no problems with the cobblestone streets and sidewalks. The wheels are great.

I have one and have used it for two trips to Europe and multiple US trips. Only on my last trip was there a problem. American made me put it in the "does it fix rack". It went in but was hard to get out. I had to move stuff out of the front pockets. The bag was not expanded but AA was being very picky that day. It is very lightweight but the pull handle and the rollers could work a little better. You might want to try one out in a store --- AAA and travel stores carry them. I do prefer it on Rick's convertible bag. I'm too old to do the back pack.

"it weighs only around seven pounds." George
"It is a light 7 pds." Diane

My only question is, from what planet did you come where 7# is "light".

For someone who started with a 2½# bag, switched to a 1¾# bag, and am currently contemplating a 1¼# bag, your statements are ludicrous.

Airlines are constantly looking for ways to get extra revenue. Don't you think they will soon crack down on oversized luggage, making you check it for extra revenue. They might even find charging extra to gate check oversized bags a nice source of revenue.

I think that most would consider a 7 lb. bag "light". A snarky comment shouldn't be required if you don't.

I echo the comments of others about quality and reliability of the roller bag. I've had mine about 6 years and it's still going strong. Whether or not it can be carried on will depend on the airline. It's always a no on British and hit or miss on Lufthansa, but I've never had an issue on US carrier flights to and from Europe.

We flew just last month on four British Air flights with the bag as a carry-on (Brussels, Amsterdam, Heathrow, etc.) No problems. Perhaps because we don't expand it - haven't found the need to.

I have a 22" Eagle Creek Load Warrior Rolling Duffel. It's less than 7 pounds, and I've never had any trouble carrying it on on US domestic or international flights. I think it's 23" including the wheels. It has a handle on the front that I find helpful in raising it to put it in overhead bins (I'm a 5'2" woman, so getting something overhead can be a little challenging). I got my mother who is in her 60s to buy one, and she loves it. She's never traveled with a suitcase that small before! But she had no trouble carrying what she needed for our 11-day trip (and we didn't do laundry at all).

They're not super cheap, but you can usually find a coupon or sale on it. It is very durable. I've been traveling with it for four years, and it looks brand new.

EDIT: It looks like the Load Warrior line has been discontinued. If you can still get a 22" one, I'd do it :-). It has been replaced with the Hovercraft Rolling Duffel, which also weighs less than 7 lbs. (6 lbs, 8 oz. is what the website says.) From looks, I would say you're more likely to "sneak" this suitcase onto the plane because it looks more trim in comparison to the RS design.

LL - A 7# (empty) bag is excessively heavy. If telling the truth is snarky, so be it.

Lee....I'm just curious. What bag do you have? What is the size and weight?

I think have been using a 21"/22" RS roller bags for the last 10 years of my European travels plus for frequent flights to the west and have never had a problem with taking it onto a plane when I wanted to. I often check it when I am making connecting flights. I have only had one problem with one of them and that was when the handle would not extend. Took it up to RS Edmonds and they exchanged it for a new bag. I do like the flexibility of the new expandable one I have. I have drug that sucker over the most unforgiving pavement everywhere with no problems. As one poster mentioned, as airlines continue to charge for everything under the sun including the first checked bag, you never know when they will start charging for anything that does not fit into their wire racks at the gate. This before they start charging for carry-ons. In the mean time, I will continue to haul my RS bag along with me. Happy travels.

"Lee....I'm just curious. What bag do you have?"

Karen, I used a ETBD convertible bag (2½#) for five trips until it became too large for me. It was well made, but I decided I no longer wanted to carry a pound of well made around with me. Then I switched to a 1¾# Essential carryon bag for my last three trips. I now have a ETBD Appenzell bag (1¼#). I haven't used it yet, depending on how airlines adapt to the carryon rules, but everything I brought back with me from my last trip to Europe fits in it. I weighed it that way after I came back and the total weight, bag and contents, was less than 10#.

Lee, you have to admit that you pack MUCH lighter than most people do.

I know a few friends who go hunting for a month and don't take a change of clothes. Doesn't mean that I want to copy them or get too close to them either!

Used our 21" for both international and domestic flights for 5 years. Never had to check it. Have it handy right now packing for San Diego trip. Well made, easy to pack. We consider it lightweight.

Well, I thought maybe Lee was being a little rough as most new rolling luggage I've seen is advertised as light is around 7#.

So I got out my old (20 year Hartman) that spent much of 2 million American Airlines carryon miles with me, hauling a suit and such. About 8.3# on the digital luggage scale. The newer models (wife and son) come in about a pound lighter.

Then I got out my Jansport convertible I use (backpack but looks like a luggage) that I bought for a trip into Tanzania in 2000 (really tight luggage restrictions) and it weighs just a touch over 2#. S

So that does make 7# heavy, but that's frame and wheels versus backpack.

For info, here's a YouTube video someone did comparing the Essential bag to an Osprey:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bUYm451qf4

Thanks Lee..... Like I said, I was just curious. I just can't imagine taking a smaller bag to Europe. I am open to thinking about it though.

I have really worked on packing light for the last 10 years. I've accumulated a set of clothes (polyester/cotton blend skirts and underwear) that dry quickly, and I wash every night. Kind of a pain, but it does keep the weight down.

Yeah, with only four shirts, if I stay at the same place five days, they might see the same shirt twice, but I'm more into efficiency than fashion.

My biggest complaint about the OPEC bag came to be that was that it was not filled completely and sagged. I would like something around 1800 in3 and less than 20 in high, so it wouldn't look full sized when I take it on board, but so far I haven't found anything. I did get an Appenzell pack, and everything I brought back from Europe last year fit into it, but it is a little tight. I'd like something a little larger.

Since I carry everything, I want light weight. The OPEC bag weighs 1#12oz empty, compared to 3#2oz for the Osprey, a difference of 22 oz.

As long as the size/weight is not enforced rollons are accepted as carry on but have stood in more than one line and watched every wheeled being put in the sizing box and failing. This is especially true for Lufthansa when they are in the mood to check sizes. Has not happen to us because we only use wheeled luggage in the US.

Lee,

I was planning on taking the new eBags Weekender Convertible I got on my trip, but after working to really pare down to what I need for my trip, it seemed way too big! I'll save it for professional travel in the states, I think. I found I could fit everything into a Jansport Big Student backpack. It doesn't have a waistbelt, but since the bag is light (21 oz.), I was able to get the weight down to about 14#. Because the bag is short, the bottom rests lightly against my lower back and so the weight doesn't seem too heavy on my shoulders. (It's definitely lighter than it was when I used to cram all my college textbooks into it and trek around campus all day!) Maybe it would work for you too. The bag is 17.5" x 13" x 10"; Jansport gives the capacity as 2100 cu. in. The best part is that I got the new backpack online for $30 on sale :-). It's a nicely organized bag, and since it it fairly rectilinear in construction, it provides good volume for its overall dimensions, but it doesn't feel strange on if it is not fully packed.

I've had mine for several years and am on my third trip to Europe with it. I carried it on, but as someone else said have to keep the top flat. I just can't carry things on my back anymore. This bag rolls over cobblestones and up and down stairs, but I have to be careful. I can hoist it up on the train luggage racks without much trouble. Hubby still carries his on his back, but is saying that the next trip my require a roll aboard.

Lee,

I bought it in 2004. 7 pds was light for a rolling 21" piece of luggage then.

Did you consider the fact that some people can not buy new luggage each year?

You helped me plan my Germany trip in 2008.
I know you travel very light, and have it down to a science which works for you.

For a seasoned traveler, I thought you were a bit curt. You contribute regularly, and have a wealth of knowledge that you share with others, and it is appreciated.

I was surprised by your remark.

I bought my Rick Steve,s roll-aboard two years ago and have used it about five times since then for air travel when I wanted something light. I just pulled it out for a trip to Britain next month and found, unfortunately, that it may be beyond its useful life. One of the wheels sticks (won't roll easily) and the main compartment zipper is coming off at the corner. I suspect that its not worth getting repaired so I may have to buy something new, so I am very interested in this forum discussion.

LL - A 7# (empty) bag is excessively heavy. If telling the truth is snarky, so be it.

"What planet did you come from" and "your statement is ludicrous" at best is a very impolite way to respond to a lady offering her opinion in a friendly discussion.