Searching for specific type of luggage

Have you checked Rick's bags? I just looked and he has several wheeled bags- all under $200. The wheeled roll aboard is 21". Didn't see the measurements on the Autobahn roller and the Avanti roller is smaller. Check them out.

Thanks, Toni. None of the Rick Steves wheeled bags are backpack combos except for the Autobahn, which is larger than I want.

DD - You might try looking on ebags.com.

Ebags used to make a bag called the Weekender Wheelie. It seems to fit your requirements. See if you can find one on ebay.

DD,

You might also have a look at the Eagle Creek line of products, as it's likely they have something that meets the criteria you listed. I can't check on that at this time as I'm using an IPod Touch so don't have the ability of multiple windows.

The only issue might be cost, as their products tend to be on the "high" end of the luggage scale. They have international dealers listed on their website, however dealers in Europe may not carry the entire range of EC products.

Good luck!

DD,

To follow up my earlier post, I had a quick look at Eagle Creek products, and This model seems to fit your criteria the closest.

You didn't indicte where in Germany you're located, so I couldn't check on local dealers.

Cheers!

Just a few I pulled up from a quick Google search. The first one (the Ricardo, from ebags) seems to fit your criteria quite well.

http://www.ebags.com/ricardo_beverly_hills/n_motion_19_rolling_backpack/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=127573&productid=1330910&sourceID=GOOGFEED&color=Black&CAWELAID=259636829

http://www1.bloomingdales.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=439028&CategoryID=3865&PartnerID=SHP&cm_mmc=Froogle-_-Womens-_-LUGGAGE-_-LeSportsac_19_Wheeled_Backpack&utm_source=GoogleProduct&utm_medium=organic

http://www.ebags.com/kipling/alcatraz_18_trolley_backpack/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=9808

http://www.prontostyle.com/compare/a.-saks-ae-19w-deluxe-11500169099

Thanks to everyone for good suggestions and particularly to Ken and Janet for taking the time to research.

I was unable to locate the Weekender Wheelie on ebay or anywhere else. Eagle Creek looks interesting, but is definitely out of the price range. I had already checked ebags and most of theirs do not fit my criteria for one reason or another. However, the Ricardo Beverly Hills N Motion 19" rolling backpack (Janet mentioned this one as well) seems good, although I found different specs for it on different websites. One says it is 5 lbs and one says 7.5. I was hesitant about it because I had never heard of the brand. Has anyone out there used this brand and can give a critique based on your experience? I don't like to order something unless I can read reviews, see detailed pictures inside and out, or examine it myself. I know this may seem picky, but I already have an attic full of various pieces of luggage that aren't quite right and don't want to purchase yet another. I was hoping to hear recommendations from people who have actually used the product.

Addition info: I have already shopped locally and have not seen what I want. Anyway, I would rather order from a company in USD. Even with shipping it is likely to be less than local stores in euros, and you can often find sales or deals with free shipping.

Thanks for your help.

You need to check out the following website:
www.1bag1world.com. There you will find an LOT of discussions on bags in great detail. No offense to the readers of this site, but 99% have good but cheap as their top priority. The site I mentioned look at great bags like those from Redoxx, Tom Bihn, Tumi, etc. and don't mind paying more for top quality.

You may also want to try the "Travel Products" forum on Flyertalk. Most of the people there seem to have rolling bags.

Be forewarned, there is a poster on both the forum Alan mentioned and on the one I mentioned who is completely obsessed with luggage. His answers go on for days, he responds to everything, and he is very indignant if you disagree with him. He's actually shocked if you don't take his advice. (And I'll wager money he'll try to convince you to get a Briggs & Riley bag), or why you'll actually need two bags.)

Just ignore him and let others help.

Hi DD,

You probably already saw it but in case you didn't, there are a few reviews on the Ricardo bag in the ebags link I provided earlier. (I like that there are customer reviews on that site.)

Sorry I can't help with a personal experience with these bags. I use a 22" rolling backpack from Victorinox - which I really like, but doesn't fit your criteria in a number of ways.

Hope you find a good bag!

DD, I bought a Ricardo roll-aboard suitcase about 14 years ago, and was so pleased with it that I bought a Ricardo wheeled backpack a couple years later. Both are well-made and sturdy.

Bee, I sent you a PM

DD-

My roller bag that I use when I travel for work is made by Ricardo. I've had it for about 4 years and I've been really happy with it. It's held up really well.

Thank you all for the suggestions. Unfortunately, most of them were not what I needed in price or size. Some of them I already own (I have a couple of High Sierra bags). I had consulted the 1bag site, but flyertalk was new to me. Didn't find anything new there, though.

As Ellen correctly pointed out, the perfect bag may not exist, but dang it all, I'm getting tired of adapting. I didn't think I was asking for the moon.

I'm still considering the Ricardo since it seems to be the closest thing. Any other suggestions are still welcome.

Rei has the Patagonia MLC Wheelie on sale in the Outlet section of the site for $120. It weighs just under 7 lbs. The height is still 21" though.

This Patagonia bag is on the Sierra Trading Post site. Not perfect, but close? STP ships internationally for a reasonable cost. I'm in Australia and use this site (too) frequently!

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/311,1909C_Patagonia-MLC-Wheelie-Rolling-Backpack-Internal-Frame-Recycled-Material.html

Check out High Sierra's luggage.

www.hssc.com They have several different travel bags that might work for you. Their line of AT3 has backpack straps hidden away. The AT356 sounds like it might meet your requirements (sort of) Their ATQ line might have one bag as well...the AT404. It's listed as a computer bag, but that just has a sleeve in it...that sleeve could be used to hold smaller items like underwear or t-shirt that are rolled. It says it's 8lbs, but is 22" tall, just a bit bigger than what you want.

Good luck with your search...we all have in mind the exact bag we want, based on the way we travel/pack, but the manufacturers don't always make that "perfect" bag for us, sometimes we have to adapt!

Happy travels....

Check out www.ospreypacks.com. I am going with the Osprey Porter, carry on size, paid $99. It does not have wheels, but does have straps and waist belt with out the internal structure. It opens like a suit case I had a typical hikers backpack by Osprey that I loved but I feel I can no longer sneak it on board the plane anymore. Osprey does have wheeled bags with backpack straps. Check out Osprey Meridian, Sojourn, Porter. See what they have to offer. The Porter is the cheapest, it seems that the wheels and pull handle make the pack way more expI have used Osprey for 4 years now, selling my Ariel backpack $50 less than what I paid for it brand new.

Check out www.ospreypacks.com. I am going with the Osprey Porter, carry on size, paid $99. It does not have wheels, but does have straps and waist belt with out the internal structure. It opens like a suit case. I had a typical hikers backpack by Osprey that I loved but I feel I can no longer sneak it on board the plane anymore. Osprey does have wheeled bags with backpack straps. Check out Osprey Meridian, Sojourn, Porter. See what they have to offer. The Porter is the cheapest, it seems that the wheels and pull handle make the pack way more expensive. I have used Osprey for 4 years now, selling my Ariel backpack $50 less than what I paid for it brand new.