Two seemingly great luggage options....

I've used the Eagle Creek Switchback 22 for seven years. I like having the wheels but have almost never have used it as a backpack. Nor do I use the zip-off day pack. It's heavy and has too little storage room.

It's a mistake to try to combine too many functions into one bag.

I have used a High Sierra bag. I'm not quite sure it is the same one that you mention, but if not, it is very similar. I like having a wheeled backpack. Although I seldom use it as a backpack, it is a handy feature when needed for lots of stairs. I thought I would love the zip-off daypack, but it turned out to be pretty useless. It made the bag too big to use as a carryon, but was difficult to remove and put back on in a flash, as I had envisioned. The zipper was not particularly smooth. It didn't hold much and was heavier than it was worth. I ended up leaving it off and just using the main bag, but I didn't find that satisfactory, either, as the front did not then have the kind of pockets I wanted and the front fabric didn't seem as sturdy. It's a good brand name, but all in all, it just wasn't the perfect bag for me. I have yet to find the perfect bag, though.

Have you looked at Rick Steve's Autobahn Rolling Backpack available in the Travel Store as well as other internet luggage stores?

You really should reconsider a rolling bag. Rolling bags weigh 7-10 pounds, empty! My convertible carryon doesn't weigh much more (10¼#) packed.

I agree with Lee. I've been eyeing the Autobahn rolling backpack, but the raw weight of it just turns me off.

However, I expect to carry a day pack with food and jackets when we're train tripping - so I'm not sure how to manage a carryon backpack plus a day pack. That's why a convertible appeals to me, but I wish the wheels were lighter.

I can't do a comparison, but I can give two plugs...

I have owned, and given as gifts, several of the Eagle Creek products, though not the exact one you are looking at. In my opinion they are top notch for durability and functionality -- and that is in camping/hiking settings where wear is extreme. One of my Eagle Creek bags had a clip/bungee-off daypack and it worked great.

I can say the same about the Rick Steves bags -- my wife and I each have the original converting bag, bought in 1998. Mine has seen 59 days of European vacation, 90 days of latin American business travel, and over 1,000,000 miles of domestic flights -- and is still going strong. I'd love to buy the new one... I just can't seem to wear this one out....

All great information. I think I will nix the idea for the detachable day pack. I was wondering about the very facts that you brought up (ease of removal and size when packed on top of the suitcase) D.D.

Although the convertible bags are more heavy, I do find myself carrying my current rolling bag a fair amount for stairs, uneven terrain, and sometimes in people's homes. For me, I think the weight may be worth it.

Any other recommendations on convertible bags other than the RS Autobahn Rolling Backpack?

I have no experience with this bag but it is brand new and very light:

Go Lite Travelite Wheeled Carry-On

One drawback of this bag is that none of the zippers are lockable.

I'm not sure how you guys make your links 'live'... but you can cut and paste -- I owned the Eagle Creek 19 inch (predecessor) verson of this one -- and quit using it because it was just too heavy.

http://www.backcountry.com/outdoorgear/Eagle-Creek-Switchback-Max-22-Convertible-Pack/EAG0084M.html

I have owned a couple of Go Lite bags. They are not as durable as some makes, but the lightness of them could be worth it to you.

[For those starting to add up my bag ownership... I ploughed through 20-30 different bags 1994 to 1999 flying 400,000+ miles per year -- my bag rotation slowed after 1999, using a mix of the RS Convertible Original, a Victorinox 16 inch tote, and a Samsonite hard-side 26 rolling bag -- only having to replace the Victorinox and Samsonite twice each... and the RS... NEVER... still use it, though I stopped traveling for my job in 2007]

Kristi, I posted a question about this topic some time back. Like you, I was looking for a carryon size wheeled backpack in a small size. I got lots of responses, so perhaps you could look up the topic for past posts. Unfortunately, I never did find what I was looking for, I suppose because they just don't make it, but maybe there will be something you like. I did try a Ricardo wheeled backpack. I like it because it is shorter than average, but it is too big front to back for some of the local airlines, like Ryanair. Plus I was annoyed to find that it is heavier than the website says it is. I wonder if that's common? A lot of these bags are too tall for the small airlines, too, by the time you figure in the handles and wheels (the website description only gives you the dimensions without wheels and handles).

I had previously tried a non-wheeled backpack, but it just isn't for me. I like to have wheels, in spite of the weight, but like Nelly, I sure wish they could make them lighter. Good luck in your search. I'll be watching to see if maybe some new recommendation comes up.

Steves autobahn rolling bag weighs 8 pounds.Does any one have one and what do they think?

I just bought the High Sierra ATQ Carryon Duffle and though I haven't actually used it yet, I think it's going to work out great. It's small enough for a carryon but is expandable and quite sturdy for the times when I may want to check it. It has the backpack straps which will come in handy (could have used those in Italy!) but it rolls which is what I do the most. The price was right - under $140 for bag, exchange, duty and shipping to Canada. I could have found Eagle Creek bags here in stores but they are more like $300+.

Thank you to everyone for all the great replies! Although I haven't decided which piece to go for, I am leaning toward buying RS convertible backpack for Europe and abroad and another carry-on wheeled suitcase for travel within the US (when I won't need to schlep the bag around so much-more or less from point a to point b).

Thank you to everyone for all the great replies! Although I haven't decided which piece to go for, I am leaning toward buying RS convertible backpack for Europe and abroad and another carry-on wheeled suitcase for travel within the US (when I won't need to schlep the bag around so much-more or less from point a to point b).

Kristi, my son has an Eagle Creek switchback with the detachable backpack. He really likes the fact that it is a wheeled bag. Yes, it is heavier. However, it is nice to have the wheels when you are walking many blocks from the metro station to your hotel in the heat of the summer. On my next trip, I will also be taking a switchback. Have fun on your trip!

I have used the High Sierra ATQ bag traveling through Europe in the past, and I would say.... that it's the absolute largest bag I would consider traveling with again; that's to say, I got through everything just fine, but overall I would recommend a smaller bag and packing lighter.

First, it's not a carryon size, so you're going to have to check it. It's a great bag in terms of storage space, durability, etc., so that's a huge plus. However, being a rolling bag, as some have mentioned, it's at least 10 lbs. by itself with nothing in it. So when you do fill it up packing, it's going to weigh a good bit more. WIth that weight, I used it as a rolling bag and a backpack about half and half. Using it as a backpack is great when you're in cities like Venice (constantly going over bridges) or going through stretches in cities/towns which aren't exactly paved (cobblestones/Cinque Terre). Being young and in shape, carrying all that weight on my back wasn't a problem (a little work-out, but no problem)... but if you have a bad back.. and with all that weight... I wouldn't recommend it.

Anyway, I still have the bag and I like it a lot and will use it again. However, for traveling through Europe, I would recommend a smaller, lighter bag, as I have traveled smaller and lighter each time since. If you do want to carry your luggage on your back (which I have done so since and would recommend, as it's very convenient) then I would suggest a non-rolling bag, as it's just added weight you don't want to be carrying. I have been using Rick's Convertible Carryon since, and it's worked perfectly for me: it's a carryon, you can use it as a backpack, it's light (since you're packing light to fit everything in anyway), and with that, the perfect size. And if you want a daybag, just get Rick's Civita Day Pack, or for an even lighter load, Rick's Pocket Pack; both of them can fit into your bag taking up virtually no space at all.

But I hope this helps! Enjoy your travels!

My vote goes to Eagle Creek Switchback Max 22 !! It's a sturdy yet stylish wheeled luggage. Bought it online 4 months back at Bergman luggage. http://www.bergmanluggage.com/eacrswmax22.html

This type of luggage is useful for multi activity trip, can easily carry on back or roll down the street as and when required. So go for Eagle creek ! :)