Which suitcase/bag?

I have RS 21" roller bag and have used it A LOT over a LONG time and love it. I can not put anything up onto my back so this serves me just fine. I also take it to Europe every summer and have drug it over all kinds of surfaces with no problems. Check it in sometimes (when carrying excessive liquids) or stow it overhead - no problem there as long as there is space in a bin. If you buy it from RS they basically guarantee it forever - don't tell them I said that. My wife has the same bag and likes her as much as I do mine. Good luck and happy travels with whatever you choose.

You reopened the roller vs backpack debate. Ouch. OK, my first carry-on bag was an earlier verion of the Classic Back Door bag. I used it for 7 trips. It worked fine. My only problem with it was that by 7 trips I had learned how to pack light and no longer needed all that space. Plus it is a very well made bag, out of heavy weight material. I got tired of carrying ½# of well made around. I switched to the slightly smaller, lighter OPEC (Outdoor Products Essential Carry-on, no longer made) bag. My theory is that if you really pack light, you don't need wheels to carry it, and wheels add, generally, about 5# to the weight when you do have to carry it. (My bag, with everything in it I take to Europe, weighs about 12#)

I have 3 RS 21" roll-aboard and only once did the airlines not allow it to be carried on as the suitcase did not fit the bin at the airport. On one of the older ones I have one of the "feet" which is in front of the wheels fell off and unfortunately the travel office has no replacement "feet" and the suitcase is not useable due to not being properly balanced. The newer ones sold use a different apparatus. I have the matching euro shoulder bag which fits well with the 21" suitcase.

My husband and I have used Rick's bags for more than 20 years. Yes- the SAME bag the whole time. It is his original bag. It is well made, durable and has plenty of room. I don't think it weighs very much. I unerstand the newer style bags are designed a bit differently, but I would trust his convertable bag anytime. We've taken ours on more than 40 international trips and several "local" ones as well. They still look great (almost new). They clean easily, are classy, and easy to pack and carry. The straps are sturdy, comfortable and stowe away easily when you don't want to use them. Fully packed mine weighs in at about 12-15 #s. Hubby's never weighs more than 10#- usually about 8#. I really don't see the need for wheels.

We are with the last reply. We bought a pair of the classics 2 years ago for our first trip. We are just fine so far (let you know in 15 years when we get into our 70s) walking with this on our backs, and that includes 1-2 miles if need be. Capacity is incredible. We do not feel the need to sacrifice space for wheels. Love that our hands are free in crowds. Also found that they can stuff under an intercity bus seat to some degree. And they organize stuff really well, for example you can pull a necessary paper out immediately if need be.
As for durability, let's see what happens when I loan one to my kid in college next week for his return trip for Christmas break.

I'm not much different than Lee. I started with an Ebags Weekender about ten years ago. I've used it for business and pleasure and it works fine. I've learned to pack lighter and don't fill it up so I usually travel with a bag 1/2 to 2/3 full that weighs about 18 lbs. I've considered getting something smaller but haven't settled on the perfect bag yet. My wife had a neck injury in a car accident so she prefers a roll-on. I recently purchased a 20" Hays USA semi-rigid roll-on for her as it weighs about five lbs. - one of the lightest roll-ons available (many weigh over ten lbs.). My best advice is don't push the limit on size. Many people get the largest "legal" bag they can find, stuff it then find they are forced to check. When you pack think in terms of the least you can bring, not whether you have room to add something.

I recommend the Delsey luggage, which is a good brand. I have a carry-on size suitcase and a larger one. I've been using wheeled luggage for the past 12 years of international travel and never had a problem carrying on a suitcase due to weight.

While I have the Convertible Carry On as opposed to the Classic Back Door Bag, they are basically the same( with a few extra frills for the Covertible). It's the only bag I take travelling and love it. If I had originally purchased the Classic, I am confident in saying that I would have been completely happy with it. Like some posters here, I've found that once you get the hang of travelling light, these bags are cavernous in terms of how much extra space you'll have. I certainly wouldn't want to travel with a bigger bag. So the choice comes down to, as Rick has stated, how strong is your back?

I also have used Rick Steves' 21" Roll Aboard for 5 years now. Works well for me (69 yrs old) on cobblestone and getting on and off trains, etc. It is expandable which really comes in handy. It is still in perfect condition.