Backpack question...yet again

Tennille, can you expound on your statement? Are you looking for what works to fly over from the States? Are you planning on using this as you walk around towns, or rather just to transport items in place of a roller bag or carry-on bag? For in-town use I recommend a messenger bag. Backpacks are too easily accessible from behind in large crowds like metro platforms… Not sure what you’re asking?? Thanks!

We will be using these bags as our travel bags only...no luggage. We will be transporting everything on us from place to place.
We will be "backpacking" so whatever that means to most people pretty much applies to us. Does this make more sense?
We will be traveling from the US and will be in Cinque Terre, Rome, Siena, Florence and Pisa.

Tennille, Wheels add weight and take away space for packing. The Rick Steves bag is good but I use the Outdoor Products bag from Campmor. When I replace it, I'll be getting an MEI Voyager. The Voyager has a really good waist belt that takes the weight off your shoulders but if you aren't doing much hiking, it's not needed.

Get the RS Convertable on sale right now - best deal! save 20%. If $80 is still too tought on the budget - try the similar ones for 50-ish. But I think the RS bags may have more "features" on the new design and more colors!

I still take a nice daypack small pack for running around all day - good for big cam and all books etc. 1200cu-in or 20L size Northface. Ricks small day packs are fine too (and you can buy small 800cu-in ones that fold up into nothing if you really want to travel lite!

If you need to carry your backpack on your back for a longer time, you will need a more professional backpack than RS's bag. You will need an internal frame backpack, light and big enough for all your needs. Eagle Creek makes excellent backpack that are panel load.
You can take a look ar ebags.com, rei.com sierratradingpost.com

I have travelled all over Europe with the Classic Back Door bag...less than 3 lbs, big enough for everything you need for 3 weeks to 3 months. I also have a Civita day pack for the camera, guide books maps and snacks, and I always take the folded up Hideaway Tote (to bring back gifts etc if necessary). There are other makes out there (REI etc) but I don't think you will go wrong with Rick's bags

I used the RS bag on 2 trips. It is well made and durable. Then I went on a RS tour and one of the people on it had the MEI bag. It has better padding in the shoulders and, more importantly, on the waist. The padding on the shoulders is less important because the weight should be supported on your hips. You can go all day with 30 lbs on your hips, your back/neck/shoulders will kill you after 30 min with it all supported on your shoulders. When I returned, I bought the MEI bag.

If you are looking for "carry on" only - you won't be carrying 30 lbs regardless - so you don't need a super padded bag. Airlines have very tight restrictions for overseas flights. On the flights I took recently (SAS going and Lufthansa returning) - it was 8 kg or 17.6 lbs max. Rick recommends 20 lbs or less and that's fine going but coming home they will weigh your carry on bag. They seem to be much stricter over there. So do your homework with your airline as well.

Having said all that, four of us (kids 10 & 12) had one of Rick's Convertible Carry-ons (we took a day pack as well, packed inside our luggage for the plae ride) for two weeks. We were under the 17 lb limit for each bag going (not easy to do) and over coming back - which I knew and we just checked 3 of the bags coming home. So unless you are planning to walk miles with the backpack at one time - you shouldn't need anything more comfortable. We walked a mile easily a few different times with no complaints.

I should also clarify that the Convertible Carry on does have a waste belt - which really is important - where as his Classic Back Door bag does not.

Thank you all for your responses!

My husband and I decided to compromise. I ordered the RS Convertible for myself. My husband said that if he is happy with it then he will order one for himself, otherwise he will find something else. So the people that suggested other bags, we may be using your recommendations.

Thanks again.

I bought something similar to RS convertible carry-on from E-bags. It has similar features and has worked well for all my business and personal travel the last four years or so. I carry it like a suitcase when I only need to go 25 feet or so. I use one shoulder strap when I have a block or two to walk and use both straps and the waistbelt when I have to hike a mile or more.

The features I like are: Several outside pockets to organize my guidebooks, journal, some pens, etc. A waistbelt in addition to shoulder straps to keep the load up when hiking. Outside compression straps to keep the bag compact for carrying. Overall light weight.

I take more of a beating than my bag but there is a good discussion of what features to look for at www.onebag.com.

I also pack a small daypack inside my bag when I'm traveling, then carry it around town. RS Civita daypack is the lightest I've found.