Biaggi zipsak boost

Congrats on deciding to pack lighter - I see you learned the lesson the hard way which is true for everyone, I think.

I don't have any experience first hand with the Biaggi system but looking at the information it honestly strikes me as "too clever by half" as the Brits say. The system just keeps expanding to become ever bigger and rolls with wheels, but no underlying structure? I'm pretty skeptical that this is going to effectively roll over the cobblestones of Rome hanging at the end of a strap.

I would concentrate on a "bag and a half" - so a cabin sized wheelie bag and then a smaller bag that slides over the wheelie handle and then rolls with the whole unit. Since we're on Rick's site something like his Spinner Carry-On which you can use as a carry-on and then expand it to fit purchases and check on the way back if you want is a good option. And the something small that fits over the handle is a good option. This is also good because you can separate it and lift the pieces up into the train one at a time versus one big, heavy bag.

Luggage these days is light enough that while you should pay attention to it - don't take your parent's American Tourister bags - concentrate on functionality and packing lighter, smarter contents. Even the hardshell roller bags are super light now using the newer technology. I'm sure you've watched the many RS videos and talks on packing light and one bag travel but they are a great resource.

Anyway - my $.02 on the endless packing debate. Pack light and have a great trip!
=Tod

Another 2 cents here,

Are you planning on using this bag expanded as a carry-on or using it unexpanded as an under seat bag?

Even though it expands as a carry-on, dragging it by the shoulder strap looks like trouble to me. I agree with hiredman, the bag is "too clever". Look for a bag with a good telescoping handle that you can slip a personal item over.

Travelpro is highly recommended on this forum. The Maxlight 5 weighs 5.4 lbs. and is often on sale.

I have an IT carry-on that weighs under 5 lbs. that I found at TJ Maxx. Although it's not as well made as the Travelpro, it has survived checking on my return flights with no problem. My bag usually leaves home around 17 lbs. plus my personal item at about 4 lbs. I sometimes pack a lightweight foldable tote that I can use as my carry-on on my return trip. It is about 5" x 7" and weighs about 6 oz.

What is the weight of your current bag empty? You may want to rethink what you pack. You'll find lots of packing reports on the forum. And posters here will love to help you cut the weight.

Your going to love Italy!

Looks like it was made from random leftover parts and materials.

Unless you can inspect it in person, try to buy it from somewhere that has free returns.

It might be a solution that works for you, but to me it looks to be as useful as chome-plated muffler bearings.

Hi jadsjbd, honestly, I think you're going from feast to famine and your bag looks really difficult. I don't know that I would try something like that. I think it's trying to do too much, and that always concerns me with products that claim to do more than one thing. I'd rather have them do one thing really well.

So here's a plug for the Travel Pro MaxLite 5 21-inch carry-on. It weighs 5.4 lb, and I love it. I've been carrying one since forever, but this recent model is the best, as it's the lightest one I've had. It's easy to pack, and it holds a lot, but it's still very lightweight. Since I have the spinner, it's very easy to maneuver at the airport and along sidewalks. I hate having to drag a rolling bag behind me. And if you need to pick it up over some cobblestone streets, it's lightweight enough that it's not a big deal.

Partly because of this bag, I've managed to keep the total weight of my carry-on down to around 18 pounds when I travel. It really makes a difference when you're on trains and planes and having to lift it up above your head to get it into a compartment. TravelPro bags are not cheap, but they're also not as pricey as some of the others. You can usually find some deals out there. And honestly, when it comes to luggage like that, I'd rather pay a little bit more and have a good product.

Regardless, once you have your bag, feel free to come back here and ask for tips on packing light. A bag can only do so much. If you are avid overpackers, you may need some retraining. 😊

As a couple people have mentioned... WELCOME to the one bag world! Even my fashion forward wife has come around and embraced the concept. It is so liberating and helps us break down barriers by making travel easier.

As to the Biaggi - I honestly don't understand the actual utility. It's a cool product but I think the wow factor is sorta useless for most lightweight travelers. If I want a small bag for a weekend, I'll grab that bag. If I want a travel bag, I need 35-45L and my preference is a backpack. WHY? = I'm not carrying a frame and wheels around. I like having my hands free. And I like not having to worry about uneven terrain. Wheelie bags have their place, just not as much for the type of travel I like to do.

Specifically, I use a Peak Design 45L travel backpack. I really like it. It checks a lot of the boxes. I like the firm sides that act like a suitcase when open, I like the heavy duty material, great zippers, a space maximizing rectangle shape, the shrinkability/cinchability for euro discount airlines, and just general thoughtful design e.g: many ways to carry with multiple handles.
Misses: It's expensive! It is heavy (4.5lbs) compared to thinner material bags. No kidney belt to distribute the load
My wive uses a 40L Vancropak travel back. It's a crazy value at $40 and it checks a lot of boxes as well. It's much lighter empty and fits her smaller frame. Simple design that in some ways is better and more intuitive than the Peak (ef.g: only one way in)
Misses: The sides are thinner so, over time, they don't stand up quite as well as my pack when empty. Still it is a great value that has served her well on multiple trips spanning up to 4 weeks.

Suggestions:

Good compression bags, Ideally "custom" to fit your bag
Choose a color capsule so you can mix and match coordinating pieces.
Lightweight stuff that packs down small and doesn't need ironing
Layers
Shoes are a killer. 2 pairs, 3 at the most.
Laundry service is a good splurge. You go do something fun and you pickup your stuff folded and smelling nice. Often small innkeepers will do laundry for you.
A few ziploc baggies
Use socks for protecting souvenirs. Don';t forget the insides of sneakers for space.

I use an "envelop technique" to minimize space and minimize wrinkles. You fold everything in one piece. Stack your smoothed out skirts and shirts; layering largest to smallest, then your pants and shorts. Then Fold right side in, then left, then bottom to top. You have a slab of clothes that go into your compression bag. Socks and underwear go wherever there is a tiny space.. Corners are great.

I think you may be overcomplicating things - and a $90 does-everything bag doesn't inspire confidence. I certainly would not buy it and have a trip to Europe be its first outing! On the other hand, it's cheap enough that if you got it now and could test it out before your trip, you'd have time to get something else if it turns out to be a less-than-optimal choice.

That said, you really only need a legit lightweight carry on suitcase/backpack and a "personal item" of choice (tote, backpack, etc). Like jeanm above, I have an IT carry-on (the Lykke, which I think is no longer available), 5 lbs which is great - hate the zippers, although it has been fine so far. I also have a very old Ricardo spinner that I love, but it is 7 lbs and the handle is getting a little wonky. I suspect my next bag will be the Travel Pro maxlite, as Mardee has suggested. The real key here is how you pack, and there are tons of threads on this forum that can help with that, as well as videos by Rick Steves and his crew. Bottom line: you do not need All The Things. The only people who will notice you wore that same shirt 2 days ago is you...and maybe your spouse.

Thank you all!! I was feeling a little foolish even considering the “one bag magic trick”, but I kept telling myself, it’s light weight! Thanks for pointing out the flaws in my wishful thinking, and suggesting the Travelpro maxlite. It looks like it will be a great choice!

One other thing I just noticed - a 4lb bag isn't crazy but it's quite a bit heavier than a lot of travel bags. As I said above, mine is 4.5 and my wife's is 2.2 empty. That's part of the reasons I eschew wheelie bags, in that you're carrying the weight of those wheels. The obvious flip side is that you don't have to carry it on smooth surfaces. On these surfaces remember that 2-wheel versions with bigger wheels are much much better than the little wheels.

Thanks Chris, I am looking at those as well, though I have never used a backpack of any kind in my life! Hey you only live once, right?

If you are thinking of using a backup as your main bag for the first time, try it out fully packed walking around for a while. Check how easy it is to take it off and on. You'll be removing it not just in hotel rooms, but on trains and planes. And wear it while using your personal bag and/or purse to figure out how it will all work.

I don't like a backpack for myself for several reasons, including the rubbing of the straps that can destroy clothing.

And a good spinner bag is just as easy to use as a good 2 wheeler.

Elaborating on jeanm's comment. Try to go to an outdoor store like REI, Eastern Mountain Sports or LLBean to test out backpacks. REI, for example, has knowledgeable sales people who will help fit you. The store also has weights to put inside the bag you're testing so you can get a good feel for whether it will work for you. Fit is really important because you want the weight of the bag to transfer to your hips.