Favorite carry-on luggage???

The Rick Steves Travel Shop has excellent carry-ons that have been used by many travelers. I use a Pacsafe Venturesafe 45L backpack, I like it because of the safety and security features. Many people like the Tom Bihn backpacks and wheeled carry-on's. The key things to look for are how much your bag weighs when empty and if wheeled how sturdy do the wheels look. I have found that the four wheeled spinners are great while in the airport but I don't care for them on cobblestone streets and sidewalks. Eagle Creek has many different bags that are good, if you go to e-bags.com you will be able to see many different brands and sizes.

I have noticed that many world travelers are carrying TravelPro ultra light 21" swivel wheel carry on luggage.
The logistics of dealing with 5 travelers at a time is tough--much less having to deal with a bunch of overweight and oversize luggage.
My wife can travel indefinitely in a carry on bag and an oversize zippered purse containing medicine and toiletries. If she can do it, anyone can.
I long ago set the family rules that everyone deals with their own luggage. I had to break the rule last year when my wife was in a wheelchair, and I dragged her carry on behind the wheelchair--and had a backpack carryon for my stuff. Never had the first person have to help us on any plane, hotel or restaurant. She's walking great this year after a knee replacement and will be pulling her own luggage on our trip in 2 weeks.

I love my Travelpro Maxlite 21" spinner bag! It is very lightweight yet sturdy. So far it has survived nine weeks of European travel over the past two years, so it"s still fairly new. I use it a carry-on going to Europe and check it coming home. It has survived multiple walks (up to about 1 mile) to/from train stations, usually on cobblestones. If the going gets too bumpy, I just angle it to roll on 2 wheels. It fits between seats and on the overhead luggage racks on the Italian and German trains we've been on. So far I've not had any problems with this size on any flights. I purchased it as a closeout at AAA and have seen it for a great price at either TJ Maxx or Ross.

rileylucey, the big factor in choosing bags (besides budget) is whether you favor roller bags (two or four wheels) or backpacks. You'll get a lot of choices either way. I like backpacks like the RS Classic bag, because its very light - just over two pounds. But there are tons of choices in roller bags. You need to take a look at the size limits on the airlines you will be flying (they're not standard limits) and take note that the measurements are supposed to include the wheels and handles. However many bag makers don't give accurate measurements. So you have to be aware and actually measure them yourself.

I am an ebags fan, I think their lay out is well thought out, my favorite accessory is their flat toiletry bag, it packs so nicely! Plus they are always running a sale...

One more packing tip...I've read a lot about packing cubes but never tried them until this year. They are great! They really helped me keep my clothing organized. My hubby uses an Osprey backpack and was really impressed with how easy it was to pack/unpack when we changed hotels. I found ours at TJ Maxx.

First find out what the size and weight limits are for the airline(s) you'll be traveling on. I'm assuming you're talking about carryon only vs checked bags.

Spend some time on sites like Amazon, Magellan, Travelsmith, etc looking at what they offer - sizes, weights, features, and prices. Also read the reviews. You might also check out what is offered at local stores, Costco, Tuesday Morning, etc. Then maybe watch some YouTube videos of packing for carryon only travel - there are a ton of them. They'll give you an idea what you can get into one. Also how packing cubes can help.

Finally it just comes down to budget.

If you don't already own one buy a luggage scale so you can do a test load at least one day before your trip to see how much your bag weighs. I also use my kitchen scale to weigh clothing and shoes weeding out heavier (usually all cotton) items from my wardrobe. Ex, 2 modal blend t 's weigh the same as 1 cotton.

I have traveled in Europe for 5 weeks with 5 ppl, three of them t(w)eens. We all used Osprey Porter 46 backpacks. We did do laundry in the sinks a few times (I think I brought 5 pair of underwear. We didnt have laundry access at lodging until almost the end of week 3. Then we had it again a week later. So we did laundry in a real way twice in 5 weeks/5ppl, and washed incidentally in sinks maybe 1x/week in the weeks without a washer/dryer). We brought two different types of travel clothes-lines that weighed little. And we bought a small bottle of liquid detergent in Europe.
Last summer we were in Greece for a month, same Osprey packs. We stopped at a laundromat once (which was easy to find with Google maps and turned into a nice outing because the laundromat, while in walking distance, was not somewhere we would have wandered around. Also, we got to leave the kids for two hours ;) )

What I love about the Osprey Porter: we are backpackers, so we are very familiar with lightweight packing and functional, good quality gear. Osprey's have an internal support that functions like a backpacking backpack, so the weight sits on your hips and is distributed properly (doesnt pull on shoulders). Its very comfortable. It has many specific pockets (for a laptop, for cords, etc) that help keep my bag organized (I dont need to go into the main compartment).
If you are considering the backpack option, I would go to - if you live near one - an REI or an EMS - and try on different brands and let them help fit it properly, load it up and walk around and see how you feel. You should always load a pack and wear it for awhile when making the final decisions about what to bring on the trip.
Happy Travels

I've been using Rick Steves wheeled 21" bag internationally for about 5 years now. I had a 23 inch RS bag before that. The bag still looks like new and handles well. I love the exterior pockets as it is travel thoughtful, at least from my perspective. Pocket for 3 1 1, pocket for everything I put on after security; ie, earrings, watch, bracelet, etc., Pocket for quick access items, such as items snacks, etc., and a part zippered section for my jacket. However, when I check this bag, out of choice not necessity, these pockets are usually empty. I love bags so I've tried to get away from this bag, but it always wins out in the end for the features that I like best: light, easy to handle through all conditions, and well organized...and it still looks like new.

In a luggage post sometime during this past year, I provided information regarding Consumer Report's review of luggage (if I find it, I'll link here). The Rick Steves wheeled bag actually did quite well, and better than Travel Pro. If I recall correctly they were third, but high in what I find important, so if you can access Consumer Reports, please look it up. I think Briggs and Riley was first, but not really beneficial as they are too heavy. YMMV

Yes, there are tons of options and many DECISION TREES. My wife and I are very happy with our Rick Steves wheeled Carry-ons. My main criteria when purchasing them was to meet (the great majority of) airline size restrictions. We just flew from Minnesota to Switzerland then to Naples, Italy. We had no restrictions on the Atlantic leg but had to worry about dimensions and weight limits on the flight to Naples. The RS bag easily meets the size limits. It 'helps' meet the weight limits by not being heavy.

Years ago, I purchased a Pacsafe Metrosafe LS250 (for under the airline seat and for carrying stuff when out on a major day-trip. After years of complaining, I cut of 2/3 of the outside flap they used to come with and the compartments were SO much more accessible!
I bought a pacsafe slingsafe 100 for someone else to use and I've used it on my last two trips for carrying small stuff around during the day (leaving the Metrosafe back at the hotel). The slingsafe is too small for a bottle of water - so if I were shopping around, I'd look for something a bit larger (and they maybe not use the Metrosafe).

Asking "What is your favorite carry-on luggage for international travel?" is akin to asking "What is your favorite car?" There are so many answers. But first, a few questions:

1) Do you want backpacks, two-wheeled bags, four wheel bags? Everyone has an opionion on which type to use and I'm sure you'll hear why they think one is better than the other. There are pros and cons to each type. Most is just personal preference.

2) Does the "family of 5" include children? If so, how old are they? Will they be responsible for their own bags? Are there any "older" folks?

3) What is your budget? Bags can be had from under $100 to, well, $1000's.

The more information we have, the better advice we can give.

Since you asked -- my current favorite is a carry-on size 2-wheel Travelpro which I bought for $5 at the local thrift shop. (But I check it on planes) Yes, I am sometimes jealous of the people with 4-wheel spinners going through airports or train aisles, but it's worth it when the big wheels let me go easily on uneven pavement or up and down curbs.

I'm shopping for bags right now, so your question is very timely. Are you going with wheels or without? I think we are going without, but haven't decided yet. I love the price of RS's bags, and the weight, because yikes some of the bags out there are expensive. I might order Hynes Eagle from amazon (https://www.amazon.com/Hynes-Eagle-Backpack-Approved-Packing/dp/B0743114QL/ref=sr_1_10?keywords=rick%2Bsteves%2Bluggage&qid=1557693968&s=gateway&sr=8-10&th=1) and see what the quality looks like. I'm looking on ebay for used bags but not finding much.

I am going to answer your questions Frank II in the order that I think might help explain them.

1. We have 3 children. They are 11, 8, and 4. My goal is that they are all responsible for their own bags (the 4 year old is fiercely determined and independent, wanting to do everything his older siblings do.) I want whatever I buy to be practical and easy for them now, and down the road. Hence the answer to #1....

2. I'm leaning towards the 4 wheeled luggage. I've done the 2-wheelies for a while now and my kids are constantly struggling with keeping them upright. They so terribly want to help carry the bags, but it is hard for them when they continue to flip over. Backpacks as luggage for kids are never good; they get too heavy and too hot for them to carry for a long period of time. I am open to the backpacks for the adults, but I feel like for carry-ons, I have a better shot of getting more space with the wheelies.

3. As for price, clearly it's a tough pill to swallow spending hundreds of dollars on one piece of luggage, let alone 5. That said, if it is a real quality piece and something that is going to last us for a long time, I am totally open to spending a couple of hundred. I ordered 2 Samsonites online which was around $120 each but they came and were unfortunately too big. I've been eyeballing the AWAY carry on luggage but I'm having a hard time pulling the trigger because of the cost. I have heard great reviews of these products though, so I'm relatively confident that its an investment that will last. Bottom line???....I'd say anything under $250...gulp.

Thanks for your questions. Hopefully these answers have helped.

Osprey Porter 46

Using a backpack allows you to have your hands free for maps, cell phone use, etc. It can get heavy, and makes it a little harder to buy a lot of gifts to bring home. We have bought another bag to carry by hand for our gifts/books/etc that we buy throughout the trip.

https://www.osprey.com/us/en/product/porter-46-PORTER46.html

I have just bought a hardside spinner bag from Target, used it on 2 trips so far, and I love it. This is heresy on this board, but that's ok by me! I used to say spinners aren't good for cobblestones. That's true, to an extent, but I've found that even in Europe 80% of my walking with the bag is done on normal sidewalks, and I can manage the other 20%. The reason I prefer it is because I can fit more, with more organization, in it. The hard side give it structure that I can fill. I also have the softer Rick Steves rolling bag - it's very nice, I just worry about overfilling it, I'm not all that neat so bunching up dirty laundry upon checkout leads to a lumpy mess. There's no possible way to overfill a hard bag! This is probably specific to me and my quirks, though.
Also, the 2 compartments in a hard bag make for good separation. Clothes in one side, things like toiletries, electronics, shoes in the other. Mine weighs 7 lbs, the Rick Steves roller is 6lbs. That can make a difference, but I've managed to pack it under 8kg total. 10kg is no problem at all, to get to 8kg I do have to strategize a bit.

I do have an ebags motherlode jr backpack that I like and use when I am struggling with weight limits. However, I just don't find 15+ pounds on my back all that comfortable. I'm in decent shape, but I'm also 5'3 with tiny shoulders and a short torso and every backpack I've tried fits strangely. The Rick Steves backpack is impossible for me, but my husband likes it. The ebags backpack is the most manageable I've found for my size. If your party includes any women on the smaller side (or kids/teens of either gender), they will want to try on any possible backpacks FILLED before committing to using them. Not just try for a minute in the living room - fill the bag and go for a walk.

Remember you don't need to get 5 of the same bag. One person might prefer a backpack, another a rolling bag. As long as all can manage their bag (or you have a solid plan for how to carry the bag of someone who can't) it all works!

I've been eyeballing the AWAY carry on luggage but I'm having a hard time pulling the trigger because of the cost.

My kids gave me the AWAY carry on size for Mother's Day and I LOVE it. Well organized and exactly the right size for an international carry on. They gave me the one with the battery, which is easily removable if you don't need it (or just order one without it if that feature is no good). Caveat that it hasn't been on a trip yet, but I did already have the larger AWAY suitcase and that has held up well.

My other favorite carry on is the Motherlode Jr backpack, ordered on Amazon. My only regret on that one is the color - the color I ordered (red) looked very different in person than on my computer screen. I wish I had exchanged it, but I was excited to use it for a trip and didn't have time for the swap.

I bit the bullet and bought the Tom Bihn Tri-Star and I love it-sometimes use it just as a personal item not fully loaded. I have used the Rick Steves rolling bag for many years(sometimes expanded and checked), but the Away is calling my name-if it just weren't so heavy compared to my current bags.

You have lots of options.

I have been using the Away carry on since September. The only issue I have had with it is that it scuffs very easily. Other than that it has held up to all types of terrian and even being checked a few times.

For the kids, I wouldn't spend a lot of money. Take them to a big store like Target or Walmart and let them choose something they like. You will have trouble finding anything real for the 4 year old but there are some that may hold a few things. For the youngest one, you might want to invest in a bag with a passthru so if he gets tired of lugging his bag, you can carry it piggyback on yours.

If you don't want to spend the money on the Away luggage, there are plenty of bags that available. The biggest choice in online. I would suggest eBags because if you don't like a bag you buy from them, they will pay for the return. However, spending around $200 for a decent spinner is not unreasonable. Remember, it's the wheels that are the most important. Cheap spinner bags and wheels break easily.

If the wheel is attached to a plate and the plate is riveted or screwed into the bag, these are the cheaper wheels and may give you problems. The better wheels are screwed directly into the bag throught the center of the wheel itself.

I think Frank's idea of getting, at least the 4 year old, a wheelie that will ride on your wheeled bag is a good one. You can pick these up very inexpensively at stores like Marshalls. This might be an option for some of the other children, too. My husband and I both have wheeled underseat bags with the trolley strap that we use on their own for our domestic travel. His is a 13" and mine is a 16". We pack a lot into those bags so I'm sure a child will have no issue putting at least most of their clothes in there...it depends how may changes your 4 year old might go thru in a day. That would save you quite a bit of money on the kids' bags, and they each should be able to manage their bags with perhaps some help occasionally for the 4 year old.

I had the old RS roller bag but had to replace it when the airlines reduced the allowable dimensions. As an engineer, I went to REI, RS store, and numerous other stores to check out luggage - especially because the on-line stated dimensions don’t always include the wheels.

I purchased the Eddie Bauer medium Expedition in Sapphire Blue.

Features I like:
1. Two handles. The body one really makes it easy to hoist overhead or lift out of the car. Sometimes I carry it by that handle up/down train stairways.
2. The color. When I leave it with a hotel, it’s easy to say “blue” ( in their language) to retrieve.
3. The bottom section is nice for dirty clothes and/or to protect souvenirs, etc.
4. It’s designed with a feature that it will not tip over, and it works! My hubby has the RS roller, and it does tip occasionally which is a pain.
5. Solid zippers and workmanship. I’ve never had an issue with this bag through lots of travel.

Features I don’t like:
1. I wish the outside zipper pocket was slightly larger.

https://www.eddiebauer.com/product/expedition-drop-bottom-rolling-duffel---medium/82302254?showProducts=&color=166&sizetype=&size=

Just be sure to check with your carrier for size restrictions. A lot of the airlines have recently shrunk the maximum size allowed for overhead carry-ons.

This is a timely topic for me as well! We booked our tickets for a 17-nt trip to Sicily/Naples/Rome for the Fall and the restrictions are for 1 carry-on item (plus a personal) with a 17.6 lb weight limit. Yikes! That's not very much, so my goal is to find a bag at 4 lbs or less. We have great carry-on size Wenger spinner bags but they are closer to 6.5-7 lbs each, which would really eat into the weight limit.

Part of me thinks I should have just gone for the higher priced ticket and not have to stress about weight and checking a bag, but I'm thinking it's a good challenge to my packing light skills :~). And DH has already offered to let me pack some things in his bag, too. Our local Marshall's and TJ Maxx stores often have really nice luggage for a reasonable price, they just haven't had onesin my weight range parameters.

rileylucey - the spinners seem nice in the airports but my opinion is that most of them are bad on the cobblestones of Italy. Test them out to ensure they can be pulled (when full/heavy) on the two wheels near the extended handle.

adlmllr - we just flew to Naples and had that same limit. My RS wheeled carryon worked fine. I DID have a very heavy personal bag that was full of travel info. I threw the travel info away after it was used, so I had a great return flight. :-)