Old topic-baggage size

Check out Osprey. They make a convertible backpack/luggage, the Porter 46, that I use and really like. It is not meant to be a backpack for long distance hiking, just for short walk from train station to hotel, or through the airport, etc. They also make a couple of wheeled luggage varieties that are carry-on size, and have the capacity to serve as backpacks. With wheels you get a heavier piece of luggage, which means you have to bring fewer items.

REI.com has many choices.

Many others will chime in with their favorites.

I recently switched to using a Kenneth Cole roll-aboard, as I was really struggling to find one appropriately sized for flights within Italy. I finally settled for this one, measuring in at 55X40X20 (wheels and handles included):
http://www.ebags.com/product/kenneth-cole-reaction-business-and-luggage/out-of-bounds-20-molded-upright-spinner/221639?productid=10315197
I was reassured that it would be accepted as well for 55X35X25.

My husband is still using his Rick Steves Classic 'backdoor' convertible bag, but he makes sure not to overfill it, so that it can be squashed down a bit:
https://store.ricksteves.com/shop/p/classic-backpack

It looks like both are still available and currently on sale.

The Kenneth Cole is listed as weighing 7 lbs. I would look for something lighter weight, unless weight doesn't matter to you, or you pack very, very light. Is there a weight restriction on the airline from Naples to Palermo?

The maximum weight for the carry on is 10kg

But it's a maximum of only 8 kg for Alitalia carry-on weight so that sort of dictates weight limit for both flights.

http://www.alitalia.com/en_en/informazioni-supporto/bagagli/index.html

The 10kg is for Volotea Airlines. Didn't think about weight limit on Alitalia!!

Yep, that one is sort of a stinker, Paul!

It might be simpler just to check the bags through. We are flying Delta to Paris then to Florence. Alitalia from Palermo to Rome then back on Delta for return trip. We are also flying from Naples to Palermo via Volotea.

OMG, another vote for the Osprey Porter 46. I bought 2 of these, one for myself and one for my hubby. Used them on a long weekend trip to a wedding in upstate NY, and I've used them for a 5 day trip with my son to Italy. FANTASTIC. Tons of space in it, and I loved having the option to carry it on my back. I packed using Eagle Creek packing cubes and had plenty of space left over for things bought on the Italy trip.

There are options at Osprey too for wheeled bags. I like the Ozone convertible wheeled pack http://www.rei.com/product/886423/osprey-ozone-wheeled-convertible-luggage-22?cm_mmc=cse_PLA_BNG-_-8864230001&CAWELAID=120217890000969373&msid=Bz1uPro5_dc|pcrid|10813456402|&mkwid=Bz1uPro5_dc|pcrid|10813456402

I own the larger 26" Ozone wheeled bag, but we obviously checked that one because we were doing a hiking trip in Italy and had to bring more equipment, and hiking poles (that can't be carried on because of the tips). LOVE the light weight Ozone series from Osprey.

They (Osprey) are now THE name in travel/packing. Great quality, great warranty and great bags.

It's not accurate in the eBags description (as are most of their measures, I have found over the years).
The Kenneth Cole weighs about 5.5lbs (my scale shows it at 2.6kg).
That's actually very light for a roll-aboard!
.

I really like the Osprey Ozone wheeled bag -- about 4 to 4.5 pounds, depending on size.

Paul, I did something similar in 2014, flying California-Munich-Palermo on United and Lufthansa, then later flying from Palermo to Naples on Volotea, a 1-hour non-stop, very inexpensive flight. During my trip I was traveling with a Rick Steves 20-inch rolling carry-on plus an ample tote bag as my personal item. On seeing the Volotea carry-on limits, I knew right away that I could not carry everything I had onto the plane, so when I booked the flight, I also paid to check my carry-on bag. At that point in the process the fee was only 15 Euros, as I remember, although it would have more later, and even more at the gate. When I traveled on Volotea, everything went well. I did make sure that everything heavy that I had went into the checked carry-on, and only fragile or lightweight items went into my tote, which I carried on.

Thanks for the replies.Volotea has a service called the combo plus . For $25 per person it allows you one free check in bag,plus travel insurance,seat preference, airport check in, etc. Doesn't sound too bad

Paul, for a backpack I use the Rick Steves Classic Back Door bag. Very happy with it. As with any soft sided bag, it will crunch to fit if not full. Weighs 3.3 pounds empty.

HI Paul, I bought the Eddie Bauer Travex Expedition a couple of years ago and love it for my roller carry-on. I measured it at the store (and several others at REI, etc.), and it's within the measurements for Alitalia, Delta & Air France. It has heavy-duty zippers, some nice handles that make it easier to load in the overhead bin and carry at train stations. I bought the Sapphire Blue color.