Appenzell Day Pack

Amy - the thickness of the bag is the same as the convertible and just as sturdy. I used the Appenzell for a trip last February when I was only traveling for five days and had a washer and dryer at my disposal. I was able to get one large organizer of clothes and one pair of shoes into the bag and still had the pockets on the outside for stuff. It does only open at the top, not all the way around like the convertible. Not a deal breaker for me, but the size would be if I were traveling for longer.

Amy, I love my Appenzell. I carry enough clothes for any length trip - we do laundry every four or five days - as well as an extra pair of shoes in it. This bag has been my main travel bag for at least the last 6 or 7 years. The padded straps and back are comfortable. (The back isn't actually padded, but there's a padded pocket that extends the whole length of the bag.) And I see no signs of wear-and-tear; it's holding up very well.

I compress my things into the 2-gallon size freezer bags. I generally pack 2 pair of slacks, four tops, one skirt, one set of sleep/comfy clothes, a light jacket, a windbreaker, a cardigan, enough underwear (socks, panties and bras) to last a week, and the aforementioned shoes. And still have room for various odds and ends.

And it's small enough that it can be considered a carry-on even on the budget European airlines.

I'm a big fan.

@Nance, What brand/size organizer did you use? I agree that when using packing cubes, a zipper that goes all around isn’t a deal breaker.

@Jane, Thank you for the sample packing list … it sounds very similar to mine, although I tend to bring more shoes … maybe this bag will finely break me of that habit :)

Amy - I got a set of organizers from ebags. ebags packing cubes

I bought the value set and can fit every one of them in my convertible bag. I can get the large one and might also be able to stuff a slim cube into the Appenzell as well. If I were buying today I would probably buy the ultralight set but I do love the slim cubes that come with the value set. I also have some RS packing cubes but don't like them as well.

Volume is 1400 cubic inches.

After a recent trip with my Essential Carryon, which I decided was too big, I came home and put everything I had had in the ES bag in a box of known length and width, and measured the depth - it calculated to 1400 cu inches, so I got an Appenzell bag. Everything I had in Europe fits in the Appenzell bag, but just barely. I'd like to have a little reserve, and I don't like the way the Appenzell loads, so it is now my gym bag.

I recently got an eTech 2.0 Weekender Convertible Jr. from eBags. It's bigger than I need, but has external cinch straps, so I can tighten the load. It also has hide-away backpack straps, a sternum strap and waist-belt, and opens like a book. It's only an inch longer than the Appenzell.

@Lee … The eTech 2.0 Weekender Convertible Jr. looks exactly like what I’m looking for. Something just a little bit shorter than the RS Carryon, but with the same width and depth. Thank you !!! I could probably fit everything I normally carry in the Appenzell, but I also like having some extra room for things I might find along the way.

I used the etech 2.0 JUNIOR pack for two weeks in June and really like it. It's my go-to pack for travel now. It has some well -thought -out organizational features. For women, I recommend 2 medium Ebags packing cubes, 1 slimline cube, 1 eagle creek full tube cube or another slimline cube. Or, a toiletry kit. It holds more than you would think. Very good quality fabric and zippers. For the money, it's hard to beat. Use a promotional code from the ebags.com bar/line at the top of the website page.

Be careful. The eBags TLS Mother Lode Weekender Convertible Junior. It's similar but about ½ lb heavier.. Get the eTech one.