My wife and I just returned from a little over 2 weeks in France and England. We were moving quite a bit during the trip and decided to challenge ourselves to "Keep Calm and Carry On". We purchased the Rolling Carry on bag for her and I chose the Convertable carry on for me. Using Ricks packing lists we prepared the weekend prior to see how everything was going to fit. Best thing I can say its like preparing a complicated meal. All in the prep work. Lots of deciding what we really wanted and how well it packs and washes up.
After coming home we both decided that never again will we bring large suitcases! It was liberating! First off, going to the airport. No more waiting on line to check the bags. Head straight to security. When arriving, no waiting at baggage carousels fighting for position. Instead head right for immigration ahead of the crowd from your plane thats waiting to find there bags!
Now moving to transport. getting in and around cities and towns with smaller bags is simple and easy. These bags worked well.
Mine I used as a backpack. Weighing in around 22 lbs. it was pretty comfortable and I had my hands free to read directions or just push through crowds. Wasn't able to use the waist strap on mine as my waist is a bit too big, but no biggie the pack sat comfortably.
My wifes Rolling bag weighed in around 25lbs. She had the harder time taking the leap as she is the queen of hair product. but fillng 100ml bottles, I showed her how many days she could get out of them and offered to carry a cpl of them for her. It worked.
Stairs and tiny elevators no longer a hassle.
We did use the packing cubes. This we felt was a big plus. Not only for organization but to make unpacking and repacking simpler.
We bought good lightweight rain jackets and used them as a layered shell even when not raining, to be used along with light jacket or light sweater or combination of 2 or all three! plenty warm even in the Vosges mtns when it snowed.
These bags also went on Easyjet flights with no problems. She took a flat packing pocket book that she could pack for this route. I have the civita day pack which packs like nothing there. Only complaint about civita pack that shoulder straps too small for big guy like me. most of time was used as carry on, or over one shoulder, or to throw in car for day trips. worked well.
Believe it or not, after the trip was over, I decided that I could have probably gone with less! (shirts that is.) felt I could have taken 2 less shirts and brought one more Tshirt. also traveled with a pair of blue jeans, packed 2 pair LLBean chino pants. Next time the jeans stay home and I wear chinos the whole time! Shoes. we both bought GOOD walking shoes, I carryed a pair of light deck shoes that doubled as slippers or something to trek out to the boulangerie to fetch breakfast. She brought an extra pair of shoes and a pair of light sandals.
Find clothes that hand wash and air dry quickly and look ok after that!
One other great thing about the RS bags we bought. When taking last flight home, we brought a lot of extra stuff back from England. Bale of tea, candies for the kids, souvenirs and stuff. just unzipped the bags expansions which gave us the extra room. At this point we checked them for the last route, though I think we could have made it on board with them. Just no rush from that point on.
I can't tell you how liberating traveling light is. so much less hassle, and less to think about once you have your list down.
Do it, you will not regret!