New carry on luggage dimensions exceed carry on max dimensions?

I'm just so perplexed as to why a major luggage manufacturer would create carry on bags that exceed carry on limits!

In a recent (last few years) article, Consumer Reports found that most luggage advertised as carry-on exceeded the carry-on dimension. My first thought is that it's marketing that puts on the "carry-on" label, and they really don't know how to measure, or care. Anything to sell their product. They might be counting on customers not really wanting to carry on anyway, preferring to check, or they are counting on airlines not rigidly enforcing the limits (agrees with what I've observed).

If you've purchased luggage or flown recently (our last trip was in 2018) what's your experience been

Well, I haven't flown since before the pandemic, but I wouldn't worry anyway. Except for a small case for my netbook (small personal item) that easily fits under the seat, everything I pack for 2-3 weeks fits in 1400 ci and weighs around 10#. For me, a 2-3# convertible backpack works fine, as long as it has cinch straps to tighten the load. Even in my late 70s I don't find carrying it to be a problem.

Instead of expending effort worrying about fitting everything in an 18 inch carry-on, spend some effort in finding ways to reduce your load.

Osprey has a wheeled bag tha measures 21.5 on the long dimension. Check at REI.com, it’s Uber-light and strong and holds a lot.

Edited to add. https://www.rei.com/product/134630/osprey-ozone-42l-wheeled-luggage

This thread is useful for you:

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/packing/airline-strictness-on-carry-on-size

Why would they create carry on bags that exceed the carry on limits set by airlines?

They don't. As long as the size is compliant with one airline's carry on size limits, it can call itself carry on. (As an example, Southwest Airlines carry on dimesions are 24 x 6 x 10.) Additionally, they are manufacturing for the U.S. market and most U.S. airlines don't measure bags.

If you insist on TravelPro then you will have to put up with their sizes. However, there are many manufacturers who offer bags that wlll fit both U.S. and European standards. You just have to search.

Some brands to look at are Osprey, Eagle Creek, Samsonite, and Delsey. You might also want to go to stores like Ross, Marshalls and TJ Maxx because they carry a selection of luggage. Just bring a tape measure.

I'm just so perplexed as to why a major luggage manufacturer would
create carry on bags that exceed carry on limits

Because there is no single carry-on limit. Every airline sets their own, so there is no real standard they can go by.

Some airlines have VERY small limits, others are more generous. And of course, there is no uniform enforcement, it's all up to the whims of the staff you get on that day. It's impossible to predict.

Not a very solid basis to design and make a product that "meets the limits." We live in an imperfect world.

At least you were able to find information on the actual dimensions. That's not always easy. I hate seeing bags advertised by sizes that exclude wheels and handles, too.

I'm sorry. Which Osprey wheeled bag are you looking at. The only ones I see are over 21" (42L @ 21.7" & 36L @ 22") and weigh a ton.

At least Osprey gives the actual capacity, which is LESS than the outside dimensions.

Most major US airlines use 22 x 14 x 9 as carry-on dimensions, so one that fits SouthWest won't go on those airlines, if they do check. And SW doesn't fly to Europe.

Considering that airlines make all of their money on checked bags, I'm surprised that they haven't (yet) started being real picky about checking dimensions.

Ruth,

The luggage sizes are confusing and not the only element that you need to consider when looking at carry-ons, you also need to consider weight.

For example, if you look at Lufthansa 2022 policy, the carry is 8kg which is ~17lbs. I have not travelled internationally since COVID, but even traveling business class before COVID, I had to check when i was over the weight limit. Air France has weight limits in economy of 12kg ~ 26 lbs with more allowed with premium economy or business class.

When I chose a new piece of luggage for carry-on, I looked at the dimensions and the weight of the suitcase without anything in it and chose a lighter-weight bag.

Sandy

https://www.rei.com/search?q=21%22+duffel

I haven't seen the above in person, but the measurements seem to fit international dimensions. When I bought my Pantagona 21" carry-on, it was also labeled a duffel, not a suitcase. [This was six months ago, and I think it's now discontinued.] I have no idea why the term duffel is used, except that it's soft-sided. I now have three carry-ons [2-wheeled] that have met international carry-on regs, [Swiss, British Airways, and Lufthansa] and have found them when I wasn't actually looking for them.

Good luck- the correct size is out there, just takes looking. Most that I have seen are two-wheeled. I'm wondering if you could buy them on UK Amazon??? If you could buy them in Europe, it would be easy!

https://www.ebags.com/luggage/wheeled-duffels/mother-lode-21-carry-on-rolling-duffel/117749D260.html?productid=117749-D260&country=US&currency=USD&couponid=94790994&gclid=CjwKCAiAsNKQBhAPEiwAB-I5zbPYInaFghb3YDt6MDCCtjGHg_1rw_4jC55p4qzkdsVK1NR83OEyBhoCrPsQAvD_BwE

A search for two-wheeled duffels does yield more appropriate- sized options. Again, I haven't seen this bag in person, but this is an interest I have. I know, get a life, and start traveling again [hopefully]. :)

Good luck!

https://topodesigns.com/products/global-travel-bag-roller?variant=31591072399413

I MUST stop before I buy another bag. And, no, I haven't seen this one in person.

The Rick Steves shop on this web page has 3 wheeled bags that are all 21"x14"9". They also have a spinner that would work.

Thanks, everyone. (Pat, you are cracking me up!)
I am definitely keeping weight, as well as size, in mind. On our past trips we've flown Austrian Air, KLM, and Air France and have managed to meet both size and weight restrictions (ipad mini and iphone and 8 oz of snacks stashed in pockets of raincoats we were wearing, but we made it under the weight limits every time -- i don't weigh a lot, so I figure I'm allowed a couple of pounds in my pockets!). The weight issue was why I was thinking of the travel pro maxlite. My son's old travel pro suitcase definitely met all the size requirements and was super light weight. Unfortunately for us, he's moved cross country, and taken his suitcase with him....or we'd borrow it. Our old suitcases are exactly the right size for United, but I just don't trust they'll survive another long trip being wheeled across cobblestones. I suspect United would permit us to carry on the just-slightly-too-big travelpro bags I mentioned in my original post, but ideally I'd love something a little smaller that we could use if we fly on European airlines in the future, as well. And travelpro's international carryon bag is 15.75 inches wide, which seems dicey on United, because they don't mention sum of height, width, and depth, but say 22x14x9. I agree the ideal thing to do would be to go shopping with a tape measure, but we live in a small town without a single big department store. The good news is I have a number of months to figure this out, at least!

but we live in a small town without a single big department store. The good news is I have a number of months to figure this out, at least!

Well.......spring is around the corner and bags are an excuse for a trip to Biinghampton, Elmira or even Syracuse.

But....there's a TJ Maxx in Ithaca and a Marshalls in Cortland.

I have an Eddie Bauer Expedition that I love, but I see it has been discontinued, so that’s no help. Yes, take a bit of a road trip to be able to try out your options in stores. I had narrowed down my choices, had my spreadsheet printed and headed to REI, etc. I was surprised how many didn’t fit their stated measurements when I brought my measuring tape and measured to the floor. (What, wheels count in the measurement?? - duh!). Also, there was one with a middle bar instead of a dual bar for the handle. After rolling that down a couple of aisles, I was finished with that option. I happened to walk by an Eddie Bauer after all of the options, and that became my final pick.

I understand about dropping the backpack option. I use one when I’m traveling domestic and not walking, but even carrying my lightly packed one too far domestically begins to cause an ache, and vacation is too important to risk it!

I'm still firmly in the backpack camp - but my partner bought the osprey ozone 38l version https://www.luggage.co.nz/osprey-ozone-38l-global-carry-on-wheeled-duffle.html - note this is smaller than the 40 l American carry on version - and measurements fit international requirements.

Its very light (important when your max weight is 7kg) and its a nice bag

I have an Eddie Bauer Expedition that I love, but I see it has been discontinued, so that’s no help.

I have had to check mine when flying within Europe, so I am planning on using a RS Ravenna rolling case this time (if everything fits).

Ruth, TravelPro carries an International carry-on in several designs that is smaller than the regular one. You might want to check those out. For example, https://travelpro.com/collections/carry-on-luggage/products/maxlite%C2%AE-5-international-expandable-carry-on-spinner

As long as the size is compliant with one airline's carry on size limits, it can call itself carry on.

I disagree with that theory. I think that 22x14x9 is the standard. Four airlines with almost 60% of the market accept that size as carry-on. Only one airline, Southwest, with about 17% market share, really accepts larger than 22x14x9 (and they check the 1st 2 bags for free). Three airlines, with about 14% market share allow bags bigger than 22x14x9 as "carry-in", but they charge for anything larger than a personal item (that's why they are all on my personal don't-fly-list).

There are an assortment of misc airlines with a total of about 11% market share, which individually weren't worth checking. I don't know what their carry-on size is.

For those of you who claim you want to carry-on to avoid the hassle of checking (not the fee), would you still pay the same fee as checking but carry on?

At least one of the "cheap-o" airlines charges more to carry a bag on than to check it. Would you still carry it on?

Mnannie, interesting. I flew every year to Europe with my Eddie Bauer 21 Expedition before Covid, a trip to Cambodia, a work trip to Australia, and monthly work trips & yearly vacations in the US and not once had to check it. One leg of the Cambodia trip tried to get people to give up their suitcase, but when they came to me, I said I wanted to keep it and no further issue.

Is yours the 21” size? I know they had two or three sizes. My suitcase is usually about 3/4 full, so it never appears like it would surpass the other two dimensions.

I don't carry on for the cost. I just want to keep my stuff with me. I would pay more to carry on.

“ For those of you who claim you want to carry-on to avoid the hassle of checking (not the fee), would you still pay the same fee as checking but carry on?

At least one of the "cheap-o" airlines charges more to carry a bag on than to check it. Would you still carry it on?”

Yes & yes! Years ago we had a suitcase lost/delayed for a few days a couple of times when visiting family. One was on the way home, so it wasn’t such a big deal. But arriving at a family’s home with no clothes for a couple of days was annoying. Since I move frequently during trips in Europe, it would be a major hassle.

Some of you have probably heard my story, but my husband & I each received an Amex gift card of $1000 (not airline credit; usable cash) for volunteering to be bumped overnight to the next plane from JFK to Seattle on the way home from a trip from Italy. They also paid for a decent hotel for us. A few of the people who wanted to volunteer, too, were ineligible because they had checked a bag. So it literally paid big $$$ to not check a bag!

Hi, Ruth. It may be worthwhile to take a trip to Marshall's or T.J. I found a very nice light wt. carry on. brand is Lucus
. it measures 19 x 6 x 13. I found it at Marshall's and the price was reasonable. I flew Icelandair with no issues.

My major advice is to pay close attention to the overall dimensions and empty weight of any bag you are considering. Make sure to take a tape measure if you shop in person. And doubly make sure that you can easily return for free any bag that turns out to not be as it was represented online or that won't meet your needs.

Being obsessed with carry-on roller bags that weigh less than 6 pounds empty, I now have 2 "international" style ones. Both have 2 wheels and T-shaped handles. I prefer U-shaped handles, but they do add weight, as do the extra 2 wheels of spinners.

The newer, as yet unused one, is the Osprey Ozone Global (the same bag Lissie links to above). I got mine at REI last year when it was on a great sale. It's overall dimensions are European (19.7H X 15.7W X 7.9D inches), making it wider than the 14 inch norm. That's fine for airlines like British Airways, but possibly iffy for some American airlines, even though the added up total inches are legal. According to my luggage scale, it weighs 4.5 pounds. It's no longer available, but this Amazon link to it provides a good description.

I'm keeping my eye on this 22 x 14 x 9 one available from several vendors. It's the same 4.5 pounds empty. I might jump on it if it goes on sale.

I feel fortunate that I was able to get both a regular carry-on size Eagle Creek Load Warrior and an international size Eagle Creek Gear Warrior a few years back. The former has a U-shaped handle and weighs 5.5 pounds. The latter has a T-shaped handle and weighs 4.5 pounds.

Both have 2 wheels. I've learned that at 14 inches wide, both are narrow enough that I can push them straight down the airplane aisle in front of me. Both are expandable. If expanded and full, they must be checked. However, I can expand either one to make packing easier and then zip up the expansion zipper, cinching down the contents enough to make them carry-on compliant.

I'm always interested in learning about new carry-on roller bags, but so far, I've seen nothing except the Osprey I'm tracking above that comes close to my very picky design and weight requirements. I just wish some company would be able to make a U-shaped handle that is as light as the T-shaped ones.

I disagree with that theory

It's not theory. It's the rules. To say a bag is carry-on compliant, it must be within at least one airline's carry on rules. Of course it's ridiculous if it doesn't fit most airines size requirements, but it's up to the buyer to do his homework. Caveat emptor.

There is another question recently asking if you trust the advice on the forum. I answered that the advice is for entertainment purposes only. Same with what follows. In other words, check before you trust me.

I only want one carryon bag, so I looked for the most universal. 14 x 9 x 22 will work on every airline except Air France, KLM and Qatar. Is that large enough? A lot of airlines have weight limits too. With a few exceptions 18 lb is the minimum. I don’t know about your packing style but I reach the 18 lbs before I fill the luggage if I just stick to cloth in the carry on (and the heavy stuff in the personal item).

A question. How many of you who travel with carryon only (or lets say 85% of the time) also use public transportation to and from the airport?

How many of you who travel with carryon only (or lets say 85% of the time) also use public transportation to and from the airport?

In my last 6 years living in New York City I've only ever taken 2 cab rides to/from any of the 3 airports in the region (and I have flown at least 2 round trips every year except for 2020), even when I have bags.

One ride was because I had two enormous bags that I couldn't possibly handle on the subway solo (was hauling some stuff for a friend who had permanently moved away from the NYC area), and the other time on the return from an international trip when the JFK AirTrain was completely down and I couldn't bear the thought of a multi-hour journey involving 4 transfers and shuttle buses.

But I know NYC is a bit of an outlier in its public transportation system in the US context!

“ How many of you who travel with carryon only (or lets say 85% of the time) also use public transportation to and from the airport?”

For vacations to Europe, we have taken the taxi to the Rome airport twice because….well, that can be an adventure in itself! And a taxi to the Madrid airport while waiting at a shuttle stop. Otherwise, we (or I when traveling solo) use public transportation yearly - metros, trams, or buses at CDG, Malpensa, Vienna, Venice, Madrid, Munich. We travel throughout Europe by train, getting to the train stations by walking or public transportation - that’s where it becomes vital to pack light because of all of the stairs up/down during train transfers.

Pat, how many new suitcases did you order? ; )

Jean,
so far I'm staying strong, but only because I'm busy getting ready for a trip to Wine Country, meeting my daughter. [I take one of my carry-ons, and I check two wine suitcases -free on Southwest, of course.]

On 30+ tours I’ve used a carryon in all except two - my first RS tour and an African safari for which the tour company provided a large duffel that we were required to use. In order of preference my mode of transportation upon arrival is train, express bus (pre-covid), hired car, and last taxi. For departure it’s express train, express bus, hired car or shared taxi with fellow travelers. I avoid all subways when getting back and forth to the airport...except the Heathrow Express and connecting rails in The UK. I love heading out on my own sans a driver.

With a few exceptions 18 lb is the minimum.

James, I suppose you mean the "minimum" maximum carry-on weight, that is, the least maximum carry-on weight. If 18 lb were the minimum, that would mean they would reject any bag that weighed less than 18 lb.

Also, for a lot of airlines, including Lufthansa, that maximum carry-on weight is 8 kg, or 17.6 lb. 18 lb would be technically overweight.

100% full American Airlines, domestic, today (right now). 737 with "new overhead bin configuration" announced by flight attendant. Correct size luggage will fit wheels first, turned on its side. The rest will be checked. Mine fit like a glove, few others not so happy.

Is yours the 21” size? I know they had two or three sizes.

Yes, it was, although I have the size up, too:) The agent was announcing that someone would have to gate check, and when we got to the desk, she said my case looked a little big, and I was going to have to check it. My husband's RS Ravenna wasn't an issue, but we both gate checked at that point.

We primarily use carryon to save time, not money. When we get to MSP, we still have 3-4 hours of driving time ahead of us to home, so we prefer not to spend time waiting for luggage. This is more for flights when we don't have immigration/customs in MSP.

I am hopeful I can get 3 weeks of stuff into my Ravenna for France in May. I think it will make train and bus travel even easier than with the EB case I've used in the past.

James.....I know you mentioned this in the past but.....what c/o bag are you using?

Bric's B|Y Ulisse Spinner Suitcase - 21 Inch

Hi James, can you tell me more about your Bric's bag? Is it actually 9x14x22 including wheels and handle? How do the spinner wheels handle over rough surfaces (cobblestones, etc)? How do you feel about the capacity?
I notice they have a couple bags that they claim are either 9X14X21 or 9X15X21 (I'd be a little concerned about the 15), both two wheel softside (which would traditionally be my choice because of more interior room) and 4 wheel hardside. Would love to hear more from you about what you do/don't like about yours. Thanks!

Ruth I used a two wheel soft sided bag for the last 10 years. I think I paid $40 at Target. Still look new. Too many times I wanted to bring something home that might break so I figured it was time for a hard bag. Then I have been flying Turkish Air a lot which has a 8kg limit on the bag, but no limit on the personal item. So I went to nothing but cloth in the carry on and really never got to the 8kg. All the heavy stuff went in the personal item. The problem of that was hanging a heavy personal item on the handle of a two wheeled bag resulted in a strained arm and a top heavy bag that like to tip over.

Now I have the new bag. It measures 21.25" if you dont push a bit. With a bit of a push on the top and I could cram it in a 21" slot.

The spinners are a joy with the heavy personal item slung over the handle and just glides along with me. Today when I got off my flight the gangway was a bit steep up hill and the carpet was thick. Probably among the worst scenario for a spinner. I just slid it behind me and tilted like a two wheeler and it was flawless. Only need to do that for about 50 of a several thousand feet walk. The at the parking garage there were those heavily textured warning strips for the blind (truncated dome warning zones). Again not great for a spinner, so again I just slid it behind me an did it like a two wheel bag. Maybe 5 feet worth? I was pretty pleased at how convenient this thing is.

Also good is its a clamshell. So when I open it half my stuff is on one side the other half on the other side. Much easier to work out this on short stays. No digging.

The singular downside, the handle is very well built and has two rods that are sleeved through the bottom half of one of the clam shell halves. So you have to fill three parallel slots with socks and underwear and maybe t-shirts to build the bottom up flat for everything else.

Some might find the weight an issue. For a hard side spinner it is light at 2.75kg leaving me with 5.25kg for packing on my Turkish Air flights. Hasn't been a problem (but i need that personal item to make it work). The 21.5" Osprey soft carryon that everyone seems to love (over $200) weighs in at 2kg but the RS two wheeled soft carry on is advertised at "just over 6lbs" which means more than 2.75kg but I am guessing less than 3kg.

Now the price. When I purchased mine it was $134.00 but I see Amazon is selling it for something like $149 now: most expensive luggage I have ever purchased. https://www.amazon.com/Brics-ULISSE-inch-EXPANDABLE-SPINNER/dp/B07PFLTRYB Note that they sell two identical, one expandable the other not. Look close.

My g-d, I just did a luggage review. I am so ashamed.

Thanks so much, James — you actually could moonlight as a luggage reviewer! Given all the supposed supply chain issues I decided to order your Bric bag as well as the Ozone and see what we think. Free returns within 30 days, so there’s nothing to lose!

Hope one or the other works for you. To be honest, for a soft bag I would go to Target or Walmart with a tape measure and maybe a luggage scale. My "IFLY" bag is maybe 8 years old. Still as good as the day I bought it. It was the weight issue that sent me to buy the fancy expensive thing.

I know I'm beating a dead horse, but I'll go on.

Lufthansa carry-on dimensions are 55x40x23 (total 118) Weight is 8kg
Converted to inches that is 21.65x15.75x9.05 (total 45.45)

My Eagle Creek Explorer is listed at 22x14x9 (total 45)
0r, 56x35x23. (total 115)
22 inches = 55.88 cm

So technically, one dimension is 3/4 cm over. I'm not averse to checking a bag, especially since we have 2 plane changes.

But we also need the security of 1 or two days of clothes in case of lost checked luggage.

will they begrudge me the 88 mm?

I know ... weight may make it a moot point. But its matter of spend another $150 plus or not.

GoWest, so if you check a bag, you can still take a carryon with 1-2 days of clothes in it.

Of course you can ... but I haven't packed things in a grocery bag since college.

Go West: if you're traveling with someone else, cross pack with them.
Half of your stuff in their case and half of theirs in yours.
Somewhat unlikely to have two bags lost.
I can roll a days' worth of spare clothes into my tote bag to carry on board, just in case.
No grocery bags required!

Uh, the "cross pack" is the carryon. And whether for 2 people or 6, the question remains.

I graduated 6th grade so I am aware of other options like smaller bags, cross packing, "just check it", and so on. But those don't answer the question as posed.

No one knows what a specific airline gate agent will do on any given day. The highly restrictive luggage size and weight limits and large checked-bag fees are a cash-grab; they are part of the airlines' business model, especially for the budget airlines. For travelers with even slightly out-of-tolerance bags, it's a gamble--pay a smaller amount up front (or buy a new bag that is inside the limits) or risk paying a lot more later.

I like my Eagle Creek International Carry-on 2-wheeled roller bag. I've been using it for multiple trips each year (except recently). Listed dimensions are 20" by 13" by 8" I think. Fits in overhead bins easily and can even squeeze it under the seat on some inter-continental flights. Weighs 5 pounds.

Typically, I fly over with 17 pounds and maybe 20 pounds on the way back.

When I took my 2 bags on their first trip, in Sept 2019, I was so happy that they fit in the United sizers that I took a photo of it. This is one of my most "treasured" photos, especially after 2.5 years of no international travel, as it reminds me that my bags do "fit."

My roller bag is 22x15x10", including wheels and hard plastic handle, which technically doesn't fit the United 22"x14"x9" guidelines.
It fits in the United sizers at the airport.

Recently, I had measured the roller bag and thought it was 23". So I got worried and pulled up that photo showing my bags in the sizers. When I measured again just now, I realized it's because I had measured to the soft handle. But when that squishes down in the metal sizer, the measure of the bag to the hard handle is 22", which fits in the sizer.

Is it possible the Travel Pro bag has similar measuring difference between hard (22") and soft (23") handle?

My personal item is 20" long, which exceeds any dimension of the United personal item guidelines: 17" x 10" x 9"
It also fits in the United sizers at the airport. It is a structured backpack that probably also "squished" to fit. I can't tell from the photo.

(Note: these are the bag measurements I took myself, not info from their marketing tags.)

ETA: bag is a Lucas Lightweight (Zone Collection) spinner, which cost me $60 at TJ Maxx.

I just reviewed Aer Lingus for carry on sizing (although I plan to do drop off checked bag ) and my new Rick Steves spinner is just perfect for size as long as I keep it under 22 pounds (10 kilo). It expands if I need it to, so I'll check the size again at the end of the trip. My husband is opting for his Travel Pro bag which looks to exceed dimensions by 1.5 cm in height. Now I wonder if he should pay ahead for a larger size, even though he keeps it under the 22 pounds.

GRRTYLER,
I just looked up aer lingus baggage. 55 cm x 40 cm x 24 cm. This basically converts to 22” x 14” x 9.” Or, “standard” USA domestic carry-on. (Standards and airlines are always changing.)

Is your husband’s bag squishable? Usually, the length is the issue. Is it under 22” long? Sometimes the width (14”) can be an issue. Depth (9”) is generally less of a problem. Perhaps, you can find an aer lingus video on YouTube about the current overhead bins. Overhead bins on different airlines have different configurations.

If you are flying a European airline, you'd better make sure it fits their smaller size and weight standards or they are likely to make you check it . I have two rolling spinner bags-the TravelPro international size and a larger clamshell I got at Target to use when flying domestic and flying American carriers.

Another fun luggage thread! Sarcasm, too, included free of charge, without any hidden humor-exchange fees!

If the airlines were charging double for carryon I'd gladly pay it. I'm a carryon-only person simply for the efficiency and because I will never let my stuff out of my sight again unless, of course, required by staff. (My bag was once plucked off a carousel because it looked like someone else's bag. 48 hours to get it back. So, never again.)

My bag of choice is the Bihn Aeronaut45, ever so slightly larger than almost every airline's carryon limits (22.2x14.2x9.2; 560x360x240) but it is soft and I underpack and slips easily into any sizer. Someday I may prefer a wheelie. (Anecdotally, A45 users like to say the bag appears smaller than it really is so are rarely gate-sized.)

The Dear Wife will not allow me to travel internationally till at least 2023 so I am a bit envious. Wishing Ruth a marvelous trip and success in finding her ideal bag.

Another vote for the Osprey 42 L. I researched like mad for my trip to Ireland in October 2019 because it was my first RS tour and I was new to the whole packing light carry on only mantra. I found the Osprey on a travel bloggers site (travelfashiongirl). It weighs 2 lbs. Bought it on Amazon. My bag weighed 16 lbs packed. That bag did me no wrong on my trip. Loved it!