Rick Steves Luggage reviews

I've got the Rolling Carry-on and have used it since perhaps 2015 for maybe 5 international trips and several domestic trips. I like it a lot but am always looking, lol! Here are my Pros and Cons:

Pro
-lighter than some
-nice assortment of pockets. I particularly like the full size zip pocket on the front which will accommodate my rain jacket
-Handle is easy to get up and moderately sturdy
-expands
-Bigger sized wheels roll well
-I don't like the luggage that opens like a book, I prefer the way this opens more as there is often little space in European hotel rooms to lay a bag out flat.
-Nice array of handles - top, side and bottom
-Well-priced particularly if you pick it up on sale

Cons
-also heavier than some
-If you pack a lot in the front pockets not only will it be front-heavy and not want to stand on it's own, it may be too wide if you are looking to fly a European carrier
-Handle is not sturdy enough to accommodate a heavier day pack to slide over. At that point the handle feels weak and flimsy altho it has never failed. I just put my daypack on my back so I don't worry about this
-Some have reported the fabric gets skinned off the corners. I have not had this problem.

I'm generally happy with this suitcase. I wish it were a little lighter but it is what it is. I do use packing cubes and have a new favorite which fit well and make it easy to access my stuff. The ones I'm currently enamored with are the ones from Travel Fashion Girl that sit vertically in the suitcase. I used them on a 5-week trip to England and Scotland doing 2 RS tours in May/June. Here's a link just to show you what works for me.

https://tinyurl.com/y7mctrnj

I consider myself a bit of a luggage fanatic (in the worst way). I've bought and returned lots of luggage in my time. I've used various bags as carry-ons and sometimes check a bag. I have different luggage for when I'm doing a road trip (where weight and size aren't a concern).

My take-away from all the research I've done is that well-built wheeled luggage (i.e. a bag that is well-constructed to last a long time despite taking a beating, a bag whose wheels won't break or fall off and whose zippers won't pop or snap off, a bag that won't tear easily or get punctured) is likely to weigh more. As quality goes up, so does weight. As weight goes down, so does quality.

It's not easy to find a good quality wheeled bag that is also lightweight. If you get some good recommendations (and I hope someone can find a great exception to my observation), I'll be eager to hear about them, whether RS or others.

I'm 62, and for now I can still carry my 20-pound carry-on as a backpack, so the weight of good-quality wheels isn't usually an issue. I'm just hoping I can continue to do so for a few more years.

Pro:
I really like the weight. Fully packed, the most it has ever weighed is 24lbs.
It has strong handles, especially on the bottom, which is helpful when putting it in overhead airline compartments.
Con:
The fabric rips around corners. I have had it repaired twice and need to have more work sone it. My local luggage store applies a strong sealer.
When packed, it tips over when you stand it alone.
I am currently looking at other luggage brands to replace it due to fabric tears. Has anyone bought a bag from AWAY?

I have the light weight, plum, wheeled bag. It's my second and I've had this one since 2015. I like to buy bags and yet, I always go back to this bag and use it on long trips (I now have a little suitcase I use on shorter trips). My bag looks like new after several international trips (and domestic). I'll check it mostly, but used to carry it on and still will on occasion, so it stands up well to checking. We use the extra bag strap or an add a bag strap depending on our PI item. My H always uses the strap that is provided by RS with the bag, and it does counterbalance so the bag feels like no weight at all. This is my large trip/international trip bag. I love how the front pockets are laid out...this is a big selling point for me so I never have to go into the main bag in transit. Lots of the time my PI is a tiny purse so my headphones will be in an outside pocket to grab as will all my paperwork. My bag weighs just a little over 5 lbs. in spite of the posted weight---and don't even attempt to tell me my scale reads low! LOL.

PS. Mine doesn't tip over if no bag is attached so I think it depends on how you pack. I put the heavy items on the lower portion of the bag. If I have a bag on the add a bag strap, it will also not tip once the other bag is touching the floor as well...which isn't usually the case for me as I have a small PI, but my husband's is larger. So...still doesn't tip over. It also has been dragged thru rain and snow and cobbles and pot holes with no issues...I'm not nice to it.

Rollers may be convenient or even necessary for you. Unless you absolutely need a roller, I’d suggest you carefully investigate the backpack style bags. The backpack is much easier to get across a crowded airport in a hurry and holds a little more stuff for being the same size since it has no frame or trolley..The RS bags are inexpensive and, judging by online reviews, seem to be reliable and well made for their price. However if you are going to be doing more than two or four, multi-day, single bag-style trips in a year, you might want to research “travel backpacks”. These things are serious luggage, $150-500, designed specifically for the modern nomad, the obsessively organized one-bag traveler, and to meet the maximum carryon luggage specs of 95% of the pickiest airlines. Your search criteria include “onebag travel” and “minimalist luggage”.

Might start at carryology.com and there are dozens of similar sites.

I have a Pacsafe 40 liter bag. It holds everything I need to go onebagging. Will be taking it to Scotland on the first Best Of trip in 2019.

I bought the RS Rolling Carry On in spruce last year and used it twice. Trip to Hawaii, I used it as carry-on. Trip to Portland, I checked it. I use a PacSafe CitySafe tote with it although I had to sew on a trolley strap onto the tote. The combo works good for me. I'll be using them again in May for Italy tour.

The rolling carry-on doesn't tip if loaded with heavy things (shoes) at the bottom, even with the tote on top. I use RS packing cubes which size-wise fit inside with plenty of room to spare for shoes and supplies. The zippered outside pockets are handy for jackets and whatever but you have to be careful not to over pack them if you want to keep the depth at the airline's 9 inches. The wheels are large enough to easily pull anywhere. The telescoping handle at first felt loose and flimsy but it is sturdy.

I know it's an ongoing debate, but I can't imagine carrying a backpack except a small day pack. Maybe if you're under 40 when you're back could manage it, but not at 68 after arthritis and injury takes their toll.

You can do some research on this board. There are many posts that imply the quality of the RS bags has declined. Look at Travel Pro, well built bags (there the ones you see all the flight crews carry) with a decent warranty. They offer a good quality product at a reasonable price. Unless you’ve carried a backpack and love it, forget about that. I prefer spinners as a two wheeled bag torques my low back when full and I have to pull it more than a block.

We've used TravelPro for many years.

Pros: Quality, light weight (6 pounds), outside zippered storage, 2 wheels that are conducive to uneven terrain. We pack light <20 lbs for a month. RS Packing cubes fit well. Carry-on bag fits well on handle without tipping.

Cons: The bottom of suitcase not completely "flat" due to length of exterior handle. Just a minor issue.

I have been using RS 21/22" roller bag suitcases ever since they became available for my 16 trips to Europe over the last 18 years. The ONLY problem I have ever had with any of the 3 or 4 bags was when one of the extending handles became unusable. I returned it to the RS headquarters in Edmonds, WA, where they examined it and determined that it was a manufacturing defect and told me to go over to the display of new bags and pick one out at no charge. I check the bag on every flight to Europe and for my several flights to Hawaii every year and have never had any other material defects or damage. I have a physical problem that restricts me from using a backpack so I am grateful for the RS roller bags.

Since you are planning for long term, another consideration is whether you might also use inter-European flights or low cost carriers to Europe, like Norwegian with strict carry-on weight limits An obsessive carry-on only experienced traveler, I never before had considered weight, just size. I bought the smaller rolling Away case and although it exactly fit Norwegian's international carry-on dimensions for the lowest fare I was surprised I exceeded their weight limit (10 kg) for carry on and "personal item", combined. The empty suitcase itself weighs about what the RS one does. (I love the Away bag, btw! Tres chic!)
This seems to be the direction airlines are heading? Just a hunch...and possible other consideration.

I also found that European dimension in suitcases are difficult to find in the US. However, it can be done, if you have the time to look. The other option is to buy a suitcase in Europe, or order from a European flight magazine.
Considerations: weight- that 8 kg, 17.5 lbs , is a challenge. The best I usually can do is 18.5 lbs for a carry-on for two weeks of travel. Of course, winter clothes are heavier and bulkier. I have never been challenged by an airline , but if I were, I'd move stuff to my personal item [packable backpack.] I do not carry a purse, but use a travel vest with inside zipper pockets for my wallet and cell phone.
DO measure the length that the wheels use- this counts. As a result, I look for two-wheeled suitcases, as the two wheels are more likely to be built into the main part of the suitcase, so you may more packable space.
I like expandable bags in case I find that perfect something, and check on the way back home.
I look for a suitcase with great warranty, so if a wheel or zipper breaks on my perfect bag, the fix is free. I've found that suitcases with great warranties do seem to perform better.
I don't pay an extravagant amount. I just keep checking luggage outlet stores, and on-line sale sites, for last season's styles. My favorite brand is any Victorinox; a few months ago I found a Calvin Klein 2-wheel Flatiron style 20" carry on for way under $100.00, with dimensions very close to the European requirements.
Guess it depends on what you like doing with your free time- or treadmill time.
Safe travels.

I did a youtube review of the RS roll-on bag
I agree w/ the pros and cons of the first respondant
I really like mine
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yn0B1JxCjd0&t=15s

here is an addendum to discuss the main negative
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRE0trlHCwU

the handles are up into the inside of the luggage about 1 to 1-1/2"
so I pack my socks and other small items in the three valleys at the base of the suitcase
some people have said "that's why I bought xyz, their handle is on the outside" - but then the handle takes up outside room and won't meet carry-on size limitations.

The RS fits in small overheads

My wife and I each got one. My wife's had a little stitching come undone at a corner. I called the RS store and they were very fast and friendly on substituting a new case. Their service was super! I bought the bags where they were on sale and STILL have good service.