What do you think of this carryon?

If you have the extra two inches you will just fill it with more weight. I would get the smaller one, Eagle Creek makes one called the Adventure Weekender or something like that. Its about the same size as the Steves one you mentioned although it doesn't have wheels as its a contertible carry-on. The weight is less than three pounds. Think about how much more stuff you could pack with that one.

We own several Eagle Creek bags, though not this one. I like this because of the extra strap/handle on top. Eagle Creek's quality is great; I have owned by 21" Eagle Creek bag for about 25 years. One time I had to send it in for them to replace the zipper - I think that was about 15 years ago. I have taken it on numerous European trips, and I can fit everything I need into it, and it's not too heavy. I don't have any experience with Rick Steves' bags, so I can't compare. But I would probably go for it.

Here's a caveat - I bought a different Eagle Creek bag several years ago, that complies with the carryon size restrictions on European airlines. It's nice to have both sizes.

Lulu you say flight from Naples to Rome is also Delta? I bet its code-shared and actually flown by Alitalia. In which case their rules apply. I don't think any European country allows US airlines to fly internal routes, and vice-versa.

I did go to my reservations to check the airline. It does say Delta from Naples to Rome, but you might be right. I thought for sure it would be a Italiair. Hmm.....I'm pretty sure RS's complies with those airlines. I have to have something that rolls. Well, maybe I'll have to buy RS afterall. I know I'd be putting more in it...just wanted a little bit more room is all.

Lulu I did a quick look at Delta website, and every option I came up with - Naples to Rome - was an Alitalia flight. You had to dig into the details to see that AZ 1264 is operated by Alitalia, for example.

Thank you for taking the time to check that. I really appreciate it. I guess that takes care of that. That is why this is a great forum. Shoot would have liked the extra room.

Lulu, Is it really 22 inches? I made the mistake of buying a Rick Steves 22 inch bag a few years ago, but it was really 23"…not carryon size. I still feel ripped off even though I like the bag, but I have to check it if I use it. So double check to make sure the advertised measurements are the actual measurements as they usually aren't. Wray

I have owned and reviewed numerous Eagle Creek bags. (I just did another one yesterday).

The dimensions Eagle Creek gives are spot on and they include wheels and handles. All of their bags have a lifetime warranty.

Eagle Creek has numerous wheeled bags made for "international" travel. They are usually 20 x 14 x 8. You might want to check their site:

http://shop.eaglecreek.com/lightweight-carry-on/l/111

And in regards to flights, just because is has a delta flight number doesn't mean it's operated by Delta. The same flight could have three or four different flight numbers. You have to look closely and the reservation will say who operates the flight.

I bought the Rick Steves carry-on and have taken it on two short trips in the U.S. recently, and have no complaints at all about the bag. I also bought a set of his packing cubes, which really help organize things. I plan to use this bag on our June trip to London and Paris, flying on Aer Lingus.

I just downsized from the RS 22" rolling bag to the 20". Alitalia enforces its luggage limits, most of the time.

I'm 9 days into my trip and followed Rick's packing recommendations. I have a 20" suitcase and it's working out great. You'll be happy with the reduced weight when you're hauling it up two flights of stairs from a train station restroom!

Happy packing.

We have the 20in. Load Warrior and the 20in. No Matter What Rolling Duffle . . . got them on sale at REI . . . we like them both a lot.

Just be sure to keep it light ...lots of carrying up steps and cobblestone. On our Italy trip in October, we are finally taking the plunge to all carryon, no wheels, so we splurged on Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45. You can't go wrong with EagleCreek.

I don't see the problem here. With codeshare flights, you have to look carefully at whose rules applies. But even if it is Alitalia's rules, their carryon size is 55cmx35x25. 55 cm is equivalent to a 22" bag.

If you Re really concerned about weight, have you considered the Osprey Ozone 22? It is under 5 pounds. My husband loves his.

http://www.ospreypacks.com/en/product/ultra-light_bags/ozone_2246l

Those cm measurements actually convert to just under 22x14, and my fear is I would get some stinker who wouldn't let me use it. I might try to find a 21 inch, and if not, will just do a 20. Will probably role my clothes, I saw the video in an old thread of an airline stewardess doing that and it was amazing what she got in her suitcase. DH is taking a 24 or 25 inch checked bag, so we will have a little more room. Plus he's bringing a backpack as his carryon. I think we will have enough room for stuff. But thank you for the recommendations.

I recently bought a Travelpro carry on that was listed at 21 inches. However, I measured it when I received it, and with the wheels it is about 22 inches. I recently had a flight with Delta(usually use them as I live near a hub), and it fits fine in the overhead bin. I do realize that I will have to check it on some European flights, as I had to check my old one on a KLM flight in Europe last year. As others have stated, even though you book with Delta, as I did, they will probably switch to a different code share airline within Europe. I was supposed to be Air France, but my flight was cancelled due to a pilot's strike. It can be difficult to tell exactly what size the bag will be until you receive it. When I was looking in the stores I carried a tape measure with me.

It is true that 55 cm converts to 21.65 inches. But I don't think the major airlines quibble over that last 1/3 inch like the budget ones (like Ryanair) do.

I would be more concerned with that 8kg weight limit.

Can you check the bag for free on that last leg on Alitalia?

Lola, I didn't know about the weight limit...which translates to just about 16 to 17 lbs. That is going to be a problem. I think I will just have to check my baggage on the way home. Going over, we are taking Delta to Venice nonstop, then trains. Won't be on another plane until we leave Naples....which has a stop over in Rome first. I think that helps make my decision. Even if I got the RS bag, I wouldnt be under the weight. The extra 2 inches would help quite a bit with the other one.

I've been trying to find a backpack that fits the specs to put une'er the seat. I think it's 19 x 10 x 9. RS has one the civita hemp daypack at 13". I might take that. I don't plan on walking around with it during the day, maybe Pompeii, but just want something to travel with on the plane .

Be careful about counting on taking something as big as a daypack into Pompeii. Check their website closer to your travel day and see if the restrictions have been relaxed but as of a couple of months ago many of historical sites have imposed a restriction - because of security concerns - on anything being taken in larger than about 12 inches square.

These restrictions are also in place at the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, Herculaneum, the Archaeological Museum in Naples and a number of other places.

Lulu, you are taking too much stuff. You are going the wrong direction, trying to figure out the biggest bag, etc. have you ever traveled in Europe? Don't make your husband drag an even bigger bag around. You are going to have to climb a million stairs, walk on umpteen cobblestone streets...it is a big drag to have too much stuff to lug around. And if you are there to experience Italy, what you are wearing won't matter except that it is comfortable and appropriate. You should have one evening outfit, and no more than 3 day outfits....including what you wear on the plane. Really, that's plenty for a 10 day trip. You won't go to the same place twice, so no one will know you are wearing the same outfit. Take the black skirt and one evening top, the maxi dress you have to have. The beige capris and grey skirt. The grey sweater. 4 daytime tops max. That's plenty of stuff. Really!

HI Ginger..thanks for your reply. I ended up buying the RS 20" bag and practiced packing it. Traveling like this is just so different for me. I'm going to take what I have planned and see how it works. I came in at 21lbs. I love clothes...I mean I REALLY love fashion. I know i will alternate and have mix and match...but I'm happier to wear different outfits than less clothes. When I come back...I will report (and be honest) on how I did with the clothes I took. I think DH will be taking a 22" bag. He can use it as a carryon, except going home because we fly from Naples>Rome>States. He won't be able to carry in within that leg in Italy...but that's ok. Will probably need to be expanded with our new purchases anyway.

In case you didn't notice, the original bag you have listed in your post says its capacity is 2500 cubic inches. The RS one you bought is 2430 without being expanded. You really lost only 70 cubic inches and gained a little more than 3 ounces by buying the RS one. And, if you buy stuff, you can expand the bag to 2970 cubic inches and check it on the way home. Sounds like a win-win to me.

Sometimes in our focus on smaller and lighter we forget to notice the capacity of the bag. Other times I've seen bags advertised as super light carry ons when they are actually bigger than 22" and may weigh 8 or more pounds!

I think you did good.