The Rick Steves is actually a sweet size – only slight taller than the B&R, shorter and narrower and less thick than the Costco. I think it’s pretty “legal” but I’d have to drag it to the airport and see if it fits inside a “luggage tester” to be sure. I am pretty sure the Costco fails that test.

In terms of efficiency the Steves is much better than the B&R since the B&R has its trolley rack on the outside of the bag. While this insures the inside compartment has a flat floor, it also wastes a lot of potential storage space – after all the “luggage tester” doesn’t care whether the trolley rack is inside or outside in terms of exterior dimensions, so you might as well have the bag “wrap” the trolley rack so we can stuff socks etc. between the rails instead of having all that space on the outside between the rails go to waste.

BUT if you aren’t trying to fit a “luggage tester” and are just worried about gate agent eyeballs, the B&R definitely LOOKS more compact than the Steves, even if it isn’t, really.

So right now my favorites are -

1. B&R because it’s so classy, and easiest on a gate check agent’s eyeballs;

2. Steves because it is quite lightweight (but not Landor lightweight) and if you have a luggage tester near the gate you can prove your bag is “legal”; and

3. Costco wheelie, but mainly for checking through – it’s heavy and big, a risk to try to carry on board.

for a wheelie I use one of these

http://www.bagworld.com.au/sho.....ase-black/

I can thoroughly recommend it.

Actually I have the grey version, you cant go past the 2.7kgs (5.9 lbs)
which is even less than the eagle creek bags and it fits perfectly wheels first into a 737 or A320 overhead which are the common domestic planes here in Oz.

I can bundle pack pants around an ec folder and place a pair of shoes in a shoe bag in the main area. Then add a packing cube with shorts underwear plus small packing cubes with electronics and toiletries in the lid compartment and away I go, with plenty of spare room. The laptop and other business stuff is in a small briefcase.

The hard decision is which bag to take, either this one or the Blackwolf MLC copy that I have, I find I just alternate depending on my mood of the day???

But if I could not use a back pack type bag I would undoubtedly use the Antler bag with a small tote shoulder bag in which I would carry on plane necessities such as the 3-1-1 bag, phone, netbook etc so that I didnt have to get up and down to the overhead all the time.

cheers
Bob

I’m a onebag packer, currently using a small North Face duffel. It fits everything I need but I am finding that shoulder carry is for the birds. I usually go from the car, to the airport, to the hotel. I’m not trekking through the jungle so I would rather have a roller.

I recently had an 8hour layover in Frankfurt & my shoulder was killing me by the end of it!

So I too have been looking for a carry on sized roller. Lightness is a major priority, as it capacity.

If you compare the Eagle Creek products at http://www.eaglecreek.com/bags....._carry-on/
you will find that the Ramble 22 is of comparable lightness to the rest (just under 8lbs), but has a 58L capacity. The rest have:
ORV Trunk 22 – 43L
Tarmac 22 – 46L
Hovercraft 22 – 48L
Twistpack 22 – 49L (this is my second pick as it is over a pound lighter than the Ramble…)

The Switchback 22 is a 2 piece, so that is out.

Don’t get anything “expandable” as once you expand it it won’t be carry on sized anymore.

I look forward to seeing what else is recommended. Great post!
S.

Also, when you look at ebags and luggageonline who are normally the ones with the most customer reviews you see almost no reviews for the Plat6 series. They have been out for at least six months and no reviews? For me that is a sign that they are either not selling very well or people are not super enthusiastic (nor disappointed) with their purchase.

http://www.1bag1world.com/blog.....eview.html

This is the link to my review of the 22 incher. The 19″ model doesn’t have a suiter I believe. Otherwise they are very similar.

The warranty on the Plat5 is the same no matter what warranty that EC has on their HC2 case. However, the Plat5 will be heavier but better equipped. I was thinking that for you with your ruptured disc the handle of the Plat5 would be fantastic. As I said, only the Andiamo Valoroso has a similarly ergonomic handle.

My opinion of the Plat6 is that it is only a little lighter if any but does look sleeker. BUT the layout of pockets is far from being as practical as the Plat5 and it lacks the unique handle.

For example it has no magazine pocket in the bag and no book style big front pocket. Instead it has two hard compartment with each one being fairly flat. The suit compartment is not separable as it is in the 5er. If you want to pack something more bulky it won’t fit because the 6er has the two separate hard compartments. The 5er has a big, deep compartment (that you can expand, too) and the suit compartment is integrated yet separate into that big compartment. You can even adjust the size of the suit compartment and use it for something else without the suiter panel thereby giving you the same organization as the two hard compartments of the 6er. The suiter panel in the 5er is a separate piece that can be used in other luggage as well.
It has only one instead of two flat zip pockets on the front. It also lacks the totally ingenious toiletry panel.

As opposed to the Plat5 the HC2 is a nylon box on wheels.

Valoroso, Tumi, Hartmann may come close to the Plat5 but even they don’t quite get there and they cost twice the price and are heavier while having the lesser warranty.

The funny thing is that I think the Plat5 is actually one of the only pieces of mass produced luggage that might INCREASE in value. I mean I bought mine for $170 or so. The few that are left are at $300 now. That is more than they were going for when they were still regularly sold. That should tell you something. :)

Anyways, I have no interest in selling you on the Plat5 except that I think it would be the ideal bag for your situation and I’d hate to see a fellow PHer miss out on it.

But if you like Eaglecreek, do check out the Switchback22. That’s a very sweet bag.

Cheers,

Till