Rick Steves Convertible Carry-On
I lived out of a bag for most of the past year, traveling with my wife. We visited 11 countries and used all manner of transportation. I used Rick Steves’ Convertible Carry-On Bag, and my wife used the less expensive Back Door Bag.
These bags were great. They were tough enough to withstand our daily abuse; and quite light. The Convertible Carry-On had just the right number of pockets: enough to keep some organization going, but not so many that the bag is all zippers. None of the zippers on either of our bags has given us any problems.
Wheeled bags like the Travelpro Rollaboard are great if you're going to be places where you can use the wheels all the time. While traveling through poorer countries there often isn't a good surface for rolling luggage, and the instant you have to carry the bag the extra weight really hurts. The harder shell on those types of bags obviously protects your stuff better, but also makes it harder to stuff under seats.
I only expanded my bag (using the perimeter zipper) a few times, and barely used the waist belt, but it sure was useful when I did turn to these features. The small size (9 x 21 x 14 in.) was great when stuffing the bags under bus seats. Despite the fact that the bags conform to maximum carry-on size, we often checked them because we exceeded carry-on weight limits: Our filled bags are about 28 lb., while we encountered weight limits that were typically around 22 lb.
Of the many things I purchased before our trip, this bag was one that I've never second-guessed. I wouldn’t hesitate to buy another one if this one ever shows enough wear to warrant it.
Available from Amazon
Manufactured by Rick Steves
Favorite (15)
Dan R
Looks very much like an older model Patagonia MLC bag.
Anders Pearson
I highly recommend the Red Oxx SkyTrain bag, which is pretty much this one on steroids. Weighs a little more, costs quite a bit more, and no waist strap, but Red Oxx builds their bags to withstand a direct nuclear blast.
Brian
For my money, RedOxx gets my vote, but this bag is a nice piece.
Tim Jones
I've used the Patagonia MLC (Max Legal Carry) bag for years and love it! It's great to not to check baggage, esp now most airlines are charging per piece of checked baggage.
dingo
This looks exactly like the older Eagle Creek convertible travel pack I've been using for seven years. If my Eagle Creek gets run over by a truck in Pakistan (again) and finally dies, I'll consider this one. As an add-on, consider the Mountainsmith Lumbar daypack - put on the daypack first using the shoulder strap, then put on the backpack. The lumbar pack hangs below the backpack whne hiking long distances, and allows you to carry as much as a full size backpack while not checking any luggage on airlines. Additionally, I would not recommend getting anything but basic black - bright blue or red makes you stand out in places you don't want to stand out.
Allen
Seconding Red Oxx. They are really THE bag for the obsessive purchase-maximizer types that read Cool Tools. They're incredibly durable and thoughtfully designed. Holds a tremendous amount of clothes, and because of the internal cinch straps, it fits into almost all overhead bins. They're super light, with no internal frame or plastic to break, take up space, or restrict the 'cram-ability' of the bag. They're easy to carry and (Red Oxx has the best non-slip shoulder strap in the world). I bought the Air Boss after extensive luggage research, and it's completely wonderful.
The quality on RS's stuff isn't as high (of course, they're also less expensive). It's not terrible, just not the best.
Bruce
I just bought this bag a few weeks ago for an upcoming trip and it seems pretty nice.
I would be interested in hearing your opinion on the differences between this and the Back Door Bag. I debated between the two and had decided on the BDB because it was cheaper and I think a little smaller and lighter. but my local travel store only had this one in stock.
Did you find the waist belt worth it? Any other differences you like or don't like?
I also seriously considered the MEI Voyageur (http://www.meipacks.com/TravelPacks01.html) recommended by onebag.com but eventually decided to go with this because it seemed easier to buy than that one and a bit cheaper.
Brody
I've researched bags in the category ended up getting the Patagonia MLC. I was very pleased with it and loved just having one bag. I was quite satisfied, until my partner ordered an Osprey Porter 46. The MLC did the job, but not only was the Porter more stylish, and durable, but it had a waist belt that more evenly distributed the load. We tend to have the bags on our backs for long urban treks during our travels, and the belt helped tremendously.
Andrew H.
I also did a ton of research a few years ago, you can find my chart here: http://www.zeuscat.com/andrew/personal/info/travelpacks/
I ended up buying the Tom Bihn Aeronaut (http://www.tombihn.com/page/001/PROD/100/TB0906) and have since travelled to Asia, Europe, and around the U.S. with it, and have found it an awesome carry-on travel bag. I also use it for picnics (you can stuff a lot of blanket in there for groups). It's expensive, but the construction, looks, and general fit and finish are great.
I do find I use the backpack straps a lot, and that I've had to check the bag in a few times because of international weight limits (never volume problems). On the other hand, sometimes the bag looks small enough that people don't even ask to weigh it, so I've gotten to carry it on.
elon
The Red Oxx seems to be a very cool bag, though also three times the price of the one Tim's recommending here. Patagonia's bag goes for $160.
I've received a couple of Eagle Creek recommendations lately, too.
@ Andrew H.: Thanks for sharing that impressive spread sheet, and let me know the next time you research anything.-es
Yow
Nice chart, Andrew.
I bought my black bag, a Patagonia MLC, on a pro deal about 15 years ago. It has been around the world with me, nicely stuffed under the seat in front on about 50 flights, and on my back in cities on 4 continents, as well as being used on innumerable car trips and overnights.
It's black, has 2 zippered main compartments, a smaller zippered pouch inside, straps to hold down clothing bomb-proof construction and fabric, *padded shoulder straps*, a side and top handle, and it looks fairly close to how it did on the day I bought it--not a single stitch undone.
I do treat my things well, but this bag takes the cake. I can recommend it, is what I'm sayin'.
kate
I've had this bag for about five years, when we were thinking of a family trip to France that never materialized, but it's gotten a lot of use on domestic trips. I have mixed feelings about this bag. It has no internal structure whatsoever, so when empty (or half-empty), the sides just sort of flop over, making it difficult to pack or gauge how much room you have left. And everything just kind of moves around in it like a big sack. Also, it's a terrible bag when you only have it half-filled because it's hard to strap things down (better compression straps on the outside would be a help). However, if you use packing cubes, you can compartmentalize things and it helps. I use a large packing cube by Eagle Creek that has some internal structure to it -- I think they call it a gear box, it was about $12 at REI -- and then a couple of cheaper, structureless packing cubes. I'm not completely, 100 percent happy with the bag but it is pretty inexpensive and I have used it a lot. Sometimes I like to imagine how I would retrofit it to be a better bag. It's a good enough bag, it just needs some backbone. Maybe if I ever make it to Europe, I will change my tune...
Allen
Comparison of Patagonia MLC and Air Boss
Mike d'Ocla
This bag design is very useful for those who travel light and want to be able to travel under all conditions, as the other comments suggest. I've owned and used a couple of different makes for about 25 years. I got my first from REI and it's still in functional condition. I suggest shopping around for something that's reasonable in price.
Lisa
I second Brody's recommendation of the Osprey Porter 46. I've tried a few of the convertible bags but they all seemed to be lacking in the functionality as a backpack. Not true with the Porter. Even though it functions extremely well as a backpack, it still looks sleek -- doesn't scream "backpack". Very comfortable to carry and fits people of varying height -- I'm 5' tall and husband is 6' tall and it is comfortable for both of us.