Picking the right bag for carry-on only flight

When I was first considering paring down to 1-bag travel, I absolutely obsessed over this which bag would be exactly right.  I knew I wanted a sturdy one, and one I'd be glad to have along for the ride on even extended trips.  

So I watched videos, I read blog posts, and I perused dozens of user reviews at Amazon. And for me it ultimately boiled down to 3 choices:  the Sky Train by Red Oxx (about $250), the Tri-Star by Tom Bihn ($315) and the Mother Lode TLS Weekender Convertible (catchy!) at about $100 from eBags. These 3 bags are really good-looking, especially the  Sky Train and the Tri-Star.  And all share several features which for me, as a minimalist one-bag traveler, are essential.

They convert easily from backpack to a more traditional bag carried from top or side handles. The back straps can be tucked away when not in use.

All 3 of these bags have eliminated the collapsible handle and wheels feature almost ubiquitous with typical carry-on luggage. I’d always thought that rolling luggage was the best invention since sliced bread. That is, until I began to read about the details of this mechanism and to reflect on my own experiences rolling luggage – how much valuable space the mechanism takes up inside the bag, how the clumsy wheels prevent easy stowage on small planes, how easy it is to break the collapsible handle, and how difficult it is to maneuver these bags over gravel or snow, or going up and down stairs or nonfunctioning escalators (every airport has at least one nonfunctioning escalator).

Another feature of typical carry-on luggage which I began to question was the hard shell. If I’m checking luggage, I absolutely want it to be sturdy and difficult to crush. But if I’m carrying the bag on the plane with me, there are big advantages to softer material and squishy corners.

My research led me to conclude that a convertible backpack type bag with no wheels and no collapsible handle was the right choice.  Ultimately, I chose the cheapest of these 3 options above, the model by eBags.  I worried that by cheaping out I would end up with an inferior product, but after one year of use and abuse, I’m delighted with this bag.

I also liked the Red Oxx Air Boss but ruled this model out as it does not have the convertible backpack feature which is something I liked about the 3 bags mentioned above. Finally, there are a number of great daypacks and light backpacks that could offer many of the same benefits and features; but I wanted a bag which could reasonably be passed off as a suitcase. On occasion I encounter professional situations in which the backpack comes off as a bit useful or overly casual.

So I’ve made my biases clear, but your mileage may vary. You’ll do your own research. Think about your travel style, distance from rental car to hotel, physical layout of the airports you frequent, and the abuse to which your luggage is typically subjected. Be sure that the luggage you’ll select meets the most stringent carry-on requirements (there are FAA guidelines, but also some variability among carriers).  22 inches by 14 inches by 9 inches - when fully packed - appears to be the standard at present.

Read more of my tips and hacks for easy and efficient travel in my "Guy's Guide to 1-Bag Travel:  Minimalist Travel Secrets that Save You Time and Money" at Amazon!  And share your strategies and suggestions here.  Thanks!