Travel Products - Versatile carry on

I need to replace my carry on with something similar. The one being replaced was soft sided, 20", total linear dimension of 42 inches. It had two front pockets, was a two wheel roller with easy to pull out and retract handle, a carrying handle/strap on the broad side, as well as the narrow side. A unique feature it had was two straps, that could be attached to the carry on so that it could be used as a back pack leaving your hands free, or when rolling it along is not feasible due to walking surface being dirty or uneven. The straps stowed in an unobtrusive zippered pocket on the back. The fabric was heavy weight and very sturdy, and water proof, that the airline managed to rip. When I got it back there were two tears in the fabric near the bottom. One was about 4-5 inches long and the other, about 3 inches. The gaps were ;arge enough that I lost a few small items. I would have carried it with me on board except for the fact that I had a Swiss army knife and a another knife with a 3-4 inch blade for cutting fruit.

I have looked, but haven;t found anything similar. I have considered a hard sided Samsonite Silhouette spinner. I like the fact that a hard sided carry on can be checked without having to worry a bout tears, but will miss the ability to use nit as a hands free backpack.

The two questions are, hard sided or soft?
Who makes one that can double up as a backpack to leave hands free?

Patagonia makes a wheeled version of their MLC. http://www.ebags.com/product/patagonia/mlc-wheelie/137759?productid=1357377. I haven't used that but I love my One Bag.

Patagonia makes a wheeled version of their MLC. http://www.ebags.com/product/patagonia/mlc-wheelie/137759?productid=1357377. I haven't used that but I love my One Bag.

Thanks. This one, like everything I have come across, is a backpack with wheels. What I had was a suitcase, with backpack straps. It looks like a suitcase, not a back pack.

I do not have personal experience with this style, but look at the following web page on "dual" design bags. The author has great experience and his recommendations in other categories I am more familiar with have alewys been top-notch: http://www.onebag.com/dual-purpose-bags.html. In fact, I strongly recommend perusing the entire website!

The following bag is quite popular and is on sale right now: http://www.patagonia.com/us/product/patagonia-mlc-maximum-legal-carry-on-bag?p=48107-1-902.

Don't know if this will work for you, but Rick Steves is selling a new bag that looks like it may be just like the one you're trying to replace (less one linear inch -- 41"): http://travelstore.ricksteves.com/catalog/index.cfm?fuseaction=product&theParentId=8&id=507

Good luck!

Are you insistent on wheels? If not, you should get a Red Oxx Sky Train or Tom Bihn Tristar.

We met an American carryiing the Rick Steves Backpack mentioned above, crossing Lago Di Como from Varrena, on the Ferry. I believe he was headed for L'Ostelo la Primula, while we then took the bus to Lugano.

We spoke during the crossing, and he seemed quite happy with it. He said it packed easily, and without his jacket was quite light. He mentioned that this was the only bag he had travelled with, and I noticed he had small TSA locks on the pocket zippers.

Based upon your description, I concur with JLen that this might well be the bag you are looking for.

I would ask if you really need the wheels too.

I just bought the Mother Lode TLS Weekender Convertible from eBags
http://www.ebags.com/product/ebags/mother-lode-tls-weekender-convertible/143101?lastterm=mother%20lode%20tls%20weekender%20 convertible

It's got a lot of versatility and was only $80. Plus eBags has 9 UR points per dollar if you have a Chase Sapphire or other UR Mall linked cards.

I saw a rolling MLC in person the other day. Seems like a decent bag.

I was about to ask a similar question!

One thing my current bag has - a flap to cover the wheels and base of the bag when in "rucksack" mode, so that my back doesn't get covered in whatever the wheels might have had on them...

The Patagonia looks nice but ouch at the price, and shame there's no such protection.

... if you really need the wheels ... the Mother Lode TLS Weekender Convertible from eBags
http://www.ebags.com/product/ebags/mother-lode-tls-weekender-convertible/143101?lastterm=mother%20lode%20tls%20weekender%20 convertible ... lot of versatility and was only $80.

+1 ^ This has been detail reviewed & compared to other similar MLC bags here, had mine since last November & it's been on 10+ quick trips thus far, excellent for 4 to 7 days depending on how one ususally travel, at the maximum 45 linear inches - expandable for more space as needed (car/train/bus/cruise, etc.) - with 3,200 c.i. vs. my 22" roller with only 2,200 c.i.

It can get heavy if I "dump" all my electronics & gears (13 lbs +/-) from my backpack into this as a backpack. The handles are very comfortable and I sometimes use a shoulder strap, and the compression straps are excellent + using packing cubes really help with organizing & fitting everything, not to mention numerous pockets & compartments (and lockable.)

Going thru many airports, I just place it on a luggage cart & wheel it down the corridors and out to the parking lot/catch the shuttle, etc. Hotel bellhop will take care of it once I pull up into valet parking, so the occassional heavyweight isn't a big deal for me.

Check out eBags' website on eBay as they often have excellent prices even when compared to their regular sale price with 20% to 25 or even 30% off, and free shipping is always included via eBay. I got mine on a Black Friday special and paid about $50 for it - wished I had gotten an extra one, and it's lifetime warrantied - it's a bargain.