Originally Posted by
lavedder
I usually fly with just a carryon bag for up to 10 days of travel but since I am just 5'2" and weigh less than 100 lbs I find it difficult to hoist my bag to the overhead bin. I just weighed my bag yesterday after a trip and it weighed 28 lbs including a netbook. I want to further reduce the weight but I need a wheeled bag due to fibromyalgia in my neck.
How much does yours weigh on average packed for a 7-10 day trip ? My bag is an Eagle Creek Hovercraft upright 22 which weighs 7lbs 6oz. empty.
I do a lot of backpacking (bit of a pack junkie, actually). I'm not sure it would suit you to try a convertible backpack carry-on. There are some good ones, but fit starts getting really tricky for short women, even with traditional outdoor backpacks, more so with 'one size fits all' convertible carry-ons. And I have to admit, for domestic or city-to-city international, I pretty much always use a wheeled suitcase. If you did shop around for a convertible backpack-style carry-on, you're not likely to find something less than 2 pounds. A duffle/over the shoulder can be light, but I don't think it's an option for you because of the neck (I have neck problems, can't use that style).
Unfortunately, good luck shopping for a lightweight wheeled suitcase. I'm appalled when I see something advertised as 'light weight' that tips the scales at 8 or 9 pounds. Are you kidding me?
You might (I think
Tfar has posted on this) try a soft-sided carry-on with a separate luggage mover. I think you can really shave weight that way. Not as convenient as wheeled luggage, and I gather there's a learning curve to get used to it, but you might try it.