Is LeSportSac the lightest weight line of carry-ons?

I have just come back from Denmark, and at CPH, BA gave me a very hard time, wanting to take wheel-a-board away and check it through to ORD. I was in coach but am an AA Platinum which got me into the Club but no privileges about the suitcase. And they weren't at all interested in my believing that reading material didn't count, ...

I have two more international trips this year, with a BA leg from LHR to CPH and a LH leg from FRA to FLR. If this happens on the way over, at LHR or FRA, it's not a big problem. I can reorganize and cope 'til I get to final baggage claim. But on the way home I tend to carry quite a bit, lots to read, fressh fruit and vegetables, ... It's a lot of hours in the air back to California.

In the US, I carry on an 18" roll-a-board and an 18" tote bag. The empty tote weighs 3.75 pounds and I'm thinking to replace it for these two trips with a lighter weight tote, pack my laptop and accessories in my checked bag, and essentially have an empty roll-a-board in case it's taken away, and try to keep the tote under the 5 or 8 kg limit, carry reading in my hands when I check in, .... I am already getting anxious and dislike the feeling of being hassled. It really shouldn't make any difference if what I take is neatly organized in my carry-ons or cumbersomely dangling from my person <sigh>.

Anyhow, ...

Suggestions for the lightest hand baggage?

Sylvia