Appreciate the additional information, it really helps me to get a mental picture of what to expect and thus plan how to pack things, etc.

I absolutely COULD travel with a smaller bag, but appreciate the flexibility the slightly larger 26” bag gives me. I can bring more than I actually need to bring (giving me some choice in what to wear), I can bring another pair of shoes, I can throw a nice bottle of wine in there to drink while I’m away, etc. And if I buy or am given anything to bring back, I have extra room to pack it.

I can, and have, traveled extensively with a smaller bag, but why limit myself if I don’t have to? (I never, ever, ever carry my bag on the plane when traveling by air, though I used to back when I was doing lots of crazy business travel.) I similarly make disparaging mental comments about fellow travelers checking huge bags that probably contain their entire wardrobe, but I am happy with my “not huge but not small” bag.

So I acknowledge and accept your aspersions, but will (usually) stick with my 26” bag, it a trade off I choose to accept, a small luxury, perhaps.

Thanks again for the insights!