Overnight bag: wheels or no?
 

I have the luggage I need for multiple-night trips, but my rollaboard is really larger than I need for a single overnight trip, so I'm looking for an overnight bag. Initially, I assumed I'd want one with wheels, but now I'm wondering if it's not better to get one without, to save on the weight and storage space. I'm thinking in particular it might be nice to have this bag as a carryon for flights on European carriers, and I'd hate to bump up against the carryon weight limit with the weight of the bag (and wheels and extendable handle) alone. On the other hand, I don't fly on European carriers that often, maybe once every couple of years.

I'd be carrying a small laptop (ca. 4.5 lbs.) with its charger and a book in addition to a change of clothes and toiletries. For trips involving flight, I'd add my noise-cancelling headphones. But not all of my overnight trips involve flying.

Anyone care to offer advice about whether it's better to get wheels or go without?

I'm able to fit what I need for an overnight in a medium sized duffle bag, sort of a gym bag. I think I paid $15 bucks for it 8 years ago. No wheels necessary since it's small and light. It fits in an RJ overhead or under the smallest seat so far. I just wish I had more overnighters than weeklong trips. :(

I used to have a great bag that I got at Marks & Spencer. It was like a large, soft-sided document case with two internal compartments, one about twice as deep as the other. I used the narrow one for documents and my laptop, and the deeper one for clothes. The best part was that it had two hidden, padded straps on the exterior that allowed me to tip it 45 degrees and convert it into a backpack. So, during the day, it looked like a dignified business case, but then I could flip out the backpack straps, throw it on my back and run for the train, plane, etc. Alas, it died an untimely death ...

Now, I have a 35 litre, black Victorinox backpack. It has a built-in padded laptop sleeve, two very roomy compartments (both large enough to take documents; I use one for clothes and one for documents), and two smaller front pockets. I can certainly fit a change of clothing as well as documents, laptop and other stuff. The padded straps are supercomfortable. It's not as business-like as my old case, but I figure I'm old enough now (42) that it doesn't matter if I carry a backpack to a business meeting.