poss--I emailed the Rick Steves company and asked about this. This is the response I got this afternoon.

"We did receive a few Roll Aboard bags in a batch that were not consistent with the 7.1# weight, however, it was not because we updated the bags it was an error with the manufacturer and has been taken care of. Our bags will stay at the weight advertised because of Rick's commitment to "carry on" travel."

suze: Being a bit of a troglodyte, I'm not comfortable ordering things on line-- and definitely not comfortable ordering something like that without seeing/hefting it first. Is there nowhere one can buy these bags except on line, sight unseen?

mms: Thanks for your homework. I sure wish I could speak with someone at Rick Steves. I've got various questions. Seems so odd that one can't either talk to someone directly or buy the bag at a place where one can "try" it first.

In short, do stores not carry these things?

poss--I would suggest calling the Rick Steves office. I have been there several times and they are great. I am sure they could help you sort out if the bag would work for you or not, and if so you can order from them on the spot. They are located in Edmonds, WA, so are on Pacific time.

L.L. Bean (www.llbean.com)
Quickload Duffle $99, 6 lb. 10 oz
Guaranteed!

LLBean duffle (just looked it up--looks nice) measures 47 linear inches. Air France limit for carry on is 45 linear inches.
Sigh. I'll keep at this.
(Will call Rick Steves.)

ooops! Just re-did the math.
Cindy-- why do you like the duffle better than the "regular" roll carry on? I'd think that for camping/hiking kinds of clothes duffle would be fine-- but for "real" clothes (blazers etc), regular might pack better, no? Will pursue...
Thanks!

Have checked thoroughly into the 2 ll bean. duffle much too small. other one doesn't have strap to hold clothes down. sigh.
Will call RS when they open.
Always thanks.

Hi poss,

How do you figure the Bean duffle is too small?

Just curious. I will be going down to look at it in person, but it may not be for a few weeks until I get the chance to do so.

I took the Eagle Creek Sport Companion duffle on my April trip on British Airways, but it got too heavy for me to just carry, so I am looking again at something with wheels.

But as so many threads about carry-on note, to say "wheels" adds weight, and some international airlines are very restrictive for weight.

What a circle I am going!

Living here in Maine I got to go see the LLBean luggage last weekend as we are planning a 10-day trip to Greece in late Sept. My last trip to Europe I took a larger rolling pullman and stuffed it so full that it weighed a ton! Wheels are fine on flat surfaces, but not at CDG airport or in the Paris Metro! We are determined to pack light and each of us will take a carry-on rolling bag and a personal bag such as a small knapsack on this trip. (Of course, the new liquids rule will prevent me from overloading on wine on this trip!)

We have had other Bean luggage over the years and my husband swears by the Sportsman's rolling pullman for his many 3 - 4 day business trips. I find it too rigid and hard to pack, but I'm not packing business clothes. The Quickload duffle is sort of a cross between a true dufle and the rolling pullman. Beans also has the Carryall line but for some reason we didn't like that as well when we looked at them. I think it does have some inside dividers and might be what you're looking for.

We had also looked at the Eagle Creek Hovercraft 22 at a local store. It is a nice bag but just couldn't justify paying twice the price, it is $200. It does have more inside dividers as I remember.

We also saw some Rick Steves luggage at the local travel store, but I just didn't like it. Looked dated and kind of cheap or something.

As far as size, I don't think you can get a bag with any more cubic inches than the Bean one and still meet carry on limits.

But I'm no expert!

Thanks for all the detail, Cindy-- very kind of you to take the time. Duffle just won't work for us. The 21" carry on (whatever it's called) seems just right. Crazy that they made it without a simple tie-down. Can't imagine such a thoughtless design.

I saw a 21" Samsonite that looked pretty good. A lb or so heavier, but I think we may go with that. Filene's basement (in Maryland) had it at a good price.

Try ebags.com. I got a nice little rolling bag there that fits right under the seat in front of me. I use it when travelling alone rather than a larger one that my husband can heft into the overhead bin.

This one is very similar to mine, and it weighs in at 7 pounds:

http://www.ebags.com/travelon/14_car...?modelid=18629

cindyj--We have a couple of the Rick Steves bags. Yeah, they aren't the most attractive bags, lol...very simple and straightforward. But they are incredibly durable! Trust me, the only thing cheap about them is the price.

mms - that's good to know. I didn't mean to bash Rick! I'm just glad to see other travelers a little obsessed with which bag to buy!

cindyj--No worries I know the bag looks so basic, but that's why I commented on how great it is. The looks are decieving.

poss:

On other tread on Fodor's they suggested:

http://www.bagsandbaggageusa.com

for the Rick Steves bags. I just looked and they had RS 21" on sale.

(I'm not editing spelling very well)

Sue--The site says the RS bag is 8.5 lbs. That's pretty heavy! (and doesn't square with other weights mentioned for that bag) ????

I think a duffle is OK if you are going only one place & unpacking once. I use a cheap lightweight rolling duffle for beach vacations (it's a bit roomier & 5 lbs. lighter than my regular 24" rolling suitcase).

But a normal suitcase shape is better if you are 'living out of it' or unpacking and packing multiple times.

Hi poss-

I want to tell you what I ended up getting. I didn't find anything that would fit my criteria... But I ended up buying a TravelPro 19" Rollaboard from Marshalls for $80. It weighs around 8lbs (which I was a bit disappointed), but it rolls well (2 wheels only) and seems to maximize the space it's got.

Just FYI, I did bring my measuring tape with me, because many of the suitcases don't have the actual specs listed (except when they call itself 20" or 21" or 22" etc). The 19" TravelPro actually measures just under 21" from wheels to handle; while the interior space measures 18". Good luck on your quest! Here's the link to the one I bought:
http://www.luggagepros.com/mpb/IID14105.shtml