Thanks to loads of reasearch by reading what you all have said, I have narrowed down my backpack search to two:

The EagleCreek Voyager 65L (http://www.eaglecreek.com/10051.html) and Rick *coughIdon'tlikehimbuthisbagmustbenice) Steve's convertable carry-on (http://travelstore.ricksteves.com/ca...d=8&id=139).

What I will be using the bag for: My wife and I are not hikers, or hostel-stayers ... but we are city-hoppers and are usually in Germany (my wife's homeland) getting around by train. For this reason, I 1) love packing light and 2) love not having the extra weight of wheeled luggage on trains.

Checking luggage isn't a major issue for me - my wife has a duffle bag she carries that usually has to be checked - but not having to on short weekend trips (I take this twice a month for work) is a great incentive.

These two packs seem like they are both good deals, with Steves' bag a bit cheaper. Any of you use either, or both, and have any comments on them?

Thanks in advance!

I happen to like Steves but thats beside the point.I have two of his bags.I like it very much.Its easy to carry on my back.My wife prefers the wheeled bag he offers as she doesnt like to carry it.Both are well designed and well made.Best regards.

Not sure if you checked ebags.com, but they have lots of bags. Here is one that has great reviews:
http://www.ebags.com/ebags/weekender...?modelid=15026

sppunk:
I have an Eagle Creek backpack, I'm not sure what model, but it has been very good to me for several trips to Europe as as the US. I travel light and this thing really has made travel much easier for me.

mariamack,

I have indeed checked out ebags.com, and have narrowed my choice down to these two.

I am looking for a bag that I can take on leisure trips into "high-class" hotels and not feel out of place. I beleive either of these choices provides me with that.

One of the things that interests me most about the Rick Steve's bag is it is collapsable - which means I can shove it into tight spaces in my car, overhead bins or train racks.

Any others have any advice?

I like the Steves model:
- a little bigger
- less "backpacky" looking
- more like a normal suitcase
- & cheaper to boot!