Eagle Creek has some of the lightest and most durable luggage I've ever traveled with. Check out their Tarmac 22" it weighs in at 8 lbs and has a "No Matter What" damage repair policy on it. I use their Packing System, too. A friend who works for Northwest Airlines turned me on to this...

www.eaglecreek.com

Hope that helped.

az

I heard back from the Delsey rep. They were mistaken. The Helium 21" rollaboard bag we were discussing does, indeed, weigh only 8.64 pounds. It is still on my short list.

I should even be able to squeeze in yet another guidebook, and an extra novel or two on my next trip.

:-)

Ziegelman,

Thanks for the tip on those Eagle Creek Tarmac bags . They really look good. I could get away, I think, with the 20" rollaboard at only 7.5 pounds. My only problem is sticker shock. They are running at well over $200.

Ouch!

:-)

The Tarmac is very similar the my E. Creek Load Warrior I described up above. I did their "comparison" and the LW is cheaper and a little lighter.

It says the featured LW isn't expandable. Mine is, but I never use the feature because the soft top/compression straps let me overstuff anyway. One other differnce is that 3rd strap on top of the LW. It makes handling on trains much easier.

I found mine online after the holidays last year for $115.

nukesafe,

$200 is nothing...if you think about never having to replace it. Eagle Creek's "No Matter What" policy has you covered.

LucieV, you're on!

My 2lb Kelty Santiago ripstop nylon duffel arrived today. Looks tiny, but with all its pockets stuffed, it will be the same size as my Cordura wheelie, only 6lbs lighter. Last time I returned from a two-week trip to Europe I realized I was toting a pair of shoes and a dress I never wore. It's amazing how little one really needs.

Nukesafe, if you spend the Ouch! money, you'll just have to take more trips to ensure you get your money's worth out of it.

Nessumdorma - could you post a link to the Kelty bag you just bought? The only ones I'm finding are at least 25" in length, with cubic dimensions around 48-49", which are too large for carryon (in my experience).

http://tinyurl.com/y2qrsk

It's about the same as my wheeled carryon and smaller than my husband's duffel which Virgin allowed transatlantic flights as carryon, but which I checked for intra-European flights.

Unfortunately, that Kelty is too big for cabin bags on most airlines. It is 25"x13.5"x11"

You <i>might</i> be able to carry it on but it will likely have to be checked.

It is too big both in length and in total dimensions.

janisj,

It's actually smaller than the wheelie Virgin Altantic allowed me to take on board just 3 weeks ago.

When I reached the check-in desk, they told my husband who was carrying the bigger but lighter bag that he could take his aboard. Mine was smaller but too heavy. I quickly gave my husband several of my items, which evened out the weight. Virgin then let us carry both bags aboard.

I already know I *might* have to check anything these days.

How often do you fly Virgin Atlantic?

I've flown VS probably 15-20 times. Whether they let you on board w/ that size a bag will depend on if the agent is in an especially good mood that day. It is definitely not &quot;legal&quot; tho'

Per the Virgin web site &quot;<b>Cabin baggage must not exceed a maximum length of 56 cm, width of 36 cm and depth of 23 cm including wheels, handles, side pockets etc.</b>&quot;

Those convert to 22&quot; X 14&quot; X 9&quot;

Oh - I should have added that is for all VS flights originating in the States.

janisj,

I've never had a carryon bag measured, and like I said, the bag this is replacing is smaller than the one I've been carrying into cabins for several years, including in recent weeks.

Nobody should take my experiences as a guarantee more than 22&quot; will be allowed.

I promise to let you know if it gets checked by VA.

Sorry -- I typed that backward. The bag this is replacing is longer than 25 inches, and I've carried that longer bag into cabins for transatlantic flights as recently as 3 weeks ago.

Like I said - if the agent is feeling very nice that day you might be able to take it on. But it is also likely it will need to be checked. On really busy flights, they have every passenger place their carry on in the sizing box. So unless your bag is not very full and can be squished down to 22 inches - when it doesn fit in the sizing box it will be checked.

janisj,

It can be squished.

I'd pack it and make sure. You'd have to squeeze it in 3 inches in length AND 4 inches in depth. The 13 &quot; vs 9 &quot; difference would be my biggest concern.

I'm not trying to argue or rain on your new bag - but it is always best to consider what the airline says as gospel. Any other result is just good fortune . . . . .

janisj,

I think I have to pack the bag to take it with me, no?

Maybe for the first time in my life I'll get to see one of those boxes you describe.

Like I said, I'll let you know if Virgin checks it.

Has anyone tried International Traveller's frameless bags? I found the 22 inch rollaboard yesterday at Filene's and with a coupon it was only around $42. Doesn't look very durable, I'm a little worried -- very light though. It's not a hard-case -- it's more like a microfiber shell. looks like this. Should i return it?

http://tinyurl.com/ydvvuu

I'm going to try the Rick Steves bag after seeing a friend's. They look like they might work well.
If you try Delsey, which we took on our last trip and liked them very much, look at the line called the &quot;Helium&quot; line. Check out the internet for some very good prices on the Delsey line and free shipping also.