I am on a quest to find the perfect roll-aboard/carry-on suitcase. This odyssey has been going on for several months now. OK, so maybe that's because I'm a bit picky when it comes to my luggage requirements. But I think I have found the perfect match!
After wading through numerous internet websites that sell luggage not to mention stopping in all the local luggage shops and department stores I am satisfied with what I have found.
But first let me mention what my luggage requirements are. First the suitcase must be of the roll-aboard variety so that I can carry it on the plane with me, and it must fit into the overhead bin of most airplanes, although on the smaller planes it can be checked plane-side, so ideally it should be either 21 or 22 inches. It should have good manueverability, I prefer the "in-line skate" type wheels. I like to have the expansion option and prefer to have at least a 2 inch expandable option. And lastly and most importantly, in my opinion anyway, is that it should be no more then 10 pounds empty, actually I prefer even lighter then that, but 10 pounds is the maximum limit I will consider. The reason I am so "anal" about the weight of the bag is that since the airlines are becoming more strict with the luggage weight limitations I want to get the most stuff I can inside the suitcase without worrying about going over the weight limit and a lighter suitcase can help accomplish this! And yes, I know when it's expanded the carry-on option is out the window, but I typically don't use the expansion option until my return home and quite honestly at that point I don't care if my luggage arrives home when I do. I'm more concerned with arriving at the start of a trip without my essentials.
So, now for the verdict. After much research I found the Rick Steves website/travel store to have a bag that really seemed to meet all my requirements. It's a roll-aboard, it's 21 inches, it's expandable (2 inches) and most importantly it's 7.25 pounds! YIPEE!
Now I could have ordered it from the Rick Steves website but I went digging even further and found the name of the manufacturer (Kiva luggage) and did an internet search and found a website called selectbags.com and lo and behold...the don't charge for shipping (Rick Steves does).
So I placed the order with selectbags and here I anxiously await the arrival of my new roll-aboard carry-on. Hopefully it will arrive this week and I will post my opinion and comments about the bag. It will certainly get a good break-in on my month long trip in September to Central Europe!
And remember...traveling light makes life less stressful! :)
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