the BEST carry on bag -- please recommend

[Lewisc]

I am preparing myself for flames.... however...

Incorporating Disney characters is NOT a recognized style of interior design, nor is it a legitimate fashion trend. Filling your house with Disney figurines doesn't make you whimsical, it makes you look like you couldn't afford grown up furniture. Having Winnie the Pooh on your shirt doesn't make up for the fact that you're wearing an inappropriately unfitted dark purple shirt that makes you look 40 pounds heavier than you are. Having Tinkerbelle stickers on your car doesn't make you appear sassier or spunkier to those driving behind you, it just makes you look like a 5th year community college student, regardless of your age.

That felt good to get off my chest. Carry on... and good luck with those unwieldy duffles!!

At least you don't have an issue with people who go to Home Depot to purchase interior paint with genuine Disney colors.

You can probably fit twice as much "stuff" in a duffel as you can in a 21" roller bag. You can pack less, and have an easy to maneuver roller bag or pack more and have to handle a duffel bag.

 

[bumbershoot]

not picky on price range
would like to pack for 3-4 days if possible
I don't think I get to pick overhead or feet - depends on what is available
US travel only

3-4 days...well, officially, all of the Rick Steves bags will qualify dimension-wise as a carryon. We have the Convertible Carry-on and the Classic Back Door bag, and they are really terrific. With only 3-4 days of clothes in them, you will be able to cinch it really small using the side straps.

Those bags are basically what people on the RSteves int'l tours are required to use; tour members cannot bring anything they can't carry, and are not, as far as I know, allowed to check anything. So those are made to work as carryons.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

At least you don't have an issue with people who go to Home Depot to purchase interior paint with genuine Disney colors.

You can probably fit twice as much "stuff" in a duffel as you can in a 21" roller bag. You can pack less, and have an easy to maneuver roller bag or pack more and have to handle a duffel bag.

It's not the duffle shape, but the lack of wheels, that allows you to pack a lot in a bag.

My problem with most duffles is that I like compartments in my luggage. With a duffle, I would need a zillion packing folders to hold all my clothes.

My favorite carry-on is 19 eyars old and made by Members Only. It is super light weight, no wheels, but shaped like a traditional pullman (you know, rectangular) and has 4 separate compartments. I think Red Oxx makes something similar, but it is pretty expensive. -- Suzanne