Ok, how difficult can it be to choose luggage? Seriously, I have spent more time on this issue than on buying a plane ticket! Rolling backpacks... suitcases... carry-ons... options are endless. I have whittled it down to 3 options. I am writing this so that once I have gone to Europe with the luggage of my choosing, I can reflect on the decision and see if it turned out the way I had hoped. My three choices are:
1) Rick Steve's backpack (http://travelstore.ricksteves.com/catalog/index.cfm?fuseaction=product&theParentId=8&id=139)
aka the convertible carry-on. Pros: small, convenient, contained, relatively cheap, ($99.00). Cons: no wheels should I become tired, kinda manly, small.
2) Rolling high-quality travel backpack (like the ones displayed here on REI's website: http://www.rei.com/luggage/TOC/Wheeled+Packs?cm_re=toc*toc*wheeled_packs&vcat=REI_SSHP_TRAVEL_TOC)
Pros: wheels!!! Cons: expensive ($200-300!!!), only use it once and that's a lot of money, still small, wheels will make it heavy when (if) it's on my back.
3) Rolling carry-on sized suitcase - there are TONS of options, I like the Rick Steves one because it is nicely designed: http://travelstore.ricksteves.com/catalog/index.cfm?fuseaction=product&theParentId=8&id=42
Pros: price ($129), would DEFINITELY use it again when I travel, wheels for the long walks in terminals, RS's wife and kids use this one, more feminine. Cons: what if we're somewhere that wheels don't work (i.e. Isle of Wight), always look like a tourist, still kinda small.
There you have it! Comments and suggestions are welcome.
