Traveling light?

I've found myself looking at luggage reviews a lot lately.  It probably started when my husband bought me a wonderful knitting bag for our anniversary/Christmas/Hanukkah:  The Tom Bihn Swift.  I LOVE this bag.  It's light, holds tons of goods, but is manageable.  And because it holds so much, I have to clean it out pretty regularly (receipts, etc.) and I use it as my purse.

I traveled to Chicago for almost a week in February, and I used the Swift as my purse then, which was great.  But what wasn't great?  I took my hardsided suitcase (called R2D2 by the airport staff), and wound up having to pull it up 1.5 flights of stairs at the Grant St. metro stop.  That's right folks, NO elevator.  Stairs only.  Ugh.  Lots of folks asked me if I needed help.  I thanked them, but no.  And I hauled that beast up the stairs.  While the wheels helped, it was still a heavy sucker.  I just checked eBags, and Samsonite's updated model of that bag weighs 17lbs.  Unpacked.

Ergh.  No wonder I'm always pushing the airline weight limit when I use that bag.  By the time I put in clothing (and yes, I make careful choices), my music (if I've got gigs on the other end), and a couple of pairs of shoes (those dang size 12s take up a lot of room), I've got quite a bit.  But this time when I *unpacked* at home, I noticed I had 2 shirts I hadn't worn, the swimsuit I took but didn't use, and the knitting project I took but didn't need because I didn't finish the other project I brought.  Hm.  Oh yeah, and maybe another item or two that I didn't touch.  Hmmmm.

So I'm rethinking things for longer trips.  When I'm going on a short trip, I either use my husband's bag (a cloth one made out of some rugged backpack type material) or a small rollerbag.  But for a longer trip of a week or so?  I'm thinking about what else Tom Bihn has to offer.  I've been looking at the Aeronaut, which converts into a backpack when needed.  I've also been reading sites like OneBag. 

I usually travel 3-6 times a year now.  I used to travel 5-10 times a year when I served on my professional association's board of directors.  And while I don't anticipate traveling that often in the immediate future, I also don't want to haul that danged large suitcase up 1.5 flights of stairs.

So, dear 2.4 readers, what is your preferred luggage method for travel?  Advice?

Oh, and I got a Tom Bihn Ristretto bag today and the wallet.  Can't wait to try them out!

Happy spring -- things may be warming up for the season here at last!

Comments

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I like your new bag.
I use something very similar, as a carry on. I pack it so I can use it as a foot rest as well.
Lately I've been loaning my wheeled luggage out more often that using it myself. Get one with wide set wheels for the best balance, I think.