Need carry on luggage, duffel, or backpack. Recommendations?

Definitely backpack. I suggest a 40L, with compression straps. That way you can basically turn it into a 20L, then expand if necessary. Has shoulder straps and a loop for carrying options, laptop sleeve, pockets for stuff you need easy access to. It really is the only logical carry on bag.
 
So, just FWIW for people shopping for a first backpack.

There's travel backpacks, and backpacking (e.g., wilderness multi-day trip) backpacks.

Here are some things I like in a travel backpack:
- Rubberized bottom. Prevents wear on any fabric.
- Laptop sleeve.
- Really good zippers.
- Small pocket with soft lining if you have glasses (I do).
- Somewhere inside the 'smaller front pocket' (most have one) I want a small, flat pocket that's completely inside, against the back of that pocket. This is the absolutely best place for passport, 2nd/emergency credit card, and a few shekels just in case you are a complete idiot and leave your wallet somewhere in southeast Asia (not naming names, but his initials are Danhedonia).
 
OK, for you backpack aficionados, any tips for finding nice big backpacks on amazon? A search for "backpacks" turns up a metric buttload of hits, 99% of which are kids' packs or $500 "tactical" backpacks for military wannabes.
 
You don't want a big backpack. No, really - you don't. You want a small to medium backpack.

In case you ignore my advice, I'd try Sierra Trading Post. Do you live near a TJ Maxx or Ross?
 
@335clone must hate me today, but I'd respectfully say that's not the backpack I'd choose. Travel packs have more dividers - which makes finding things in the middle of an airport in a hurry much easier.

Packs like the one above have big general areas, and finding small things in there feels like rummaging through a trash can to me.
 
Danhedonia said:
You don't want a big backpack. No, really - you don't. You want a small to medium backpack.

In case you ignore my advice, I'd try Sierra Trading Post. Do you live near a TJ Maxx or Ross?
Click to expand...

Not within 50 miles of me, but the wife loves TJ Max and Ross, so talking her into an expedition won't be a problem.
 
Oh, I wouldn't if it's that far away. Those are super hit and miss.

Anyhow, figure out if you want super-soft sides, and no dividers, or more dividers with a little rigidity to hold shape when you set it down. 335 linked to the former; I linked to my search on "Wenger" on Amazon, and there's that cheapie at STP.
 
Danhedonia said:
@335clone must hate me today, but I'd respectfully say that's not the backpack I'd choose. Travel packs have more dividers - which makes finding things in the middle of an airport in a hurry much easier.

Packs like the one above have big general areas, and finding small things in there feels like rummaging through a trash can to me.
Click to expand...

It has large, med and small pockets. It has worked for me on a number of flights. Just tossing out suggestions, it's up to OP to find the one that works best for him.
 
Danhedonia said:
@335clone must hate me today, but I'd respectfully say that's not the backpack I'd choose. Travel packs have more dividers - which makes finding things in the middle of an airport in a hurry much easier.

Packs like the one above have big general areas, and finding small things in there feels like rummaging through a trash can to me.
Click to expand...

Remember, these aren't for carrying nick knacks and doodads - these packs will be for carrying clothes that would have otherwise gone into checked luggage. I will have a separate laptop case for cash, passports, laptop, camera, and half dozen books that I'll want close to me.

I was first thinking duffels over backpacks, but having at least one nice backpack along would be nice for beach days. My old faithful backpack is a freebie that I got at a Microsoft conference in 2000. It has seen better days.
 
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BTW, thanks guys (particularly you, Dan) for taking the time to provide such well thought out and thorough recommendations.
 
No worries. I spent about 20 years of my life on the road, and it's nice to not feel like the most-junior person on the board for a moment. The many-divider packs can still handle clothes, btw. It's really all about what you're going to do - because I have a feeling you'll reuse that pack. I used to be able to pack and go in under 15 minutes (a weird requirement for one of my old jobs), and we had a simultaneous rule that if you were found to have checked your presentation materials (days before ubiquitous cloud stuff), it was a fireable offense. And someone did in fact get fired for checking his briefing books, which did not show up on time.

If you need to find small stuff in a hurry, or want to take your laptop in/out a lot, go dividers. Otherwise, go "big sack."

Now I gotta go fucking look at dishwashers.
 
this will add expense, but to further complicate things, "packing cubes" sorts of things (variously-sized zippered compartments) can take the place of/fill in for a pack with lots of compartments
 
I refuse to check luggage. We use American Tourister carry ons similar to this:
SamsoniteFieroHS-175x300.jpg

They're very light and durable and they fit in overhead compartments easily. They're easy to roll when you're dragging yourself off an airplane after a six hour flight.
They're expandable and still fit easily in the overhead when expanded. You see folks trying to jam a soft suitcase in in the overhead when they've stuffed them too full and they don't fit.
 
B Valley said:
I refuse to check luggage. We use American Tourister carry ons similar to this:
SamsoniteFieroHS-175x300.jpg

They're very light and durable and they fit in overhead compartments easily. They're easy to roll when you're dragging yourself off an airplane after a six hour flight.
They're expandable and still fit easily in the overhead when expanded. You see folks trying to jam a soft suitcase in in the overhead when they've stuffed them too full and they don't fit.
Click to expand...
I have one of those I usually use, but it would be overkill for my next trip.
 
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