I believed I posted on this somewhere, but I cant find it. The previous post was mainly about the ideal carry-on bag. I suggested the MEI Voyageur and someone else added to the discussion with the Rick Steve's convertible bag.

Both the Rick Steves and MEI Voyageur bags are backpacks with a single large compartment. The reason why they do not have wheels is because that makes them 3 lbs lighter then a wheeled bag and there is no large hardened frame that takes up room in the bag. So the backpack bags are both lighter and roomier then their wheeled counterparts.

I have the MEI Voyageur and it fits a lot of stuff...far more then my Samonsite wheeled carry-on that I used in the past. I was able to stuff an 18.5 inch laptop and still have room for 4 pairs of clothing as well as a few other items. The MEI Voyageur is a hand-made bag and is very heavy duty.

http://www.ebags.com/product/rick-steves-travel-gear/convertible-carry-on/122309?productid=1316961

http://www.meipacks.com/TravelPacks01.html

I just saw an interesting carry-on bags on Ebags.

This one claims to hold 3600 cubic inches when expanded:

http://www.ebags.com/product/ebags/mother-lode-tls-weekender-convertible/143101?productid=1370034

There are several oversized bags like the Ebags version which do not really fit the exact carry-on requirements. The specifications say they do, but you will find them over the limit by about 4 inches and especially over the limit when stuffed. The Rick Steves and MEI Voyageur are the exact carry-on dimensions. No one has ever taken a ruler to my bags or inquired if my bags were too big though.

I was looking today for a bag that fits American Airline's definition of a personal bag but offers the maximum size possible which is the reason for this post today. The personal bag is the additional bag you carry along with the actual carry-on.

I came upon Rick Steve's Appenzel Daypack which fits 1400 cubic inches of stuff.

http://www.ebags.com/product/rick-steves-travel-gear/appenzell-daypack/122317?lastterm=appenzell%20daypack

Feel free to add to this ideal carry-on thread. I am done checking in luggage.

BTW, a large 32 inch upright suitcase will hold about 6000 cubic inches. I have taken along one of those with me before. The good thing about a big checked bag is that you can comfortably fit everything into it that you will possibly need. The bad thing is unpacking/repacking it, waiting for it at the baggage claim and the slow maneuverability of the contraption around a 3rd world country.

One of the advantages of the backpack vs. wheeled is that, at least I find, the backpack can be manuevered about faster since its on your back. The wheeled bags need to be dragged and sometimes cannot be dragged over some of the rough 3rd world streets. Until I get to the point where it becomes a medical requirement, I will keep lugging my backpack everywhere.

I've got a "JanSport" carry-on bag that is the same size and has the same features as the Rick Steve and MEI bags. I've had it for at least 15 years and it's been more than adequate for my trips up to two weeks. The only downside is if you bring back too many gifts and souvenirs, you might not have enough room (which is a good excuse not to buy them).

If you read or listen to Rick Steve, he offers some good tips on how to pack.

With airlines charging for check-in luggage, everyone is carrying on their luggage so the overhead bins are always full. When that happens, I've been able to shove my bag under the seat without any problems.

I bought my bag at the Campmor website. In their last catalog, they had similar bags available.

If one does purchase from ebags (as referenced above), you get 10 Continental miles per dollar spent if you access it through the Continental mall (http://www.continental.com/CMS/en-US/marketing/custcomm/promotions/Pages/onlineretailpartners.aspx) or a whopping 20 miles per dollar spent if you do so AND use one of the Chase Continental credit cards. That is in addition to the 1 mile per dollar spent you get for generally using the card.

My spine doesn't handle the backpack. Reminds me too much of humping a ruck in VN, anyway. I like a small wheelie that can slide in perpendicular in the overhead in the event space is at a premium.