The construction of the bag is top-notch--except for the quality of the wheels. Used the bag for three RS tours, a western US trip and two short domestic trips (with just to-from airport). At three years old, one of the wheels is wobbly and the other is developing a split. My wife has the same bag and has taken the same trips, yet her wheels show much less wear. This despite me avoiding rolling my bag over cobblestone streets in Europe. All of this would be ok if I could easily change the wheels. They are riveted in (yes, I took it apart to see) and would have to be drilled out. This is a shame because the body of the bag shows hardly any use and works extremely well with the RS packing cubes--the pockets and pouches on and in the bag make it easy to stay organized. I also like the lock loops on the main zipper--RS should put holes in tabs where two zippers meet so they can be secured with a small lockable carabiner. I have two upcoming RS tours and will have to replace the bag since having a wheel disintegrate mid-tour would be a nuisance.
Thanks for sharing your feedback. We’re glad to hear you’ve otherwise been happy with your Rolling Carry-On. A member of our team will be reaching out to you directly to see how we can help with the wheel. We appreciate you bringing this to our attention and hope we can get you back on the road with your bag!
I was always a backpack traveler but after a few long uncomfortable airport hikes and realizing I was approaching 70, I thought I would give this bag a try. I used it as carry on for the Rick Steves Eastern France tour this spring and it was great. It held everything needed for the tour and fit comfortably in overhead bins on American Airlines and Air France. It was a dream rolling through airports and even city streets. It has handles galore for carrying up and down stairs when necessary. Very pleased with this bag. Plan to use it for years to come.
Steve McCue
Expands! Great rollers and sturdy. We have 2.
It's a little smaller than the (almost) same one I purchased from you guys years ago..(the wheel on the old one gave out after years of service)...worried a bit that the smaller size will make packing even tighter. But maybe the smaller size was needed to make it a "carry on" on most flights. Hopefully I can still make it work as my official suitcase. Otherwise I'm very happy with it.
I am getting ready to purchase my second one. My first one I bought over 15 years ago and it is finally wearing out. I have traveled to several continents and domestically with this bag, it never fails.
Great bag! International sized and very light weight. This version came with 2 shoe bags, a laundry bag, and a small personal document bag all of which I used. Rolls well and wheels seem rugged. Very happy with this one!
Using now in Italy and love it
I love this carry-on - the durability, numerous pockets, compressable soft top - except for the wheels (hence 4 instead of 5 stars). It is extremely difficult for me to navigate down tight aisles due to the inability to turn it sideways as with spinner wheels (i have had to carry it). I understand how the fixed, two wheels roll better over uneven surfaces/cobblestone/brick, however, it is not as practical for the majority of travel. It also puts strain on my wrist/elbow since it can only be pulled.
I bought a Rolling Carry-On and a Civita day pack four years ago just before a trip from DC to Iceland to Paris on IcelandAir. I had no trouble putting the Rolling Carry-On in the overhead bin and the Civita day pack under the seat in front of me. Unless things have changed, I am not sure the previous reviewer is correct. I have travelled extensively with this pair of luggage. It suits my needs perfectly. I am 77 years old. A carry on backpack is too much for me. The rolling carry-on is just the ticket. I would post a picture of the pair but I can't figure out how to do that.
Looks great, but unfortunately doesn't fit the size requirements for many European airlines, especially ones like RyanAir and IcelandAir.
I used it for the first time and it performed admirably. Most pleased with my purchase and look for to many happy travels with it!
I have purchased the original Rolling Carry-On in the past. It has the hard shell corners and an extra zipper compartment inside. Honestly, it's better, in my opinion, than this newly designed version. I wish it was still available. That's why I could only give three stars.
Purchased this for a future trip to Scotland, but got to try it out this past week on a trip to Grand Teton/Yellowstone. Lightweight, but seems to be very sturdily built. Holds a lot more than it looks like it should, especially when you unzip the expansion zipper. Many useful pockets. Overall, looks like a quality product, and should have no issues with carry on limits.
Same great quality as we have grown to know from using Ricks other luggage over many years and many trips.
The travel suitcase is excellent. It is the right size for carry on and is flexible enough to hold a lot of luggage or small amounts. Wheels and handle are sturdy.
My favorite suitcase, I've traveled with this model since 2009, replacing occasionally for reasons not related to the manufacturing and performance (cat pee, for example). It's light weight and easy to carry on (at age 72), then I expand and check it for the return trip when I add gifts.
This bag had great reviews and it has been reliable and sturdy, but very time I go to put it in an overhead bin or into the car I curse the side handle. One logically uses the right hand for the top handle and the left to assist with the side, but the side handle for this bag is on the right and extremely awkward whenever I need to lift it - on a plane or into a car, etc…
I guess all I can do is try to find someone who will sew another handle on to the left side.
It makes no sense.
Thank you for your feedback. We understand that you would prefer the handles to be positioned so you can hold the top handle with your right hand and the side handle with your left. While the existing handles can be used with the opposite hand placement, we understand that this may not feel as natural or comfortable for you. We’re glad the bag has otherwise been reliable and sturdy, and we’ll share your design feedback with our product team. Happy travels!
**OBSESSION REVEALED**
I am a luggage nerd. I care deeply about carry-on suitcases and backpacks and hip packs. I rarely check luggage, and when I do, I use a big, beat up old bag that has never known love. I like the feeling of freedom I get from traveling carry-on only--like I'm heading off to a new frontier with everything I need packed down to my true essential self.
Luggage is very personal. I was a flight attendant for 20+ years, obsessed with travel. I've had many carry-ons over dozens of trips but my quest was never about quantity, it was always about finding The Perfect Bag.
When I started backpacking at the tail end of the pandemic, I added 55L backpacks (paired with fanny packs for grab-ables) to my research. I love browsing REI and Backcountry and Sierra Trading and TJ Maxx, and I take in articles like this Wirecutter review (https://lnkd.in/e2Taj6gp) to compare other bags with the pinnacle bag I took a chance on and fell for, hard: the Rick Steves Rolling Carry-On.
Yes, with all of the high-tech, outdoorsy, exclusive, big name travel backpacks and wheelie carry-ons out there, my very favorite bag of all time was found on sale on the Rick Steves travel-to-Europe website: https://lnkd.in/eEkRSd5q.
It was like finding Superman behind Clark Kent's glasses: it looks ordinary, but its packing super powers are both astonishing and gratifying. I highly recommend this carry-on bag, but not necessarily for you. As I stated, luggage is a personal journey, and I could never tell you which bag will call your name... 🧳✈️
I love this bag - it's lightweight, well designed and surprisingly roomy! I especially appreciate all the thoughtful pockets and organization. I honestly didn't think I could travel with a carry-on only but after experiencing delayed and lost luggage three times I am determined to make it work. This bag holds much more than I expected. I'll never go back to checked luggage and I can't wait to use it for my European vacation!
We love our bags!
My husband (green) and I (maroon) bought matching sets with back packs about 20 years ago.
Mine has traveled logged well over 300K air miles plus hundreds of weekend van trips. It is still fully functional, the wheels work the zippers are fine but after 20 years it looks a bit ratty. I am going to buy an exact replacement.
My husbands still looks new. He does not want a new one.
This carry-on has many good features: lightweight, several compartments for flexible packing; expansion if needed and durable fabric. I hesitated to buy it because it has only two wheels instead of four spinner wheels, but it is easy to pull, remains balanced, and the design of recessing the wheels makes it less vulnerable to breakage.
This bag fit everything I needed for a 3 week winter trip to New Zealand. The zippers are sturdy, I love the color, and the hard back is sturdy. I bought it on my sister’s recommendation so she likes hers too.
Customer service was amazing. I had a problem with the handle on my carry on and it was replaced immediately. I had an LLBean carry on that I literally wore out. I decided on this one to replace it and I have no regrets. I love the way it is organized, the size and weight are perfect for getting into the overhead bin. Highly recommend.
I've used it once so far on a weekend trip and very happy with the suitcase. The outside pockets are convenient for electronics and other miscellaneous items. With a little planning it should work for a 10 day tour.
Great bag. Light with so many pockets.
I love the rolling carry-on and I'm looking forward to using it for the first time when I travel to Scotland in September.
When I contacted customer service about the delivery time, someone responded to my question promptly & followed through until the bag was delivered. I was impressed.
In preparation for a Rick Steves tour 10 months away I ordered the Rolling Carry-On to start practicing packing light. I used it for a trial run 6 day car trip last week and there was plenty of room for clothing and bathroom gear. The outer pockets are roomy as is the interior space, and I was very aware of how light it was to carry. My plan is to also use the smaller Appenzell Day Pack for more capacity when we travel abroad. I am a small framed 62 year old woman and I will be able to stack the 2 bags for rolling through the airport. And for climbing steps I should be able to wear the backpack and carry the Rolling Carry-On.
Easy to pack, transport, pull. Good size. I like the addition of the small bags for packing. The zippered flat one was great for organizing random small things - hair clips, band-aids, tweezers, rubber bands. I used the pull-string ones for laundry.
After getting one, then 2, we now have 3 of same bag for our family, in different colors. Very functional, maneuvers well and has held up to perhaps 100 flights. Easy to put in overhead. RS associates recently helped me with a concern and they were kind and efficient. Great company and very happy with this bag.