Originally Posted By OregonMouse

For traveling I still use a convertible backpack from REI that I bought in 1992. It has back stays and a hipbelt so I can carry relatively heavy loads (even the 4 bottles of wine I bought in the south of France!). However, it has a pocket on the back into which I can tuck the hipbelt and shoulder straps, making it look like a normal suitcase.


This is probably off-point, but Patagonia still makes their MLC bag (Maximum Legal Carry-on.) Ours have shoulder straps and a hip belt that tuck away behind a panel. Once so tucked, it looks like a nice small suitcase. It doesn't have stays, though, which limits the load, but it does work as a carry-on bag and will carry a surprising amount of stuff since it doesn't waste any room on the wheels/handles/frame/etc. of the roll-aboard bags. The fabric and zippers on ours (from 5-6 years ago) are substantial, and I cannot overemphasize the joy of carry-on only travel.
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--Ken B