I waited to write this until I had finished the trip for which I purchased it. I have backpacked for years and tend to trip on wheeled bags. I also resent the amount of packable volume that is sacrificed to wheels on wheeled bags. So this was a choice that appealed to my style. Someone who likes the wheeled bags or has trouble lifting would not like this as well.I found it a little difficult to pack at first because of the stiff flaps, and I have the feeling that I never packed the sides as tightly as I could have. I didn't push it much because this was a 10 day international trip and all I took was this and my daypack (which is very close in size to the largest allowable personal item), and I didn't want this getting taken away from me and checked.In the end, I ... MoreI waited to write this until I had finished the trip for which I purchased it. I have backpacked for years and tend to trip on wheeled bags. I also resent the amount of packable volume that is sacrificed to wheels on wheeled bags. So this was a choice that appealed to my style. Someone who likes the wheeled bags or has trouble lifting would not like this as well.I found it a little difficult to pack at first because of the stiff flaps, and I have the feeling that I never packed the sides as tightly as I could have. I didn't push it much because this was a 10 day international trip and all I took was this and my daypack (which is very close in size to the largest allowable personal item), and I didn't want this getting taken away from me and checked.In the end, I got everything inside this except the things you are supposed to carry in your personal item (toiletries, pills, etc.). The main compartment has two zippered compartments inside, which share the internal volume, as well as a top quick access bag that also shares main compartment space. the top pocket, however, is sewn so that it has its own volume regardless of how the main compartment is packed. This is nice because you can put a jacket and the last minute things in it without having to jam them in. I did not put anything significant in the laptop compartment; I think that using it would probably compete with internal compartment main space too.I only carried it using the featured backpack straps once, through JFK. It is probably the way I had the back packed, but it seemed a little lopsided on me. However, it was still very comfortable carrying it that way. Deploying and stowing the straps and hipbelt is also relatively simple, though you will need to stop and take a minute to do it (The reason I didn't use it that way more is that my personal item is a daypack). Normally I used the handles, or a shoulder strap I had borrowed off of one of my other duffles. Carrying like that was generally comfortable as well. I thought the built in handles stretched some with use; I don't know if this is a normal thing for the materials used or a sign of underdesign, but l never felt like they were about to break. The end handle is super handy for carrying the bag in an airplane aisle.As for putting this in an overhead bin... it's just unbeatable. The Boeing 717 has a narrow cabin (2-3 seating), and I was able to stow this in a bin on the narrow side "wheel-end first". My wife has a hard-sided 7 lb wheeled case that had to go in widthwise, even on the wide side. And the minimal weight of this bag (2 lb?) makes it easy to hoist overhead. I think the gross packed weight of mine was just shy of 20 lb.I don't know if it is necessary, but I packed mine with the shoulder straps deployed, thinking it would be easier to fill the main compartment. When packed, the "bulge" exceeds the letter of the airline size requirement (which is why I was cautious about stuffing it), primarily the height dimension. But again, it zipped right into the overhead bins.The flaps that got in the way while packing, by the way, cinch down and give this a much firmer shape than a normal duffel bag. I found this enormously comforting, as I didn't feel like I had to hide fragile things in the middle of my bag, so much. So I think it was a worthwhile tradeoff.So I have only good things to say about this bag. If this is your style I think you will like it.

Not my first choice BUT the best choice. I didn't like the idea of the compression flaps on the side of the pack, it just seemed like they would get in the way. In fact the straps I didn't like enabled me to compress the bag significantly enough that it passed as an international carry-on. In order to meet that criteria, the bag was not overpacked and met the 8Kilo cabin baggage weight limitation (on Turkish Airlines, I know all airlines have their own requirements).If I had been forced to check the bag, the straps can easily be tucked away to streamline into a suitcase style bag (and so the straps don't get caught on conveyor belts).I wanted a bag with a single zipper, opening suitcase style, so I could see everything upon opening the bag.The bag was tossed and ... MoreNot my first choice BUT the best choice. I didn't like the idea of the compression flaps on the side of the pack, it just seemed like they would get in the way. In fact the straps I didn't like enabled me to compress the bag significantly enough that it passed as an international carry-on. In order to meet that criteria, the bag was not overpacked and met the 8Kilo cabin baggage weight limitation (on Turkish Airlines, I know all airlines have their own requirements).If I had been forced to check the bag, the straps can easily be tucked away to streamline into a suitcase style bag (and so the straps don't get caught on conveyor belts).I wanted a bag with a single zipper, opening suitcase style, so I could see everything upon opening the bag.The bag was tossed and shoved and schlepped, got it home and wiped it down; it looks like new and I foresee many more adventures with this pack. It fit quite comfortably on my 5'1" frame.The only reason I gave it 4 stars and not 5, is I wish there were other color options.

This fills a good gap in the market, it’s very robust, everyone who has seen it has commented that it ‘looks expensive’. It has a great structure and is an excellent suitcase alternative. In my opinion, more padding wouldn’t go amiss, but there are backpacks that fill that requisite already such as the fairview / fairpoint. Overall, much more like a suitcase that you can carry on your back, but overall surprisingly comfortable.