Starting almost from scratch-what are your favorite carry-on

I prefer either backpacks or a small suitcase that has wheels. Lugging a tote or duffel bag over one shoulder gets very tiring, especially in a larger airport.

I have the rolling duffle from Eddie Bauer with the hard bottom - LOVE them! They are super lightweight, but hold a ton of stuff. Very well made. They come in 5 colors and 3 sizes (smallest is perfect for carry on/overhead bins). They aren't cheap, but watch for a sale as Eddie Bauer has great sales.

A rolling suitcase and a medium sized tote with an inner pocket. I bring a small wristlet style purse that I tuck inside of my tote bag pocket. That holds my phone, ID, money and credit cards.

I got an entire set of luggage (large roll suitcase, carry-on roll suitcase, one large duffel bag, one small duffel bag and one laptop bag) from JC Penney for a reasonable price. I made sure to buy a color besides black in case I end up checking my bags, it is so much easier to spot my light blue bags in the sea of black ones.

2 of us have this one carry on 

I almost always check a large bag. Used to carry on a duffel bag or a backpack, but have lately downsized to a very small backpack. I am a terrible over-packer, but a smaller-sized carryon fits under the seat and makes it easier to walk around the airport and also check out the concourse stores to pass the time while waiting to board. I do struggle a bit, but I've found that I really DO need less "stuff."

Look on eBags.com. I have one of their carry-on sized bags and really like it. I use it all the time for non-flying trips too. The one I have holds way more than it looks like it will hold and it is fairly lightweight too. It has several interior pockets and one outside pocket that can hold my laptop and a few accessories. It works very nicely for me as a soccer weekend bag too.

meredith

Do you belong to Costco? I just bought a wheeled carryon that fits under the seat in front of you for $30. It was a new item, located right when you walk in the door.

Dh flys overnight for work. He finds that small rolling is too big for overnight.

Any suggestions for so sting smaller with wheels?

Roller is ok, but I don't like putting it in the overhead. I like using the Vera Bradley Weekender. It has a long strap along with handles, plus it fits under the seat so I can reach anything I might need.

My kids and dh all prefer backpacks, but I like my rolling case. The wheels swivel 360 degrees so it can be rolled regularly or on it's side (like for going down the aisle on the plane). It's a Samsonite and cost about $100 on sale, but you get what you pay for. I've had several other cases over the years that were cheaper but didn't last very long (I'm a frequent flier).

I have a large Eddie Bauer tote on wheels that was a Christmas special several years ago and a larger Eddie Bauer duffel bag on wheels (also a Christmas special). Which one I use is dependent on how long I am going to be gone. Both fit in the overhead and I also carry a purse or small tote. Dh swears by is small suitcase on wheels and his backpack.

As for carry-on for domestic flights where I've checked a bag, I have a huge patchwork leather tote bag--It fits my laptop, cosmetic bags, meds and whatever I need to carry on.

I haven't needed a suitcase that can fit in an overhead as my only bag. I prefer my tote. I would buy a small roller bag if I had to travel overseas in a hurry with one bag, I'd go buy one. I just don't see the need to have something I haven't needed in 10 years.

I have larger rolling bags, and dh has a small roller that does fit in the overhead. What he would pick for that bag isn't what I would.

There's a lot of bags, but what I look for is rotating sturdy wheels and a tall puller--there' nothing worse than the top of the pull being too low and having to hunch over and drag suitcases through a huge airport, much less through a city. My mom has an American Tourister pull bag that had removable shelves in it. I loved that.

The large bags look great, but they are so easy to go over the limit.
I also get bags in loud colors. They stick out in a sea of black and grey.

Honestly, I'm cheap and don't like to check a bag. I use my jansport rolling backpack from nursing school. Holds A TON and is very durable. I always vacation when it's warm, so lightweight clothes don't take up much room and I pack that baby full, including quite a bit of my camera equipment. Then I bring the biggest "purse" I can find and put meds, wristlet, phone, iPad, and little things leaving room for things I may purchase on Vacay. I'm short and fat and I'm able to maneuvered everything with ease, which I could never do the luggage carryon bags. Damn thing always flipped over on me. Love that backpack!