MaterMia

I also use a bagalenni as my purse when I travel and put it inside my backpack. I take out the little wallet - with ID - and slide in a small accessible pocket with my phone. That way i don't have to fish for anything or take it out, etc. The backpack just goes through security. No loose phone in a bin, etc.

"just"aMom

Unfortunately I think young women (and some of us older ones too ) are more interested in looking fashionable than protecting our 'stuff'. Not a chance on this earth my D would be caught wearing a money belt, a security bra, or anything else that makes her feel like an old lady. It doesn't matter that she knows her granddad was pick pocketed in Barcelona (twice, once even while wearing a money belt), or that she's seen the videos of the 'gypsies' doing their thing on You Tube.

It's too bad really.

Debruns

Puzzled88 we did end up getting the etech bag in red for 25% off and I got a upromise 7% rebate, not bad at all. She will take it to UK in the Fall.

jmmmom

We have the Rick Steve's convertible carry on and they are wonderful. We each used one as our primary piece of luggage and it was so easy to carry. We managed to get get everything in it that we needed for a two week trip to Italy and it felt great not having too much with us. We'd land, grab our bag from overhead, and then hit the ground running. They run about $99, although you can find them on sale at Rick's website or on other discount sites as well. My kids have sinced used them, too, both bringing them to Spain.Again, this as their main piece of luggage. They hold up beautifully and I highly recommend them.

fendergirl

eBags Weekender eTech Convertible

Someone on here turned me onto this bag and it's awesome. It's very big but can be made small when empty. The backpack straps can unclip and slide back into the bag itself.

Edit - I see someone already posted this! maybe Puzzled was the one who told me about it too!!

Sop14's Mom

Personally, I think it's unfashionable to be stuck in a train station at 2 am with no money, no rail pass, and no passport. Give me a money belt any day. Just sayin.

kluge

Our daughter flew RyanAir extensively last fall when she was in Spain. (RyanAir is notorious for having the strictest carry-on enforcement in the world. Checked bags pay more than people to fly RyanAir.) What she found was that while rigid bags and all roly bags were carefully measured (they have a rack-thing they make you put your bag in to make sure it's within the specs) they don't measure backpacks (up to a reasonable size.) She took her backpack everywhere and it was a lot bigger than the specified dimensions. She flew Lufthansa once, too, but I didn't aske her about the bag limits.

thumper1

When we travelled internationally in December, no one seemed to care about the dimensions of our carry on bags...but they were weighed at each boarding...and we're taken away if over 8 kilo.

Debruns

My D was worried about Lufthansa because her International friends said they were the worst and don't compare them with flying to the UK or Italy, etc. She was also warned about this at her study abroad meeting. Weight was emphasized the most, but they cautioned that unlike checked luggage, you wont be able to carry it with you, it's just not paying more. I guess if she was a more seasoned traveler, she wouldn't be as anxious about it.

acollegestudent

Personally, I LOVE this backpack as a carry-on:

http://www.amazon.com/TETON-Sports-I...5277986&sr=8-2

It's the only thing I bring when travelling. The dimensions on the website make it seem like it may not be allowed as a carry-on, but, in practcie, if you don't stuff it to the brim, it should be just fine. It's also really easy and comfortable to carry, especially if you have to move from place to place once you reach your destination. I really can't say enough good things about it. It's going with me again on a two-week trip to Europe.

Bromfield

Fashionista daughter used this instead of a money belt/waist pack when she was in Russia. She wore it so that it was always in front and she could see it--but keeping it in front was after someone did try to pick her pocket on the Moscow subway. She had the pouch near her back and felt it moving. She turned around and confronted the guy who was about to steal her stuff. She says he smiled and ran away.

Singapore | Dominique Picquier

HImom

This was my Christmas present to me. H & the kids scoffed at me & thought it would be way too heavy but have worn it & see me wear it when traveling. It's GREAT! The padded straps are great and it's very spacious. I was able to put my ski jacket in it or clothing to last at least a week or longer (can wash once/week on most of my trips). It weighs less the 3 pounds & meets most travel limitations in size, particularly if you don't stuff it. Love it! Bought the orange, which is easily visible.

Travel Store : Classic Back Door Bag

Debruns

That's a nice bag HImom and soft so it can be forgiving. I sent it to another daughter who will be doing a trip this summer in the US and doesn't want a carry-on type suitcase. I also liked the ETech bag I got her sister, that had zippers you could lock for the main compartment and front pockets, but they shouldn't carry anything valuable or passport, etc. there anyway.
I hope to be able to borrow them when it's MY turn one day. : )

Debruns

As an update, I found the 2 backpacks we ordered of very good quality and am pleased. I got the Etech weekender bag for the Fall trip to UK (and her sister is using it now for a local trip) and the Rick Steves Travel Gear Appenzell Daypack for the trip to Germany and their stricter guidelines. She said it was comfortable and light enough not to bother her. She used a small key lock to keep the larger compartment secure while walking.

She forgot the money belt (?) but ended up using an eagle creek leg wallet she laughed at when I first bought it, in Paris..but not on her leg which would have been uncomfortable to her, she wrapped the velcro around her belt loop and then tucked it in her jeans...barely felt it and she could get at it easily and it wasn't around her waist or leg.
Whatever works...glad the trip is going well and she is having fun.