All packed and ready to go and everything, EVERYTHING is in my one bag, even my jacket. It feels odd. I keep thinking my 3-1-1 bag, toiletries, make up, medications, camera should be in my "personal" bag. My bag now tips the scales at 12.6 lbs. Not too bad.

Thank you, everyone for all your help and suggestions.

What lightweight bag(s), with backpack straps, would you recommend for a 5'4", 119 lb. woman? I'm not too sure that I like the Patagonia MLC. It's really difficult to hold by the handle or shoulder strap, leaving the backpack option, which I find more comfortable. I like the front little pocket, but it's not really well designed. I only have my 3-1-1 items in it. The other front pocket holds my daypack with medications, supplements, and toiletries. The only thing I have in its back pocket is a light folder with copies of our passports, itinerary, contact information, etc. I'll know for sure after the trip, but I think I'd like a bag with one main compartment and perhaps, a front pocket for 3-1-1 liquids and perhaps documents.

Congratulations on your savvy packing!

As for bags, I'm 5'2" and I love my Osprey Porter 46. I'd also suggest taking a look at the slightly smaller Osprey Farpoint 40. Both bags have a functional tuckaway hip belt as well as tuckaway backpack straps, and I find the hipbelt really makes a difference in how the bag carries. Both have a large main compartment (which can be easily organized by use of packing cubes and Ziplock bags), and the Porter 46 also has a top zippered pouch which is perfect for stashing your 3-1-1 liquids bag and small incidentals such as a passport and keys.

Frank! I was just about to suggest the ECAW. But I popped out for lunch first.

I bought it on Frank's review (plenty of useful photos) and used it for the last time earlier this year. Every gramme counts travelling in Asia as we only get a 7kg carry-on allowance (it was weighted at check-in on the way back from Australia). I'm shorter than you Eileen but found it was okay height-wise. I didn't want one that looking like a backpack which drew me to the ECAW.

EC's website states: "This lightweight carry-on duffel bag was made for weekends away..." Perhaps for the non-onebagger, but I found it very adequate for a 10-day trip.

No real complaints, although I would like compression straps on both internal compartments, and I found the slots for phones/pens/etc. in the front part a little in the way and the slip-away luggage tag a bit more in the way.

I didn't actually try the shoulder straps so can't comment on them.

I'm wondering if this bag is being discontinued. Only one color is available at both the EC site and Ebags.

I really like my ebags weekender - comfortable multiple ways (I'm the same height and weight as you and can carry it easily). The other bag I like but can't afford yet is the Western Flyer from Tom Bihn. For the weekender, it has one main compartment (with a large mesh area that zips separate, perfect for delicate scarves, jackets, etc) then two front areas, one really big (books, snacks fit here well) and a 3-1-1 zipper pocket. It has external AND internal compression straps, backpack straps, waist strap (sooo useful), chest strap, and also can be carried as a "duffle style" (not too difficult for me, I usually pack around 15 lb).

Thanks, all!!! I'm leaving tomorrow!!

Have a great and safe trip Eileen!

Have a great trip!

I'll "third" the recommendation of an EC Adventure Weekender. I have one, and an Patty MLC. The MLC is a nice bag, but I think the ECAW can probably hold a bit more, and is better organized. It's also more comfortable to carry. It's pretty light too. I think it's pretty well made, although not as indestructible as a Tom Bihn of course. We're thinking about getting another one.

Congratulations and bon voyage!

I am 4'11", 106 lbs. and I'll suggest this: aim for a bag that's under 2.5 lbs. and consider the type of travel you're doing (family visits or European sightseeing vs. frequent business flying/adventure travel). Many convertible bags weigh more because of extra compartments or bombproof zippers and clips. I have an older MEC Shuttle 2 that's 2.6 lbs and recently swapped that out for a Timbuk2 Wingman Small (discontinued, but findable online) that's 1.9 lbs. The zippers are lighter, there's no "office-y" organizer panel like the Shuttle, and the clips for the backpack straps are plastic (not metal). For my purposes, lighter materials and smaller dimensions (18x12x6" rather than 21x14x7") will suffice, but YMMV. I have never reached the holy grail of carrying </=10% body weight, but I've gotten pretty close. :-)

If you are a casual dresser, don't overlook the weight-saving possibilities of a regular school backpack. The straps won't tuck away, but if you choose a bag with one or two simple compartments, it will also be very lightweight.

Thanks for the heads up on Zappos, Frank. I just ordered the ECAW bag in black. Also, I picked up their last 18" Spector Pack-It folder. Got both for less than the regular price of the bag!