I purchased this pack for a 2 week trip to Italy and could not be happier with my choice! This is the first time I've done a trip of this length with carry-on luggage only - I am now a huge fan of traveling light!! Between this pack and a few compression bags (which I used only to keep things compact and neat, not in an attempt to carry more stuff!), it was a cinch to carry everything I needed in this and a small daypack. Even after purchasing souvenirs, everything fit! :-) While some may consider it a negative, I love the fact that there aren't a lot of outside pockets (or inside for that matter). I kept my stuff organized in the main compartment with multiple compression bags, and didn't have to go hunting through a dozen pockets looking for things. Without exterior pockets, straps and zippers are kept to a minimum, and when then pack is closed and the compression straps secured, it's very neat and clean. (My travel partners pack had several outside pockets, and she was constantly opening every one trying to find stuff, not to mention her pack ended up being almost as wide as it was tall when all the pockets were stuffed.)

I used this as a backpack with the waistband on a couple of longer treks from train to hotel, and it was very comfortable, but it's also easy to carry by the handles, which are large enough and nicely padded so they don't dig into your fingers. I really appreciated the handles for hoisting it into and out of overhead bins, too. This is a really well-designed bag and I look forward to using it for years to come! It is not only extremely functional, it is also very nice looking! (I got the earth brown color - I really like having something other than black or gray, without being obnoxious or loud.)