My husband bought this bag prior to our 3 week adventure tour to Egypt. I practiced packing my stuff in it, including a backpacker's air mattress (we weren't backpacking but needed it anyway) and a really small sleeping bag and everything fit, so I bought one.

As I used it more and more I liked it even better. The top part is slanted, so it doesn't get the pressure of other luggage on top of it in the luggage compartment. And, as I bought things on the trip, there was always a secure corner to put things, even breakable things.

It converts to a decent backpack. There is an air space between the mesh liner that touches your back and the rest of the pack, so that keeps you cool. Once you fasten the stays at top and bottom it carries very well. If you miss fastening these, it wobbles and rattles and is a total pain.

We use packing cubes, so we don't need a lot of internal compartments. The 7 lb weight is not bad considering that you have the extra weight of the backpack straps and it's such a large bag.

This bag got thrown on top of busses and dragged through dirt with no problem, though I did wipe it down a little when I got home.

The compression straps on the outside have fasteners on the top and also can be fastened near the bottom, to prevent having long stap ends dangling about and getting caught in luggage carousels. This is a good thing. The only flimsy thing is the clip on the compression straps to fasten down the loose end -- of course one broke off. Also, for you the bag is no mystery, but for luggage handlers it is not obvious how to pick it up and I think they grab the compression straps. So I just tuck the loose ends under the straps in the old fashioned way.

The Eagle Creek Big Rig 30 is a nice big duffel that doesn't weigh much and has room for more than you'd ever want to take on a trip. I bought it because I'm tired of struggling with a complex puzzle whenever it's time to pack up, putting everything in just so in order for it to all fit in. I can't really take any more stuff than smaller suitcases, because the airlines have weight restrictions. But since I use packing cubes, I can just throw everything in and tighten down the compression straps and my clothes stay organized and unwrinkled.

The biggest downside is that the bag won't stand up on its end by itself. Often I can lean it against a post but it would be handy if the bag would stand up. Also, it would be easier to lift if there were something on the bottom to grab. The handle on the bottom would also serve to make it stand upright.

One improvement would be to have a big U-shaped zipper to open up the bag for better access.

I'm glad the bag doesn't have pull up handles as I'm tired of packing around the bars. But with only the handle on the bag it runs into my feet as I walk when I'm pulling it.

All in all, I can live with the downsides and would recommend the bag.