This is some real rookie shit. So much so that I suspect flight tech has passed me by and the people at the front are sharing outdated metagame strategy with the masses.
1 - https://www.osprey.com/us/en/product/farpoint-40-FARPNT40_52...
Also, as mentioned elsewhere, the backpack is much more likely to be allowed onto a flight that is doing the "mandatory" gate check thing that is common on smaller regional jets/turbo-props.
Edit - FWIW, my last trip to Scotland, I had 2x shoes (running, hiking), clothing for 4 full days, 1x running clothes, a Patagonia Nanapuff jacket, baseball cap, belt, rain coat and rain pants, and toiletries. All fit with ease. In the second pack (an REI UL pack), I had 2x camera bodies, 3x lenses, iPad Mini, chargers/cables and spare batteries for all, binoculars, sunglasses, headphones, and passports/travel documents. Not sure I could have crammed it all into the Osprey - probably if I cut back to a single camera/lens and went to 3 days clothes (doing laundry either way, so 4 was overkill).
This bag is really intended to be a true do-it-all pack. I've seen other brands with removable straps, but I've found those tend to be very minimal straps and not all the useful. I have other lightweight packs without waist belts.
> why everyone has these roller carry-ons[?]
They're especially miserable in hot weather. Also all the straps, do-daads, pockets and zippers get annoying.
The optimal thing is a hardshell roll-on with 4 wheels that stands up by itself. A smallish one is very good for overhead, but if you have to check it, no problem.
1 - https://www.osprey.com/us/en/product/farpoint-40-FARPNT40_52...
They over-pack, can’t carry that weight, and don’t have a checked luggage strategy.
Sometimes you just can’t check or slim down, but a lot of people don’t really try.
This Tumi Voyageur 4 wheeled carry-on bag fits even in the regional jump jet bins, and under the seat of full size planes:
16” x 14” x 7.5” = https://www.tumi.com/p/osona-compact-carry-on-01100001077/
I often business travel 6 full business days with this bag, including a sport coat, dress shirts, etc., in fact I’m heading to CNCF with it right now. (Have leisure traveled 3 weeks with it.)
It is the smallest sensible 4-wheel roller I’ve found, but I’m always on the lookout for others. This bag though, I’ve never once been asked to check.
Tumi also has slightly larger options, but they won’t fit under the seat or in the regional jet bins:
16” x 16” x 8.5” = https://www.amazon.com/TUMI-Carry-Wheeled-Briefcase-Computer...
15” x 17” x 8” = https://www.tumi.com/p/compact-4-wheeled-brief-01171781041/
Your airmiles may vary...
my "carry on" sized duffel is verifiably 3-5 inches larger than the maximum allowed dimensions, but i bring it on without a problem every time. i can't stand the idea of dragging some big and clunky thing -- which will surely break at the wheels eventually -- when i can just sling my bag and go.
More than once, I've been near the end of the boarding line, where they stop people from getting on the plane with their full-sized carry-ons because there's not enough room (which happens more and more frequently now). Every time, the backpack goes right through.
I've heard of people suggesting one of two methods of handling forced check-ins:
1) I use an app called MyGearVault that shows the value of the kit (also offers insurance). Checked bags are only insured to a maximum of 3,500. You can extend this to 5,000 for $50, but no more. "I do not want to check my bag because it is not covered by your insurance".
2) carry $50/$100 - if asked to check your bag, look behind you. "Hey, is someone willing to check their bag in place of me, here's some incentive".
I've never personally tried other method, but I've heard people claim success with either.