Review of Rick Steves' Europe. I love it and its sturdiness and lightweight. I think the bag is perfectly suited to the occasional traveler or student. Then one day I stumbled across Doug Dyment’s One Bag website. Rolling Backpack, Convertible Carry-On or Classic Back Door Bag. Save 20% on all bags through Sunday, 4/3/16 or while ©2021 Rick Steves' Europe, Inc. | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy. Will this bag really be big enough for a month in Europe? ... Timbuk2 Classic Messenger Bag. I’ve tried several bags more suited to one bag travel since then, including the subject of this review, the Rick Steves Classic Back Door bag. I have an original back door bag (the tag says 1988 but I got it in 1992). My wife and I took the 7 day Heart of Ireland tour last June. Today's RS bag is completely different than it was 20+ years ago, probably not made as well, but I wouldn't hesitate to use it. So it’s nights and weekends, but it’s fun, and a real challenge – some posts take hours and hours – and rewarding when readers comment and say something encouraging… so, thank you. Because they’re soft sided, they’re much easier to stuff into overhead compartments. 5. I have a new one and very happy with it. NOTE: Products and prices listed (as of August 1, 2019) are subject to change! When we travel together, I can walk a lot farther with my pack on because of the reinforcements and the waist belt. I have a RedOxx Gator on order. The main zipper has double zipper slides so I was able to use the second one to get home. Outside: The classic, Rick Steves outer-pocket design gives it a clean, efficient look. I like the bag and understand that sometimes stuff fails but supporting the product is key to a good product. Review of Rick Steves' Europe. I read an earlier version of this guide in 2008 and was glad I took the time to read a more recent version before my upcoming trip to Europe. Civita Day Pack. The more recent version has some nice features but at a cost. You may currently be using a wheeled bag like I used to do, but they have some serious drawbacks: As a result of these issues, many one bag advocates have opted for soft sided, lightweight bags. Carry-On with Confidence: It fits within most airlines' carry-on guidelines. That said, the Classic is pretty functional darting between airport terminals and to and from hotels etc. Lightweight bags for one bag business travel range from the $200+ uber tough, marvelously overbuilt Red Oxx Air Boss (my personal favorite) to $29 duffel bags. For the price, you're getting a lot of bag. Our travel bags and luggage have been personally designed by Rick Steves to bring you maximum durability and practicality for the lowest price. The original bag I believe was ballistic nylon. Thank you for letting me chime in. (Note: It's possible to over-stuff soft-sided bags beyond carry-on limits, and risk rejection. If you want products that will stand a lot of abuse and you don't mind spending more, you might also have a look at similar products from Tom Bihn or Red Oxx which still do use the tough Cordura Nylon. I liked the robust construction of the bag, and it was generally easy to pull around airports and parking garages. ... From full-size carry-on packs to day bags, you'll find our selection of backpacks ideal for all your travel needs. His mission: to empower Americans to have European trips that are fun, affordable, and culturally broadening. (I still have it and will do a posting on it in the near future.) Use both, The outside wall of the compartment that those straps store in is padded for maximum comfort when you use the bag in the backpack configuration, The main compartment has tie-down straps to keep your clothing from shifting about, Compression straps on the outside of the bag help keep the load compact and close to your back, The mesh bottle holder on one side is rather large, with a toggle cinch to keep your bottle secure, Although not mentioned anywhere on the Steves site, there’s a document pouch which clips to a loop inside the main compartment. (Note: It's possible to over-stuff soft-sided bags beyond carry-on limits, and risk rejection. There was no hip belt. Ravenna Day Pack. If I implied their products are expensive without mentioning value, my bad. Bottom line: if you travel occasionally and want to go the “one bag” route, this is an excellent alternative. Required fields are marked *Your email address will never be published or shared. Recently with increased traveling I have purchased a few things from his site for my trips. And I agree totally about Red Oxx. I have offered to buy them new ones, at least. In the back of my mind, though, I had some nagging misgivings about it. Anyone have a new one and care to comment on the quality? $159.99. Jump to bottom. Rick produces a best-selling guidebook series, a public television series, and a public radio show, and organizes small-group tours that take over 20,000 travelers to Europe annually. There are a myriad of choices available to the traveler who wishes to go the one bag route. They've been stuffed far beyond capacity many times and we've never had a problem. $99.99. The RS Convertible has been $99 for quite a while . Rick Steves travel backpacks are lightweight, durable, and designed for maximum comfort and capacity. It is fully featured but yet very lightweight. The back pocket is perfect for stashing passports and other documents that ... Timbuk2 Classic Messenger Bag. (This is something sorely lacking on the OPEC.). As I was planning for a trip through Europe, finding the best traveling backpack has been among my foremost preparatory preoccupations. The case he made for one bag travel was so compelling, I immediately began adopting that approach, first utilizing a backpack. I read an earlier version of this guide in 2008 and was glad I took the time to read a more recent version before my upcoming trip to Europe. completely empty – but put a 7 lb. $49.99. Reviewed October 27, 2019 via mobile . Get 5% in rewards with Club O! Velocé Shoulder Bag. In any event, thanks again for your kind comments and your support of Practical Hacks. Posted on November 18, 2020 November 18, 2020 by Rick Steves The Edmonds Theater — An Extra-Large Bag of Small-Town Memories Since I was a kid, The Edmonds Theater has been part of what made Main Street the main street in my hometown. FWIW, I emailed Steves about a PR sample and they never responded. I did find a bag that does have those features- stiffer sides, a sternum strap, and suspension on the tops of the shoulders. The profit margins on this bag must be squeezed to the bone, and Steves must insist they make this one because it adheres most closely to his travel philosophy. Rick Steves' Europe, Edmonds: Address, Phone Number, Rick Steves' Europe Reviews: 4.5/5. They look completely different, the material is different, the workmanship is different. 900 denier is reasonably tough and should stand up to regular use quite well. Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Rick Steves Europe Through the Back Door (Thirty-Eighth Edition): The Travel Skills Handbook (Rick Steves Travel Guide) at Amazon.com. Business Travel Light: 4d/3n, 1 bag, w/ computer, 13½ lbs. Quick Take: GoLite TraveLite Convertible Carry-on. Both bags are in my possession and both work well. Two trips to Europe and a couple of domestic ones without any wear issues. For the price, I definitely think the new ones are worth a try! Included “dirty laundry” lightweight mesh pouches. You won't find expansion or a waist belt here — just a tough, ultra-light bag for an unbeatable price. Rick Steves Europe Through the Back Door: The Travel Skills Handbook (Rick Steves Travel Guide) Part of: Rick Steves Travel Guide (32 Books) | by Rick Steves | Dec 10, 2019 4.6 out of 5 stars 47 Rolling Backpack. - 4077357 - This bag is more than likely larger than any other backpack you have ever used. Convert a standard refrigerator into a wine refrigerator. with the purchase of any Ravenna Rolling Case, Rolling Carry-On, Extra on the Bihns. $69.99. Spring Sale! That particular zipper is protected by a storm flap, If you were using the bag in the suitcase mode (carrying with one of the handles, vs. using the backpack straps) you could put a magazine or two in the backpack strap compartment, Finally, a very basic point – the bag measures 9″ x 14″ x 21″, meaning that it meets almost all carry-on size requirements, There is, by the way, no provision for a shoulder strap. I like a few things about them like the drink holder and the extra outside pockets. I can't count how many rolling bags we've been through in that time. Your point about the bag looking better in person than on the website hits the mark – I think Kiva, the manufacturer, is really pushing Rick to sell the more expensive Convertible which has a useless “expansion” feature (useless because then it has to travel as checked luggage). Really disappointed with RS classic back door bag. I think there are some loose seams, broken clips, and sticky zippers but the boys just love the sheer utility of these bags. Don't be alarmed if, at first glance, your Rolling Backpack looks "too small!" In that respect, it’s good to see an entrepreneur stay close to his roots (cheap travel, although Steves has plenty of dough now and doesn’t need to pinch pennies any more). Rick Steves is a true traveler and his designs show it. As I recall, the previous version of the RS Back Door Bag was manufactured of Cordura Nylon, which was both thicker and heavier than the polyester fabric used in the current versions. When I was going through all the different backpack reviews, Rick Steve’s Convertible Carry-on Backpack caught my attention.This excellently designed, practical and sturdy pack has also got style. Full circle. I don’t know if the casual reader who stumbles across this blog realizes you “do it all yourself” and how hard that is! Cheap (but excellent!) Rick Steves' Europe. I’m thinking the Classic and the Gator (ok, maybe a Patagonia Lightwire Brief) for my trip in January. Plus get a free set of Packing Cubes ($17.99 value) But those bags hang in there year after year. You implied that RedOxx is expensive gear. dz. Any tips on how to pack smart? In order to save weight, interior panels are made of much lighter material, and seem adequate. Convertible Carry-On. If you have any questions, please email me via the "Contact" page. They worked great and we basically used Rick’s packing list. I work on the blog at night, usually spending from 6 until about 10 working on it, at times to my wife’s dismay… but she remains very supportive. (I have held the bag up to the light and have seen rays of light come through the material.). The difference between the Steves bag and a technical back pack is the Steves Classic Carry-on has a pretty basic suspension system being pretty much just the shoulder straps. The straps connect BELOW the area that the exterior panels need for their storage, so you can compress your main compartment load without trashing the usability of exterior compartments. But where there’s a will, there’s a way. If you go to a travel store and look at the medium to high end luggage pieces there, suddenly RedOxx looks like a relative bargain. $79.99. 6. The differences are like night and day. rick steves europe through the back door 2017 Media Publishing eBook, ePub, Kindle PDF View ID a45a47d3d Jul 12, 2020 By James Patterson ... turkey ireland britain spain and much more find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for rick steves europe through the back door 2017 at amazoncom read honest and unbiased product reviews My husband and I bought a couple of whatever the standard Rick Steves carryon bag was back in 1996 and they have been amazing. The difference between the Steves bag and a technical back pack is the Steves Classic Carry-on has a pretty basic suspension system being pretty much just the shoulder straps. $49.97-$200.00. They sent me to the manufacturer who sent me back to RS. I like its low weight vs volume <3 lbs empty. The tie down straps on the original bag were just that--tie downs. The former bag looks more like the Campmor Essential Carry-on than today's RS convertible. 3. There are a few essentials that this type of bag must have: And frankly, there’s a requirement that the one bag traveler must meet him- or herself:  you must learn how to travel light – bringing only what is essential. During my days dabbling in climbing, nylon climbing use to have a 100 climbing day life. Posted by Anna (Seattle, WA, United States) on 05/05/14 09:54 PM. Ask me again in 20 years. Before we take a close look at the Steves Classic, let’s take a moment to visit the reasoning behind traveling with one bag. Thanks for sharing. BAGS, TOTES & PACKING SUPPLIES COLOR KEY: B=Black, C=Graphite, O=Plum, S=Blue Spruce Read honest and unbiased product reviews from our users. And they refuse to give them up. A Chance to Give Back to a Classic Back Door: Gimmelwald I always say, “If heaven isn’t what it’s cracked up to be, send me back to Gimmelwald.” Thirty-five years ago, as a young tour guide, I brought my groups to a remote and impossibly idyllic village high in the Swiss Alps — and I’ve been going back ever since. Classic Back Door Bag. I first gave them RS classic bags when they were 15 and 17 for a European trip over 15 years ago. BTW, this particular lighting bulb – how valuable the compression straps are! I'm fairly certain it will best suit my needs. ... Posted by Lisa (Atlanta, GA, USA) on 03/25/09 07:21 AM. I recently purchased his classic back door bag. We've taken them everywhere - around the world, camping, to the beach. It's just a matter of principle. Carry-On with Confidence: It fits within most airlines' carry-on guidelines. Appenzell Day Pack. Joe wrote a review Mar 2020. Review: Rick Steves Classic Back Door bag – full featured, lightweight “one bag” option, Review: 2 Rick Steves carry-ons – $79 Backdoor Classic vs. $39 Appenzell day pack, Another HOT Friday deal: 20% OFF @ the Rick Steves store, Quick Take: Tom Bihn Packing Cube/Backpack, Quick Review: Outdoor Products Essential Carry-on. 3/4 height shoe panel in main compartment. Pack light and right with Rick's custom-designed day packs, shoulder bags, and wheeled bags. Image courtesy RickSteves.com. The other is an engineer working in Germany but traveling and playing everywhere. Recently with increased traveling I have purchased a few things from his site for my trips. But stowed on board, used by a student or someone who doesn’t travel a lot but wants to go the one bag route – I think it’s absolutely fine and in fact a very solid value. He has written several summer tour guides for Europe tourists. No standing around in baggage claim waiting for your luggage to show up (ever done this at O’Hare?? Rick produces a best-selling guidebook series, a public television series, and a public radio show, and organizes small-group tours that take over 20,000 travelers to Europe annually. Not crazy about the rectangular shape but not a deal breaker. One gusseted “why did I buy that paperback” lower compartment; one non-gusseted odds-and-ends pouch. When I used one, the bag would slide to the side quite a bit and tended to want to slip off my shoulder. Shop for Rick Steves Convertible Carry-on Bag. (Order these separately). I called RS customer service and they were supposed to get back to me. $79.99. $49.99. Make bakery-style Italian bread at home: frugal, healthy & utterly delicious! completely empty, They’re rigid – making them harder to fit into overhead compartments, Their usable storage space is usually less, due to the nature of their construction, They’re a pain to drag – or carry – up and down stairs, or to pull over uneven surfaces, They’re more complicated, with more (moving) parts to wear and fail, It must meet airline carry-on requirements – typically, the height + width + length of the bag cannot exceed 45″, It needs to have comfortable handles and shoulder straps for schlepping through airports, To withstand the rigors of travel, its construction needs to be of high quality, For efficient packing, it must be rectilinear in shape, Two carry handles, nicely padded – one on the long side, one on the top, Curved, air mesh-lined backpack straps are hidden in a zippered pocket on the back of the bag; they’re fully adjustable and when both are used, the load is quite comfortable. 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