Deciding what bag(s) to carry is often the single biggest question I have answer before I start my trip. The factors in making the choice are convenience, style and the allowable limit. Notes mentioned here try to address the various travel scenarios with a combination of bags that I use.

This is a list of bags I have around 2007 and the various scenarios follow.

a. Large suitcase: Samsonite 30" soft-case can carry half of what constitutes my universe
b. Medium suitcase: Samsonite 28" hard-case can carry the other half
c. Carry-on: Samsonite 20" leather strolley has enough space for a week's stuff, can carry a laptop and goes into the aircraft cabin
d. Photo backpack: National Geographic photo backpack can carry all my photogear, laptop and enough stuff for a weekend
e. Laptop backpack: Samsonite backpack can carry a laptop and enough stuff for a weekend

Long distance air travel 3-6 months 2 suitcases + 1 carry-on + 1 personal item (photo backpack) The two suitcases carry my entire stuff, empty laptop backpack is packed into them, and they are checked in. Carry-on carries the laptop. Camera backpack carries all the photogear. Both go into the aircraft cabin.	Mid distance air travel 2-3 months 1 suitcase + 1 carry-on + 0 personal items One suitcase carries stuff I mostly need, empty laptop backpack is packed into it and checked in. All photogear is packed into the camera backpack. This backpack and the laptop go inside the carry-on which is now ready for aircraft cabin.
Domestic business travel 7-10 days 1 carry-on + 1 personal item (backpack)   or   Carry-on carries all necessary stuff for a week. Laptop backpack carries the laptop (or camera backpack packs all photogear). Both go into the aircraft cabin and save you a lot of time at the airport.	Office or street walking Everyday 1 laptop backpack Goes to office everyday. Carries your laptop + camera + iPod + book(s). Very versatile. Very light.
Pleasure trip 7-14 days 1 backpack + 1 photo backpack Bag missing :-)	Weekend trip 2-4 days 1 photo backpack Camera backpack carries all photogear and stuff necessary for a weekend. Can stuff in the laptop if necessary - but do you need a laptop on a weekend? The bag goes in the back of your car, under the bus seat or simply on your back.

What I do not have right now (and what this list doesn't cover) is the trekking/ camping backpack. In the US, these can be rented from REI. But I would like to get one as soon as I have some money. If you have a smart traveling solution, please shoot an email. Hope we will all get to 'One world, One bag' someday.

Updated: Sep 2007