Eagle Creek

Expanse 4Wheeled International Carryon Bag

Excellent International Bag

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] Compliance: This is one of the few bags I've come across that have genuinely compliant international dimensions of under 22" height and under 9" depth. If you're looking at this specific bag, odds are it's for this purpose and Eagle Creek obviously did the extra work to offer this bag size alongside the larger version. Several (all?) of the top carry-on bags claim to be compliant with more restrictive airlines, but also have hardshell bags measuring a depth of 9". I've needed to fit this bag into several gate sizer bins, restrictive overhead bins, or under train seats that would never have fit those 9" hardshell bags. Materials: I've never had any issues with the materials of this bag and I like that they were lightweight enough to keep the bag 'relatively' light for those airlines that have weight limits on carry-on bags. The black version looks sleek enough to not look like a child's bag, but also technical enough to be abrasion and weather resistant. That being said, I do wish the materials weren't as fabric-y, since getting mud on this thing is somewhat of a chore to get off. Something like X-Pac might be overkill, but maybe something like what the Tarmac line had that wipes clean a little easier. Packability: The volume is what you'd expect on a bag of this size, and it's thoughtfully designed in a way that maximizes interior space. The capability of the bag to expand is what moves it from good to great because if you have a more lenient airline or want to overpack the bag a bit while moving from hotel to hotel, it gives you a few extra liters of space. It does tend to make the bag a bit top-heavy and prone to falling over, but that didn't personally bother me. The front zip organization section does seem a little awkward to utilize, and I do sometimes wish there was a better solution for laptops. Durability: The main concerns for me are always a bag's handles, wheels, and zippers because they tend to take more abuse than anything else. I haven't had issues with anything on the bag yet, and the wheels have held up surprisingly well on every type of surface from airports to cobblestone (although a tad loud on the latter). It does take a bit of time to trust the handle because it was designed to be lightweight, so it feels a bit flimsy in the hand at first. After collapsing/expanding it hundreds of times per trip and keeping my backpack stowed on it, I have a lot more confidence in it.