thx for sharing, seems like a good price. Have you heard about the tom bihn bag -- price is holding me back on that one.

how was your spanish language immersion in Gua?

I took a peek at the website and didn't see anything that appealed to me, especially for the steep prices. I considered REI's Vagabond, too, but in the end the Osprey won out and it's pretty much perfect. Somewhere I have a detailed comparison I did of the 2 if you're interested.

I'm addicted to language immersion programs - all great experiences. My favorite school is in Guatemala - heading back there every summer.

onebag.com is a nice site one of my favs

many great travel tips there.

thanks for sharing... backpacker.com gearfinder great reviews.
shopzilla.com ebay.com great comp sites for me.

Thanks for the great tip. I'm the proud owner of the red one!

I hope you love it as much as I love my grey one, Lynne!

Thanks "Hope"---My 21 year old daughter and I are going to check-out either Ecuador or Panama over Xmas break, and I was just thinking: "she needs a backpack".
So this is perfect timing~~~Thanx, p

Sorry to say the timing isn't exactly perfect - I posted 2 weeks ago and the sale is over. Still, at $99, it's one of the best values around.

Here's another good one for $40 more:
http://www.rei.com/product/809157/rei-vagabond-tour-40-travel-pack

¡Buena suerte!

No worries~~~u r using the Osprey46?

Yes, after quite a lot of research - it's perfect for me. I've pasted below my comparisons of the 2 I mention and 2 other popular choices. Happy trails!
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I've researched this heavily and vetted my top contenders and the information is below. You can't go wrong with either of these well made, nicely organized, great value packs; both fit your criteria:

http://www.rei.com/product/809157/rei-vagabond-tour-40-travel-pack
http://www.rei.com/product/803307/osprey-porter-46-travel-pack

I have a terrific Gregory women's pack for actual backpacking but recently replaced my trusty Columbia Pakmandu which I've used for 10 years (no longer available). It's a strange shape and not well organized and I travel so much I felt I deserved an upgrade. In November 2010 the Vagabond came on sale at the same time that REI was offering 20% off one regular priced item to members. I purchased both the Vagabond and the Osprey Porter 46 and took them home for a complete vetting with real packing and hikes up the hill from my house to assess comfort. My needs are specific to carry-on travel since I already have a different pack for backcountry pack trips and there's no replacement for actually trying a pack to be sure it fits you comfortably, but I'll summarize my findings below.

PORTER - Held more, easier to get into, a bit more of a classic carry-on shape, better compression system, a little simpler but still with nice organization features, similar to the Vagabond in that regard. The suspension system is not as nice as the Vagabond, both in terms of waist strap support and the part of the bag that lies against your back. The carry handles are a bit nicer than on the Vagabond.

VAGABOND - A bit smaller, narrower design, flap/zip system a tiny bit awkward by comparison, excellent suspension/strap system. It's a bit longer than the traditional carry-on measurement but I've made dozens of trips with Vagabond owners (relatives and friends I've recommended them to) and I've never seen one refused as a carry-on. In 2009 I lead a group of 15 people to Guatemala and nearly half had Vagabonds because they were closing out a very slightly different model and cut the price in half right before Christmas that year - no problems, everyone loved them. Nice organization features and a terrific suspension system all around, though it's a bit harder to stow away than the Porter's. This version is very different than the original which my son uses; I travel with the slightly smaller Hitchhiker version of the original (just got back from a long week-end trip to the east coast with it). The current one is improved in many ways, especially with a mild compression system and the included rainfly/cover, though it seemed a little awkward to use and wear the bag, almost designed more for carrying the bag with handles and for checking to keep the bag safer.

In the end I returned the Vagabond because the suspension/back system was plenty comfortable on the Porter for travel (better than the bag I've loved for years) and the general ease/opening/size/shape considerations for my traveling made it better for me (size was an important factor). I absolutely LOVE IT - really an amazing bag.

The eBags Weekender is popular with travelers:
http://www.ebags.com/product/ebags/weekender-etech-convertible/15026?productid=56582

My brother- and sister-in-law traveled with those when we traveled with them for 3 weeks in Belize in 2009. The design and organizational features were very nice and the price is great. The suspension system is pretty dismal, so I wouldn't pick that one if you think you'll actually be wearing your pack a lot. I think the Rick Steves’ bag is similar in size and function:
http://www.ricksteves.com/news/travelnews/0706/travelbags.htm

Both would be good value options for the sort of travel where you're mainly carrying it in brief stretches but sometimes I'm off the track enough I walk a lot with mine.

Hope that helps! Happy trails!

Well u just saved us a ton of time; and for that we thank you! Ciao~~~~p

Hi "Hope"----
We like ur "safety tips"; especially the "throw-down" wallet idea. AND my wife and I really like the "Beca Project" that u are involved with~~~Rewarding for everyone on so many levels...
(I am actually hoping to connect w/ an orphange in Ecuador for a day or so, to give our daughter a different perspective on "why we travel". We have been involved w/ orphanges, for girls, in India for many years, but she hasn't been there [yet]!)
Question: It sounds like u just do "carry-on" w/ that Osprey46 pack when u travel to CA. Is that correct?
Thanks! p

Yes. I try to fill it loosely to start in order to have room for gifts and souvenirs as I go (it has a good compression system). I also take a small day pack.

You're right that the Beca Project is rewarding for everyone. It's one of the pure joys of my life. Good for you for helping orient your daughter to a healthy world view. Happy trails!