I was looking for a good carry on for future business travel, but had a ten day Peru vacation that I also needed a bag for. This bag easily held all the clothes I needed (in packing cubes) for the entire trip. I used the backpack straps to carry it- which was helpful for getting around in Peru. It did make my shoulders somewhat sore when standing for long periods holding it on my back- but I am a 110 lb female, and the bag was pretty heavily packed.