I do a lot of international travel and I have stopped checking bags, even for trips up to 10 days.  I can pack everything I need, including two suits, in this bag and still carry on.  It's light, sturdy and just the right size - any bigger and I would have to check it on all but the trans-ocean leg (on the widebody jets with bigger overhead compartments).  I bought one three years ago and just bought another for my wife.  The handle is long (i'm 6'4", so I need a long handle to avoid hitting my heels if I walk quickly in the airport) and sturdy (I have dragged the case fully loaded up more flights of stairs than I can count using only the handle and it hasn't snapped - yet).