Gear: Need something light yet sturdy? Bag this bag

The 20-inch wheeled Hybrid Carry-On from LiteGear offers a nice mix of light and sturdy.

At 6 pounds this hybrid is not the lightest wheel-aboard around, but the hard-shell underside combined with the soft-sided expandable polyester top make the bag one of the best-structured compromises in the category.

Sized a tad shorter and slimmer than most wheel-aboards (20-by-13 1/2-by-9-inches), the more compact dimensions are designed to fit into a wider range of overhead bins on domestic and international flights.

The bag has big open space inside, with a full-length zippered mesh pocket on the inside of the top, and multiple spacious zippered pockets on the outside.

A zippered expansion panel provides an extra three inches in depth (but that may not allow it to be carried on).

The telescoping handle has a good ergonomic grip, built-in padded top and side carry handles that assist lifting.

Available in black or mallard green.

Info: LiteGear 20-inch Hybrid Carry-On costs $159.95.

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