If you want wheeled and LIGHT (esp with tight weight restrictions) get an IT bag. Super light.
It’ll spoil you pretty fast.
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My son insisted he wanted to try a hard sided carry on after his soft sided bit the dust from too much stuffing. I decided to try Beis, a new hot brand. I got about 40% off on Black Friday weekend - anxious to see it in person and how he likes it. The reviews are numerous and darn good
I always check my luggage now and my carryon can fit underneath the front seat. I am 5ft 2in, under 100 lbs and I got tired of asking other passengers to help put my bag up in the bin. If I can’t do it myself then I won’t bother. My large 24" suitcase is a Delsey (lightest one I could find) and if I check a small bag (21") it is an Eagle Creek. I travel 4 or 5 times a year for over 30 years and my bags have never been destroyed. My main criteria is the weight of the bag so all these tough bags like Briggs Riley, Tumi, Travelpro are out for me.
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Many airline seats now include a step to help short people load and unload the overhead bin. The step is the small bracket hanging below the aisle seat (in the image below from Recaro, the aisle seat is the right most seat from the viewer, or left most seat from someone sitting in it).
Which airlines have these steps installed?
Don’t know for certain, but I have seen them on a few different airlines before. I would not be surprised if they were included with most newer airline seats. You may want to ask airlines of interest directly.
However, it appears that Southwest’s “new” (as of 2015) airline seats do not show such a step in web images.
United has them on their newer planes as well.
What? Why don’t they share that information with us?
Any idea if regrets a way to find out which offer it?
I’m surprised how much lighter the new B&R suitcase is compared to the old one. I seriously tweaked my shoulder once heaving the bag in the overhead bin. Took a year to heal! I usually travel with my H and he does the lifting. When I travel alone I don’t mind relying on the kindness of strangers. And I usually get an offer to help before I have to ask. I must look weak 
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The only airline seat photo that I can find that shows the step is one from Alaska Airlines on this page: Which Alaska Airlines Routes Feature Premium Class
Most airline seat photos on the web do not show where the step would be.
Also, the step may be present in some aircraft but not others in the same airline.
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Okay, so a 5’2" person (sorry to pick on you, @cbreeze) is supposed to hoist herself up with one step and grasping the edge of the bin? (I don’t see an OMG bar to grab), then somehow dead lift her 30 lbs bag over her head and into the bin, balancing on one foot?
I wouldn’t want to be sitting in that aisle seat while she’s banging that carry on into my knees or head. I like her plan of checking the bag.
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More important than the bag is just learning to live without and find the perfect travel clothes. I’m slowly but surely finding the clothes–multi-use, non wrinkle and quick dry. If they fold up little you can cram a LOT into a small space.
I’ve gotten so I want whatever I carry to easily lift into overhead (so light) or stuff under my seat. Or bring hubbie for the lifting. I worried once about getting my bag down after a struggle getting it up and then a young marine sat down next to me–what a relief! I think he got everybody’s bag within a 15 foot radius down in about 30 seconds…
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I could probably avoid banging the head of the passenger in the aisle seat but others who are standing closely behind and in front of me will be in danger as I need room to sling my bag up. Just 2 weeks ago I tried to toss my coat up on top of the bags in the overhead bin, lost my balance a bit and bounced onto the person behind me.
Not to worry, I will check my bag. I am retired and I have time to wait at the carousel.
I have to admit that step under the seat is a joke.
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A plug for this Patagonia Black Hole duffel. Both my kids have hauled it around and no damage so far. They like that it’s a backpack when it needs to be.
https://www.patagonia.com/product/black-hole-duffel-bag-40-liters/49338.html
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DS usually can use his black hole (gift from an aunt) as a carry-on, and it’s his go-to bag… My sister and I find them a bit awkward to carry. Totally agree w/ @Gatormama that these are very durable. For a young person in particular, this is a great option for a carry-on/weekend/gear bag.
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For young people, there’s another type of hybrid bags that are worth considering: the carry-on backpacks:
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Great advise. We may need a whole thread devoted to that topic 
I am traveling in Feb, one week to a single destination… was thinking of just checking a bag (free with our United Visa). But I really do like the idea of traveling light, would be open to some new travel clothing suggestions.
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I have a bunch of pieces from the Chico travel collection that I bought years ago for a cruise. They all mix and match and coordinate with each other and are truly wrinkle free. They also fold down to next to nothing. I have a pair of slacks, three skirts, three tops and two blazer/jackets.
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Fun thread! Start it! 
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What’s nice about having a “travel wardrobe” is it takes no time to pack–you just throw the essentials in and go!
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