Yes, this! Also, soft-sided backpack beats hardshell roll-aboard. It will almost never get bumped from the overhead bin, and lets you easily navigate escalators, subway systems, cobblestone streets, etc.
But, leave a little bit of room for some small luxury. For me, it’s a coffee grinder/pourover filter/mug thing and some fancy coffee beans. The ability to make a great cup of coffee in any hotel room is totally worth a couple of pounds in my bag.
