Hello Geoff. Inside the bags i carried my tent, sleeping bag and mat, kitchen, warm clothes, a pair of sandals and daily use stuff. The space was adequate as the bags are about the same size as your average ally box, around 37 litres each. The outside enclosure straps are very convenient for strapping stuff to the outside of the bag, like my tent poles, and my Dromedary water bag when i needed extra water. I use a Pelican Case top box for my clothes, lap-top and papers.
Soft bags vs. Hard bags, a loaded question! Both have their advantages and disadvantages. I like the security and waterproofness of hard bags, but i don't like the fact that they can be more dangerous in a crash, both to your sub frame and to your legs. Soft bags pack stuff tightly so it doesn't move around, a big bonus. With soft bags you need to be more vigilant as they are easily cut open and robbed. Soft bags are easy to repair and much cheaper. The weight difference is a non issue IMHO. If you want to save weight on your bike, go to the gym. Either way, its the gear that is all the weight, the bags or boxes is as much as you may dehydrate in one day in the dessert. Soft bags have less "Bling Factor", its easier to blend in. Really, no one is better than the other, you just need to adapt to whatever you choose to use.