PracticalHacks posts a thorough review of the TB Western Flyer with helpful photos. An excerpt, which helps explain why I prefer ballistic nylon:
“…in a recent conversation with the Tom Bihn, he pointed out that the 1050 ballistic fabric used on the Western Flyer is a smooth finish nylon which means the bag will slide more easily when you’re retrieving it from beneath the seat or from an overhead compartment than would be the case with 1000 denier Cordura. In addition, lab testing has shown the 1050 ballistic nylon that’s used in the Western Flyer and other Tom Bihn bags is twice as abrasion resistant as the 1680 ballistic that’s used in many competitive bags. And when you think about it, abrasion is the ultimate enemy of bags like this, as they’re constantly shoved into and out of trunks and storage & overhead compartments. This bag’s clearly up to the test.”
The Flyer is described as an overnight bag, and so it is. But for the ultralight crowd the WF is plenty large enough for a main bag. Ironically, when I’ve used the WF as a true overnight bag or for car trips I’ve tended to stuff it fuller than for a longer, truly light, ar trip. The shorter the trip, the more I take - sometimes.