One-bag, carry-on, light travel tips, techniques, and gear

OBOW Reader Review: Tactical Tailor Soft Suitcase (Small)

A.K.A ” The Red State Aeronaut”

First impressions

I’ve been looking for a ~2000 cu. in./33 litre convertible carry-on style pack to complement my MEI Executive Overnighter for quite some time now,and while reading through OBOW (as I often do… travelling one bag has evolved into something of a obsessive hobby for me) I couldn’t help but to be intrigued by Brad’s post from July 3^rd, and specifically the ‘Red State Aeronaut’ (you just gotta love that handle Brad coined). I started investigating, one thing led to another - and I ordered one, sort of on

a chance.

What I have been after is something in layout, well, like the Tom Bihn Aeronaut, but in a size more suitable to the increasingly tighter airline restrictions that we are facing. I wanted it well made, preferably out of Cordura (durable and I like the look). The choices out there are somewhat limited. I really like the new TB TriStar but at $240 I just can’t justify the expediture at this time (I definitely understand about getting what you pay for, but $240 is $240).

Well, in digging around the TT website, the first thing I discovered is that this ‘red state’ product is actually made very close to home - just outside the Tacoma, Washington area (I live just north of Seattle), a definite plus for me (Tactical Tailor makes all it’s products here locally, just like the aformentioned TB. Nice to support a local business). The company is oriented towards the armed forces, law enforcement etc. so there’s not a lot of products of interest to travellers, but what they have (this bag is about it) is interesting.

The bag,, officially and simply called the Soft Suitcase actually comes in 3 different sizes of which the smallest is the only one of interest to one bag travellers. Here are the sizes (lifted from the website):

Lg 36”L x 12”W x 20”H 8640 cubic inches

Med 30”L x 10”W x 17”H 5100 cubic inches

Sm 23”L x 7”W x 12”H 1930 cubic inches

End compartments 23”L x 3.5”W x 12”H*
Main compartment 23”L x 16”W x 12”H*
Weight (empty): 2.1 lbs*

(*These are my at home measurements)

I purchased (naturally) a small. The bag only comes in ‘military’ colors - namely mil spec camouflage, olive drab, tan, and black. No fancy colors. I ordered tan, just because I’m not crazy about solid black and camo or OD is hardly subtle (unless you are into that sort of thing) for a traveller. The color is actually quite handsome and the bag is made from 1000 denier cordura and dirable strapping, nicely stiched and finished, no sloppy edges or loose threads. All zippers are YKK brand coil types, double pull, and have a large enough hole at the base of each pull to slot in a TSA travel lock for a minor measure of security.

The backpack straps are nicely if simply designed, not as comfortable or ergonomically designed as those on my MEI EO (or, even those on my RS convertible carry-on) but perfectly functional, and actually adjustable at both the top of the straps as well as at the bottom. In fact, if one so desired they can be removed entirely and the back compartment used as magazine storage, etc.

As said, the layout is like the Aeronaut, but a lot simpler. For instance, the internal dividers between the end pockets and the main compartment are not capable of being opened, to incdrease the main compartment size, but for what I envision using it for, that will not be a major issue. It fits both my medium packing squares (Eagle Creek and Victorinox) and also most all of the different size packing cubes I have (I tend to use the Rick Steves brand cubes, they are very light and ‘moldable’) in the main compartment. The end compartments are generous enough to hold pairs my shoes (sz 8.5) in each end.

but not boots unless they are low cut, and separated one per compartment. There is also a nice zip pocket on the front of the bag, that can be used for small item or boarding pass storage (although only in over the shoulder or handle carry mode, not when on the backpack straps. More on that in a moment).

I haven’t had a chance to use it yet, but there are a couple of things I do wish it had (in fact I’ve done some ‘home modifications’ ):

1) There are no tie down tension straps in the main compartment although there are some external straps cleverly mounted under the main strap handles on the top of the bag, to snug things up some . I’m currently looking around locally to see if there is anyone I can find who perhaps can stich some straps inside the bag.

2) It needs some sort of grab handles for the ends of the bag to ease removal from a overhead stowbin (thats the modification I was able to do, with some matching strapping and heavy duty snaps from another hobby. They should be strong enough to pull it out of the overhead stowbin.)

3) There are no specific attach rings or loops to allow attachment of a shoulder strap. I’ve been able to improvise by using one of the attach points for a backpack strap and one of the end pocket zippers but the potential strain on the zipper is a unknown at this point. I tend to use over the shoulder straps very little and often leave it at home and use one the backpack straps of my bag for quick jaunts across the airport, etc. Nevertheless it would be nice if the bag had dedicated D rings attach points.

Other than that, so far I am very happy with this purchase, and look forward to using it.

Happy travels ~

Paul