Thanks to OBOW poster Ivan P. for this review:
Well, after my first 4 trips with this bag (ranging from 4 days to 2 weeks) I thought I’d put down some of my thoughts and findings in my first attempt at a gear review.
LOWE ALPINE TT CARRY ON 40
After looking at the vast array of convertible travel packs available to our friends across the pond, I decided to see what was available to us here in Blighty.
Very few of the US manufacturers ship to the UK, so it was a case of looking at what was available domestically.
With our love of the wheeled suitcase, it soon became apparent that choice for a “proper” convertible bag was limited. In fact, the TT40 was really the only bag to really come up to standard.
THE SPECS:
The bag is specifically designed to use as a carry on bag measuring 55x35x23cm (21x13x9in)
The capacity is stated as 2600cubic inches or 40 litres.
It is constructed from a strong and durable polyester fabric, uses No.10 zips (the main compartment being lockable)
The bag consists of 1 main compartment with internal compression straps, 1 mesh compartment in the lid, 1 large exterior pocket with organiser pockets and a fitted key ring and 1 front stash pocket. OH, and an exterior mesh drink bottle pocket a la rucksack style (a nice touch I thought.
As well as the interior compression straps, there are 4 exterior compression straps too.
The carrying options are pretty comprehensive, having both a top and side carry handle, fully adjustable shoulder strap and of course the pack-away backpack straps.
IN USE:
Having a full opening top makes this bag a breeze to pack, easily swallowing 4 large Eagle Creek cubes with room to spare. If you pack traditionally and don’t use packing aids, the internal compression really helps to keep the load stable. The internal mesh pocket in the lid is almost made to measure for a pair of shoes or any items you need to grab quickly (liquid bag etc)
The front pocket contains a variety of organiser pockets which will hold everything from a pen and mobile phone to keys and credit cards (should you wish). A real plus going through security as nothing was left in my pockets.
The external pocket will hold passport, tickets etc, and the mesh water bottle pocket is a real boon and not something you normally find on this type of bag, although only really works when being carried by the top handle or in backpack mode.
The external compression means that even when the bag is not full, you can cinch everything down to make a well balanced and compact pack.
I tried all modes of carrying and all work perfectly well, although without a waist belt, backpack mode may not be to everyone’s tastes. The one fault I did find was that it was rather difficult to pack the backpack straps away when the bag was full. Not impossible, but needed a bit of work.
OVERALL:
As per most soft sided bags, it is possible to overpack it making it bulge, though the compression system goes a long way to help[ing avoid this.
Easy and comfortable to carry in all modes.
And….it can do something a lot of convertible bags can’t…. in backpack mode, it looks like a proper backpack, in suitcase mode, it looks like a proper suitcase and in shoulder bag mode, it looks like a proper shoulder bag.
For anyone interested, here is a link to a pic and brief description.