Guest Gear Review: MEI Voyageur--the smaller version

Contributor Paul follows up on his MEI Executive Overnighter review with this one:

MEI Voyageur “light”

Reader review / first impressions

                It’s been a long time since I posted my review of my MEI Executive Overnighter,  a bag that has gone on to serve me well to this day.  It’s held up beautifully, and still looks and performs like new.   

                Since then, I’ve been on the lookout for something a bit smaller for my leisure travel, since I have (like so many OBOW contributors) been able to reduce my one bag footprint.  I have been using a soft suitcase I purchased from Tactical Tailor  - see previous review on OBOW - that has given stellar service, but it’s dimensions are not quite optimal these days (the length in particular) so I found myself starting to cast about for another solution.

                I was aiming for a bag approximating the TB TriStar.  I like the Bihn product, but the cost is high (and I completely understand that TB is quality and quality costs), and after reviewing the sort of leisure travel habits I currently enjoy (nearly always to warmer climbs, and/or of shorter duration), the sort of packing assist gear I have (folders, light weight RS cubes, various stuff bags, etc.) and my personal preferences in bags (no wheels, comfortable backpack straps, ability to use my TB absolute shoulder strap, etc.). I decided that a one compartment bag would work fine for me.

                In the course of my research I stumbled onto the following thread on the Bootsnall forums (I hope this link works):

http://tinyurl.com/3rec7ko 

                The OP, ‘AceTracer’, contacted MEI to develop a smaller, lighter variant of the Voyageur.  I suggest reading the thread; it’s a good read.  The gist of it was the OP’s desire for a lightweight bag (“…Ideally, less than 2 lbs…”) of 55cm x 36cm x 20cm or 21” x 14” x 8” (38L) in size.  It seems he tested a number of prototypes, and received a final copy.  Unfortunately, the thread appears to be at least a year old, so I am unaware of the OPs thoughts after use, but I did like the idea and since I already was a satisfied MEI customer I decided to inquire with MEI on this.  In the end I decided on a bag constructed as follows.  It’s a bit larger than a TB TriStar, but, that’s ok:

Top & Back:  420 D Nylon Rip-stop in forest (hunter) green

Sides: Spectra nylon rip-stop in black color with spectra thread in white

Removable back foam pad, removable alloy internal frame stays

Light w/1/2” foam waist belt, 420 D Nylon Rip-stop 500 D Spectra Rip-Stop,
No lumbar pad, Backpack shoulder straps padded w/ .5” each of close and open cell foam

Per Ahmed @ MEI, weight is 3.4 lbs. all up

Dimensions (sewn edge to sewn edge:

         L:  21”/53.2 cm

 W: 13”/33.0 cm

  D:  8”/20/3 cm

                I just received the bag, and thought I would share some photos and random musings with the OBOW readership.

BTW, my thanks to that OP – I hope he lurks on OBOW.

                The first thing I did after opening the box was take out my trusty – likely not terribly accurate, but that’s ok – handheld luggage scale and tested it.  Ahmed was right on – 3.4 lbs / 1.6 kilos, all up..  Removing the alloy stays, and foam pad, the weight dropped to a bit below 2.9 / 1.3 kilos lbs.  Not too bad.  I wasn’t as concerned as the thread OP about getting below 2 lbs, since my personal packing methods are flexible enough that even with some extra bag weight, I easily keep at or below the unofficial ‘10% of body weight’ rule of thumb most of us generally follow and which works fine for me (for the record, I currently weigh 151 lb. / 68.4 kilos).

                Quality of material and construction is, as I expected, excellent.  Straight seams, tension points heavily sewed, quality YKK zippers and nylon/polymer buckle hardware, all very similar to my EO, and holding up beautifully.  The main bag materials , although lighter than the Cordura used on the EO, look to be durable enough to survive the occasional gate check, although I hope never to put that to the test. There are 3 flush handles, using that interesting webbing that I’ve only seen on MEI bags, and work wonderfully on my EO.  Only the geographic ‘bottom’ of the bag (think of the bag being carried on your back by the backpack straps, the bottom is the part closest to your bottom ) has no handle. Methinks that perhaps Ahmed can use this as a starting point to develop a similar version of the multi-compartment EO.  Ahmed – if you are reading this … I may consider being a ‘test case’ …

                The outside front of the bag has 2 full with zippered compartments,  one a full width pocket deep enough for magazines, etc (10 “ / 25.4 cm) and the other, shallower, with a vertical stitch dividing this into 2 pockets (8” / 20.3 cm, and both pockets have full double zips across the entire opening length) . Either of the shallower half-pockets should be wide enough to hold a 9-11 baggie (I need to test this).

                Inside, things are as I expected, with a few pleasant surprises.  As expected there is one large compartment.  There are 2 sewn and velcro’ed compartments for the removable alloy supports.  What was unexpected is 1) a flap of material, basically the size of the bag, and open at the top creating a thin compartment at the back of the bag, that can be closed by velcro, suitable for paperwork or perhaps a clothing folder, and 2) a small removable oddments bag, that attaches at the geographic top of the bag interior using Velcro, that would be handy for, well, oddments.  On the length-wide sides are mesh flaps, with short velcro–tipped straps, that can be used to isolate or subdivide the interior space (think socks, rolled up underwear, etc.).  As is often found in bags like this, there are 2 tie-down straps with nylon buckles to secure the contents.

                All in all, I am pleased with what I have, and look forward to using it.  Ahmed was fine to deal with (our communication was entirely by email, but I had his number in the event I needed to speak directly with him).  Ahmed (and his co-worker, M. Sipra) were very helpful, offering suggestions based on material availability and sending questions and updates as things progressed.  It was approximately 30 days from 1^st inquiry to delivery.

                I’ve not yet had the opportunity to travel with this, or even to test pack it, but I look forward to using it. I hope that you find this useful, and I will try and follow up after I use it.  Please let me know any questions etc. and I will try my best to answer them as time permits.

Happy Travels ~

Paul

 

 (Frank II)

Comments

[Andy (AceTracer)]

Yep, I'm the OP.

Funny enough, as you saw in the BnA thread, though this bag was exactly to my specifications and I did test out different prototypes and gave suggestions, I ended up going with something even smaller/lighter (as mentioned in the thread) so I've yet to actually travel with this bag.

However, I think it's still the best bag in its class. There is nothing comparable that is lighter on the market today, with the kind of features this bag offers, and it's handmade in the USA with the kind of craftsmanship we've come to expect from MEI. Hopefully it serves travelers well.

[Andy (AceTracer)]

For the record, the version I have is actually 2.5 lbs fully stocked, and 2 lbs with everything removed. I imagine Ahmed has made some changes since then. Here's some pictures.

http://grabs.andymesa.com/d1aa6cf2.png
http://grabs.andymesa.com/85736e3b.png

[Andy (AceTracer)]

Another difference between my bag and the one shown, which may partly account for the weight, is that mine doesn't have the inside flap. I wanted only the outside flap where the straps are normally stowed, that could also fit a foam/sleeping pad for added support.

Also, those flaps on the sides I meant for shoes, so they don't dirty up your clothes while sitting on the sides, but I guess it works for just about anything you'd want to separate.

The two front pockets I wanted for a 3-1-1 bag and my Kindle (or any book). The use of one zipper for both was a weight saving measure. The bigger pocket I intended for stowing and easy removal of a laptop, or when you need a separate compartment for like a wet towel.

Ahmed provides excellent customer service, so I'm sure he'd work with you to get what you need.

[Paul]

Andy ~ thanks for surfacing (I had a hard time believing you didn't at
least lurk on OBOW) And once again, my thanks for your inspiration / ideas.

I believe you are correct - Ahmed made references to materials being out
of stock / not available, so there is some changes that bumped the weight
up a tad, but I can work with that. I would think that if I were willing to wait
a bit longer he could have replicated your bag in it's entirety.

I would enjoy seeing some further pics of yours as well. I also 2nd your
comments about MEI.

Happy travels ~

[Andy]

Of course, the original Voyageur review is what brought me to this site in the first place :)

Here's one more picture of the inside of my bag. You'll notice the lack of an inside flap, as well as slightly different side flaps. Other than that and the lighter fabric, it's the same bag.

http://grabs.andymesa.com/b65945f7.png

[Frank II--Editor]

You two must be lucky because I've written to MEI twice and never received a response. Not great service to not only a future customer but to someone who operates a travel website targeted to his customers.

The question I have for Paul is....the bag went from 22 x 14 x 9 to 21 x 14 x 8 and from 1000 denier Codura to 420 denier ripstop nylon and you only lost just under 2 ounces? Technically, it should weigh less. I'm wondering if anything was actually upgraded?

[Paul]

Frank ~

I honestly cannot answer your question, since I do not own a 'original'
Voyageur to compare against. My EO, using the same scale I used
for the review and admittedly likely heavier than a standard Voyageur
due to it's more involved construction, came in at 4.8 lb / 2.2 kilos, so
for me at least this bag is definitely a improvement.

Brad will have to verify the measurements he arrived at in his review of
the Voyageur.

Happy travels,

[Darbi]

Awesome review! Can't wait to hear more as you guys travel with your bags. And any pictures of those things packed would be great. Andy, I actually bookmarked your packing list a while back. (think I got it from BnA link) It is great! I use it all the time when I start feeling indecisive about what to bring. It has helped me a ton.

[plumbing supplies]

Wish I had the same aspirations as you do!
You really had done a great review and a good future is waiting ahead of you.

[Kalle]

Andy, do you still have the pictures of your stuff inside the L.L. Bean duffel and the Weekender? Hotlinks in the above BnA thread seem to be dead.

[Andy]

Here's some pics of my Weekender fully packed. I should say I pack *much* less than this now.

http://grabs.andymesa.com/7bf3d66d.png
http://grabs.andymesa.com/7bf3d66d.png

And here's my Patagonia Lightweight Travel Duffel fully packed; what I use now.

http://grabs.andymesa.com/e9c2c85a.png

And here's what a list and picture of everything inside of the PLWTD

http://andymesa.pbworks.com/w/page/28889961/AYCJPack

[Andy]

Whoops, I double posted one link and forgot to post the other. Here's the Weekender closed.

http://grabs.andymesa.com/c9baff85.png

And here it is on my back. I feel almost embarrassed posting this pic; I do with a lot less now.

http://grabs.andymesa.com/4c296de6.png

[Andy]

If you want more info on the PLWTD, Practical Hacks did an excellent review with videos a while back. That's where I first saw it and I'm glad I did. It's been a great bag for me and I got it for $55! It normally sells for $99 I believe, but there's sales now and again.

http://www.practicalhacks.com/2009/04/22/first-take-patagonia-lightweight-travel-duffel/

[Erik]

I kinda wish the 2.2 lb prototype was available. Since I already have the heavier voyageur, it doesn't make as much sense to upgrade to the 2.9 lb version.

[Paul]

Erik,

I suggest you contact MEI. I am sure they would
work with you for a pack similar to Andy's.

Also remember - there's more to this pack than
weight - the size is different as well.

Happy travels ~

[Luxury-Heaven]

National 's Day is coming.I want to buy the green bag because I will climp the moutain with my boyfriend on Friday .So now I am so exciting to see him and give him the bag as present.Maybe he will like it.

[hej]

Hi Paul, Andy, the bags look great! May I know how much it cost to customize your bags? Also, do you have a photo of the removable internal frame? Read the earlier 2007 review that the Voyageur does not hold up that well as a suitcase. If using the lighter ripstop nylon without frame, will the bag "collapse" if not packed fully?

[Marcelo]

Paul or Andy or anyone who also got this bag, do you think that with a light load the rip belt is necessary? Is it removable in this new design? Is the sternum strap removable?

If the rip belt was absent maybe the bag could also loose the two zippers used to hide it and the weight could go down a bit more.

Is the Spectra nylon on the sides the same as the Dyneema in Tom Bihn's bags?

How does the 420 D Nylon Rip-stop on the front and back compare to Cordura or 1050 denier Ballistic nylon on the Aeronaut for example? Is it heavier or lighter, more resistant or less?

I am looking for something similar to Andy, maybe a smaller Aeronaut but I don't know if Tom Bihn will ever build one.

Thanks for your help.