Gear Review: Ebags Motherlode TLS Weekender Convertible

I can only imagine what happened. One day, the designers at Ebags decided to come up with a convertible bag that had the best features of its near competitors while improvings all the downsides.

The result: The Ebags Motherlode TLS Weekender Convertible.

The basics: The bag is 22 x 14 s 9. With shoulder strap and waist belt, it weighs just over 4 lbs. The bag is 3300 cu in and expanble. It’s made of 840 denier twisted polyester. 

Now for the details. I could start listing them but ebags has done such a good job making a promotional video for this bag, wouldn’t you rather watch that then read my prose? 

So, sit back, watch the video, and then come back to get my take on it:

Now for the extras….the bag is expandable but that would make it too big for carry-on. 

The orange interior is bright but will allow you to see everything you’ve packed. 

For those who are worried about thieves breaking into your locked bag using the moveable zipper method, Ebags has place small rings allowing you to lock the zippers in one place making it more difficult for a thief to hid their tracks. (If you don’t know what I’m talking about, search Youtube for videos on opening up a locked suitcase.)

The laptop pocket is convenient and fuctional. The adustable sling fits most size laptops and having it in it’s own pocket makes the laptop easy to remove for security. I’ve tried both my 15” laptop and netbook in the sleeve and fit with no problems. 

Now for the negatives. The bag is heavy at just over 4 lbs. The D rings are made of  plastic and the ones for the backpack straps are exposed and could be torn off if you checked—gate or regular.

While I prefer a nylon bag, the polyester used seems durable. It may also, believe it or not, be overdesigned. Just too many features. 

All in all, for the money, you can’t beat this bag. It retails for $100 but I’ve never seen it not on sale for $90. Wait a  few weeks, or join their email list and you’ll get discounts down to $80 or even less.  If you buy it through Ebates,, you’ll get free shipping and a 6% rebate. 

According to a conversation I had with Ebags PR guy, this bag is Ebags #1 seller of all the thousands of bags they have for sale. 

If you’re looking for an inexpensive but feature full bag, you can’t beat this one. 

Gear Review: Tom Bihn Clear Quarter Packing Cubes

I like packing cubes. They help keep me organized, they make it easy to pack my bag and they help to add structure to the lightest weight ones. With my new found fondness of clear cubes, they also help me to easily find what I’m looking for as well as helping security personnel find what they are looking for without pawing everything I own.

One of the best clear packing cubes I’ve found is the  Tom Bihn Clear Quarter Packing Cube. This two sided cube is made of Dyneema Ripstop Nylon, has #5 YKK zippers, is PVC free and comes in 4 colors. It measures 7.8” x 6.7” x 3” and weighs 4.2 ozs. There is also a carry handle/doorknob loop should you wish to hang the bag. $30 and made in the USA.

One side could be used as a non-3-1-1 toiletry kit:

While the other side could be for your laundry kit:

Or one side could be used for your miscellaneous electronics and chargers:

While the other side could be used for all those small items you take but are never sure where to put:

I know that some of you are saying you can use ziploc bags for the same things. This is true. The only downside is that they won’t help to shape a bag and they force you to take more bags offering a greater chance of forgetting one.

I have one and I’m going to have to get another. They’re just too useful. 

(Frank II)

Tom Bihn supplied the Clear Quarter Packing Cube for review. 

Reader Review: MEI Executive Overnighter

OBOW reader Assaf  sent us the following review of the MEI Executive Overnighter:

I got the bag a few days ago, haven’t got a chance to use it.
first impressions:
the bag arrived on time.
the build quality is excellent, better then i expected, judging from online photos. yet, it is not on par with the red oxx air boss - the zippers, for example, are
coil, not chain zippers as in the air boss. they are certainly heavy duty YKK, tough.
the shoulder strap is the same as seen on older photos of the MEI EO, not Terra grip.
the inside color is now all khaki, not the (ugly) yellow and khaki. i’m glad because that old inside color mix was a real turn off for me, it looked somewhat un-professional IMHO.
the side handles are more sturdy then the older pics implied. 
the back straps are well padded and comfortable.
things i would like to improve:
1) the top carry handle - i hope the way it’s attached to the bag is strong enough.
2) the compression straps on the two outer pockets, are on the outer wall, not toward the inside of the bag as in the air boss.
    i think this is less convenient to close the bag while packing. i prefer the red oxx approach where the bag once packed, is sort of a big bundle, covered by the outer flaps.  
coffee brown rocks! ;-)
I hope this review would be helpful, as there isn’t really a lot of info on this bag.

Thanks, Assaf. 

(Frank II)

Review: Archtek Toothpaste Tablets

If you’re one of those people who are trying to cut back on liquids/aerosols/gels and anything else that must be placed in that silly 3-1-1 bag, then the  Archtek Toothpaste Tablets may be for you.

While some of us have been using Toothpaste powder, and occasionally getting it all over the place, Archtek, which makes dental supplies, has come up with a toothpaste tablet. 

Made of of lots of chemicals and things that are supposed to help keep your teeth clean and prevent disease, they are fairly easy to use.

Pop one tablet in your mouth and chew. No water needed. Then brush. 

The tablet mixes with your saliva and makes a sort of foam. Not the tingling type or enough where someone will think you have rabies. Just a nice gentle solution. 

I brushed normally, with my electric, although I take a manual toothbrush when I travel, and when finished had a minty fresh taste in my mouth.  

With toothpaste powder I actually feel it on my teeth. With these, you have to take their word that the thin foam formed after chewing one of these is actually cleaning your teeth. But, you do finish with fresh breath. 

So, if you’re are looking to get rid of toothpaste during your travels, and want convenience, these should be considered. At home, I’ll keep using toothpaste. 

(Frank II)

Archtek supplied the Toothpaste Tablets for review. 

Review: Tom Bihn RFID Blocking Passport Pouch

A couple of weeks ago I was preparing to review the new  Tom Bihn RFID Blocking Passport Pouch.  I had done some research on RFID and was planning this whole essay on what it was, why we need to be wary, and what could be done. 

And then our buddy Kevin at Practical Hacks wrote a great blog posting on just this subject as well as a review of the same pouch—and in the same color.

I thought I’d wait a couple of weeks and then post mine. But, you know, I don’t think I could have done a better job than Kevin, and I agree with everything he says, so…..I’m just going to give you the link to his review and say……good job Kevin.

Practical Hacks review of the Tom Bihn RFID Blocking Passport Pouch

One thing I’ll add…pay attention to his suggestion of clipping it to your bag. I wouldn’t wear the passport pouch through security. In some cases, the lining might set off the metal detectors. And should you be chosen for secondary screening, and you’re wearing the pouch around your neck, you’ll have to take it off anyway. 

Be aware….some drivers licenses and credit cards are beginning to use RFID technology as well. If your cards are the type you can just wave to use they may have RFID technology and you want to protect them as well. 

BTW—I’m definitely going to use this when  I travel and/or need to carry my passport. It’s practically weightless and comfortable to wear around your neck. 

(Frank II)

Tom Bihn supplied the RFID Blocking Passport Pouch for review. 

Review: Goodhope 7260 3 Way Convertible Brief/Backpack

Before I get into the details of this bag, let me mention one thing. It costs $23 including  shipping to the U.S.

The Goodhope Convertible is an economical, smaller than maximum legal carry-on.

It’s measurements are 18” x 12” x 6.5” and it weighs 2.2 lbs with the shoulder strap.

The exterior is 600 denier polyester and the inside lining is vinyl.

On the front of the bag are two smaller pockets one large enough for a 3-1-1 bag but neither large enough for a standard magazine. 

The smaller front compartment contains a sewn in organizer strip consisting of two open pockets, one zippered mesh pocket and 4 penholders. The zippers on this compartment go down about a third of the way on each side. It is large enough to hold a netbook or tablet but there is no protection for those items. 

The main compartment has two unique tie down straps. They don’t unclip. To use the straps, you have to loosen them, stick whatever you want them to hold down underneath and then tighten. The bag opens wardrobe style with the zippers fully opening on three sides.

BTW—did I mention this is a $23 bag with free shipping within the U.S.?

The bag also has two backpack straps that hideaway when not in use. Functional, but I wouldn’t want to walk very far with them.  A shoulder strap is also included with the bag. 

There is only one grab handle located where you’d expect one if you carried this like a suitcase. All connectors are made of plastic and the main zipper on my bag slightly catches on the vinyl lining. There is an extended flap meant to cover the zippers of the main compartment in case of rain. 

If you’re looking for a smaller than average carry-on bag, aren’t looking to  take it into the deepest jungle, nor expect to check it often, this might be an inexpensive bag to consider. 

It would also make a decent laptop briefcase but there is no padding so a sturdy protective sleeve would be necessary. 

It’s available in black or green.

Bottom line: I doubt Tom Bihn, Red Oxx, Briggs & Riley or Tumi are very worried about this bag stealing their customers. However, if you’re on a budget, are looking for a smaller convertible bag, and will mostly do car or light air travel, this bag may work. It’s no Western Flyer, which has the same basic dimensions, but it will do in a pinch. 

Did I mention it was only $23 including free shipping in the U.S.?

(Frank II)

CSN Stores supplied the Goodhope Convertible for review. 

Update on May 15, 2011 by Frank@OBOW

Oops, forgot to mention….this may become my “just in case” bag as mentioned in the posting below. It could also become my overnight bag for one night business/pleasure trips.

Review: Tom Bihn Large Cafe Bag

I needed a new messenger bag. I was in the process of switching over from years of using an efficient packable backpack and decided it was time to go hands free. But what to get. 

My requirements were many:

—It had to be sturdy yet not too heavy.

—It had to be able to act as a netbook bag as well as a vacation bag.

—It had to fit inside a standard non-wheeled carry-on bag. 

—it had to have some sense of extra security to thwart pickpockets.

—it had to pass the test of not being thought of as a “murse.”

For awhile, I’ve had a Rick Steves Veloce Bag and used it when having to take my laptop anywhere. But it’s way to big to pack inside my carry-on.

I then got a Pacsafe Metrosafe 250. An excellent bag that allayed my fears of pickpocketing but for most of my travels, it would be overkill.

I quickly realized there were literally thousands of messenger bags on the market. But for some reason, I couldn’t put my finger on one I really wanted. 

So, I turned to Tom Bihn to see what they had. I admit, I’m a fan of their products and the way they do business. I’ve never been disappointed with anything I gotten from them. 

Tom Bihn makes a few different types of messenger bags. It didn’t take me long to realize that most would not fit my needs. They where just too big. 

I thought about getting one of their newer Ristretto’s made specifically for netbooks/ipad but what function would the sewn in laptop sleeve  serve when I wasn’t carrying a netbook?

And then I zeroed in on the Tom Bihn Large Cafe Bag. 

Made of 1000d Cordura Nylon with a 500 denier Codura lining, the Large Cafe Bag (LCB) measures 13” x 12” x 3” and weighs a hair under 1 lb. (1.2 lbs with the upgraded Absolute Strap.)

The front of the bag has a flap that covers the open topped main compartment as well as a smaller zippered compartment. It attaches to the bag via an offset Duraflex Warrior buckle.

The top of the bag has a smaller carry handle.

The back of the bag has a removable waist strap should you want to attach it to your body. (This is popular with bicyclists who carry the bag messenger style but don’t want it flopping around.) There is also a magazine pocket and I have put a standard sized magazine in so you can get an idea of size. 

The main compartment of the LCB is open and contains 4 pockets: 2 large enough to each hold a PDA, smaller camera, notebook or cellphone. The other two are meant as pen slots. There are also three Tom Bihn signature “o” rings and one key strap.  

In the smaller zippered pocket, large enough to hold a smaller wallet, you will also find another “0” ring.

Next step, the tests of my requirements.

First up, how would it handle being a netbook bag. I wouldn’t suggest putting your netbook in this bag without some type protection. I turned to the Tom Bihn Netbook Vertical Cache.  This is an excellent protective cover. While it’s made to go in vertically, I prefer to carry it horizontally. It’s a snug fit but the netbook doesn’t bounce around as much.

At 13 x 12 x 3, the bag is small enough to fit into my carry-on, yet not seem too much like a man purse. It’s fairly lightweight at just under one pound but the optional upgraded Absolute Strap will take it up to 1.2 lbs. 

BTW, the main strap is not removable and my suggestion is to upgrade to the Absolute. I believe it’s worth it and your shoulder will thank you for it. 

And now the last category, safety from pickpockets. Sadly, as it is, a good pickpocket could slip his or her hand inside the bag and possible grab something. But being resourceful, I found two ways around it. And the answer, are the “o” rings. 

The first method I thought of was to get a few Tom Bihn pouches., and connect them to the “o” rings. I could put my camera, cellphone, ipod, and anything else of value in these pouches. It would then require a pickpocket to not just reach in but also unzip one of the pouches, sight unseen, and take what’s in it. Or if they tried to cut the bottom of the bag and grap what falls out, they’d be out of luck since anythng of value would be inside a pouch clipped to an “o” ring.

The pouches, of course, would be carried on the inside of the bag. They are outside in the photo simply to demonstrate what I mean.

The second idea I had may be even more practical. I decied to take my Tom Bihn Side Effect, use two key straps, and attach one on each side of the main compartment of the LCB. The other sides of the straps would then be attached to the outside “o” rings on the Side Effect. The SE would sit comfortably inside the bottom of the main compartment. Inside it has slots for smaller electronics or a notebook. With it zippered shut, it would be very difficult to get into and if the LCB was cut from below, the SE would stay connected to the bag via the two key straps. 

And here’s where it gets even better. Let’s say you go somewhere, like a museum, that makes you check a larger bag—yet you’re not thrilled about checking your valuables. All you have to do is unclip the Side Effect, put it around your waist, after all it is a waist pack, and then you can safely check the LCB. It may not be stylish, but it’s practical.

The Side Effect also comes with a removable thin shoulder straps for anyone who wants to carry it that way, (Guys can probably skip this.) It could be used as a small bag or clutch for evenings.

The LCB comes in numerous color combinations. Mine has a linen exterior and a steel interior. (Sorry about my photo abilities.) If you want to see better photos, go to the the Large Cafe Bag website This is first bag I own that is neither black or gray. The linen color is fairly neutral. 

All Tom Bihn bags are made at their factory in Seattle, Washington. 

The Tom Bihn Large Cafe Bag is a multi-functional, multi-purpose bag that is good for daily use, business use (assuming you don’t work with people who wear three piece Brooks Brothers suits,) and for travel. It can hold an amazing amount and is now my “go to” bag for most journeys—near and far. 

If the large cafe bag is too big for you, it also comes in a “medium” and small” version.

Tom Bihn supplied the Large Cafe Bag, the Cache, and two of the pouches for reviews. All other items mentioned or shown were purchased by the reviewer. 

(Frank II)

Review: Flylite Medium Foldaway Wheeled Cabin Holdall

A couple of weeks ago, I posted a question regarding lightweight wheeled bags. There were many suggestions but one bag, Flylite Medium Foldaway Wheeled Cabin Holdall , stood out. 

I’ve been aware of this bag for sometime but had never actually seen one. So, I contacted the manufacturer in the UK who was happy to send one for review. 

Honestly, I didn’t expect much. I mean, a bag weighing just over 3 lbs (1.4kg), with wheels and a strap for a pull handle? How good could it be?

First, the specs:

The exterior of the bag is made of 1680D woven nylon and the interior is lined with vinyl. The bag measures 55 cm x 40cm x 20 cm (21.7 x 15.8 x 7.9 in.) It weighs just over 3 lbs (1.4 kg.)

The pull handle strap is adjustable in length, has a padded grip, and folds away into its own pocket when not in use. The wheels are similar to those found on roller blades. There are three carry handles on each side of the bag for easy storage and removal from overhead bins. 

There is one large compartment for packing and one smaller, thinner compartment on the outside front. The larger compartment has two internal tie-down straps.

When not in  use, the bag folds down and is held together with a velcro strip.

Now, the verdict. Honestly, I was surprised. It’s a lot better than I thought it would be. When packed, the bag stayed upright and was easy to maneuver with the strap pull handle. 

The bag was made to meet the carry-on dimensions for low cost European airlines such as Ryanair. Those dimensions are slightly different than standard U.S. carry-on rules but since the bag is basically soft sided all around, except for the bottom where the wheels are attached, I doubt you’d have a problem carrying it on board most airlines unless the bag was over packed. 

I can’t say whether the Flylite would do well being continually checked, but for someone who wants wheels, doesn’t expect to take the bag into any rough terrains or over rough conditions, this Flylite may do the trick. 

The one downfall I did find was the lack of “D” rings to allow the attachment of a shoulder strap. Considering how light the bag is, I’d like the option of attaching a shoulder strap especially if I had to carry the bag for any distance. 

The Flylite Medium Foldaway Wheeled Cabin Holdall is available from the manufacturer.  The price is 45 GBP ($74) including shipping anywhere outside the UK or EU. 

(This bag was supplied by the manufacturer for review.)

(Frank II)

Review: Tom Bihn Guardian Dual Function Light

It has happened to me three times: the power in my hotel has gone out. The first two times, I wasn’t prepared. By the third time I had started carrying a small flashlight. It was about 6 inches long, took two AAA batteries and was heavy.

Lately, I’ve been carrying a Mighty Bright Carabiner Flashlight

They’re decent, lightweight and the light was okay, but they didn’t last very long and were not rechargable.

Then I found the Tom Bihn Guardian Dual Function Light.

This light is made in Canada for use by the military and law enforcement. It comes with either  a white or red bulb cover and includes both a belt clip and a lanyard with a swivel hook. It’s just over 1 inch all around and weighs a mere 0.7 oz (20g). The light can be seen for up to 3 miles.  You have the option of a steady light or a flashing one. To create either mode, it’s necessary to turn the batteries over. (CR 2032)

The uniqueness of this light is the ability to keep it close and hands free. You can use the belt clip to attach it to your belt or strap of your messenger bag or backpack.

Or,  you can use the lanyard and clip it to an internal “O” ring to use as a bag light or to let it hang freely outside the bag should you need to use the light and keep your hands free. 

Having the flashlight conveniently clipped to your bag makes it easy when you need it most…in the dark. No fumbling for a light. And that’s important.

I wish Tom Bihn would make both the white and red lenses available, so they can be interchanged, rather than be forced to buy two separate flashlights

For only $20, and a weight under 1 oz, this is my new go to light travel flashlight.

(Tom Bihn suppled the Guardian Dual Function Light for review.)

(Frank II)

Degen DE 1125 Shortwave Radio

A few days ago, I mentioned I had ordered a small, portable SW radio should I get caught in any natural disaster or military strife where access to information would be vital. 

After a few days of research, I chose the Degen DE1125  because it was lightweight and could do so much more than just shortwave radio. And as a minimalist one-bagger, I like things that do double duty. It wasn’t overpriced at $70.

The radio arrived the day after I ordered it. (Thank you Amazon.)

Inside was the radio, ear buds, a small carry bag for, instruction manual, mini-usb cable for charging and USB-capable plug.

The Degen De 1125 is an AM/FM/Shortwave radio with alarm clock, digital voice recorder, 2 GB mp3 player, is backlit, has a 90 minutes sleep timer,  is fluent in Esperanto and cooks a mean chili. (Ok, I made up the language fluency.)

The small front speaker is surprising clear, as long as you don’t expect stereophonic sound, but there’s also an earphone jack should you wish to listen in private. Mp3’s are transferred from computer to radio via the included mini-usb cable. The same cable charges the unit from either a computer or the included wall socket. (Note, the power from the wall socket is low and cannot also charge either an ipod touch or a blackberry.)

The unit itself is slightly bigger than an Ipod Touch and Blackberry and weighs 4 oz with battery. The instruction manual wasn’t very clear but after awhile it was easy to figure out. There is a small lag time between the different functions.

I was happy until I tried to receive shortwave. I pulled out the telescoping antenna, switched to one of the six SW bands and did my best to find the king of all shortwave stations—the BBC World Service. Oops, it seems they don’t broadcast on shortwave any longer. 

Okay, how about Voice of America? Nope. Radio Canada? Uh uh. Radio Australia? No. Well, only to the South Pacific. 

Doesn’t anyone broadcast in English anymore? I found Radio Havana although I don’t know how much good it would do in an emergency. I heard many stations in languages other than English. But nothing, in any language I understand.

So, shortwave seems to be a bust.

And then it got worse. The Degen 1126, the next model, is already out and available on Ebay from China. Completely new design, more memory, a text reader, and everything else from the 1125. It’s also still the same size and weight. The instruction manual on that model, at least for now, is only in Chinese. (My manual was in Chinese and English only whoever did the translation could use a few hours at Berlitz. ). 

So, what’s the verdict? Well, I’m going to keep it and take it with me when traveling. I can always use a good radio, it’s nice to have  a digital voice recorder to use instead of written journals, I can download a few audiobooks to the mp3 player as a backup to my Ipod Touch, and having an extra alarm clock never hurt when trying to make early flights. 

And it’s only 4 oz……

(Frank II)

Update on March 23, 2011 by Frank@OBOW

In my travels, I use a Chargepod multi-charger and Fueltank backup chargers for my smaller electronic devices. Both work with the Degen. 

Now if I could only convince radio stations to forget about this “internet” thing and go back to broadcasting on shortwave. 

Reader Review: Red Oxx Ruck Sack

The following is WSL’s review of the Red Oxx Ruck Sack/C-Ruck (has two names) first posted in the Forum:

I decided to give back to the OBOW Forum which was very helpful when I was looking for a new backpack. The following is a review that I submitted to Red Oxx’s site which is still under moderation. The addendums below are just to clarify a couple of points and were not in the original review.

So, after a trip where my twenty-year old backpack was soaked all the way through I decided that it was time for a replacement. I wanted something that could hold my Macbook Pro (MBP) and yet not look like a notebook bag and can be used for other purposes such as groceries, carry-on, day-to-day usage, etc. Basically a versatile, all-around bag that I didn’t have to worry about. Hey, my last bag lasted 20+ years and I didn’t see any reason why the next one shouldn’t either. 

After doing a lot of online and offline research and dithering about I finally decided to order the C-ruck. Ordering was dead easy and it arrived right on time. Within a week, it was on its way with me for a short jaunt to Jakarta. How did it perform? 

The good news first, it’s capacious - it looks big but it fits exactly the carry-on frame. The internal sleeve fits my MBP perfectly and I don’t have any worries there about the protection given by the C-ruck. And, yes, it did look as classy as I had hoped it would - sometimes you can’t really tell these things unless you have the item right in front of you. 

The bad news? It’s a heavy bag. The specs says it’s over 3 lbs and it’s easy to dismiss that until you have it in hand and realize how much that will cut into your carry-on allowance. The weight is also a factor in that this is a “hot” bag, meaning that the weight of the bag, the weight of your items along with the padding in the back may have you overheating pretty quickly. It’s not a problem if you’re in temperate climes but it can be unpleasant if you’re slogging through a tropical city such as Jkt. The straps are also very long and I suspect that the bag is sized for someone who is closer to 6 ft than my 5’8”. I’ll probably get them cut shorter and restitched when I get the chance. 

So, do I feel that I am getting value for my money? A qualified yes. It’s a well-built, over-engineered (this is a good point!) bag that looks great and will do all that I want it to do. Unfortunately, there are a couple of niggling points that were not mentioned in other reviews and holds me back from giving it 5 stars. If I had known about those niggling points it would have made me dither a lot longer than two months! 

P.S. I had sent an email asking about sizing and it was suggested that I purchase the mini-ruck but that item would not hold my MBP in its sleeve.

Addendum:

A. It’s a 15” MBP that I have and I also carry a couple of items specific to the work that I do.
B. Tom Binh and LLBean had bags that were in very serious consideration for my money. But, the Brain Bag had too much material that I would never use and the Expedition Travel Pack (from both retailers, respectively) looked too much like a carry-on. They were, though, half the price of the Ruck Sack.

5 best lightweight bags for under $40

Gadling’s take on five under $40.NORTH FACE FLYWEIGHT MAP BAG

(Frank II)

Featherweight roller review

Practical Hacks Kevin has a terrific review of a new ultralight roller (see video below):

If you survey the marketplace for lightweight, wheeled carry-on bags – defining lightweight as less than 5½ pounds (2.49 kg) – the landscape isn’t exactly cluttered.  A Saks offers a 4.8 lb. wheeled duffel, Travelite offers a “Starlight” wheelie that checks in at 5.07 lbs (2.3 kg) but is only available in Europe, and then of course there’s the Landor & Hawa IT-0-2, which tips the scales at 5.02 pounds (2.28 kg).

Update on October 15, 2010 by Frank@OBOW

Co-Pilot video look

By Maverick:

Update on July 7, 2010 by Frank@OBOW

Our post on the Co-Pilot.

A quick look from the airport today

I’ve had this bag a couple of weeks but have been too busy to write about or photograph it. The new Tom Bihn Western Flyer sans backpack straps:

It’s riding, quite unnecessarily, on my wife’s roller. The bottom of the back pocket is zippered  — becomes a magazine pocket when zipped. This is better than knotting the strap or clipping a carabiner to the handle, neither of which works well. I paid today - for the first time ever - the cursed checked bag fee. Not fun. Don’t worry, it wasn’t my bag.

More to come on this bag and its upgrades over the original version.

Cube vid

Handle-friendly Co-Pilot

Tom Bihn’s new personal-size bag now has added functionality:

Tom has updated the design of the Co-Pilot, a new personal carry-on sized travel bag made available for pre-order last month and scheduled to ship in June. The back pocket of the Co-Pilot now features a zip-open (and shut) pocket designed to allow you to slip the bag over the handle of rolling luggage, as seen in the photo below. When not being used in that way, the pocket can be zipped shut for magazines, newspapers, maps, etc. The interior of this pocket is lined with our Dyneema/nylon rip-stop fabric. All Co-Pilots - even those pre-ordered on the very first day - will have the new pocket for rolling luggage handles. - TB blog

OBOW’s first look at the Co-Pilot may be found here.

Reader Review: LL Bean Quickload

A great review from OBOW reader Holly:

As promised, a short review of the LL Bean Quickload based on two weeks in Switzerland and Germany at Christmas time.

Two adults, two kids, two weeks in Europe during winter, 4 “luggage” bags and 4 small, personal bags. The 4 “luggage” bags included an eBags Weekender, the LL Bean Quickload, an ancient Eastpack convertible bag and a 24 inch wheelie.

The LL Bean Quickload had very good capacity. I was able to easily fit in: 2 pairs long pants, 4 pair underwear, wool base layer top and bottom, five shirts (one short sleeve, the rest long sleeve), wool sweater, 2 pair wool socks, laundry kit (included clothes line, microfiber towel and some detergent), the toiletry kit for the ENTIRE family, a bathing suit (for the hot tub at ski resort), two paperback books to read and leave along the trip, cache of spare zip lock bags, gloves, hat, a pair of pajamas (a luxury I allowed myself when I found I had plenty of room) and, here’s the kicker—one pair of insulated ski pants.

I know I had a few more items in there, but I just can’t remember what they were right now.

All of this fit, with room to spare! At the Swiss check in, the bag weighed 7.5 kg.

In fact, none of the convertible bags weighed over 7.5 kg. (I recognize this is easier to pull off when you have a 24 inch wheelie that the heavier items can go into. But honestly, we weren’t taking anything too heavy anyway.)

The empty LL Bean bag was definitely lighter than the empty eBags Weekender, which meant we could put more in it and not worry we were going to go over the limit.

The inside of the bag is fine and the compression straps are the garden variety ones, but work well. The compartment in the inside “lid” is mesh, but has a zipper only on one end. I prefer the Weekender’s design of having the zipper go around three sides of the same compartment. Also, I like the Weekender’s feature of a small, flat, zippered compartment on the inside on the “hinge” part of the bag. We used it for stashing our drivers’ licenses, which we didn’t figure we would need but brought along anyway just in case we decided to rent a car spur of the moment.

The straps on the Quickload are curved and a bit wider than the Weekender. I am narrow shouldered and have a slight preference for the narrower Weekender straps as a result. If the Quickload had included a sternum strap, which it does not, I think I would have found it more comfortable. It was fine, so this is not such a great issue.

The smaller outside pocket on the Quickload is a disappointment. It has some organizer features, but the zipper is just straight across the pocket and does not extend down the sides. As a result, it’s difficult to efficiently use the organizer features. This is a bad design flaw. However, as a practical matter, I used the organizer panel in my small messenger bag so I didn’t really get too hung up on this. I ended up simply using it to stash receipts and used maps, etc.—essentially stuff I wasn’t going to need to access every day.

The smalller outside pocket did include a little lanyard clip that was on an elastic cord. That elastic cord feature is an improvement over a standard key clip. I ended up attaching a little “squeeze” flashlight to it, which we used multiple times. The ability to pull it out a bit with the stretchy elastic was very useful.

It does have a larger outside pocket, which does zip down on the sides. It was spacious and this is where I easily stuffed those ski pants.

All in all, it’s a good bag. If you need your one bag to include a highly usable organizer pocket, don’t buy the Quickload. On all other fronts, it’s a solid bag. And the weight difference between it and the Weekender is nice. Also, the lifetime, satisfaction guarantee from LL Bean is worth quite a lot. (I have NO affiliation with LL Bean.)

In short, it held all my stuff with room to spare. As a result, I had no trouble fitting in my purchases from the trip on the way back.

One side note: The person at the Swiss check-in counter simply could not believe that 4 people going to Europe in winter (and skiing—at that) could travel with so little luggage.

(From LL Bean site: Made of rugged 420-denier nylon.

2,961 cu. in. 21¾”H x 14”W x 9”D. 2 lb. 2 oz. Imported.)

Strap comparison photos

Here’s a photo that shows (from left) the new Tom Bihn Absolute Strap, old Absolute Strap, and the Red Oxx Claw Strap (very similar to Tom Bihn’s Terra Grip). All three are made in the USA. The bottom photo is a closeup of the new Absolute.

Update on November 20, 2009 by Frank@OBOW

Absolutely strapulous

Tom Bihn has improved the best shoulder strap available. The new and improved Absolute Strap is beefier, has a slightly longer padded area, and is even more comfortable since it now has an ergonomic curve. I tested it this morning with a leather case that I use for carrying tools. With the 20-pound load it was a delight. Some have noted that you could buy a similar, slightly cheaper strap from OpTech, the company that manufactures this strap in the USA. Truth be told, that strap always always lacked the heavy Tom Bihn hardware. The new Absolute is absolutely exclusive according to Darcy at TB:

The ergonomic curve - and the added 1-1/2” length to the strap - as well as the high quality U.S. made nylon webbing AND the double-plated U.S. made metal snaphooks are all exclusive to us.

As I’ve said many times this strap is an instant upgrade to any bag and is a great gift idea. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t need one. Read more here from the TB blog.

I’ll post comparison pictures of the new and old Absolutes soon.

Update on October 27, 2009 by Frank@OBOW

Practical Hacks has lots to say about the strap.