Packs & packing

Andrew Ho, a veteran poster in the Tom Bihn forums has some interesting stuff on his personal site: a packing list and comparison chart of convertibles & travelpacks (somewhat outdated but still good). Here’s hoping Andrew will contribute to our reader forum.

 

Here’s a very sweet deal (less than $80) on a convertible similar to the Victorinox Andrew mentioned, the Victorinox Travel Luggage Werks Weekender Travel Bag - Expandable.

 

 

Tom Bihn Western Flyer - Full user review

TOM BIHN WESTERN FLYER: Review summary – Unique, less-than-maximum-size two-compartment carry-on bag with built-in sling strap. Handmade in the USA. System design approach: packing cubes available, may be fitted with the highly-regarded Tom Bihn Brain Cell computer sleeve/bag. Versatile, may double as briefcase or everyday bag. High points: Perfect size for the ultra-light traveler or for anyone as an overnighter, adaptable to a variety of needs, low profile/high utility. Reserved good looks.

RATING: 4.5 stars, a One Bag, One World top pick.

I’m convinced that iconoclastic bag man Tom Bihn does things differently just because he can. And different is good in this case. The Western Flyer rises from the pack of bulging, cookie-cutter, maximum-legal-size carryons and heavy, over-padded, too-many-pockets laptop bags — and just sails away. Its compact profile means you can slice through the thickest crowds and navigate the narrowest aisles, then slot your bag in the slightest places. This is light travel.

 Getting acquainted

The Western Flyer is really different so it needs a full introduction. The basic shape is that of a traditional rectangular suitcase, divided into two equally-sized zippered interior compartments. At 18” x 12” x 7” it is well below the maximum carryon size of any airline I know of (Even the tiny Embraer 145 regional jet’s overhead compartments swallow the Western Flyer, and it may fit under some airline seats). The TB website lists the weight at 2.53 pounds but my luggage scale read barely over two pounds – very light indeed.

Each interior compartment is about 3.5” deep zips around three sides. Though of the same depth, the interior compartments differ significantly. Here’s how: The rear compartment has buckles (on the center wall) that will attach many of Tom Bihn’s Brain Cell armored-yet-compact computer sleeves. And they’re not just sleeves; they may be carried by a shoulder strap as stand-alone cases, adding utility for the traveler. Using an unpadded bag like the Flyer with a well-padded, removable sleeve like the Brain Cell makes for a flexible, multi-purpose solution. (We tested the Brain Cell for the 15.4” MacBook Pro), The rear compartment has semi-rigid foam padding on the outside wall. This adds structure and cushions the back when the bag is carried sling style (more on that below). The opposite compartment has a lightweight zippered nylon panel that turns it into two compartments. You can’t open the compartment like a book with the nylon panel zipped but it does give you two nice vertical sections which you can use for a pair of shoes (but maybe not bulky hiking boots), hair care stuff or toiletries, or bulky clothing items like a sweater or raincoat. The only minor hitch I experienced with the Flyer involved this panel. I hurriedly tried to zip it and boogered it up - finally freed it. This is probably normal for lightweight zippers; they just take a little more care.

The bag holds its shape and stands up nicely. This was especially convenient in our tiny London hotel room. With the long top side unzipped I could work out of the bag (which was standing against a wall) without lying if flat on the bed and opening it up. This may sound insignificant, but if you’ve ever stayed in one of those micro rooms you’ll understand.

The bag’s three front exterior pockets seem to have been specially designed to meet the challenges of the 21^st century airport experience. The open pocket with the scalloped opening is ideal for tucking boarding passes or guidebooks into. It has no closure so you must be careful of what you put in it if you are carrying the bag on your back or in crowds. The other two pockets are zippered. The smaller one is ideal for a phone, wallet, car keys, or small electronics that you want to keep handy. The larger pocket is perfect for a one-quart 3-1-1 liquid carry-on baggy. These pockets aren’t deep – so they can get tight – but that very tightness helps prevent bulging.

How does it pack?

The Flyer is incredibly versatile and I can imagine lots of uses for it, but let’s examine how it packs when used primarily as a suitcase. The two main compartments lack hold-down straps, but this is not as big a deal in a small case which will typically be tightly packed. Tom Bihn has introduced three zippered packing cubes just for the Flyer. There’s a full-size cube made of 200 denier nylon ripstop fabric and mesh which will fill an entire interior compartment, and two half-size cubes – one of fabric/mesh and one all-fabric. The half cubes are useful for holding shoes or extra clothing when the front compartment is divided by the zippered panel. I’ve found bundle packing techniques work about equally well at reducing wrinkles whether you use a bag with hold-downs or cubes. The Flyer is just large enough to use a slightly modified version of the best bundle packing method. If you wear XL-sized clothing the Flyer may not be large enough for bundle packing but for most of us some careful folding will result in reasonably presentable duds.

Carrying on regardless

There are three ways to carry the Western Flyer. There’s the old-school top handle which is nicely padded and easy on the hand. There are D-rings for attaching a shoulder strap. And I wouldn’t dream of purchasing a Flyer without the Tom Bihn Absolute Strap which is – hands down – the most comfortable shoulder strap available. The third way is the sling strap which folds and stows in a zippered compartment in the rear of the bag. The sling strap is an example of Tom Bihn’s non-traditional approach. Why the sling and why not backpack straps? Well, the sling is quick to attach and looks may have a slightly less scruffy, slightly more sophisticated look than a traditional backpack. The sling has another benefit: You can quickly pull the case around to the front of your body and access the front pockets – a nice benefit. Getting a traditional backpack off your shoulders can be a cumbersome operation. Also, the sling (which must go over the right shoulder) keeps your other shoulder available for a purse, briefcase, or computer bag. I’ve found that using a shoulder strap on top of a backpack strap is a pain. The sling solves this problem.

Is the sling strap comfortable? It depends on how heavily you’ve packed the bag. Under 15 pounds isn’t bad; over 15 pounds gets a little uncomfortable. The sling material is padded but still can cut into your collar bone or shoulder. Varying the length of the strap from time to time helps. It would be nice - but probably not cost-effective – to make the sling strap from the same stretchy material as the Absolute Strap.

NOTE - Something I didn’t originally notice is that, while the sling is meant to go over the right shoulder, it also works passably well as a shoulder strap on the left shoulder. This may help shift the burden if carrying a heavily-loaded bag. Just remember the sling isn’t tacky like the Absolute Strap, so it’s more likely to slip off when used on the left shoulder. In sling mode it can’t slip off - provided you stay upright!

I prefer the shoulder strap to the sling, but the sling is great for airplane boarding since it narrows your profile and makes that long shuffle back to economy easier. Again, I wouldn’t purchase it without the shoulder strap. Most travelers will use both methods – shoulder and sling – at one time or another. The sling strap folds and tucks neatly away in its own zipped pocket and the buckle on the bottom of the case disappears into a hidden fold. Another nifty point is an elastic pocket on the sling for a cell phone – nice touch.

Stealthy and speedy

The sling strap is part of what makes the Flyer so agile. The slim profile is another. To be honest, most soft-sided bags will bulge about two to three inches in width when fully packed. Since the Flyer starts at seven inches it bulges to more than nine. Maximum-size carryons often bulge to 11 or 12 inches. The bag’s 18” x 12” x 7” dimensions mean that, whether you carry on the hip or the back, the Flyer doesn’t add significantly to your width. This means less bumping and quicker transit. In London, the Flyer was a perfect for crowded Underground trains and escalators.

The slender Flyer looks more like a briefcase than a lumpy pack or suitcase. This means that if you arrive in a city before hotel check-in time and have a few hours to kill you can take your luggage with you for sightseeing or shopping without looking like a pack mule or a lost tourist.

Multi-tasking

How many uses might the Western Flyer have? That’s hard to say. It can be a primary one-bag solution for the ultra-light traveler, an overnighter for anyone, a highly-protective laptop bag with the addition of a Brain Cell, or a jump bag to keep packed with essentials for spur-of-the-moment, unexpected trips. Technicians might find it to be a good catch-all bag for tools, parts, and cables. Beauty queens might fill it with their coiffure kit. And some folks might make it an everyday briefcase or book bag.

The Flyer will hold enough clothes for a long trip for those who launder as they go. I found the Flyer to be fully adequate for a four-night trip to London in the dead of winter – which required bulkier clothing than I’d normally carry. The bottom line is this: If you often have much room to spare in your maximum-sized carryon the Flyer will probably work for you. Even if you often fill up a max-size bag, switching to a smaller bag may be just the thing you need to make you carry less. And you’re unlikely to regret carrying less.

I’ve resolved not to travel regularly with a laptop until I can get one in the three-pound range. Mating a slender Vaio or wispy MacBook Air with the Flyer would be an incredible combo that would allow you to travel with a computer and several days worth of clothing at under 15 pounds in one bag. That’s an enticing idea.

Bihn-built

Tom Bihn’s handmade bags are neatly finished and don’t look overbuilt even though they are. Heavy, hidden, well-turned seams are the norm. The look is modern without being flashy, cool without being trendy or cheap. The USA-made 1050 ballistic nylon has a nice stiffness which helps the bag hold its shape, and it has high abrasion resistance. The zippers are a gasketed waterproof-type. While not as silky smooth as regular heavy-duty zippers they make the bag virtually rainproof. What would you expect from a bag that hails from Seattle? And an excellent warranty means the bag might last as long as you will.

Size: WF vs. Aeronaut Dollars and sense

The Western Flyer is available direct from the Tom Bihn factory store for $150. The $25 Absolute Strap is a must, and I guarantee you’ll use it on another bag when you’re not using the Flyer – it’s that good. A packing cube or two at about $15 each is also a good idea, so the total cost of a well-equipped Western Flyer is about $200. This isn’t cheap, but it may be a good investment for the serious traveler. It’s hard to put a price on the time and aggravation a well-chosen bag may save.

Did I mention?

• The WF is available in only three colors: crimson, steel (gray), and black.

• The zip-divided compartment is excellent for shoes (might not be adequate for a large pair of hiking boots though).

• With a Brain cell in the rear compartment, about half of that section’s capacity is lost.

  However, there’s still plenty of room for computer stuff or printed material. You can also stow some flat stuff in the rear pocket that stows the sling strap.
  

• The front zippered pockets have o-rings for attaching TB’s key snaps and small pouches.

• The ends of the case sport low-profile padded handles that make it easy to retrieve the case from luggage compartments.
  

(Still to come: more pictures, Western Flyer in London, Tom Bihn Aeronaut test update, reviews of the Tom Bihn Cafe Bag and Brain Cells) *Thanks to Tom Bihn for the top set of pictures

Coming attractions

Coming my way in the next week are two exciting new bags that have engendered a good bit of discussion - the Red Oxx Sky Train and the production version of the Tom Bihn Western Flyer. The carry-on traveler’s options are increasing all the time and this specialized market is being driven largely by customer feedback and demand. And that’s a good thing. Wal-Mart doesn’t really care what you think. The much smaller travel goods manufacturers are typically very responsive.

MEI Executive Overnighter - Reader Review

(Thanks to OBOW reader Paul for this review of a bag we haven’t yet seen: the MEI Executive Overnighter - photos below) 

MEI Executive Overnighter - First impressions

Summary:

Well-designed 3- zip carry-on, similar to the Tough Traveller Tri Zip. Comfortable, well thought out shoulder straps. Hold-downs in main compartment. Outside snug straps to lessen bulge. High quality materials, handmade in the USA. Excellent packability.

Suggested improvements (note: I can personally live without these, but the Red Oxx Air Boss has addressed these items correctly and they would really work wonderfully with this product):

- make the front ‘outer’ pocket fully unzip (similar to the rear )

- The photos on the MEI website show the side handle(s) as two webbing loops, sewn down the side of the bag, meeting and joined by a leather ‘snap’ wrap (a la the Air Boss). However, the version as supplied shows a arrangement identical to the Voyageur, a molded plastic and web handle that is (heavily) sewed to the side of the bag (on top of one end of the outer snug straps). I don’t believe this is a bad design - I’m not seen any complaints in my research - but the other design would seem to bear the packed load better. I would perhaps suggest returning to that design. Time will tell if this is an issue or not.

- Add a discreet handle on either (or both) end(s) of the bag, to facilitate extracting from an overhead storage bin.

Like many readers of OBOW, I am a frequent carry-on business traveler in search of a well-made bag that will carry all of my business kit. My requirements were narrowed down to a carry-on sized, 3 compartment bag, that not only can be carried by a handle or shoulder strap, but has backpack straps, which I use frequently and is a prime requirement of mine, both for business and leisure travel. For biz travel, my Victorinox 2-zip carry on worked adequately, except that I could not include my laptop inside the bag - so I carried a separate laptop bag, which is what I wanted to eliminate.

In short, I researched and reviewed the alternatives as much as I could, and dropped them one by one. The current king, the Red Oxx Air Boss, would have been perfect, save that it did not have the backpack straps (I also eliminated the new Sky Train, both because it’s a 2 compartment zip - like the Victorinox - and I was not pleased with the non-ergo backpack strap design). I next considered the Tough Traveller Tri Zip, but after the excellent review on OBOW, reading Maharashii’s forum on his carry on search, and reviewing the basic backpack strap design, I eliminated it. I also eliminated the Easy Going Carryon, due to lack of backpack straps.

What I settled on is the MEI Executive Overnighter. This seemed to fit my requirements, (although the MEI website is somewhat limited on details, and shows only 2 photos) so based on reviews of the MEI Voyageur I decided to purchase.

Dimensions (approximate per my measurements):

Length 19.5 “

Width 11”

Height 14”

Rear Compartment 6”

Mid Compartment 3.25”

Front Compartment 1.75”

First impressions are very favorable. The bag is very nicely constructed, in 1000 D Cordura with a lighter internal material in black. (A note here about MEI customer service: Ahmed, the owner was excellent, calling me on a number of occasions to keep me abreast of the status, and on one occasion to tell me that the fabric in the khaki color I ordered was actually delivered to him in ‘taupe’ - a sort of medium brown / bronze - and he offered me the choice of this or another color. I elected to go with the taupe, and am very pleased with the appearance. It’s distinctive enough to be very recognizable at a glance but still understated, the way I prefer. I can say that I am very pleased with their service.)

The rear compartment is 6” deep and is the primary place where clothes go. In a ‘test pack’ I conducted, based on my usual 10-14 day complement of ‘business casual’ attire, it swallowed everything with room to spare. Also, there are 2 compression straps that snug everything tight against the inner wall (which is reinforced with a layer of foam). I use both packing cubes and Eagle Creek folding squares, which I definitely recommend.

The mid compartment is 3.25” wide and is perfect for carrying my Dell laptop, in it’s Tom Bihn Brain Cube (another excellent product….) with plenty of room for PC accessories packed in a Eagle Creek ‘half cube’, along with my gym shoes in a shoe bag. (A hint for TSA inspections: I was ‘inspected’ twice on previous trips until I figured out that the blocky Dell power supply was the object of the TSA search. Now, I not only put the laptop in the inspection bin but also the half cube with the power supply. Bingo, no more rifling through my bag.)

The front compartment is 1.75” in width, and I put one of my 2 folding squares there (with room left over for thin/small odds and ends) which adds a bit of protection for my laptop (as if it needs more than the Brain Cell). However, I could easily place this in the back and save this room for my book, magazine / newspaper, etc. that I generally carry for amusement. In addition, there are some smaller zip-pockets inside this compartment that can hold some smaller odds and ends.

On that score, there also is a fill length zip lengthwise across the front, that creates another space perfect for the aforementioned magazines, airline tickets etc. This pocket sits to the outside when the bag is carried via the shoulder strap.

As to the backpack straps, they are a duplicate of those on the Voyageur, with a nice sternum strap. The only difference is the waistband is a pair of webbing straps, with a large plastic clip to connect them together, different from the Voyageur design of 2 padded ‘wings’ either side of the waist. Not as comfortable, but saves a lot of space that I personally like. The straps are easily the most comfortable of the designs I have experience with, although slightly thicker than most.

The bag came with a nicely designed shoulder strap, with a thick pad and length adjustment from both ends of the strap. I currently have a strap with a gel-based pad that I prefer, but the included one is better than most I’ve seen provided as standard.

The bag comes standard with a MEI-made suiter accessory, but Ahmed indicated that he currently did not have any of them in stock and will send this accessory to me as soon as they become available, so I cannot currently comment on that function. However, the bad requires no modifications to use it and no extra charge.

All in all, I feel that this bag is a high quality, practical alternative in this market, given the limited amount of available products in the 3-zip category. For me, this bag is better overall than the Tri Zip, although the Air Boss has some features (not to mention it’s truly bulletproof construction, which really seems to be in a class above) that would adapt to this bag beautifully.

 

Update on March 29, 2008 by Frank@OBOW

Click on the photos to see a larger version. These illustrate Paul’s comments below:

 

Update on July 7, 2008 by Frank@OBOW

Here are pictures of the updated EO from Skip:

“Here are some new shots of the MEI Executive Overnighter I got.  I tried to get shots of the changes…showing that all 3 compartments open out flat, the new second pocket on the outside, the new handles on the end (cool pattern on the fabric), the “key clip”, etc.”

 

 

 

 

 

Surveying the Empire (Builder)

NotebookReview.com sizes up the Tom Bihn Empire Builder briefcase and likes what it sees:

“On the subject of construction, this is another area where the Empire Builder truly shines. The bag is impeccably constructed with tight seams and very sturdy stitching. Both the nylon and Cordura materials have a great feel to them and I think they would take a lot to rip or tear through. Each of the three main zippers is of the heavy duty metal kind and is uncoated, so they do jingle about when walking. But as a tradeoff, they’re so sturdy that under normal usage there’s no fear of these things breaking off at any point before the end of time. Additionally, all of the exposed zippers are covered in a rubbery material that lies flat when the zipper is closed. This has the effect of making the zipper seams highly water resistant (although not water proof).”

The E.B. (which Tom says took three years to design) would make an excellent personal item bag for the carry-on traveler who needs to carry a computer - meaning practically everyone. If the E.B. is a little to large or  too corporate for you check out its little brother the Zephyr, or its hip cousins the ID, Ego, and Super Ego. These are all rugged well-designed bags. And they’re cool too.

Here are more reviews for the Empire Builder: OhGizmo!, Gagdets for Legal Pros, & Apple Matters

More from Tough Traveler

Tough Traveler, an all-American company based in Schenectady, NY, offers a bewildering array of bags, packs, cases, and carriers. They were kind enough to send me a large carton of cordura several weeks ago and it contained some surprises. First of all, I was not as crazy about the Tri-Zip convertible carryon (full review here) as I expected to be.  Still, it’s an impressive bag, and with a few minor tweaks could be much better. It has been highly reviewed elsewhere, and with good reason I’m sure. Tough Traveler has a great warranty too. All the Tough Traveler stuff seems to be extremely well made.

The box also contained the slightly trimmer (8” deep) Bi-Zip case - similar to the Tri-Zip but with two compartments and no backpack straps. It would make an excellent lightweight shoulder bag, but - inexplicably - it has no hold-downs.

The nicest surprise were two pure backpacks - The Super Padre large and medium. The large SP is borderline for carryon size but should just squeeze in - in most cases. The medium seems  to hold nearly as much and is well under maximum carryon size. The are both extremely comfortable on the back thanks to an internal frame, great waistbelt, and lots of load adjustment straps. They are traditional pack designs so you’ll have to roll or stuff - not for the business traveler, but what a joy to carry. I could see wearing these all day with no discomfort. (See specs for these two packs at the bottom of this post).

The strangest thing in the box was, no doubt, the Cygnet three-way convertible. This engineering marvel is a shoulder bag, backpack, or rolling case - you decide.  This one-of-kind case is pricey ($325) but impressive. It is quite trim without the dolly attached. It has less capacity than the Trip-Zip but does have a built-in garment bag (same as the optional Hang-Up for the Trip-Zip). I can’t say if this three-way bag is for you, but it is interesting. The removable dolly attaches to the bag with an array of velcro panels and straps, The bag weight only 6.5 pounds with the wheels, which makes it one of the lightest rollers out there. If you like something just a little different, the Cygnet might be for you.

SUPER PADRE Ergonomic Backpack specs:

Super Padre - Size Large

SIZE: 23”x12”x9”
Fits: Adults 5’3” - 6’3”
Capacity: 2,800 cu”
Weight: 2.6 lbs

Additional Features:
• Ventilated bottom pocket with mesh front provides more carrying space, and keeps damp items from getting musty.

Price: $156.00
Color: Teal, Black, Slate, Natural, Navy, Raspberry, Olive

—- 

Super Padre - Size Medium
SIZE: 18.5”x11.5”x9.5”
Fits: 8 yrs old - Adults 5’10”
Capacity: 2,200 cu.”

Weight: 2.3 lbs

Additional Features:
• Ventilated bottom pocket with mesh front provides more carrying space, and keeps damp items from getting musty.

Price: $132.00
Color: Royal, Teal, Natural, Raspberry, Slate

Tough Traveler Tri-Zip - full user review

TOUGH TRAVELER TRI-ZIP: Review summary – Good looking, traditional, three-compartment convertible shoulder bag with stowable backpack straps. Excellent packability for the business traveler. Nice hold-downs in main compartment. Available (optional) Hang-Up suiter accessory. Shoulder strap & backpack mode carrying comfort leave something to be desired. Has a tendency to bulge in width when fully packed. Handmade in the USA, lifetime warranty.

RATING: 3.5 stars, a One Bag, One World recommended product.

The Tough Traveler Tri-Zip is tailor-made for the business traveler or neat freak. It may not help you look the part of the tech-savvy hipster or bush plane adventurer, but it will carry your clothes in a way that will help you look good – no matter how far away from home you may be. Packability and a neat appearance are its strong suits.

Hold ‘em down, hang ‘em up

The Tri-Zip is divided in traditional suitcase fashion, with three rectangular compartments. The front and middle compartments are 2.5 inches deep and the one on the rear is 4 inches deep. The rear compartment (on the outer side/“back” of the bag) is where most of the business takes place; it’s where the bulk of clothing will be kept. This compartment has a nice set of hold-downs: the outside wall has two adjustable, buckled cinch straps running vertically and another strap that runs long ways across them. Most suitcases have only two hold-down straps and they are usually inadequate. On the other wall of this compartment there is a single hold-down running long ways.

This compartment is also where the optional Hang-Up suit bag attaches (by way of two buckles). I packed a mid-weight wool sport coat, two shirts, and two pairs of fairly bulky pants on the Hang-Up’s two hangers, which have folding hooks. The Hang-Up can add convenience for the business traveler who needs to pack a suit or extra sport coat. I found I could reduce wrinkling of my dress shirt by putting the shirt on the hanger first, then tucking the shirt sleeves into the sleeves of the sport coat. The Hang-Up adds a little weight and somewhat more in the way of bulk – packing without it is more space-efficient. Its chief virtues are ease of packing, the convenience of having your clothes already on hangers (not having to transfer to hotel hangers), and the wrinkle-fighting quality of the suit bag. Some drawbacks: the Hang-Up is only about 19” wide, which is somewhat narrower than the average garment bag, and its length (which is barely adequate for a medium-sized sportcoat on the hanger) means folding it in half to fit in the compartment leaves a little left over which must be stuffed or tucked in at the top.

The large rear compartment and the 2.5-inch deep front compartment zip on three sides (plus a couple of more inches around the corner on the bottom of the bag) for full access and packing ease; both open fully when laid flat. The center compartment zips only on the top of the bag and a couple of inches down the ends (Compare to the Red Oxx Air Boss in which all three compartments zips on three sides).

The center compartment has no hold-downs. It is meant as a catch-all or as a place to stow a laptop. The bottom of the bag is not padded so a computer would need to be in a sleeve or you’d need to line the bottom with socks or t-shirts to provide some padding. A good sleeve like a Tom Bihn Brain Cell would be best. I carried a 13” MacBook in a sleeve and a large Dell in an unpadded slim-line brief (at different times). Both worked quite well. I also tried stuffing a pair of dress shoes in the center compartment, but that proved to be a bit much. The center compartment is not really suitable for shoes unless they’re pretty small (or flat like sandals) or unless the other compartments are under-packed. I also used the center compartment for stowing with my non-liquid toiletries, socks, tech and laundry accessories, and my 3-1-1 quart baggy.

The front 2.5-inch deep compartment has no hold-downs but does have two flat half pockets which you can tuck thin clothing items into. I didn’t find this arrangement very helpful and I believe this compartment would be better served by hold-down straps on one side as well. Tough Traveler’s website implies these pockets are meant for printed material, but most travelers will carry a few more clothes than the large compartment will hold.

The front of the bag sports a flat pocket which is zippered across the entire width of the bag. This pocket is best used for papers or a magazine. I was able to tuck a large-size road atlas in it (no GPS for me).

One note: there are zippers on the walls of the three compartments. These are not for storage, but allow the removal of the thin closed-cell foam padding sheets which are used in each section of the divider walls.

The Tri-Zip’s carrying capacity means that it will function well for a long trip  - if you pretty much carry clothing only. With a laptop in the center section and some papers in the front compartment it will hold enough clothing for a short trip.

The battle of the bulge

I’ve found that traditional suitcases which have their compartments arranged like file folders (like the Tri-Zip and Red Oxx Air Boss) have a tendency to bulge a couple of inches or more beyond their stated size. The effect is sort of like stuffing an envelope – it bulges in the middle. Without external compression straps or a semi-rigid design, this is probably unavoidable. To be fair, I stuffed the bag pretty full at times, but the packed bag only weighed in at 18-20 pounds, which is probably about normal for the carryon-only traveler. The bulging was worse with the Hang-Up which tended to concentrate the load towards the center. This bulging effect makes for a bag that is almost a foot wide when carried by the shoulder strap. It bulges more at the bottom – that darn gravity! The stated dimensions of the bag are 20x13x9, but in reality – fully loaded – they’re more like 21x13x11, which is still just legal for a carryon with most U.S. airlines. The Tri-Zip weighs about 3.5 pounds. The Hang-Up adds less than a pound.

Shoulder or back - you make the call

The convertible Tri-Zip may be carried two ways, and I have slight issues with both of them. The supplied shoulder strap’s pad is prone to roll up or slide out of position and it’s not particularly well-padded. An upgrade is in order if you intend to use the bag primarily on the shoulder. The strap attaches to two triangular plastic rings. I’m sure the plastic is quite strong, but metal rings would inspire more confidence. Also, the rings are placed nearer the front of the bag than the rear. On the shoulder this makes the bag hand so it juts out at the bottom, making it seem even wider on the hip. Additionally, the internal aluminum stays on the back of the bag line up roughly with the stowed backpack straps. This accounts for some of the bulging that widens the bag. Without the stiff stays the bag would conform more to the shape of the user’s body and wouldn’t seem so wide.

The aluminum stays are ostensibly to help the bag perform better in backpack mode. I didn’t find that they made it more comfortable to carry than the other convertibles I’ve tried. The backpack straps seem to be placed rather close together and they aren’t very cushy. Their design and placement causes the load to pull almost straight back on the shoulders and the bag seems to want to rock back. When cinched up tight to improve carrying comfort the bottom struck the small of my back somewhat above the waist, meaning the supplied waist belt could not be comfortably used. The straps might benefit from a higher and wider placement. There is no sternum strap. This may not be the bag for you if you plan to carry it mostly on your back. To be honest, most convertible bags are not meant for long hauls on the back. They are more suitcase than backpack.

Put together well, looking good

The 1000-denier Cordura nylon Tri-Zip is finished to a high standard – as well-sewn as any I’ve seen. This careful tailoring makes the Tri-Zip look a little more delicate than some other bags, but I believe appearances are deceiving in this case. I’m guessing the construction is plenty rugged. And this American-made bag has a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects. I do believe its zippers are a little less beefy than those of some of its competitors. The leather handle with metal snaps is a nice touch.

The Tri-Zip’s conservative, well-tailored appearance makes it ideal for business travelers and snappy dressers, and it’s available in nine colors.

Is it for you?

The Tri-Zip is probably best-suited for business travelers who use traditional packing techniques. Most, I’m guessing, will only use the backpack mode if forced to walk longer-than-expected distances. The price of $225 is in line with other high-end shoulder bags, but you should budget $25 for a better shoulder strap. The Hang-Up adds $45 and if not ordered at the same time as the Tri-Zip, the Tri-Zip must be returned to Tough Traveler for modification.

The Tri-Zip is a delight to pack, but is less enjoyable to carry for the reasons stated above. Slight modifications and a better shoulder strap would remedy most of these shortcomings.

About our rating 

Why did we rate the Tri-Zip lower than the Red Oxx Air Boss and the Tom Bihn Aeronaut - its direct competitors? The main reason for the downgrade is carrying comfort (shoulder and back) as explained above. Having only one compartment with hold-downs hurts its rating as well. The Air Boss is a little less prone to bulge (it seemed to me), has more robust zippers and has two more useful outside pockets. I believe having the largest compartment in the middle - as does the Air Boss - is a better idea as well. The convertible Aeronaut offers much better carrying comfort thanks to a superior strap and better backpack system. The Aeronaut also has the best shoe-carrying capability in this class. All this being said, the Tri-Zip is still an excellent bag and may be preferred by many travelers. Its excellent reputation is not unfounded I’m sure.
 

Mouse's travel bag picks

Here’s a nice list of recommended travel bags from Mouse Planet. They like the Tom Bihn Aeronaut as “an alternative to the ubiquitous rolling upright”. They also like the Patagonia One Bag which I also like as a slightly undersized carryon for those who pack really light.

MEI Voyageur travelpack review

MEI VOYAGEUR TRAVELPACK: Review summary – Simple, no nonsense carry-on travelpack. Stowable backpack straps make it convertible to shoulder bag use. Super comfortable in backpack mode thanks to waist belt, lumbar pad, and internal stays. A rugged piece of outdoor gear. More pack than luggage – will appeal mostly to backpackers. Handmade in the USA.

RATING: 3 1/2 stars, a One Bag, One World recommended product.

The Voyageur pack by MEI helped start the travelpack craze. Now carryon-size packs and suitcases that sprout backpack straps are common. But while many of these products were inspired by this simple pack, the Voyageur is still very much in a class by itself. It is not for everyone and doesn’t pretend to be. The Voyageur knows what it is – a basic pack that functions as carry-on luggage and is extremely comfortable to carry when worn on the back.

Simplicity embodied

The Voyageur has a standard rectangular shape with dimensions of 22x14x9. It has one main compartment, one small pouch compartment in the main compartment, and one long, flat zippered pocket on the outside of the zippered flap. The flap zips around the two long sides and one end. This allows wide open access to the large main compartment which ends up being about eight inches deep. Nearly everything you carry must go in this main compartment. It has two adjustable hold-down straps for securing folded clothes. The flat 6x9 interior pouch pocket will hold small items, a few toiletries, valuables, or documents that need to be kept secure and dry. It is sewn in at the top end of the bag. The flat 14x19 zippered pocket on the outside will hold a magazine or newspaper or two, tickets, and a few small items. Obviously, this is a simple layout that you aren’t going to get lost in, but it has some limitations.

Packing the pack

The Voyageur is not as easy to pack as many carryons, and its large interior compartment is capacious but not especially efficient. The bag is essentially unstructured except for the internal back frame (see below). This means when you lay it out to pack, the sides tend to collapse. This makes neat, careful packing tough to do. Packing is further complicated by the fact that the thick lumbar padding, stowed straps, and rigid internal stays make the floor of the compartment anything but flat and even. The lump caused by all this stuff is as much as three inches thick and is more pronounced in the center and lower portion of the pack. This pack is probably not for the business traveler or the snappy dresser. It is best-suited for those who roll and stuff their casual or outdoor clothing. The fastidious bundle packer who plots carefully to avoid wrinkles will be disappointed.

The one-big-compartment design is less efficient than a thoughtfully planned multi-compartment design – in the same way that a tool box is more efficient than a tool sack of the same volume. Packing cubes are probably essential if you want to get the most out of the Voyageur. There are many sizes of cubes to choose from and you’d need at least two or three. I used a Tom Bihn large cube which made the space much more manageable. On the plus side, if you’re a stuffer, the external compression straps will really cinch your load tight.

What’s it’s really good at

The Voyageur is a pack. Any pack carries stuff. A really good one puts the load on your back in such a way that the load seems much lighter than it really is. The Voyageur is a really good one. The very things that make the main compartment a pain for packing make this the most comfortably-carried travelpack available. The backpack straps are well-padded, but what really makes the pack work is the waist belt, the well-padded rigid internal stays, and thick lumbar padding. I tested a fully-packed Voyageur against two other convertible carryons and the Voyageur was much better at carrying the load comfortably. If you’re a backpacker and you don’t want to check a larger external frame pack the Voyageur is the clear choice. I’m guessing you could carry it all day and be quite satisfied. The construction seems first rate and the Cordura fabric is backcoated for water resistance. The zippers are beefy and all the strapping is well-sewn. And speaking of strapping, it has an abundance of loops for attaching extras to the backpack rig.

What’s not so good

This is a five-star pack, but as a suitcase it rates no better than two or three stars – if that. Travelers used to the extra amenities that many carryons provide will be disappointed with the Voyageur. It is also inadequate as a shoulder bag. The supplied shoulder strap has a puny pad, but the biggest problem is that it doesn’t ride comfortably against the body with all the backpack hardware stowed. It’s awkward on the hip and tends bulge. Without the compression straps it looks like the Voyageur could swell beyond carryon size limits.

Its styling is somewhat dated. It looks for all the world like an old-school 80’s pack. (The MEI website says the company pioneered travelpacks in 1973 and I’m guessing the Voyageur design hasn’t changed much since then) This may appeal to you, but a sometimes-business traveler may find it a little too “trail-ready”. Add to this the fact that is holds its shape poorly on the shoulder and you have a less than attractive choice for the spiffy traveler.

Who it’s for

If retro is your thing, you aren’t worried about a few wrinkles, and you’re going to carry it full-time as a backpack then the Voyageur MEI may well be your dream bag. Ditto if you’re a twentysomething who doesn’t mind (or prefers) looking a little scruffy. I believe the Voyageur is a good enough backpack to suffice for the short-term vagabonder. I just don’t think most modern carryon travelers who have widely-varying travel needs will prefer it as their first-choice bag. At $136 it is an excellent value for a USA-made product. It is available online at mei-packs.com.

SPECIFICATIONS:

· 1000 denier Cordura®

· COLORS: Black, Burgundy, Coffee, Hunter Green, Khaki, Navy Blue, Steel Grey

· DIMENSIONS: 14x9x22”; 3.5 LBS

Rollin' & tumblin'

I’m not a fan of rolling bags for reasons mentioned elsewhere. But, if you must roll this old article from Slate is good for establishing criteria with which to evaluate the accursed conveyances. Some of the models in the article are out of date, but the author’s points are excellent:

“A good bag rolls smoothly on a wide wheelbase, with a sturdy, comfortably situated handle to guide it. A bad bag rocks drunkenly on its wheels, with a hard-to-grip, poorly angled handle. It’s always finding ways to bump into your legs.”

“With a careful eye, you can suss out which bags are well-crafted and which will soon be plagued with sticking zippers and mangled handles.”

His winner is the Tumi Vestry which is no longer produced. If style is important to you and money is no object, check out the $495 (now on sale $369 as of 8-12-07) for  20” Tumi Ducati (right). It’s 20” x 13.75”x 9”, comfortably under maximum legal carry-on dimensisons. I like bags that are a little undersized if they are rigid like this one - less stuffing required to get in the overheard. And you certainly wouldn’t want to scuff up this beauty. This is the bag for beautiful people: If the bag fits, roll it.

Note: Alert OBOW reader Stephen R. points out that while it looks like the tow handle is for right-handers only, the handle actually pivots for comfortable use with either hand. 

We’ll have a review in coming weeks of a less-expensive Tough Traveler rolling carryon with removable wheels. 

Tom's capacious cube

I used to think packing cubes were gimmicky, so I was a little stunned at what would fit in one packing cube and how useful they can be. The Tom Bihn Large Cube is made expressly for the Aeronaut carryon (see review) but, at 13.5 x 13.5 x 4.25, it will fit in almost any bag. And it holds a lot. Here’s what I got in one cube: two pairs of medium-weight pants, one long-sleeved dress shirt,  one heavy wool shirt/jacket, and one t-shirt. If you pack purposefully you can fill up every square centimeter of the cube. The mesh and  ripstop nylon zippered cube provides compression when fully packed, putting more clothing in less space. Plus a tightly-packed cube lends more shape and structure to a soft-sided bag than a mere pile of folded clothes can. My next project: develop a wrinkle-reducing bundle packing method for the cube.

Nice points: smooth zippers wrap around three sides for easy packing, mesh panels allow ventilation, well-made - just like the Aeronaut, reasonably priced at $18. There are a couple of other sizes and varieties available direct from tombihn.com.

BTW - here’s an account of Aeronaut packing by a convinced cube user. 

Going boldly with the Aeronaut - full user review

TOM BIHN AERONAUT CARRYON: Review summary – Innovative, highly adaptable shoulder bag with stowable backpack straps. Handmade in the USA. System approach with extensive array of packing cubes available. High points: Good looking, sleek, ergonomic design, excellent carrying comfort and capacity.

RATING: 5 stars, a One Bag, One World top pick.

A suitcase is a simple thing. It’s a hard- or soft-sided container to hold clothing and necessities for a traveler. Oh, and the travel part means this container must be portable; it must be easily moved by a human from one place to the next. Those are the basic requirements. True innovation in so simple a thing is rare, and might indeed seem impossible. Tom Bihn has done the impossible, designing a truly different piece of luggage that adapts to the varied needs of demanding modern travelers. Meet the Aeronaut.

Divided differently

The Aeronaut is a maximum carryon-sized (22” x 14” x 9”) three-compartment bag, but it’s divided in a different way, with a large central compartment (about 13.5” x 13.5” x 8.5) and two end pockets (each about 13.5” x 8” x 3.5”). This design has several benefits and a couple of minor drawbacks when compared with more traditional bags. The central compartment is where your folded clothing will go. It lacks hold-down straps so the Aeronaut user is strongly advised to pick up at least one Tom Bihn Large Packing Cube so that clothing will stay tightly folded and in place. The cubes are custom designed just for the Aeronaut. Two of the 13.5” x 13.5” x 4.25” mesh and ripstop nylon zippered cubes will fill the main compartment, but you can still fit some thin or small items between, under, or next to the cubes. Any traveler will carry enough clothing to fill one cube, most will prefer two. The 13.5” x 13.5 main compartment necessitates a slightly different, squarer folding style. Traditional bags often have compartments up to 21 inches wide which more naturally accommodate folded pants and shirts or jackets. Be advised: If your clothes are quite large (46 mens/XXL and up) you may have a little trouble with this narrower compartment.

I’m quite sure there’s a “square” way to fold clothing (to fit the cubes) that will minimize wrinkles nearly as well as the more rectangular bundle approach - I just haven’t mastered it yet. If you’re a leisure traveler with less exacting needs for crisp-looking clothes, the cubes are a dream. And if you’re a roller, there are smaller cubes which fit side by side – four fill the compartment. The main compartment is accessed with an 11” x 11” hatch which zips on three sides (more on its curved corners below). It is plenty big enough to accommodate the large cubes and has a zippered compartment for small items on the inside of the flap.

The end pockets are where everything else goes. Importantly, an end pocket can hold a pair of shoes – something many bags have difficulty coping with. Tom Bihn says an end pocket will hold up to size 12 running shoes. My fairly stiff size 10 casual/dress shoes were a little bit of a tight fit, but most athletic shoes would probably fit fine. Just don’t try size 14 high tops. The end pockets may also be used for toiletries, a hair dryer or steamer, smaller clothing items like socks or underwear, dirty clothes, or personal electronics. The end pockets zip only across the top and down one side. This makes them a little tight but helps the bag hold its shape. One end pocket has a zippered slash pocket for holding boarding passes, travel documents or small guidebooks. There probably should be one of these on each end, instead of just one. The end pocket packing cubes fill the entire pocket. They’re nice since they allow you to neatly and quickly unload the entire pocket at once and get at the contents out in the open.

The Aeronaut is not designed specifcally to carry a notebook computer, but many models will fit in the main compartment, though they’d need an appropriate sleeve. Obviously, most users will use a separate case for a computer. 

Here’s one suggested interior improvement: the material lining the bag should be lighter or more brightly colored to make it easer to see what’s dwelling in the deep recesses of the bag.

Two ways to convey

The Aeronaut, with the addition of the $25 Absolute Strap is wonderful shoulder bag. It rides comfortably and holds its shape very well with no tendency to bulge. It rides comfortable on the hip and the semi-stiff back of the bag keeps it from hugging your body too much, which can make for awkward carrying in too soft a bag. The compartment layout essentially constitutes a series of vertical ribs and the use of curves in the design adds additional stiffening - think Roman arch. The Aeronaut holds its shape well - full or half full - and looks smaller than it actually is. You can carry the bag by and by means of a handle that snaps around the short double straps, of course, but the two most important built-in straps are the clever low-profile pull straps on each end. They make grabbing the bag when it’s stowed a breeze – a very nice touch. If you don’t want a bag on your shoulder, never fear: the Aeronaut has nice set of padded, hideaway backpack straps which are accessed by unzipping the flat compartment on the back of the bag. It’s hard to guess they’re there when stowed; even the rings the straps clip to hide away in little slits in the side seams. Another evidence of Tom Bihn’s thoughtful design is that the Aeronaut also comes in a version (known as the Breve) for users under 5”8”. The Breve has a different backpack strap placement which makes for better fit for the small-framed. I found the Aeronaut to be moderately comfortable in backpack mode. The Tom Bihn site notes that the Aeronaut is not designed for all day backpacking comfort, and I wouldn’t recommend it for extended use on the back. But it is reasonably comfortable for short airport-to-train treks or as a change of pace from shoulder carrying.

A real construct

The Aeronaut is handmade at Tom Bihn’s Seattle factory. What difference does that make? I’m guessing a lot. When the owner/designer pays his workers a living wage, can walk through the factory and call his employees by name, can inspect the materials as they come in and the products as they go out - that has to make a huge difference in quality. And quality of construction and material is evident when you handle the Aeronaut. The primary material is ballistic nylon which is reputedly stronger than Cordura of the same weight. It is definitely a little stiffer than Cordura – not as supple but it inspires confidence. The ballistic material may be one of the reasons that the bag holds its shape and “hangs” so well. The seaming and integration of different materials and segments of the bag are also impressive. The zippers are # 10 YKK Uretek “splash-proof” type. I had reservations about them at first:  the gasketing that the zipper runs in struck me as a liable to bind but I was wrong. They show no such tendency. I’ve heard of some testers subjecting the Aeronaut to several minutes in a bathroom shower with pleasantly dry results. I didn’t try it, but I buy the fact that it is highly water resistant.

Testing, testing

My trial run with the Aeronaut consisted of packing it to the gills with a little more than my normal list of clothing and accessories. I ended up with an 18-20 pound load which included a pair of dress/casual shoes, a variety of pants, shirts, and underclothes, rain jacket, guide book, toiletries (3-1-1 baggie), hair dryer, hangers and laundry accessories, camera and charger. My normal packed weight with this type of bag is 12-15 pounds. The Aeronaut, with the aid of four packing cubes handled the load very well. My only complaints regarding accommodation are that it will not handle a large-size road atlas (flat material – up to about standard magazine size – must share space with the backpack straps in the back compartment) and the central compartment is a little narrow for traditionally folded clothing (as mentioned above). Design is an exercise in compromise, and the three-compartment layout and stowable backpack straps mean that a large, flat pocket for papers, easily accessed when the bag is carried on the shoulder, is impossible. But the end pockets are very useful, especially for shoes which fit so awkwardly in to many bags. I try not to carry extra shoes, but I love the idea of using the end pockets for dirty clothes or, say, nothing but underclothing. The use of cubes is highly advisable. They make packing and unpacking a breeze and make the bag much more functional.

Family affair

Tom Bihn has been designing and building bags for over 20 years. One of the things he has apparently learned is that his customers can be an important part of the design process. The design of the Aeronaut was an interactive affair, with customers and user providing ideas and feedback on the bag’s design through Tom Bihn web forum. This process may help explain its innovative design. The Aeronaut is part of a family of cool, well-designed products, and many Tom Bihn customers pair the Aeronaut with one of the company’s briefcases, messenger bags, or backpacks for a complete travel kit with uniform feel and look.

What does it cost?

The Aeronaut’s $175 price tag seems to put it on the low end of the premium carry-on bag market, but it’s going to cost you more than $175. Why? Because it would be a shame to buy this bag without an Absolute Strap (already reviewed here) and at least two or three cubes. That will make your total price about $230-$250, which is more in line with the other USA-made bags. Is it worth it? I should say so. This is a great bag, which almost cries out “Let’s go!” Travel is a hassle these days. A bag like the Aeronaut which makes the road (and the sky) a happier place is almost priceless.

Who it’s for? 

If you need to travel with a neatly folded extra suit, then the Aeronaut is not for you. But for many business travelers and most leisure travelers, the Aeronaut is a stylish, simple, and functional option. The various cubes and compartments mean the Aeronaut can adapt to different types of trips and different seasons. Obviously, it has no wheels so you’re going to carry it - on your shoulder or your back. If high mobility light travel is your style, the Aeronaut may be the bag for you.

 Tidbits - The Aeronaut weighs under three pounds but the necessary addition of the Absolute Strap and a couple of packing cubes puts it closer to four pounds. The packing cubes exhibit the same quality construction as the Aeronaut. The bag is available in a fairly limited array of colors: red, green, gray, and black - the grape (purple/blue) material being unavailable for the time being. One of the end slash pocket has a nifty clip for keys.

About the photos: Top group - end pocket, Aeronaut maintains trim shape on the shoulder, large packing cube/main compartment, end pockets accomdate shoes. Bottom group: backpack straps, maintains shape in backpack mode, nifty weatherproof gasketed zippers,  helpful pull handles on each end.

 

Click here to see a size comparison of the Aeronaut and Tom Bihn’s smaller Western Flyer carryon. 

 

LOOK FOR ADDITIONAL POSTS UPCOMING CONCERNING TOM BIHN CUBES AND POUCHES. 

Pricey rollers

The LA Times reviews three hard-sided, four-wheeled rolling suitcases. At up to $450  and 7-11 pounds empty, they make those three-pound, soft-sided carryons in the $200 randge from quality US makers like Red Oxx, Tom Bihn, and Tough Traveler look like absolute steals. And these nifty shoulder/backpack bags will never lose a caster or crush a toe.

Clash of the carryon titans

 

Okay, so I’m going to get asked: Which is the best carryon – the Red Oxx Air Boss (left) or the Tom Bihn Aeronaut (right)? The answer: Both. The explanation: Almost any light traveler will find that one of these finely crafted, heavy-duty, American-made bags is ideal for them. They are different, but each is excellent in its own way. That’s not a cop-out; that’s a fact. Designing carry-on luggage is an exercise in compromise. From Red Oxx and Tom Bihn we have two designs that make the most of the size, shape and weight constraints of the carryon. I’ve done hands-on evaluations of both in the last two months and I’ll have a lot to say about the Aeronaut, plus the MEI Voyageur in the next week. A full review of the Air Boss has already been posted, but look for another post that carefully compares the Red Oxx with the Aeronaut. Hopefully our observations will help the serious traveler choose the bag that’s best for their travel needs and style.

Strap up & go

Whatever carryon, briefcase, or computer bag you carry, there’s a simple upgrade you can make: a new shoulder strap. The Claw by Red Oxx (upper photo) and the Absolute Shoulder Strap by Tom Bihn  (lower photo) are probably much better than what your bag came with. Each is American-made and built to last.  And each has a particular virtue which will recommend it to the serious traveler.

The  Claw is not overly wide and has a super-tacky polymer-based rubber pad which just will not slip off your shoulder. Also, the pad is two-sided so no matter how you grab the strap it’s right-side-up. I learned long ago as a news photographer that narrower straps bite and hold better than wide, super-cushy ones.  So if grip is your concern, check out the Claw.

If your shoulder is a little softer and you’re willing to trade a little grip for a little more comfort, Bihn’s Abolute Shoulder Strap is the ticket. The wider neoprene pad has an internal control-stretch system which makes a bag give or bounce a little, which can make it seem lighter. One side of the strap pad is quite tacky and provides a secure (if not claw-like) grip on most fabrics.

Both straps need a D-ring type connection to clip on to. Each has metal hardware: The Claw’s is chromed and the Absolute’s is double-plated black finish. My guess is the Claw is just slightly more durable than the softer Absolute, but either should last for many years. and — at $25 or less — you can always afford to replace a strap. 

Adam likes his Boss

Adam at travelgearreview.com has reviewed the Red Oxx Air Boss carryon and says he liked it so well he ordered one. The Air Boss is a tough, versatile bag and my review contained many of the same conclusions. I’ll have reviews coming soon of two great convertible carryons - the Tom Bihn Aeronaut and MEI Voyageur - but a couple of little things have slowed me down: little things like a son getting married and renovation of an old house!

More noise-killers

If my cheapo suggestion for travel headphones that reduce noise was a little down-market for you, here’s a review of 10 more expensive — and probably better — options from gizmowatch.com.

Zonkers for Tom's Zephyr

“Realize that I had never reviewed the Empire Builder bag, so I had never seen the clever filing system Tom Bihn utilizes. On either side of the bag, there are 0.5″ bumpers which have been sewn in. These bumpers catch the special hook on each side of the three dividers (see photos below), so it’s like the inverse of a hanging file: the dividers can easily slide wherever needed in the compartment to keep files crisp and undamaged, or they can simply be removed. This is one of the coolest specialized features I have ever seen in any bag.” - Jodie Hughes (geardiary.com) raves about the Tom Bihn Zephyr an excellent, slightly down-sized briefcase/computer bag  that would make an ideal traveling companion for the light traveler. It could be your new best friend if your a fast-moving business traveler or compact notebook toter.
 
Another reviewer likes it too (especially with the excellent Absolute Shoudler Strap) - at notebookreview.com:
 
Even when I loaded it up with my laptop, power cord, mouse, purse, paperwork, and a large novel, it didn’t feel too bulky. And thanks to the Absolute Shoulder strap it didn’t hurt my shoulder like my old backpack use to. No more strap marks!”

 
 
 
 

Red Oxx Air Boss bag - full user review

RED OXX AIR BOSS: Review summary – Simple, adaptable shoulder bag for agile travel. Handmade in the USA, military spec materials & construction. High points: Looks great, three-compartment design, excellent strap, lifetime warranty, made in the USA.

RATING: 5 stars, a One Bag, One World top pick.

Ten days and several thousand miles have convinced me that the Red Oxx Air Boss lives up to its hype as one of the most functional and well-made carryon bags available. The Air Boss is probably not for everyone since it has no wheels. Then again, it was not designed for everyone, but for the serious one-bag leisure or business traveler who needs a highly functional shoulder bag which adapts to a variety of travel needs.

No wheels, no backpack straps

There are two ways to carry the Air Boss: with your hand or with your shoulder. This is actually the key to its mobility. A shoulder bag is much better for uneven terrain (like cobblestones, gravel parking lots, or dirt paths), and is preferable for stairs, escalators, or subway platforms. Darting through the airport throngs is also a breeze with nothing “in tow”. No wheels also means less weight and more interior room. Convertible bags with backpack straps (Red Oxx is developing one of these - stay tuned) are popular, but a backpack-style bag is a little out of place with my sportcoat, and I find a good shoulder strap to be at least as comfortable as one (or two) backpack straps. And Red Oxx has one of the finest shoulder straps I’ve tried. It’s called “The Claw” for good reason: it will not slip from your shoulder. As an old news photographer I know that a strap that is too wide or too cushy will not stay on the shoulder. A good strap like “The Claw” strikes a balance between “bite” and comfort, and above all, it stays put. The heavy chromed metal strap hardware is overbuilt like the rest of the bag. I’m pretty sure “The Claw” could double as towing strap for an automobile!

Versatile & simple

The Air Boss’s three-compartment design sets it apart from most carryons. The two outer compartments are 2.5 inches wide and the center compartment is 4 inches wide. Zippers for each compartment wrap around three sides of the bag, allowing any of the compartments to be opened fully when the bag is lying flat. This makes it easy to carefully place folded clothes in the compartments without stuffing - which means fewer wrinkles. The two outer compartments have two hold-down straps each. The outer compartments are where most of your clothing would go. I like to put normal clothing on one side and coats, outerwear, or sweaters on the other, so that some days I only have to open one side. With a one-compartment design you basically have to do a complete unpack and repack every day. Not so with the well-designed Air Boss.

The center compartment has no hold-downs. Both walls of the center compartment have light closed-cell foam padding which also serves to stiffen the bag slightly so that it holds its shape when it’s not full. This center compartment is ideal for hair dryers, thick books, larger electronics, shoes, shaving or cosmetic bag, or a laptop computer. Since only the walls are padded and bottom of the bag is not, it’s probably best to put a laptop in a sleeve or slim-line computer case. I used the center compartment for my unpadded briefcase which I use as a day bag while traveling (see photo). The ability to stow a laptop, briefcase, or daypack in this center compartment means the Air Boss is perfect for travel through the United Kingdom where new security regulations allow only one carryon and everything must fit in that one bag.

Most of my suggestions for improvements to the Air Boss involve the inner compartments. Padding the bottom of the center compartment would make it better for carrying a laptop. The hold-downs in the outer compartments are adequate, but having three instead of two would make them work even better. The center compartment might also benefit from hold-down straps on one wall for securing clothing, large printed material, or a laptop.

One of my favorite things about the Boss (which I’ll discuss below) is its simplicity, but I believe I’d prefer that at least one of the outer compartments have a zippered mesh pocket for storing dirty or damp clothes.

Less is more 

I have a convertible carryon bag that has so many zippers and pockets that I can never find anything. This is not a problem with the simple Air Boss design. It has the three main compartments mentioned above plus a snapped outer pocket and a narrow vertical zippered pocket (perfect for boarding passes) on one side and a full-width exterior zippered pocket on the other. That’s it: no confusion; no gimmicks. The snapped pocket is ideal for stowing your belt and TSA liquid baggie until you clear security, and of course it’s ideal for newspapers, magazines, or a full-size atlas. The zippered pockets are for stowing things that need to be more secure

Zippers, seams, fabric & monkey fists

Speaking of zippers, Red Oxx uses the best money can buy: YKK #10’s which are reliable and silky smooth. Cheap zippers always fail, sooner or later. These are not cheap zippers. I’m no sewing expert, but even I can tell that this bag is very well put together. The Red Oxx guys got their start as military parachute riggers, and the craftsmanship and attention to detail is obvious in their work. The bag fabric is 1000 weight urethane-coated, Dupont-certified Cordura nylon — the highest grade. Snaps and metal hardware are stainless steel. And I have to mention a small but not insignificant detail – the “monkey’s fist” knots. These are hand-tied in nylon cord to serve as unique, functional zipper pulls, and besides that, they’re just plain cool. 

Good genes

The Air Boss is the result of collaboration and consultation with onebag.com travel/packing guru Doug Dyment. His insight paired with the Montana-based Red Oxx company’s manufacturing skill and commitment to quality makes this bag unique. Learn more about Red Oxx here. The company website also has a packing diagram (developed by Dyment) just for this bag. This bundle packing plan works. I can attest that my clothing had fewer wrinkles when properly packed in the Air Boss than I’ve gotten with other bags and methods.

Capacious

The Air Boss is slightly under maximum carryon dimensions at 21”x 13”x 9” but it’s hard to imagine a carryon with more capacity. The fact that the Air Boss has no wheels, pull handles, rigid internal frame, or lots of silly compartments means you can stuff a lot in the Air Boss. I use an ultra-light packing list. My load was only about 12-15 pounds worth which means the bag was not nearly full, and, in fact, the Air Boss is a little too large for me. The good news is that it’s perfect for most people who are going to pack twice as many clothes as I do plus a pair of shoes and hair dryer. I’m guessing most travelers will probably pack their Air Boss to 18-25 pounds. Many international carriers now limit carryons to 22 pounds. The Air Boss would be ideal for those trying to stay in that weight range. I’m quite sure though that it’s built well-enough to handle any load you can stuff in it. The soft-side design also means that the Air Boss should fit almost any aircraft overhead luggage compartment. It even fits the tiny Embraer 145 regional jet’s overhead compartments which cause most carryons to be gate-checked and thrown into the baggage hold. In larger jets the Air Boss will fit in the overhead compartments either way – parallel or perpendicular to the aircraft aisle. The Air Boss weighs under four pounds with strap. Some carryon bags weigh 12 pounds or more empty - almost as much as my Air Boss weighed fully packed.

Looks & style

The Air Boss comes in 12 color combinations. The colors are strong and deep – distinctive without being overly bright (except for the yellow which is pretty bright). This is a nice-looking bag which works for corporate or casual types.

Who it’s for

If you can’t carry a bag far and require wheels the Air Boss is not for you. If you’re looking for a bag that will handle almost any travel situation and terrain with aplomb, check out the Air Boss. For reasons stated above it is ideal for the present security situation that carryon travelers face. And its lifetime warranty means it should serve you for years to come - through whatever the future holds for savvy travelers.

Cost

At $225 its price is in line with other top-of-the line shoulder bags and is well below that of many wheeled carryons. It is available direct from redoxx.com

Suggested improvements

Aside from minor changes to the interior compartments which are mentioned above, I believe compression straps to cinch up the bag when it is under-packed would be helpful. These would make the bag more useful to me since I’m not likely to ever fill the Air Boss up. All soft-sided bags are liable to some bulging when over-packed and compression straps would help minimize this too.

PHOTOS - from top -  Revolving door in Glasgow hotel doesn’t slow down the Air Boss,  Ran into this happy Air Boss user as soon as I stepped off the 777 at Heathrow, “The Claw” shoulder strap, Beautiful detailing and “monkey’s fist” pulls, High-visibility red interior, Snapped pocket is great for TSA liquid baggie, Center compartment swallows my briefcase - beating the UK “no personal item rule”

Review - Onederwear disposable travel underwear

Disposable cotton Onederwear is an interesting option for the light traveler. I tested the men’s boxers on a recent trip and found them to be a viable alternative to traditional cotton or poly underwear. I used them about three days out of eleven on this trip including the last day — which meant wearing them a full 24 hours from hotel departure to arriving home in the early hours of the morning. In between were 10 hours of flights, three airports with lovely vinyl seating, 13 hours of layover and flight delay, and an hour in a car or bus.

The Onederwear boxers are not perfect but they are surprisingly comfortable. My concern was that their thin waistband would pose a problem but this proved not to be the case — my undershirts stayed tucked and the briefs stayed “up”. The boxers’ fly is a little more problematic. It seems not to overlap far enough and after a long day the barn door is a little ajar, if you know what I mean. Nevertheless, I found their comfort to be comparable to the poly/nylon boxers I was wearing on other days. Onederwear makes boxers, briefs, and three types of women’s underwear. (I also received some briefs. I didn’t care for their fit, but then I rarely like briefs. The briefs did have a more effective fly than the boxers.) Another note: because their cotton fabric is quite thin they dry quicker than traditional cotton underwear if they become sweat soaked.

Even if they do not become your primary choice for travel underwear, keeping several pairs on hand is a good idea — for those nights when you’re tired of sinkwashing, or to keep in your day bag or vehicle in case of accident, illness, or unexpected travel delays. I’ll continue to use them along with my poly quick drys.

At about $2 per pair including shippng Onederwear may be cheaper for the occasional traveler than buying two or three pairs of Tilley or Ex Officio travel undies. Since they’re made of cotton — and even though you throw them away — I’m guessing the environmental impact is no greater than that of poly underwear which is petroleum-based.

BTW - This company makes also makes a cool (if you need it) roll-up necktie case and disposable sheets to cover airplane seats for you germophobes. See these items here.