Wednesday
Oct032007
October 3, 2007 Non-rolling free-for-all
Check out this entertaining and informative forum thread which discusses the utility of non-wheeled carry-on luggage. Features a few of our regular commenters as well.
October 3, 2007
Reader Comments (14)
I read with interest maharashii's quest for the right carry on, and his criteria is similar to mine. I'm not a member of his forum so I can't post, but perhaps I can offer a solution that I have been eyeing (instead of the MEI Voyageur):
The MEI Executive Overniter (Towne & Country Traveler)
(bottom of this link)
http://www.meipacks.com/TravelPacks01.html
It may be a little larger then the Air Boss, but I personally could live with that. I am a smaller framed person, so my packing tends to be 'smaller'.
My ideal is basically a Red Oxx Air Boss, but with backpack straps. I read in the OBOW review of the Air Boss that Red Oxx is working on this ... any further news? The only things that I have trouble with for the Air Boss is the lack of a backpack function, and the cost.
BTW, the cost for the above MEI is up there in Air Boss country too. A third choice (for me) is the Tri Zip, but I am not crazy on how the backpack straps look (in the pics I have seen). I suppose as far as cost goes, I will bite the proverbial bullet when I decide to purchase but if I am going to spend that amount, I will wait, for at least a short time, to hear if Red Oxx comes through.
My understanding is that the Red Oxx pack will be less like a suitcase - a younger, more techy design, not just an Air Boss with backpack straps.
Ah ... interesting. Alas, it may not be what I am seeking - unfortunately -, so the quest goes on.
The Aeronaut is terrific. I didn't think I'd like the cubes but they're very helpful. Carrying comfort is very good on the back, phenomenal on the shoulder w/ the Absolute strap. Bulges less than most bags. The end pockets will accomodate a pair of shoes,
I'm also waiting on the new Red Oxx to decide which carry-on I want. I emailed them about this new bag a few weeks back, and they said that it would be on their website by mid October.
I'm also waiting to see what Red Oxx comes up with. I've used the MEI Voyageur for a while...nice bag and quite comfortable as a backpack (not to mention fantastic value), but it's one compartment and I use the shoulder straps seldom enough that they add weight and reduce capacity such that the Air Boss would probably be a better choice for me. Frankly, a multi-compartment like the Air Boss but with a cleverly designed removable backpack strap system would be ideal. Nobody has done anything like this up to now, though.
Mid October - sounds like I can hold on until then to at least see their offering. I really like the 3 zip layout but I have a hard time with even a quality shoulder strap over a 'longish' distance. and I tend to use the backpack straps. Here's what I currently use - and it works pretty good, save for stowing my laptop:
http://www.ebags.com/victorinox_swiss_army/
werks_traveler_2_0_weekender_2_zip_overnighter/
product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=51058
I'd really like to get away from carrying my laptop bag, and go one bag totally, and there just isn't room in this. Works great otherwise though.
Just to give a heads up on that thread, eventually I went with the Tough Traveler Tri-Zip, which I am returning this week. My main beef was the fact that I couldn't easily store gym shoes anywhere, you can't keep a laptop in it without a separate sleeve (padded compartments are only padded on the sides, not the top and bottom), and the straps are way too uncomfortable to wear as a backpack.
I'm still searching.
That's what I was afraid of, when I looked at the (few) pics on the Tri Zip. I'm in the same boat in regards to looking for the right bag. I am still looking at the MEI pack I referenced above, but I sure would like to see one first. I can find almost nothing on it though, all the MEI references I've read speak of nothing but the Voyageur. The search goes on ....
I wish Ars didn't require a subscription for that forum. I'd love to join the debate. Anyone know of a (free) travel or bag related forum for such discussions?
I'm a bit concerned to hear of the new Red Oxx bag. I just got a Air Boss and Gator for an upcoming trip. I can't wait for the new bag but it still would have been nice to know.
Back to the thread in question, I really do get tired of the arguments against wheels. The only valid ones to me are not being able to handle the weight and flying on small planes / airports. If you're on the regular big plans in regular airports wheels are way more useful. You're going to have a hard time finding stairs in a major airport but you won't have trouble finding lines to wait in or long walks to make, both which favor wheels imo. I swear if I read more people use cobblestones as an excuse against wheels I'm going to scream.
For maharashii, I didn't see a reason to go with one bag but I'd say the Aeronaut or Air Boss plus a laptop bag from Tom Bihn would be perfect.I can understand the requirement for backpack straps, it's the one thing that has me worried on the Air Boss. If you must go with one bag then I'd recommend looking at Tom Bihn for one of their sleeves for laptops. They have the best system I've seen for matching your laptop to their sizes.
FWIW, I might be sending the Gator bag back. It's just too small compared to what you can get away with on a regular flight. If anyone has other opinions or reviews I'd love to hear them. I want to like the bag but I just don't know.
Sorry, I can't control myself. Here's an example of an anit-wheels reasoning that I just don't get.
They slow people down, encourage "over-packing" of carry-on luggage, triple the amount of space people take up in line, and get in the way.
Slow people down? Maybe if you consider a problem with the retracting handle. Otherwise I think wheels are faster. Ever see someone have to stop and catch their breath with wheels? I've seen it with shoulder bags or backpacks. It's more tiring to me when I have to carry something than when I just pull it, kind of like golf clubs.
Encourage overpacking of carry-on? Nothing encourages this but the people who fly. A person who takes too much isn't limited by the bag, they are limited by their thinking they HAVE to take too much. Whatever the bag limit is, some people will push that limit no matter if they have wheels or not.
Triple the space in line? I'm sorry but what difference does that make? If everyone had zero bags you still wouldn't get there any faster. At least this forces someone to give you some personal space. The distance you travel in a line isn't affected by the gaps caused by luggage.
Get in the way? I don't know about everyone else but I've been hit, and I've hit others, much more often with a shoulder bag or backpack than with a wheeled bag. Most narrow aisles won't accomodate a bag on your hip.With wheels you can put the bag behind you to narrow your personal width, if you choose to. With shoulder bags it's almost impossible, plus your forward motion counters your attempts to keep the bag behind you. Your personal space is larger and few people (myself included) are good at compensating for that. People also seem to be natively more aware when pulling a wheeled bag then they do with a shoulder bag.
Rant off.Sorry everyone, I should probably give myself a timeout now.
Maharashii, if backpack comfort is very important (and you're willing to tolerate one compartment), I'd recommend you check out the MEI Voyageur. Take a look at the writeup at www.onebag.com, and see if you can find one you can try on before you buy. The compartment issue can be at least partially addressed through various size stuff bags and such; in any case you need to develop a packing method that works for you (this is true of any bag). I've learned to deal with it, but as you can see above, I'm still looking.
Click on Gear Reviews or Luggage post categories on the right side of this page to see our recent review of the MEI Voyageur. It is great on the back but it's rough on the shoulder. It doesn't look like a business bag at all - great for some, not appropriate for others.
Matt ~
Totally understand your 'rant'. I think the arguments for and against wheels are equally valid. I personally feel it's a matter of choice, whatever works for the individual. I find that at this time wheels don't work much for me, but I have different requirements for my holiday travel vs. my business travel. Thats why for schlepping around Europe or wherever, I use a previous generation Rick Steves convertible carry on (had I known about the Voyageur when I bought it, I would have given that a serious look) because it lets me stuff in 'that last little bit' (which generally translates to 'check it in').
Anyway, I'm in with Maharashii when it comes to finding that special bag that will work the way I want for business travel. BTW, I do use both travel cubes and packing folders - they work great for either pleasure or business travel. Currently, the best compromise I have for business is the aformentioned Victorinox bag and another Rick Steves product for my laptop - the 'Veloce' bag, it carries a laptop nicely (with a laptop sleeve for protection) and can also be carried on shoulder or as a backpack. In fact I used it as my daily work laptop bag when I am not traveling.