I've decided to get a quality carry on shoulder bag. I briefly considered the highly praised Filson Pullman but hate the clamshell design. In fact, the clamshell design is why I am retiring my Patagonia MLC. I find the duffle bag design easier to use when retrieving items on the go. I am debating between these two Filson bags:

Filson Medium Travel Bag (http://www.ebags.com/product/filson/medium-travel-bag/82883)
Size: 18" x 13" x 11"
Linear inches: 42"
Weight: 4 lbs. 12 oz.

Filson Large Travel Bag (http://www.ebags.com/product/filson/large-travel-bag/82969)
Size: 18" x 14" x 13"
Linear inches: 45"
Weight: 5 lbs. 10 oz.

Price is not really an issue. My main concerns are weight and size. The medium is almost 1 lb lighter while being only slightly smaller. I would prefer to maximize my carry on allowance but I'm wondering if in real world usage the Large Travel bag would be borderline too big especially if filled to capacity. Is 1 lb and 3 linear inches a significant difference in weight/size?

I really wish I could examine both in person but there are no Filson dealers in Hawaii. Does anyone have any experience with either of these bags? Any recommendations between these two bags or similar?

Thanks.

Filson bags are amazingly well made - but they are also amazingly heavy. Go with the smaller bag, but know that it might be almost too heavy to use on a regular basis. I love my Filson Laptop Briefcase, really I do, but I don't use it much because of the weight.

Thanks for the advice Paul. I'm willing to concede a little weight gain for life long durability ;) The Filson bags are really compelling as they seem to actually get "better" with age as they develop patina. I've used what I essentially consider "disposable" bags with a life cycle of 3-5 years (if you're lucky). I'm ready to get a piece of luggage now that I might keep for life and possibly hand down to my son.

I'm beginning to think the lighter Filson Medium Travel bag might be adequate. On long trips, it's easy to feel those 1 or 2 extra pounds.

Still undecided...

It depends on where you plan to travel. If to Europe, forget it. Neither will make it into the sizers. They are too thick.

Domestically, you might get away with the larger one.

These are some cool bags. Very tempting until I saw the weight. I know that the difference in ease of carrying my bag greatly decreases when I put my laptop in and it weighs 4 lbs.
I think that Tom Bihn has bags that size. Not as classic looking but a good quality, lighter, made is USA product.

Check out the Redoxx Safari Beanos Bag PR4:

http://www.redoxx.com/Airline-Carry-On-Luggage/Safari-Beanos-Bag-PR4/91031-PR4/100/Product


I'm going with the fact you said you wanted a duffel style opening with one straight zipper .

Check out the Andiamo Valoroso duffel and satchel at www.uwantsavings.com. There is a big thread on these on flyertalk for more info. I venture to say it's the best built luggage out there. It's classic in design with a basic leather/canvas look not unlike that of Filson. However, while the material may feel and look a little like canvas, it is a mix of Cordura and ballistic nylon. Twice as thick as Tumi for instance. The prices are incredibly good. The satchel is 44 linear inches. The duffel is 49 but has less footprint than a regulation size 22x14x9 carry-on. It always goes unnoticed. Nobody ever told me to gate check it. Pocket layout and details are fantastic. The satchel is much simpler. Price will be less than $60. The duffel is normally $375 and the satchel around $250.

Buzz: "It depends on where you plan to travel. If to Europe, forget it. Neither will make it into the sizers. They are too thick.

Domestically, you might get away with the larger one."

>> Are you serious? Are the sizers different in Europe? I thought 45 linear inches was a general global standard. On ebags and on the Filson websites, the Large Travel bag is listed as "Carry-On Compliant". I don't see how thicker material would translate to a bigger bag. The bag dimensions are measured from the outside seams (presumably like all other bags). If anything, the thicker material would simply mean less interior space right?

The Redoxx Safari looks like a nice bag except for the synthetic material and the HUGE Redoxx labels all over it. I would prefer a classic quality bag with good functionality over "tactical" luggage.

Till - Thanks for the suggestion. The Andiamo bags look like good values but not quite comparable IMO to the look of the Filsons.

Thanks for the replies guys.

European carriers go by weight for their carry-on standards more than LWH. IcelandAir, for example, limits you to a 13lb carryon bag. The Filson bags are, what, 5lbs? I'm worried I won't make it with my nylon MLC or Tri-Zip, forget about a Filson.

If you drive a lot, Filson is great (supposedly the Meduim FIeld Bag fits behind the front seats of a Land Cruiser like it was designed for it). Carrying on to a commercial plane? Not so much. Rugged as hell, absolutely. As I said above, I love my Filson laptop bag (and duster, and hats, and jacket...), but it's heavy as heck, and weight is the enemy.

Or you could wait a while and get this exchange duffle (http://www.briggs-riley.com/category/productDetail.aspx?id=Exchange-26-Duffle_BD126X ) from Briggs & Riley’s upcoming BRX line. It is bigger, lighter, and cheaper than the Filson travel bag. Besides, you can expand it for additional packing capacity and convert it into a backpack for comfy carrying. It measures 48 linear inches, so you might have to check it in. If you don’t mind that, it’s an excellent buy!