I know this debate has been hashed out hundreds of times, and I've made a great use out of the existing reviews and comparisons on this site between these two bag.

The reason I'm making this post is I had several specific questions before pulling the trigger and ordering one of these two bags. I travel mostly for business for 1-2 weeks every 2 months, but I intend to do more adventure traveling to places like SEA, Central America etc... and would want a bag I can take on consulting trips with clients but also works for adventure travel.

Personally, I like the TB Aeronaut style the best but I also appreciate the Red Oxx build quality, and I'd like to make my purchase decision on functional requirements. Here are the questions:

1) From what I understand, the RO Airboss has a lifetime warranty that INCLUDES wear and tear and TB Aeronaut has a lifetime warrenty but does NOT include wear and tear. It seems like the Airboss could last 5 or 10 years as a great bag, but the Aeronaut might wear out sooner.

Is this something I should factor into my purchase decision or not. Is TB Aeronaut good enough that it will last 5-10 years under moderate use?

2) Personally, I prefer rolling my clothes, and really like the TB packing cube system. However, because I often go on consulting trips, being able to have a separate laptop bag is a must, must, must. The Airboss can fit a metro laptop bag in it's center compartment (but i'm worried that doesn't leave me much room to pack clothes, other accessories)...

To what extent can a small (but robust) laptop bag fit in the TB aeronaut... Can the Zepher fit inside, along with two packing cubes?? I need something more than the brain cell... What other laptop bags might work either TB bags or others? This is my main concern about getting the Airboss over the Aeronaut.

In the internal aeronaut compartment, i'd fit 2 packing cubes, laptop bag, toiletries bag and blazer.

3) Much is made of the Airboss durability in the field, especially the oversized, heavy duty zippers and fabric quality. Not much is every mentioned on the Tom Bihn build quality, either material, fabric or zippers.

Is the build quality on the TB really great or just OK compared to Airboss?

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Thanks all - those are my three questions, and the most important is coming up with a system of storing a laptop bag internally in one of these carry on bags, due to my consulting travel.

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My Packing list for 1-2 weeks:

ELECTRONICS:

x1 Macbook pro 13 inch
x1 Macbook charger

x1 iPhone 4s
x1 iPad
x1 iPhone charger
x1 iPad charger

x1 Verizon Mi-Fi
x1 Kindle
x1 Mini-USB charger

x1 Monitor/HDMI conveter
x1 16 gig usb

x1 Aluminium clipboard
x20 sheets - 60 bond cardstock

x1 moleskin notebook
x3 Pilot Precise V5 pen (blue/black/red)
x1 Felt

CLOTHES:

x1 Tan slacks
x1 Bue jeans
x1 Lulu lemon travel pants

x1 Black blazer
x3 Button up shirt
x1 belt

x3 Black Armani t-shirts
x1 long sleeved Uniqlo micro fibre

x1 Reef sandles

x4 black socks
x4 underwear

TOILETRIES:

x1 Toothbrush
x1 Toothpaste (travel size)
x1 Razor
x1 Shave foam (travel size)
x1 Black comb

x1 Styling gel
x1 Cologne

MISCELLANEOUS:

x1 Deck of 50 business cards + holder
x1 Paperback book

Cant comment on TB Aeronaut, but I researched both and went with Air Boss - its built like a tank and will outlast you.. I already had ebags Mother Lode convertible that I picked up for $40 on Black Friday. So I usedAir boss for business and shorter trips and Ebags for vacation travel..

The Airboss is a super durable well built bag but so is the Aeronaut. I've owned both.
The moment you put 'too' much weight [relative to the person carrying] in the Airboss it becomes bothersome to use. Why would I care so much about the warranty and durability if I don't like to carry the bag? Check the weight of your packing list and see if it exceeds 20 pounds [include 3 pounds for either bag]. This weight becomes uncomfortable in hand or on shoulder after about 10 minutes of carrying through the airport. The Aeronaut carries better in hand and on shoulder and when that's too uncomfortable, use the backpack straps. I can fit a Jack Spade slim brief bag into either bag so that I can use as a separate laptop bag when i reach my destination. Also because of the backpack straps, 'adventure' travelling would be exceptionally easier with the Aeronaut. I have other Red Oxx products that are great at what they do, but the Airboss is not as effective as some of my other bags for the type of extensive travelling I do.

I own both bags, both are very good quality and priced somewhat similar. The color you want may not always be in stock when you want to buy it, if you are in a rush.
your packing list looks heavy.

1. i would not factor the warranty into this particular purchase decision, and in general for a carry on bag. i certainly would for a checked bag. both bags will last a very long time. besides, your taste and requirements may change 5 years from now.

2. the main difference to me (besides the backpack straps) are the ability to carry a laptop bag.
No, a zepher really does not fit into the aeronaut. you can cram and unsnap the side snaps, but this is not convenient and of course lesens the space in the 2 side pockets. but since you are carrying a 13in, you can find a smaller laptop bag that will fit. if you carry a standard 15-16in, then all you can fit is a sleeve, into the aeronaut. i have done that, but i prefer to truly one bag and i need a laptop/office brief for my requirements in the office..

3. aeronaut build quality is fine. won't be an issue. some will say redoxx stuff is 'overbuilt'. but either way, build quality is not an issue wiith either.

personally, i think the option to have backpack straps alone is a major decision maker between these two bags. the aeronaut is a fantastic holiday bag. not as much if one is business carrying a 15-16 in laptop and papers and intents to one bag it. the airbos to me is a better business bag, but beware the weight on the shoulder. in my opinion, the aeronaut also 'looks' more like a holiday bag, if you carrying it with clients or are a consultant and/or wearing that blazer in your packing list. you don't often see anyone posing in a picture with an aeronaut in a suit. pretty much always casual or vacation pictures. the opposite for airboss pictures.

iphone and ipad charger? Same thing
Kindle charger? One charge lasts a while
Paperback book? What is the point of the Kindle?

The RO has no bookbag style carrying, so if you are weighed down with all these electronics your shoulders will hurt

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nXibDqW-Gc
Talks about the material and zippers

If you would like it for an adventure a should bag would definitely not working, if you are carrying the bag around on your adventure

Thanks all for the feedback. I bring a lot of chargers for my business trips because I constantly need to charge my devices and I carry my computer around the company offices often so I can't rely on charging by USB only.

I'm heavily leaning towards my first choice then based on these comments, TB's Aeronaut. I think I'll get it in black, with the absolute strap and one packing cube.

The only open question I have now is what to do for a thin, minimal (but still shoulder carry) laptop bag that will fit inside. This bag looks great to take on a 1-2 week consulting trip and leave in the hotel, but I still need a laptop bag/system to hold file folders, folio's, a computer, charger, moleskin etc... when visiting company HQ's from the hotel.

The cache doesn't work as a shoulder carry bag, and I don't like the look of the brain cell... The zephr is too big to fit comfortably and still have enough clothes for a week, and the copilot won't fit a 13 inch macbook.... Is there anything from TB that might work?

Any other brands that would offer a slim, minimal, shoulder-carry laptop bag/case that would fit comfortably inside the Aeronaut and still leave enough space for 4 changes of clothes?

Thanks all to feedback so far.

Hey David, have you considered the Cadet to carry inside the Aeronaut? Not sure if it will hold ALL of your electronics, but it will definitely hold some. It looks like such a sleek laptop bag to me, but nobody really talks about it so not sure if will work exactly like you want. Also, be sure to check out the TB forums for advice about packing your Aeronaut.

That's a great question for some of the more experienced guys in here... how about it?

Would the cadet fit inside the Aeronaut, along with one full packing cube of t-shorts and button shirts, a bundle of 4 undearwear/socks, 2 pairs of pants and a folded blazer on top? (basically my internal packing list for trips).

Given the Aeronaut's zipper profile (rounded and curved, but not full area, would it be a pain in the ass to be putting in and out a larger bag like the Cadet? I know you can take a carry on + laptop bag in most airports but I really did want to get down to a true "one" bag system and then only take out the laptop bag when I get to my destination.

"have you considered the Cadet to carry inside the Aeronaut? Not sure if it will hold ALL of your electronics, but it will definitely hold some"

One must always consider that a carry-on bag that gets CHECKED, particularly involuntarily, will be an attractive target for miscreant baggage handlers, who know that travelers may leave valuable items inside, so being ready to quickly REMOVE them, i.e., smaller bag inside the larger bag, has become a necessary personal security tactic. Getting compensated by an airline for losses in this scenario can be very difficult.

I've had both, and stuck with Tom Binh.

I think the Aeronaut actually looks more 'businesslike' than the Air Boss. Build-wise, I think you would have to work hard to wear it out. I felt the Air Boss was a bit over-built and therefore heavy.

I really agree that the Aeronaut carries better.

getting a laptop in and out is made a bit more difficult in the Aeronaut by the curved opening, but just pack the laptop in a separate sleeve until you get through security, then you can put it all the way into the separate laptop bag if you want.

I often use a Tom Binh Imago, but it doesn't look like business, and putting a 13" computer into it in a sleeve is tight; if you want to go Tom Binh, a Ristretto for the 13" mac might be a good choice.

happy travels!

bb

"I packed a Cadet inside my Aeronaut. I also had a large TB Aeronaut packing cube with three shirts, a pair of pants, and a sweater. I had a little room left over and stayed under 9 inches."

I.e., aperture of a typical smaller overhead bin. Most rolling cases don't squeeze down to that critical dimension, which is why they have to be gate-checked for regional airliners. In turn that leads to grunting and swearing travelers who don't realize that and block aisles, etc. One can of course easily overpack a ROAB or TBA. The smaller Cadet measures:

11/iPad Cadet — 13.5 x 10.5 x 4.5" / 345 x 270 x 115 mm

very close to the vertically-oriented Tom Bihn alternative, the

11/Ristretto: 13.25" x 10.5" x 4.75" / 335 x 265 x 120 mm

I have put the latter onto my possible holiday gift list (my wife refuses to guess about what I want!)

OK - sold / picked up a black/iberium aeronaut yesterday w/ 1 large packing cube...

will put the cadet on my wish list!! thanks all for the help,

I too find the Airboss painful to use if overpacked. The "Claw Grip" is appropriately named in that it grips like a claw. I used my Airboss on two trips and both times, I came away a little traumatized. The Aeronaut is more comfortable because of the backpack straps.

I have owned several bags that could be used with the one-bag method including MEI Executive Overnighter, Red Oxx Sun Chaser, and most recently the Bihn Tri-Star. all three bags serve different purposes. this week I have been in Houston on business and I only brought one bag. Before this I had always brought a separate laptop bag (but didn't store it in the big bag). I have to say that the Tri-Star works really well. I have taken it into customer meetings all week (no clothes of course). I just put my office gear and computer in and carry it like a briefcase with the Absolute Strap. It's really been a good compromise so far. My computer is in the center compartment in a cache, btw.

Also, I don't know how people haven't heard about Bihn's quality. It's every bit as good as Red Oxx but they also have more style and the designs are more thought out than Red Oxx. I like both companies, but I find myself buying more Bihn gear.

I own both, Aeronaut & Airboss. (and fliegerduffel & tri-star) all really good bags, but now use only the Air-Boss and the Aeronaut. My travel profile - I have travelled every week for the past 60 weeks, usually 4-5 days local travel by car but in that time I have "air-travelled" internationally 5 or 6 times (inc. Ryanair), and have tried both bags in all scenarios. I always travel with a 11" mac air, kindle, iphone , charger for mac air (Iphone can charge from the USB port of the mac air so no separate charger needed for them.) The electronics alone weighs 5lbs, if you add an iPad and all the chargers you say you need then that will be closer to 8lbs - not much left for clothes, I recommend the aeronaut unless you can get the weight down. I will not mention tri-star any further other than the tri-star, due to its slightly smaller "length/height" ends up bulging outwards a lot more making it far too box like, hard to carry, bulge makes it too large for ryanair and the middle pocket gets just too tight to get things into for my needs. That inch difference in length and height compared to the airboss seems to be all important.

Scenario 1 - "Weight/Volume not an issue" Travel
Local travel with car or short 1-3 day trips. Air-boss is by FAR my preferred bag. It is super easy to pack, unpack, find things. Where I can keep the weight down, Airboss is such a great bag, I actually look forward to packing. I also look forward to needing something from the bag because it's super easy to find everything. I use air-boss whenever possible, great bag. However it BULGES like crazy if you overpack. It can hold as much as you will ever want but it will bloat like a puffer-fish to achieve this. You need to be very disciplined about not packing more than you need. Not easy for me at the moment, maybe when i get more proficient and get clothes that wash/dry quicker I will use that.

Scenario 2 - "Where weight/volume IS an issue" travel (international travel, usually 5 days or more).
For international travel I tested the Airboss with a simple 5 day visit to Switzerland, business trip so the usual bus gear, casual gear + technology. I kept the air-boss relatively light (about 16lbs). I found that even without much walking about, even getting through one airport was uncomfortable enough. If i can ever get proficient enough to keep total weight below 13lbs I will use the air-boss, however have not managed that yet. So I then bought the Aeronaut, tested on a trip UK-Dallas-Wichita-California-Dallas-UK over two weeks. Firstly, while I love the air-boss for its ease of packing/finding things, the aeronaut is without question the most amazingly designed bag for keeping it's profile no matter how much you squeeze in. I filled the bag with clothes etc then tested it by packing all the cushions off my sofa in on top of that. It just kept eating. You will need packing cubes and with these it easy to pack a suit. This bag, too was around 16lbs. However even with all the trekking I did on this trip, the aeronaut bag was much easier to lug about. On several long walks through airports I got the backpack straps out and life was good again. Harder to get things out of the bag but using the end cubes for oft needed items made this manageable. The key (for me) to travelling with a computer with this bag is that I can fit my 11" mac-air into the end pocket. (13" mac-air will not fit). I would never pack my computer into the main compartment, and I would never use a heavy laptop bag or protective case with more weight inside the bag. Too heavy. I can't believe one-baggers consider adding laptop bags to their inventory. I recommend those jet black stretchy lycra cases for the laptop which are lightweight, floppy when not filled and can easily hold your laptop + pads + pens at a stretch (literally). And they look professional.

Tip for packing a suit into the aeronaut - rather than having the long edge of your packing cube run from end pocket to end pocket, try rotating it 90 degrees - this bag is surprisingly deep that way and the suit comes out just as good as it does with the airboss. Then shoes can easily fit in beside it. Leaving end pockets for technology and toiletries.

All the bags i have fit into Ryanair - the only ones which fit no matter how much you squeeze into them are Aeronaut and the Fliegerduffel.

For quick weight reduction on your inventory, you could lose the iChargers, book and iPad. :)

That was a fantastic response =) I picked an Aeronaut a few weeks ago and just did my first trip (airline) - I got everything in that I wanted to, super organized. It's exactly what I wanted.

I also find that I also can use the Aeronaut as a casual bag because of the carry straps... I'm on a minimalism spree and have gotten rid of all my small/medium sized backpacks, so this is perfect. I did get a larger red oxx safari beanos bag for times when I check luggage . It's nice, and looks sturdy (good god, those zippers are massive), but this aeronaut is by far my favorite of the two.

Now, my biggest concern is getting rid of my bulky leather laptop bag and finding something that will fit nicely into the aeronaut for a 13 inch macbook pro, charger and perhaps a clipboard and some papers to really one-bag it. The reason I would do it is I don't just travel for fun, but I also travel for work, leaving the Aeronaut in the hotel, and wanting a smaller bag to take to the office.

I looked at the cadet for a long while, but i think it's too big (it's still 4.5 inches wide - that's a lot of space for suits/jackets/clothes that you lose... And I really don't like the brain cell case.. I still haven't found anything that has the perfect blend of style, slim profile and low weight. I want more than a sleeve, but not as much as a full briefcase.

Any ideas on the forum - let me know!

David

I have been using the Bihn Synapse for a few years now as just the bag you are looking for and it is about ideal for me.
I realize the idea of another Backpack inside the Aeronaut seems a little odd but I find that the flexibility of this pair is what makes it really shine.

I use a Tri-Star and have not yet gotten an Aeronaut but can imagine getting one fairly soon.
I too have to travel and need a practical Office bag and it has to allow access to the electronics as a separate item once at my destination.

The Synapse os so deceptively huge when needed yet minimal at the same time that I think it is more like you describe the Aeronaut than anything else?

I easily fit my 13"MBP,iPad,MiFi and all other electronics I need as well as paper,books,Camera,Lights,Medications,Tools,etc inside the Synapse and then use it by itself or slide it into another bag.
My load of stuff is almost identical to yours but I even have more in there usually and the Synapse seemingly never gets full?
Add to that the Water Bottle compartment and the organization of the bag and it is the most versatile bag I own without question.
The Synapse has little padding to make it oversized but enough fabric layers to provide decent protection.

I also can slide an empty Synapse inside the Tri-Star so it is available even if I am not sure I will need it. It is shaped so it can easily conform to items next to it and stay small if not overpacked but stand on its own if you buy too much stuff on the trip and just need more luggage space.

Like most of us I have too many bags in several categories and I am always tying to find something better but so far the Synapse is the ideal way to carry my Office even though it does seem somewhat unorthodox I suppose?

Ed