Need some help? I already own an Air Boss from Red Oxx. Great bag for business/personal trips however, find this bag too big for overnight travel/trips and require something smaller.

Looking for an inexpensive option (not Sky Train or Tom Blin) which allows me to carry one change of clothes, washing kit, etc plus a pair of shoes which can be packed comfortably.

Ideally the bag should open flat for packing, the compartments should have internal tie-down straps, so their contents can be prevented from shifting (and thus wrinkling) per recommendations from Doug Dyment

You might look at the Patgonia Lightwire Brief. It's worked well for me as an overnight bag and packing a laptop

You can also find the discontinued Patgonia One Bag for sale on E-Bay. It's a little smaller than the Lightwire, has a backpack option & can pack a smaller laptop in a pinch.

I just bought a bag yesterday at Marshall's. It is good for 1-2 night trips. It is an American Tourister, and I think it is called the carryon tote or amenity bag or something similar.

It does not open flat nor have internal ties, but I plan to slide in a packing cube or folding sleeve. I plan to use next week for a 3 day trip.

If you are looking for something really cheap, I got mine for $20. Also, Marshall's have been flush with Victorinox recently, including the bi-zip or whatever they call the week end convertible bag.

Anyway, back to the American Tourister that I got: It is shaped like a soft computer bag, but it's dimensions are given on the tag at 15 x 11 x 6. There is an outer zipper pocket on each side, and one briefcase-style handle. It will be a tight fit but I plan to pack one outfit of street clothes, one of work out clothes, shower shoes, jogging shoes, and tiny toiletries. It is only for 3 days.

It is not this bag, but same general idea although mine is a little more squareish and looks more like a computer bag.

http://www.ebags.com/american_tourister/ilite_17_tote_closeout/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=58313

http://www.mountainsports.com/msmain.asp?Option=Detail&Detail=064468

I picked up the bag in the link above at TJ Maxx for $15. It currently holds

1 cube with 1 dress pants, 2 dress shirts, 2 under shirts, 2 under wears, 3 dress socks, 1 jogging shorts, 1 gym socks; 1 sweat pants;
lap top;
small cube with cords and mouse etc;
Saucony racing flats;
3-1-1 bag;
small toiletry bag for razor and toothbrush etc;
2 paper back books;
shower shoes;
Glasses.

I have plenty of space to spare even though I have to carry the dumb company-issued brick of a lap top. I decided to pack a few more clothes than I would normally try to get by with because the hotel I am using does not have same day laundry service. I like this bag although it is a little bit flimsy. For $15, it is tough to beat. I chose to take this bag because it can for sure look just like any other computer bag after removing my clothes in the hotel.

Thanks for the responses folks

Talk about opening a can of worms. I have spent far too long in researching something that should have been an easy decision.

After reviewing my initial requirements and additional input from the home management team (i.e. my girlfriend), who reminded me of a recent trips where we walked all day lugging the Air Boss (which contained both our clothes for an overnighter) I decided to go for the JanSport Euro Sak

http://www.ebags.com/jansport/euro_sak/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=81964

It’s a little bigger than required, but this is offset by the flexibility in the design (compartments plus shoulder straps) and has great reviews on ebags.

I’m based in the UK so obtaining the bag from an ebay’er based in England at a knock down price given the shipment charges, taxes from the US.

Please keep the comments coming though. I feel a lot of cycles are spent on the upper end of the “one bag” carry on market forgetting that the decision making criteria for 90% of the travelling public is all about price.

The Jansport EuroSak arrived today.

Negatives first, similar to all bags at this price range I would prefer zips similar to my Air Boss as this is the only weakness in the design of the bag. I’m not saying that the zips are bad; it’s just that if this bag is going to let you down, the point of failure will be the zips.

The Euro Sak will not replace my air boss for business trips as the dimensions do not allow me to pack my business suits and shirts easily and without fear of creases.

The internal compartments are crying out for hold down straps

Also one of the dimensions is a little bigger than some airline carry-on recommendations, but given that this bag has soft sides this should only be an issue if the bag is over packed.

Positives: Very good constructions and materials, the compartment design offers fantastic flexibility in packing options. Size of bag: you can pack tonnes of gear into its deceptive dimensions. My HP notebook laptop and sleeve fits perfectly in the larger outside pocket which is a positive for ease of access.

Overall: If anyone reading this is looking for a bag to get their feet wet in the one-bag travel concept then this bag has to be given serious consideration.

For overnighters and 1 or 2 day leisure trips I’d give it a value for money 8/10

The outdoor products essential carryon might have been another good choice (it has internal tie down straps, but it's outside pocket is probably smaller).

Best overnight bag is called the "One Night Stand" and is sold by the Duluth Trading Company.

Cheers.