OBOW Light Travel Forum > Tom Bihn's Western Flyer... Anyone use it?
Here's a revelation: I did some free, informal e-mail consulting with Tom Bihn when he was designing the WF. He had read one of my posts lamenting the lack of undersized carryons and had already been thinking about the issue because of a customer request. My role was lmited - just suggested sizes and materials; the bag is 100% Tom Bihn. I've used the WF more or less continually for a full year and have reviewed it:
http://www.1bag1world.com/blog/2008/2/8/tom-bihn-western-flyer-full-user-review.html
It sounds like it will hold everything you have described. The zippered vertical divider might be helpful for your shoes or sandals and I believe TB now offers a shoe cube just for the WF. It's a real chameleon. It's trim enough to serve as an everyday bag, makes a good large laptop back with the proper sleeve, makes a good overnight bag for nearly anyone, and can be the primary carryon for the ultralight traveler. I prefer to use it on the shoulder and I wouldn't buy one without the Absolute Strap. It has a much smaller profile than the AB or Aeronaut. I have a hard time fillng those bags up. The WF's ballistic nylon helps control bulging. Almost any bag will gain two inches when stuffed. This means you can overstuff the WF and it will still pass any luggage gauge test. You're not gong to to pack a suit, a big laptop, and two pairs of shoes in it, but I really like it.
s
Frank@OBOW
Brad,
I did read your review and a lot of the other posts on the Western Flyer prior to my posting. Much appreciated!
The more I read about this bag, the more I'm impressed with regards to lightweight packing and carry-on.
My only hesitancy and this is something that I'm going to think about some more is that I always like to pack my running shoes and gear and packing this with another pair of nylon casual pants AND the laptop... that will make things really tight. W/O the laptop, there would be no problem as the WF could handle the extra clothes and running gear easily.
From what I've read the WF now comes with 'backpack straps' now standard instead of the original sling. That's a positive as I'd go that route in conjunction with the Absolute Strap.
I'll probably order a 'Brain Cell' and two small packing cubes to round out the order.
With all that mentioned and shipping, it's a little less than $300.00 for the whole package.
I'm going to let it sink in, probably take a long hike tomorrow above Boulder with a good gal pal of mine and then go to a New Year's party tomorrow night.
Will make a decision on the Western Flyer package in the next few days.
If anyone else has experience with the Western Flyer, please feel free to post.
Happy New Year!
Jerry S.
I have been using the Western Flyer for about 6-8 months for casual and business travel. Typically I can fit 3-4 days worth of clothing in it - 3-4 long sleeve shirts, 3 sets underwear and socks, 1 pair slacks, 1 set of workout clothing (shorts, shirt, shoes), toilet kit, pjs. I usually carry a laptop in a separate bag.
The brain cell would occupy most of the main compartment but depending on your laptop you may be able to squeeze in a running shoe on either side of the brain cell and layer a pair of pants on top of the shoes and brain cell. The WF has a surprising amount of give to it and you can really pack in quite a bit without it looking like a stuffed sausage.
As has been noted the Absolute Strap is a must if you are going to carry it on your shoulder or like a messenger bag. I have one of the original sling-type bags. I tend not to use it as I do not like back packs or sling bags. All the handles are comfortable if you carry it like a brief case. I have always been able to find a spot in airline overhead bins as the bag squeezes into tight spots.
I am a fan of the packing cubes as they help me to organize things and am using the clear quarter cube as a kit bag.
Good luck with your decision.
Richard B
I was about to order and noticed that the delivery time for the black Western Flyer has been moved back to the first week of February.
Nine times out of ten I buy black luggage, laptop and brief cases.
Anyone use the steel color WF and have any comments on it?
Red is out of the question and I could always wait for black.
It's either patience or order the steel.
Jerry S.
For what it's worth, I have the steel bag. It's fairly conservative and can easily switch between business formal and more casual. So far, no problems with dirt or staining.
Richard
Sometimes I feel like going even lighter than I do with my Air Boss.
Was thinking of a Western Flyer, sometimes with a laptop or w/o...in a small briefcase.... or completely leaving the laptop home.
I'd go casual, few nylon Railrider shirts, Ex Officio underwear, Chaco sandals or boating shoes, Icebreaker Tee shirts and nylon running shorts and running shoes.
Any comments or experiences traveling with a Western Flyer for three to five day trips... or even longer?
How does it compare to say traveling with an Air Boss or Aeronaut?