Travel Technology - AirBoss for Me?

I'm a college student who does leisure travel utilizing my benefits as an airline employee and was thinking about pulling the trigger on the AirBoss for a trip later this month. Price is kind of high after shipping at 243 dollars. But it appeals to me with the lifetime warranty and seemingly excellent quality. Only thing I guess keeping me back is whether or not it hurts to carry. I'm no scrawny guy so I think I can handle it but wanted to run it by the folks that had them.

I routinely carry a laptop and several days' worth of clothing in mine and it doesn't "hurt". I find the strap is nice and wide, lays flat on your should pretty well.

You can pack a lot into one, though, so depending upon what and how much you pack will determine your comfort level in carrying it around.

I have one and it has "hurt" some when its really full. I'd recommend picking up a padded strap to replace the one that comes with it if you're going to be doing some heavy duty packing.

I've had my Airboss for about 3 years and have lugged it over 5 continents.

Pros: Amazing amount of space, works very well with packing folders. Doesn't scream "steal me, expensive stuff inside". Great zippers. Never been challenged for size or weight even though I've "bruised" the 7 Kg carry-on weight limits on some airlines.

Cons: Would love to have at least one internal zippered pouch to store little things...jewelry, cash, etc. No "locking hubs" on main zipper for adding a TSA lock; you have to either lock the zipper pulls or the supplied "monkey paw" pulls. Not much bottom padding to protect electronics (laptop & DSLR go in their own sleeves).

That said it's a great investment for 7 day+ trips.

Recommendations: For $30 pick up a Tom Binh Absolute Shoulder Strap to replace the supplied claw strap. The claw is very nice & I'm sure you'll find something else like a laptop bag to attach it to, but I sometimes carry 2 laptops, 2 cameras, 300mm zoom lens, clothes, gifts, toiletries, water, etc in the AirBoss. I'm a small guy and the Binh strap makes it feel about 25% lighter than the claw due to the weight distribution of the shoulder pad.

Also pick up a 15" Eagle Creek packing folder for clothes you don't want to wrinkle. It fits wonderfully under the AirBoss straps. An added bonus of the packing folder is that it has 2 plastic templates - if you're carrying any paperwork that you don't want wrinkled (souvenir programs, birth certificate, photos, etc.) just place them between the rigid internal template and the canvas of the folder.

Happy travels!

Just pulled the trigger on a Midnight AirBoss. Thanks for the tips. Hopefully I'll get it before the 15th.

I've had my Airboss for about 3 years and have lugged it over 5 continents.

Pros: Amazing amount of space, works very well with packing folders. Doesn't scream "steal me, expensive stuff inside". Great zippers. Never been challenged for size or weight even though I've "bruised" the 7 Kg carry-on weight limits on some airlines.

Cons: Would love to have at least one internal zippered pouch to store little things...jewelry, cash, etc. No "locking hubs" on main zipper for adding a TSA lock; you have to either lock the zipper pulls or the supplied "monkey paw" pulls. Not much bottom padding to protect electronics (laptop & DSLR go in their own sleeves).

That said it's a great investment for 7 day+ trips.

Recommendations: For $30 pick up a Tom Binh Absolute Shoulder Strap to replace the supplied claw strap. The claw is very nice & I'm sure you'll find something else like a laptop bag to attach it to, but I sometimes carry 2 laptops, 2 cameras, 300mm zoom lens, clothes, gifts, toiletries, water, etc in the AirBoss. I'm a small guy and the Binh strap makes it feel about 25% lighter than the claw due to the weight distribution of the shoulder pad.

Also pick up a 15" Eagle Creek packing folder for clothes you don't want to wrinkle. It fits wonderfully under the AirBoss straps. An added bonus of the packing folder is that it has 2 plastic templates - if you're carrying any paperwork that you don't want wrinkled (souvenir programs, birth certificate, photos, etc.) just place them between the rigid internal template and the canvas of the folder.

Happy travels!

We have a winner. Get the Tom Bihn Ultimate strap. I have the Red Oxx Sky Train and since getting the Bihn strap I havent even bothered with the backpack straps. Actually the Sky Train has an internal zippered pouch I use for contact lenses and stuff like that. I also use the Eagle Creek folders. ^

And welcome to FT.

I also own a Red Oxx Sky Train (http://www.redoxx.com/product_categories/1/products/86-sky-train) with Tom Bihn's Ultimate Strap (http://www.tombihn.com/page/001/PROD/ACC/TB0505), and it's been great! I can comfortably fit:

- A suit
- clothing for three days
- a laptop
- toiletries
- shoes + shoe trees

I did try Eagle Creek 15" packing folders inside the bag, but found that while I could use space very efficiently, I developed some pretty awful folds in the clothes, and now have been a bundle packing (http://www.onebag.com/pack.html) convert.

I bought the thing... loaded it up, carried it around my house, unloaded it, sent it back.
Everyone on here loves them, but I could tell I was going to hate it!

I am sticking with the 20" rolling suitcase!

I also own a Red Oxx Sky Train (http://www.redoxx.com/product_categories/1/products/86-sky-train) with Tom Bihn's Ultimate Strap (http://www.tombihn.com/page/001/PROD/ACC/TB0505), and it's been great! I can comfortably fit:

- A suit
- clothing for three days
- a laptop
- toiletries
- shoes + shoe trees

I did try Eagle Creek 15" packing folders inside the bag, but found that while I could use space very efficiently, I developed some pretty awful folds in the clothes, and now have been a bundle packing (http://www.onebag.com/pack.html) convert.

I've thought about attempting the bundle packing technique because I want to maximize space. I think the folders are neat but probably not suited to what I need. I'll give the claw strap a go before I drop some money on the another strap.

As a college student - you don't state your age so I'm presuming you're an undergrad in your 20s - if you are in any sort of physical condition whatsoever you shouldn't have any problems carrying the AirBoss with the strap provided.

The bundle packing technique works pretty well if you are packing lots of clothing. Not required, IMO, for shorter trips.

Slightly off topic, but "bundle packing" is suitable for a trip where you get somewhere and unpack everything, then hang items on hangers or put them in drawers. It's time-consuming and inefficient for trips where you need access to only certain items each day, or are moving from place to place and need to pack and unpack often. I prefer using packing cubes, one packing folder, and/or 2-gallon ziplock bags. Much more efficient and I find that using the ziplocks allows me to pack more, since I can squeeze the air out of each bagful.

I'm with the person who said s/he prefers a wheeled bag. By the time I get a maximum-carry-on bag packed, it's far too heavy to carry around airports, train stations, etc. - great shoulder strap or not. Good luck with your decision, the Red Oxx bags seem to get high marks from flyertalkers.

Slightly off topic, but "bundle packing" is suitable for a trip where you get somewhere and unpack everything, then hang items on hangers or put them in drawers. It's time-consuming and inefficient for trips where you need access to only certain items each day, or are moving from place to place and need to pack and unpack often. I prefer using packing cubes, one packing folder, and/or 2-gallon ziplock bags. Much more efficient and I find that using the ziplocks allows me to pack more, since I can squeeze the air out of each bagful.

I'm with the person who said s/he prefers a wheeled bag. By the time I get a maximum-carry-on bag packed, it's far too heavy to carry around airports, train stations, etc. - great shoulder strap or not. Good luck with your decision, the Red Oxx bags seem to get high marks from flyertalkers.

I agree about bundle packing. I have tried it and will probably try again but I really like the convenience of the folders.

In terms of rolling or not I also go back and forth a bit. Right now I am making an active process of cutting down as much as I can when I travel. I have done some mileage runs recently and even though they are one day trips (NY to LAX or SFO and back the same day) I pack as if it were an overnight trip in case I get delayed, a flight is canceled or whatever. Since I was doing those I kept cutting down the amount until I got it down to what would fit in an LL Bean Turbo backpack. I had a business trip last week that was an overnight trip and figured I might as well try it with the backpack and it worked well. An Airboss would have been half empty in comparison.

One reason I got the Sky Train was to force myself to pack lighter. When something is going on my shoulder I am more careful about whether I really want to take it. It has helped me in that regard. The other reason is that I really hate struggling finding a place to put a rolling bag on a crowded flight. It is sometimes tough even in business and first. It is especially tough if you get upgraded (tougher if you dont) at the last minute and cant preboard of if you arrive late for boarding because of a delay. I find that I can about always stuff my Sky Train into a space, and a lot of times its spaces that the roller wouldnt fit.

I'm doing a 32 day trip over 4 continents, 13 countries in March, and only bringing my Air Boss and my Victorinox backpack. Wheeled luggage takes up too much space when wanting to maximize packing.

As a college student - you don't state your age so I'm presuming you're an undergrad in your 20s - if you are in any sort of physical condition whatsoever you shouldn't have any problems carrying the AirBoss with the strap provided.

The bundle packing technique works pretty well if you are packing lots of clothing. Not required, IMO, for shorter trips.

Yea I'm 22 and in the Navy also through a scholarship program so I'm plenty fit. I'll be taking a 10 day trip. Just got it in the mail today and was checking out and I have to say that I am pretty pleased with it. I'll have to pack some stuff and give it a go but I'm feeling pretty satisfied by the quality of the luggage after messing with it a little bit.

I decided not to go rolling because of their size and weight. Rolling bags fail on stairs in my opinion and are always heavier to carry. I'm glad I didn't pull the trigger on folders because as the poster said above they are for trips where I'm going to be unpacking and packing frequently. I generally will just be on a leisure vacation trip. In the future I may find the need for them but for now I'll be hanging everything up. :-).

Thanks for all the great advice. I feel like I'm going to be happy with this purchase now since I've got the bag. Lifetime warranty is a big draw too.

My other choice would have been an MEI Voyageur but that's a very small company and even though they have a lifetime warranty I worried that the company might not be around for that long. RedOxx seems like it will be around for a very long time so I went with them.

Hi
I am more careful about whether I really want to take it. It has helped me in that regard. The other reason is that I really hate struggling finding a place to put a rolling bag on a crowded flight.

I just got back from my trip on Friday and let me say the Air Boss was more than I expected. It held all the necessities and was just overall and outstanding experience. I had some checked luggage because I was on a ski trip so I was able to pack it with strictly clothing. I got 3 pairs of pants(jeans, cords) 4 button-ups, 2 thermals, 4 t-shirts, tons of socks and such 3 ties and a couple books and magazines with room to spare. I used the bundle method to pack and found it a little difficult without the use of packing cubes. I may have to try the folders.

I highly suggest this product regardless of the price. You can't put a price on quality and a lifetime warranty.

Glad it met your expectations! I'm doing a year end review of company owned travel products. We use many RedOxx Little Roy bags (cheap at about $25 each) to hold various supplies for our exhibit booth, tools etc. We have a particular color for each task.

The only problem I've had with those bags is people sneaking off with them for their own use. The Little Roy is still $25 and a great value at that price.

Happy New Year to all!

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I highly suggest this product regardless of the price. You can't put a price on quality and a lifetime warranty.

Sure you can... ;) $225 at last check :cool:

I'm still debating between the Sky Train and Air Boss... or maybe the Rucksack :confused:

After the holidays, telephone RedOxx and explain what your needs and goals are. They really helped me make my decision. They want you to be happy.

Sure you can... ;) $225 at last check :cool:

I'm still debating between the Sky Train and Air Boss... or maybe the Rucksack :confused:

I personally like the AirBoss over the skytrain because the backpack straps look pretty uncomfortable on the skytrain. I also like that the AirBoss is cheaper. However if you're looking for a backpack style back I'd check out the MEI Voyageur. I almost bought one but decided on the AirBoss in the end. Never looking back.

The straps are just fine on the Red Oxx Sky Train

Can you use the Air Boss as a laptop bag at the destination after ditching your clothes etc heavy stuff at the hotel? Is it enough to travel with everything and go light to meetings etc with?

How bulky does/would it feel when empty except for laptop, power, cables and some papers? From the photos on the Redoxx site it would seem that it has some bulk even when empty? On the other hand it is a soft bag...

Some people seem to say that you better use a laptop sleeve to provide extra padding. Is that what you carry your laptop around at your destination, also?

Thanks... from "Another onebag.com convert-in-the-making"

Can you use the Air Boss as a laptop bag at the destination after ditching your clothes etc heavy stuff at the hotel? Is it enough to travel with everything and go light to meetings etc with?

How bulky does/would it feel when empty except for laptop, power, cables and some papers? From the photos on the Redoxx site it would seem that it has some bulk even when empty? On the other hand it is a soft bag...

Some people seem to say that you better use a laptop sleeve to provide extra padding. Is that what you carry your laptop around at your destination, also?

Thanks... from "Another onebag.com convert-in-the-making"

You could use it as a laptop bag, but you would certainly get some looks, much like if you walked into a meeting with a 22" rolling bag. To put it in perspective thats about the size of the AirBoss when full.

What I have done is to purchase the Metro bag from RedOxx, which when full still fits nicely in the middle section of the AirBoss. THis also adds extra padding for my laptop. When I reach the hotel I leave my Airboss there and head to work with the Metro.

Unless you require to look stylish rather than practical and workmanlike, dont worry. When empty it is not too big, it is soft and the side handle is a tidy option when you put the shoulder straps away.

Anybody seeing me knows I am well away from home and usually off a flight with hand luggage so cant see that they expect me to a have an assortment of bags or cases - or even suits and shoes for that matter!

I carry the laptop in a foam cell slip in the centre compartment.

I actually use my AirBoss both ways - I also use a Metro inside my Boss when I need a 'real' business bag, but if I don't need that, I carry my electronics in a Tom Bihn Brain Cell in the center compartment. It's rugged enough to keep stuff unscathed no matter what, and it even has shoulder strap points so it can be carried by itself if necessary.

Unless I'm carrying files, the Brain Cell does the total job - and it's lighter than my Metro briefcase. Lighter on the pocket, as well! Takes up a lot less room in the center compartment, too.

But if you decide to carry the whole AirBoss about with you, you can. I've done it at home in Seattle without a problem. It's not as unwieldy as most of what you see on the street nowadays (and, hey, it's already paid for).

Thinking your shoulder might complain? Go directly to Tom Bihn and get an Absolute Shoulder Strap. Better than the Claw and can be used with other bags. It really does make your bag feel much lighter, and it stays put on your shoulder. Worth every penny and then some.

Glad to know I'm not the only person who puts one RedOxx bag inside another! I use Little Roy bags to hold all sorts of things and the Nomad as well. Works very well for me.

Thank you for everyone's comments. I finally decided to get the Air Boss (midnight color) and used it for my latest travel (6 European cities in 4 days).

Pros:

The padding sheets keep the center compartment upright when both sides are open = really convenient access to everything at the hotel
Fits things much easier than a wheeled bag where the wheel stuff takes lots of space. The Air Boss has nice square compartments.
Separate "medium big" laptop bag fits easily in central compartment which is quite large
Fits tiny overhead bins even in small commuter jets (CRJ200 in this case)
Straps in side compartments were easier to use and better than I have seen/used before


Cons:

Makes you conscious of the weight of everything, sometimes while waiting in line (solution: Just kick the bag forward on the floor). Most of the time didn't notice the weight really.


Weight thougths:

Total weight (including bag) was about 10kg when leaving home. 8kg (after getting rid of some papers at destination) was much better.
I will try the "Absolute strap" some of you recommend
I think I will switch from laptop bag to laptop sleeve + packing cube for extras to save about 1kg
Made me weight every item on the kitchen scale while packing, just for the for fun of it ;-)


Other notes:

I used one side compartment for clean and the other for dirty clothes
Open side pocket is good for flight-time reading/water bottle, can take them out quickly while sitting down
Also tried bundle packing method, after a little practise it makes packing very quick and easy. Needed to find an online video of this before getting the idea completely...
One-bag carryon-only travel is really the way to go and worth a little thinking about packing and bags etc

haa, so glad it worked for you! I've traveled far and often with 10kg and don't have much problem doing so. Easier to travel light in summer.

Now that I have a Scottevest jacket with zip off sleeves, I can use those pockets to distribute some of the weight.

For me it is game off when I travel by car. I take way too much stuff and have no idea why.

I am new to this forum and to the Air Boss. I am getting ready for my first trip with my new Air Boss. I am flying from Texas to Atlanta and on to Flint, Michigan. I will be flying Delta and I am trying to find out if my new Air Boss will fit in the Delta Sizing Bins and if anyone thinks that I might have a problem carrying this on the plane.

I am forcing myself to change my habits to carry only the essentials so my bag should not even be near full capacity. Will this bag generally fit under the seat and in the overhead bins? One leg from Atlanta to Flint will be on a Canadair Regional Jet 700 and the other flights are apparently on larger planes.

Thanks in advance for any information.

I am new to this forum and to the Air Boss. I am getting ready for my first trip with my new Air Boss. I am flying from Texas to Atlanta and on to Flint, Michigan. I will be flying Delta and I am trying to find out if my new Air Boss will fit in the Delta Sizing Bins and if anyone thinks that I might have a problem carrying this on the plane.

I am forcing myself to change my habits to carry only the essentials so my bag should not even be near full capacity. Will this bag generally fit under the seat and in the overhead bins? One leg from Atlanta to Flint will be on a Canadair Regional Jet 700 and the other flights are apparently on larger planes.

Thanks in advance for any information.

It will fit fine.

It will fit fine.

AE08Agent:
Thank you for your reply I am looking forward to this trip to try out my new Midnight Air Boss!

Welcome to FT TexasMiguel

Update: I didn't really like the "claw" shoulder strap that came with the Air Boss as it made my shoulder feel the weight of the bag on every step after a while.

So I got the flexible Tom Bihn Absolute shoulder strap recommended on this site. This combination (RedOXx Air Boss + Tom Bihn Absolute strap) is very good.

Tom Bihn should offer cheaper international shipping options for just the shoulder strap as the shipping costs more than the strap... But it was worth the money so I'm not complaining too loudly ;-) Actually, RedOxx should offer that strap as an option as it really makes the Air Boss a better total experience...

Having a good bag that matches my own personal travel needs really makes a difference. Thanks to you all for bag info and recommendations.

I have been doing a lot of reading on the air boss and also on the red oxx Metro as a companion briefcase, and I am getting close to making a purchase of both. I am curious though as to whether others have been able to purchase either on expenses through their employer. In my case I would be using it largely (95%) for business and I travel for my employers about once every two weeks. Obviously, it would come down to my employer's policies as to whether this is an allowable cost, but I just wondering whether others were able to do this (or not).

--p