I think that a bag without the specialized laptop compartment (or at least a removable one) would be better suited to different types of packing styles and types of travel. When you don't bring the laptop, the 1.5" narrow slot plus the 1/2" of surround foam padding really kills a lot of available packing space. Also, what can you really pack in that 1.5" slot other than a laptop? The total volume of the laptop folder is a lot of valuable carryon real estate.
Another pet peeve of mine would be the over engineered organizational panels. When there is too much, it gets heavy. In some bags, that panel weighs over 1-lb! Plus, your important documents would probably either be on your person tucked away safely or in your "plus-one" (aka personal) bag. Even at your destination, the slots for cell phone, pda, calculator, 12-cards and stacks of paper will go unused unless you are taking the type of trip where you will be schlepping the entire 20 x 14 x 9 bag around with you at all times. For organizational panels, a simple pen slot, a slip for magazines, another for a boarding pass and a small mesh pocket for the smaller things will suffice. It's not how many pockets, but what type of pockets. ok - rant over
I do however love the exterior clean "slim-look" of these 2 bags. The lack of protruding pockets and dangly bits make them look smaller than they are. Or maybe they look just right and the other bags with the dangly bits look bigger than they really are
To digress a little to the carryon bag I am currently having my love-hate relationship with:
Yes, the Kipling Sherpa is a lot like the Red Oxx Gator but my first choice was actually the Tumi Cortina Boarding Bag. I love the more refined look of the leather straps and the satin-nylon material. The dual-zippered trolley sleeve on the back better than the simple trolley sleeve, however the weight! It weighs 3.6lbs compared to the Kipling's 2lb. It is also 4x the price of the Kipling.
My current love-hate relationship stems from a sore shoulder and the resulting stiff neck from carrying all that weight on one shoulder. I can stuff a lot into one bag! AND by the time I'm a few steps past security, I'm wishing for backpack straps or wheels. Both the Eagle Creek Global Commuter and the Tom Bihn Tri-Star are very similar in volume to these carryons (when you include the two big exterior pockets the carryons have) and they are convertible too, so I'm wondering if a convertible is the way to go for me and my wallet (but not my chiropractor's mortgage).
I just reread this post and am a bit confused. According to the respective web pages the Global commuter is considerably smaller than the Tristar. Although the external dimensions and volume for the Global commuter dont seem to make sense to me. How big is the Global Commuter? Thanks.
__________________
"And the only sound that's left after the ambulances go
Is Cinderella sweeping up on Desolation Row"
I'd forgotten about this. I've gotten to a point where I try to buy as much as possible with a lifetime warranty. I know that LL Bean and Costco make it easy, but Osprey is definitely another. An acquaintance of mine had to return an Osprey camping pack because he slipped and fell backwards onto sharp rocks while hiking in the Pacific Northwest and punctured the pack (the fact that he was wearing it at the time incidentally saved his life, as the pack was punctured instead of my friend's lung). It was clearly user error, but Osprey replaced the pack no questions asked.
Location: On the I-95 stuck behind a big truck/Seat 5C UA/Amtrak Cafe Car
Programs: Platinum level FF Pay your Chiropractor's Mortgage Club.
Posts: 151
Quote:
Originally Posted by GadgetFreak
I just reread this post and am a bit confused. According to the respective web pages the Global commuter is considerably smaller than the Tristar. Although the external dimensions and volume for the Global commuter dont seem to make sense to me. How big is the Global Commuter? Thanks.
The EC Global Commuter is half the depth of the Tristar. It is more like a large convertible briefcase (that will fit a 17" laptop) or a smaller carryon. I'm assuming the reason Till included it in this lineup is that it does stretch (bulge) quite a bit when packed. The Tristar from what I've read online does not really bulge/stretch when packed.
The Global Commuter is good for carrying 1 + 1/2 change of clothes. i.e. it's just an overnighter/weekend bag.
Location: On the I-95 stuck behind a big truck/Seat 5C UA/Amtrak Cafe Car
Programs: Platinum level FF Pay your Chiropractor's Mortgage Club.
Posts: 151
Quote:
Originally Posted by FlyMeToTheLooneyBin
How many of these can fit under the seat in front?
None of these fit widthwise under the seat in front unless you are in certain middle seats on certain planes, but in that case you will also be making yourself most unpopular with your seatmates
In the older planes, you used to be able to fit lengthwise one of those rolling 22 x 14 x 9 bags under the seat in front comfortably even in Economy. But since legroom has been substantially decreased over the past decade or so, it is no longer safe nor comfortable to put your rolling bag under the seat in front as the bag will be a tripping hazard for those in the middle seats. The most recent and further decreases in legroom makes it virtually impossible to get the bag in there lengthwise anyways.
Under-the-seat bags now usually measure 16 x 12 x 8 to fit neatly under the seat in front without bits sticking out.
Programs: Via Preference Premiere, Fairmont Premiere, SPG Gold
Posts: 64
I have the eBags weekender and like it. I've so far taken it to Australia and a few trips domestically and its worked very well.
I use the main compartment for clothes of course and other bulky items, than have all my travel confirmations/pens/computer cables in the organizer section. I put my 13" laptop in an incase case, than in the outside pocket of the bag for easy access. Overall I like the placement of everything and would buy again. Quite reasonably priced as well.
None of these fit widthwise under the seat in front unless you are in certain middle seats on certain planes, but in that case you will also be making yourself most unpopular with your seatmates
In the older planes, you used to be able to fit lengthwise one of those rolling 22 x 14 x 9 bags under the seat in front comfortably even in Economy. But since legroom has been substantially decreased over the past decade or so, it is no longer safe nor comfortable to put your rolling bag under the seat in front as the bag will be a tripping hazard for those in the middle seats. The most recent and further decreases in legroom makes it virtually impossible to get the bag in there lengthwise anyways.
Under-the-seat bags now usually measure 16 x 12 x 8 to fit neatly under the seat in front without bits sticking out.
Ah. Thanks for the response! I've committed and purchased the Sky Train. It's due to come in on Monday. Woohoo!
Programs: AA EXP 1MM, UA 1K MM, Hilton Diamond, Costco General Member
Posts: 19,357
Quote:
Originally Posted by tcl
The EC Global Commuter is half the depth of the Tristar. It is more like a large convertible briefcase (that will fit a 17" laptop) or a smaller carryon. I'm assuming the reason Till included it in this lineup is that it does stretch (bulge) quite a bit when packed. The Tristar from what I've read online does not really bulge/stretch when packed.
The Global Commuter is good for carrying 1 + 1/2 change of clothes. i.e. it's just an overnighter/weekend bag.
Thanks for that clarification. After my post, and before your response I emailed Eagle Creek pointing out that the dimensions given for the bag dont agree with the volume. They explained that they actually dont just multiply to get the dimensions but rather fill the bag with some material and then measure the volume of what went in the bag. Thats consistent of course with your explanation.
Quote:
Originally Posted by tcl
None of these fit widthwise under the seat in front unless you are in certain middle seats on certain planes, but in that case you will also be making yourself most unpopular with your seatmates
In the older planes, you used to be able to fit lengthwise one of those rolling 22 x 14 x 9 bags under the seat in front comfortably even in Economy. But since legroom has been substantially decreased over the past decade or so, it is no longer safe nor comfortable to put your rolling bag under the seat in front as the bag will be a tripping hazard for those in the middle seats. The most recent and further decreases in legroom makes it virtually impossible to get the bag in there lengthwise anyways.
Under-the-seat bags now usually measure 16 x 12 x 8 to fit neatly under the seat in front without bits sticking out.
Although in looking at these measurements, the EC Global Commuter and the TB Western Flyer seem very close to fitting under the seat based on those measurements. I suspect they would fit with some addition of willpower!
Basically what I am looking for is a carry on bag that will:
1) double as a briefcase
2) always fit under the seat - this is for those occasions when a bad connect or something may separate me from my B&R roller
3) Will fit briefcase/computer/electronic crap plus some personal items and a change of clothes
4) will double (triple? as an overnight trip bag
Im sort of narrowing down on the Global Commuter but I am still considering the Red Oxx CPA and now the TB Western Flyer is catching my eye
__________________
"And the only sound that's left after the ambulances go
Is Cinderella sweeping up on Desolation Row"
Did you look at the Tumi 26141 and the Valoroso Six Pocket 18" Tote? The former is expandable and can easily fit what you listed with plenty of pockets for organization of your various gadgets. When you take out the clothes you can "shrink" it again and it will look like a normal briefcase.
The Valoroso is a bit bulkier but still not out of place for office use. It might be somewhat better for clothes packing. The pocket layout is excellent, too.
Both look great. Unfortunately, both aren't exactly cheap unless you got in on the deal of the century that I posted a while back when the Valoroso could be had for $59; crazy! I got my 26141 from the outlet store with full warranty for $200 with tax I think.
None of them are convertible backpacks, of course.
The BR BB107 fulfills your requirements, too. It is then best to put the laptop in the file compartment and the clothes in the laptop compartment in a folder. Didn't you own the 107 among your vast BR collection?
They also have a bag called Vertical Tote but I have no experience with that.
Programs: AA EXP 1MM, UA 1K MM, Hilton Diamond, Costco General Member
Posts: 19,357
Quote:
Originally Posted by tfar
Did you look at the Tumi 26141 and the Valoroso Six Pocket 18" Tote? The former is expandable and can easily fit what you listed with plenty of pockets for organization of your various gadgets. When you take out the clothes you can "shrink" it again and it will look like a normal briefcase.
The Valoroso is a bit bulkier but still not out of place for office use. It might be somewhat better for clothes packing. The pocket layout is excellent, too.
Both look great. Unfortunately, both aren't exactly cheap unless you got in on the deal of the century that I posted a while back when the Valoroso could be had for $59; crazy! I got my 26141 from the outlet store with full warranty for $200 with tax I think.
None of them are convertible backpacks, of course.
The BR BB107 fulfills your requirements, too. It is then best to put the laptop in the file compartment and the clothes in the laptop compartment in a folder. Didn't you own the 107 among your vast BR collection?
They also have a bag called Vertical Tote but I have no experience with that.
Till
Thanks. The Tumi looks very nice but I have the BB104x which is similar to the Tumi. The problems with it are that it is too large and too heavy. Likewise I have a B&R expanable tote that is similar to the Valoroso you mentioned. The think that I dont like about it is that it isnt great for holding a laptop or folders of documents.
The BB107 and the B&R Vertical tote look very nice. In fact I had a bit of a layover in DEN Thursday night and was looking at the Vertical tote and the BB214 in the luggage store in the terminal. I think that the BB107 and the Vertical tote are a bit smaller than I am looking for (Im not picky am I ). Having said this, every time I use the Red Oxx Metro I am amazed at how much I can pack in it. So maybe I will stock with it although ideally I would like something between it and the BB104x.
__________________
"And the only sound that's left after the ambulances go
Is Cinderella sweeping up on Desolation Row"
I am a big fan of Eagle Creek's Lifetime "no matter what" Warranty. I use an Eagle Creek Compact Switchback, a discontinued 21" bag with wheels and padded shoulder and waist straps. The bag includes a panel that covers the wheels so that you don't get dirt on your back. The panel and straps zip into a compartment on the back of the bag that I can also use for stashing the down liner for a raincoat.
Until fairly recently, the bag fit under the seat on transatlantic flights. (Lately, I have had trouble because of obstructions under the seats and had to put it in the overhead.) I have been using the bag since 2002 and it has held up well to rough terrain (dragging over cobblestones, bouncing up and down stone steps.) I rarely use the straps.
Eagle Creek repaired the bag free of charge in 2005 when a leg was sheared off thanks to some rough baggage handlers. It was easy to arrange (A real person actually answered the telephone!) and all I paid were the costs to ship it back to the manufacturer. Eagle Creek also sent me new screws when a couple fell out.
I lost a bolt for a wheel on my last trip and intend to send the bag back to the manufacturer for the second time. So, if you want good service and a true, "no matter what" warranty, choose Eagle Creek. Make sure that your bag is covered since it no longer applies to all of their products.
I just finished packing mine and the wife's clothes using the bundle packing method into my new Red Oxx Sky Train, and man it's amazing! I was able to fit _all_ of our clothes in this one bag. It's not just one bag one person, but one bag two people! I know it's probably mostly due to bundle packing making things more dense, but now I can also carry everything on my back. This will surely make navigating around and traveling a whole lot easier. We are relatively minimal packers, but it's not _too_ minimal. We do have 2 sets of pants each and several shirts, socks, underwear, etc... It doesn't look too big or feel that heavy.
Now I know we're cheating a bit since she's going to carry our toiletries in a zip-lock in her purse, but still, this is awesome!
Of course, I'll have to see how this goes after our travels; we're going to Thailand for 8 days (including travel time) so I'll see how much the weight or bulk distracts me.
AND by the time I'm a few steps past security, I'm wishing for backpack straps or wheels. Both the Eagle Creek Global Commuter and the Tom Bihn Tri-Star are very similar in volume to these carryons (when you include the two big exterior pockets the carryons have) and they are convertible too, so I'm wondering if a convertible is the way to go for me and my wallet (but not my chiropractor's mortgage).
