Originally Posted by
digibart
Actually I have the same challenge in Toronto both inbound and outbound: 01:20:00 to get through customs, go through security, and get to my distant gate. I'd rather not deal with checked luggage, not even gate-checked luggage. I'd be flying out with nothing but a small personal bag (leaning toward the Western Flyer).
What makes me a little hesitant about the Market Tote is that it's open-ended. If I'm the last person aboard a crowded flight, I may be forced to gate-check something.
With those concerns, the Market Tote won't work. I may have misunderstood your OP, then, as you had indicated that in addition to the Western Flyer, you were taking the Zephyr as a personal item. So long as you limit yourself to one bag, with the collapsible bag packed within for the items you'll need to pack on your return, the XS Aviator would work better.
The XS has no structure of its own so it can pack small and flat. 1500 cubic inches is my estimate on volume when packed to the gills, and its rugged construction would certainly allow for more than 25 pounds to be packed into it. I haven't used the XS for high-density items but others here may have and may be able to give you a better idea of a top-end weight you might reasonably expect the bag to carry.