Originally Posted by
IsleOfMan
I ended up ordering the Ciao! this afternoon, so I expect it here by the end of the week. I saw one in person rolling through DFW week before last and it looks like a much higher end bag (very similar to my prior Eagle Creek) other than the telescoping handle which looks par for most sub-$100 bags. I ordered online as the non-member fee was only $1.50 on top of the $4 shipping (less than I would have spent on gas there and back) and $2.50 tax (which I would have paid at the store anyway), so $38 delivered.
On my last trip, which was only a 1-nighter, I dug out a low-end TravelPro laptop breif made for a 15.6" laptop that I hadn't used in years. I put all of my clothes for the next day (dress pants, shirt, underwear, undershirt) in my EC Pack-It Folder 15 which fit nicely in the rear file folder compartment, with my Surface Pro, notebook, and EC Toiletry Bad in the front compartment. I traveled in jeans and my sport coat. This combo is far and away the lightest I've ever traveled even for a single night trip, and probably the route I'll go for single night trips moving forward. This will move the Ciao! bag squarely into the 2-3/4 night range and my 20" or 22" TravelPros into the 4+ night range, mostly depending on how much footwear and outerwear I need to pack.
I got the Ciao! bag this afternoon... my original order was canceled (without alerting me) due to a zip code typo, so I had to re-order on 9/3 and it arrived today.
The form-factor and size shares more in common with the Briggs U116 than the Eagle Creek ES2 Round About, though the main flap doesn't extend as far back on the top of the bag. The sides are definitely more rigid than the EC, and the main flap opens wider for easier packing. The Pack-It Cube and Folder 15 fit perfectly and there may bit a touch more width for my folded dress pants compared to the EC as well.
The front pocked will just barely hold my Surface Pro with either Touch Cover or Power Cover... I don't think it would hold my 6" x 8" notebook as well. Is would hold my Galaxy Tab 3 8" and notebook, though, depending on the type of trip I'm on. The side pockets are larger than the EC, and similar to the larger pocked on BR; they zip open on 2 sides like the EC. The small front pocket is tight and might hold a cell-phone and wallet IF the larger front pocket isn't stuffed. The small top pocket is also tight, and not all that easy to access with the carry handles hooked together. All of the inside pockets, including those on the flap, are quite flat/tight and probably won't serve much purpose for me. The flap w/ pockets unsnaps at the top and lays flat to the bottom, almost like it's not there... it's sewn across the entire bottom and wouldn't be easy to cut out to remove it entirely, but there's not much need to either.
My biggest concern was the quality of the handle, but upon receipt it seems to be roughly equivalent to the EC, but not as wide/solid as some of the TravelPro bags I have from the Crew 9 and older Platinum lines. The wheels are fully-enclosed and in-line skate style (not true free-spinning ball-bearing type) , but the enclosures are riveted to the bag so they don't appear to be user-replaceable.
For ~$38 delivered, this is the best deal currently available for a bag this size. The build-quality is a step down from the EC, but it's still solid and should last awhile.
Having ordered from Costco as a non-member, I'm not sure if I could just exchange for a replacement at any time like a member... anyone out there know?
I have a 4-night trip coming up this weekend... I'll report back if I'm able to fit a full 4-nights in (should be able to as I'm taking my golf clubs and I can offload some clothing into my golf bag as well).