Something like a Western Flyer
 

I was wondering whether any of you know of a bag that's like the Western Flyer but not?

What I'm looking for is a small-ish soft-sided bag to go on top of a carry-on wheelie. It would be nice if this had a slot for the wheelie handles AND backpack straps. Is there anything in the same class as the western flyer that has these features? I noticed the B&R Convertable Travel Tote (224 Baseline) - it has the straps and the slot for the wheelie, but it seems too BIG! Is there anything smaller? I don't really need a maximum carry-on size.

I like the Western Flyer, but would like to compare it to some other options (that are possibly less pricey).

Thanks!

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Patagonia Critical Mass - Smaller Version of the MLC.

It depends on your expectations.

Will you be using this as a briefcase?
Will you be carrying a computer?
How many days clothing will you be putting in there?

There isn't much out ther with both straps AND the handle pocket. The WF can be had either or but not both. I've suggested that they do both as it shouldn't be difficult.

eBags has the Weekender TLS. While it will expand to beyond MLC, the straps on the outside make it possible to adjust it to virtually any size. Straps only and obviously not as well made as the WF.

I had this problem a while back and ended up buying a TriStar and an Aeronaut to replace a bevy of carry-ons. I usually travel with a rollaboard (B&R 20" widebody Transcend) and a squishable case (now the TriStar.) My next trip may well be with the Aeronaut only. I have a soft (i.e. packable) Bagallini manbag that my laptop fits in perfectly and goes into the Aeronaut - it comes out at the gate and holds my laptop, a book, snacks and other small stuff.

I'm a huge fan of Tom Bihn products. They are exceptional quality and well worth the (exhorbitant?) premium.

I'm considering a WF with the handle pocket for my next bag. Both the WF and the TriStar easily double for a business case if you chose your colors carefully.

I'll look at LLBean and Patagonia site, thanks for the ideas.

I'll use it as an occasional briefcase for a laptop and papers. it doesn't need to be formal.
For this upcoming trip, I'll be using it for clothing for two kids, age 4 and 6. I've done some test packing, and each child's clothing fits into 1 large eagle creek packing cube. So the bag needs to be big enough for them. I can pack their shoes and raincoats in the wheelie. It's a 19" B&R BRX.

I would also like it for car camping trips for myself. Car camping often involves a short walk to the tenting site. Not hardcore hiking, but it would still be nice to have backpack straps. Still...Maybe the absolute strap is good enough?

I intend to pack for short 3 - 5 day trips, but up to 2 weeks. Just to give you an idea of the amount of stuff I bring, I can easily get 2 weeks' worth of clothes into 2 large eagle creek packing cubes. (I would need extra space for shoes).

The tri-star, aeoronaut, weekender TLS seem too big!
Maybe i should be looking at laptop bags

I'll look at LLBean and Patagonia site, thanks for the ideas.

I'll use it as an occasional briefcase for a laptop and papers. it doesn't need to be formal.
For this upcoming trip, I'll be using it for clothing for two kids, age 4 and 6. I've done some test packing, and each child's clothing fits into 1 large eagle creek packing cube. So the bag needs to be big enough for them. I can pack their shoes and raincoats in the wheelie. It's a 19" B&R BRX.

I would also like it for car camping trips for myself. Car camping often involves a short walk to the tenting site. Not hardcore hiking, but it would still be nice to have backpack straps. Still...Maybe the absolute strap is good enough? Or maybe I should get backpack straps and jury-rig it to the wheelie??

One thing I like about "travel bags" is that they open flat. I guess this is another requirement of mine, which discounts true backpacks.


I intend to pack for short 3 - 5 day trips, but up to 2 weeks. Just to give you an idea of the amount of stuff I bring, I can easily get 2 weeks' worth of clothes into 2 large eagle creek packing cubes. (I would need extra space for shoes).

The tri-star, aeoronaut, weekender TLS seem too big!
Maybe i should be looking at laptop bags

Would a backpack be out of the question? There are some sqare'ish ones that would accomodate the packing cubes. In addition, I've found some sales on small Swiss Army bags that look like miniature versions of the Aeronaut. My wife has one she is quite happy with. The center compartment holds packing cubes and the end compartments hold shoes and hairdryers. This particular one - long discontinued - was about $75 on closeout and has a handle pocket. Most have really bad straps so you'll want to get something like the absolute stap, the Red Oxx equivalent or something similar.

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The BRX has a strap built in to hang a bag from. I use this rather than putting it on the handle.

Why not just get a Western Flyer?

Did you see Lands End's Flightwise carry on? I don't see it on the site right now but here's a review http://www.practicalhacks.com/2010/1...softsided-bag/ you might be able to find it on eBay

These two threads showing several soft sided bags side by side might help
http://www.practicalhacks.com/2009/0...-side-by-side/
http://www.practicalhacks.com/2010/0...-red-oxx-bags/

You might want to take a look at the Goodhope convertible bag. It has features similar to the WF, but with some differences.
-It's lighter
-One main compartment, instead of two
-No slot for the handle of a wheelie bag
-It's $30 (includes s&h)
-It's primarily suited to carry-on
-Smaller by 0.5 in

I'm thinking about getting this to practice lightweight one bagging. The quality of the backpack straps isn't as good as the WF. Since I'm not climbing Annapurna, it should suffice.