Wheeled Tote/Boarding Bag - Budget alternative to B&R U116
Jun 1, 2014 | 8:29 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2007
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Wheeled Tote/Boarding Bag - Budget alternative to B&R U116
I've decided I want to get a Wheeled Tote / Boarding Bag for 1-night and possibly light 2-night trips. I don't really want a laptop compartment as I'll have a Amazon Basics 11.6" with all my electronics riding on top. I'm looking for a large main compartment with a thin/minimal second front compartment. I'll probably be using this bag 6-10 times/year, so I'm not looking to spend $350 on a bag, but the general layout and proportions of the Briggs & Riley U116 seem to be what I'm looking for. I'm really looking for something sub-$50, but I'm open to discussion up to $100.
Right now I'm leaning towards the American Tourister iLite Supreme Wheeled Boarding Bag. It's a touch wider than the B&R U116, which I wonder how well it will roll down the aisles of MD80s, CR9s, etc. Otherwise, from the Amazon and eBags reviews, it seems to be well made and laid out for the price point. The few complaints seem to be related to the "laptop compartment" not being padded, but this seems to stem from eBags improperly advertising this as a laptop bag instead of a boarding bag.
Any other thoughts or recomendations, especially in the ~$50 range, but up to $100?
Thanks in advance!
Right now I'm leaning towards the American Tourister iLite Supreme Wheeled Boarding Bag. It's a touch wider than the B&R U116, which I wonder how well it will roll down the aisles of MD80s, CR9s, etc. Otherwise, from the Amazon and eBags reviews, it seems to be well made and laid out for the price point. The few complaints seem to be related to the "laptop compartment" not being padded, but this seems to stem from eBags improperly advertising this as a laptop bag instead of a boarding bag.
Any other thoughts or recomendations, especially in the ~$50 range, but up to $100?
Thanks in advance!
Jun 2, 2014 | 8:38 am
#2
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2007
Programs: DL Silver, AS MVP, UA Silver, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Plat, SPG Plat, National Exec Elite
Posts: 3,883
Just a bit more info to my previous post... My packing will consist of:
- 1 pair of trousers
- 1 dress ....., boxers,
- 1 undershirt
- 1 pair socks
- 3-2-1 toiletries bag
If I can get 2 of each of the above (except toiletries) in using a Eagle Creek Pack-It Folder 15, I'll pick one up (I already have an 18 I use in my 20" roller). A pair of running shoes and shorts would be a bonus, but not a deal-breaker. Electronics will all go in a separate bag riding on top.
These are the main two I'm considering at the moment:
Eagle Creek ES2 Round About Wheeled Tote
I assume being Eagle Creek it would have build-quality well above its price point. The lifetime warranty is nice as well, but I don't see this bag getting a lot of abuse. The 15" width shouldn't have any problems rolling down aircraft aisles, but might limit me to truly one night worth of clothing. I don't think a Pack-It Folder 15 is an option with a bag this small. It's actually the same or bigger than the B&R U116 in all three dimensions while being lighter, but it just looks much smaller. It could work well as a second bag to expand on my 20" roll-aboard, but I don't see this being a common need.
American Tourister iLite Supreme Wheeled Boarding Bag
This one looks the most like the B&R U116 in layout and proportions, just a tad bit wider. It has a laptop size compartment on the front, but it's un-padded so it shouldn't rob too much storage capacity from the main compartment (and it might get used for my wife's 13" MBP in a sleeve on weekend car trips). A Pack-It Folder 15 should fit just right and expand this into 2-night territory pretty easily. It seems fairly well build from the Amazon and eBags reviews and it's not a bottom-of-the-line American Tourister (which would be the Splash line). My main worry is if the 17" width will require it to be carried instead of rolled on smaller aircraft... not a deal-breaker, but I would prefer to be able to roll onto a at least B737, A320, MD80, etc if not CR7/9.
I'm honestly considering the two above equally. The Eagle Creek seems to be as big at the B&R, but it really doesn't look it. The American Tourister is bigger and looks it and should do 2-nights fairly easily if needed and also accommodate a pair of running shoes.
Thoughts? Thanks in advance!
- 1 pair of trousers
- 1 dress ....., boxers,
- 1 undershirt
- 1 pair socks
- 3-2-1 toiletries bag
If I can get 2 of each of the above (except toiletries) in using a Eagle Creek Pack-It Folder 15, I'll pick one up (I already have an 18 I use in my 20" roller). A pair of running shoes and shorts would be a bonus, but not a deal-breaker. Electronics will all go in a separate bag riding on top.
These are the main two I'm considering at the moment:
Eagle Creek ES2 Round About Wheeled Tote
I assume being Eagle Creek it would have build-quality well above its price point. The lifetime warranty is nice as well, but I don't see this bag getting a lot of abuse. The 15" width shouldn't have any problems rolling down aircraft aisles, but might limit me to truly one night worth of clothing. I don't think a Pack-It Folder 15 is an option with a bag this small. It's actually the same or bigger than the B&R U116 in all three dimensions while being lighter, but it just looks much smaller. It could work well as a second bag to expand on my 20" roll-aboard, but I don't see this being a common need.
American Tourister iLite Supreme Wheeled Boarding Bag
This one looks the most like the B&R U116 in layout and proportions, just a tad bit wider. It has a laptop size compartment on the front, but it's un-padded so it shouldn't rob too much storage capacity from the main compartment (and it might get used for my wife's 13" MBP in a sleeve on weekend car trips). A Pack-It Folder 15 should fit just right and expand this into 2-night territory pretty easily. It seems fairly well build from the Amazon and eBags reviews and it's not a bottom-of-the-line American Tourister (which would be the Splash line). My main worry is if the 17" width will require it to be carried instead of rolled on smaller aircraft... not a deal-breaker, but I would prefer to be able to roll onto a at least B737, A320, MD80, etc if not CR7/9.
I'm honestly considering the two above equally. The Eagle Creek seems to be as big at the B&R, but it really doesn't look it. The American Tourister is bigger and looks it and should do 2-nights fairly easily if needed and also accommodate a pair of running shoes.
Thoughts? Thanks in advance!
Jun 3, 2014 | 1:00 am
#3
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 1
Eagle Creek
I recently just purchased the eagle creek bag as I was having the same issue with shelling out for the BR cabin bag. It should easily fit everything on your list. Also if I remember right amazon was doing free returns so you could order it and check it out and send it back if it doesn't fit what you were expecting. I will try to remember to dig out my 15 packing folder and see if it fits for you.
Jun 3, 2014 | 7:25 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2007
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That would be a great help! If I can get the 15 Folder into the Eagle Creek tote, I'll go that route for sure. I'm a Prime member, so I can get the EC and return it for free with no issue. I probably should go ahead and do so before the $30 price goes away.
Jun 3, 2014 | 12:56 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2007
Programs: DL Silver, AS MVP, UA Silver, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Plat, SPG Plat, National Exec Elite
Posts: 3,883
It looks like the newer Pack-It Folder Small might have a better chance of fitting as it measures 14" x 9" vs the Pack-It Folder 15 coming in at 15" x 10".