Personal item - B&R BL280-5 or ZX150-4
Sep 26, 23, 8:46 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Latin America and USA
Programs: UA 1K, AA Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 379
Personal item - B&R BL280-5 or ZX150-4
It's time to replace my personal item - usually found under my seat. Needs to jam into any personal item sizer with even the crankiest gate agent. Typically I fly UA/CM, but need flexibility to travel on any airline that meets my scheduling needs. I travel probably 150k BIS miles a year so I need something that holds up. I have B&R Baseline luggage (carry on and checked bag) and love it, so I'm looking for a personal item to complement it.
Narrowed it done to the Briggs & Riley ZX150 (ZDX Series) or the BL280-5 (Baseline Series). Does anybody have personal experience with either bag? Or any useful thoughts that would sway my decision?
I often travel with two 14" 2021 MacBook Pros... right now I use an old LL Bean tote that lets me put them both in there in protective sleeves. It's been great, but it's getting threadbare. Time to replace.
Reviews on the B&R site for both bags are positive (surprise!), but there are a few on the BL that complain that it doesn't stand up on its own. Not sure yet how much that matters to me.
Narrowed it done to the Briggs & Riley ZX150 (ZDX Series) or the BL280-5 (Baseline Series). Does anybody have personal experience with either bag? Or any useful thoughts that would sway my decision?
I often travel with two 14" 2021 MacBook Pros... right now I use an old LL Bean tote that lets me put them both in there in protective sleeves. It's been great, but it's getting threadbare. Time to replace.
Reviews on the B&R site for both bags are positive (surprise!), but there are a few on the BL that complain that it doesn't stand up on its own. Not sure yet how much that matters to me.
Nov 4, 23, 4:32 pm
#2
Join Date: Nov 2023
Posts: 2
I am in pretty much exactly the same situation as you and trying to decide between the same two underseat bags. From pictures and descriptions they look very similar. The BL280 is quite well reviewed but I'm not really finding any 3rd party reviews on the ZX150. Which one did you end up buying? And are you happy with your purchase?
Nov 5, 23, 1:47 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Latin America and USA
Programs: UA 1K, AA Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 379
I'm stuck with analysis paralysis. I live outside of the USA, so if I get one and decide I prefer the other one, I won't have an efficient way to manage shipping. The result has been I haven't purchased either one, and I'm still stringing along the trusty old LL Bean. Please do post if you get one or the other and let us know how you like it!
Nov 25, 23, 1:11 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Latin America and USA
Programs: UA 1K, AA Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 379
I bought the BL280 during B&R's Black Friday sale... the price was very competitive. We'll see how it works for my needs! I'll post after using it for a while.
