Airline Carry-On Bags (not for bikes) Roller and non-Roller styles

[11.4]

Lane, there is a very special corner of he!! for you ;)

Fine words of praise from you, Josh.

Maybe you should just try a RedOxx bag for grins. The Rail Grip is my favorite. Incredible construction and durability. You'd be embarrassed carrying around a MLC after hoisting a Rail Grip. It's a perfect bag for race or fondo travel. I don't know a bag that comes close.

There are also a couple journalists I know who like to travel with the Maxpedition Doppelduffel/Fliegerduffel/Unterduffel series. These are heavy, the fabric isn't anywhere close to the same quality, and there's less space inside than one would think from looking at the outside. They are worth a look (and Maxpedition has just updated and semi-replaced the series). Kind of a cool idea that doesn't quite deliver.

[TTX1]

I feel really bad doing this to you -- like showing Too Tall a new website for some really gorgeous bike porn -- but , ....

Carryology | Exploring Better Ways to Carry

EDC Bags | EDCForums

and ... well, ... I've already probably done enough damage there.

aaaaand /thread.


I flew 120+ segments last year - while not as much as Saab, I have some insights...

- Good call on B&R > Tumi.

I travel a lot so people give me Tumi stuff and Tumi gift cards (I know, boohoo). They are great about warranty service, which I know because the stuff fails. Retractable handles on the rollers fail (they changed the design, maybe the latest ones are better). Seams bust. Logos are generally conspicuous. Not as bad as Luis Vuitton, but still pretty much "hey look at me" for many of their styles. Hard to justify the cost of the basic Alpha line vs. B&R or even Kirkland (Costco), which just might be the best bang for the buck...

- Backpacks: Take a look at Kletterworks, Mystery Ranch, Goruck... you'll get there via EDCforums and carryology. Gear Patrol is another source for international jet setter stuff.

- Organization: I really like the Magpul DAKA pockets/sleeves for cables, documents - help with organization inside a backpack, etc.

Bon voyage.

[11.4]

Good life in the air. I have six million miles on American and over a couple million more on Air France, plus lesser amounts on other airlines. In 2014 I did thirty-four round trips to west Africa and back. That was pretty nuts and where I got to test a lot of bags and other equipment. I'd definitely endorse Mystery Ranch if you need to carry a load; the backpacks are superb for carrying a lot of poundage, but they aren't really fitted for a notebook computer and regular office or personal carry. Gorucks (the upper end bags, anyway) have a good pocket for a notebook computer but are designed with rough fabrics and stitching (not bad quality, just rough materials and designs). Compare a Goruck to a Tom Bihn backpack -- the Tom Bihn feels smooth in your hand and doesn't wear your skin or clothing as much, and has very good strategies for packing the stuff most people want to carry for EDC or travel. If you want to look at these, also check Kifaru for comparable quality. And a superb newcomer, Hill People Gear. There's a ton of good carry out there these days, but the best before are still the best now.

I totally agree on how Tumi marks you. In any airport in the world, "Tumi" says there's an expensive notebook computer inside. When we had hundreds of politicians and physicians flying through Europe to west Africa in 2014, the rate of theft was startling and almost every theft was Tumi. Those who had anonymous bags didn't have problems, even if the anonymous bags were expensively made. For that kind of travel I like Tom Bihn. Superb durability, comfortable in the hand, and thieves don't recognize it like Tumi.

[teleguy57]

Yup, currently in Seattle for 3 nights and easily getting by with my Patagonia MLC from 12+ years ago. I supplement it with a small Osprey backpack for my work computer, documents, chargers, and snacks, but if traveling for pleasure, I comfortably store a week's worth in my MLC alone (as long as it's not a week in the arctic).

My only challenge at time is shoes. Too many Allen Edmonds that I want with me for variety. When that happens my small backpack (with laptop sleeve and pocket for the stuff you cite) carries one pair for me with another in the MLC (besides what I'm wearing) -- at least for more business-type travel.

And +1 to Eagle Creek packing folders for keeping items nice while compressing and saving space.

[Blue Jays]

OK, OK, OK...now y'all have convinced me to try something different with my next bag/luggage purchase! ;-)

[NYCfixie]

The Tom Bihn Aeronut45 and Patagonia MLC seem like really good options for me and maybe I will suck it up and get a Tumi roller for the wife as she more than deserves the best.

I stopped flying on a regular basis for business circa 2004 so I am out of practice when it comes to luggage and packing (my wife asked me to get a job in a school so I would be home more often which I guess is a good thing that she wants me around).

The issue that can be difficult is to fit both a suit and dress shoes in addition to casual clothes and shoes when I am traveling to family which is usually for a holiday and other life event (I have 7 siblings and my wife has 6 so there is always a family event happening). I never seem to be able to pack/fit in a carry-on what I need even for a 2-3 day trip. And then if you add cycling (helmet shoes, shorts, jersey. etc) it is almost impossible.

Any suggestions?

[Too Tall]

Minor thread drift. My own ability to pack one-hell-of-alot-less has made travel 100% easier.

[robin3mj]

Minor thread drift. My own ability to pack one-hell-of-alot-less has made travel 100% easier.

For the last decade, my colleagues have often been startled that I show up to business trips with just the MLC, whereas they inevitable have a roller bag plus a backpack.

If you’re already wearing business casual clothes (maybe with a blazer), you don’t NEED to change into jeans for dinner. Likewise, don’t kid yourself into thinking you’re going to have time to run or workout if you know you won’t. Running shoes are heavy; if I’m sure I’ll get a workout in, then I have a pair of those New Balance minimal shoes that weigh nothing. Otherwise just wear good casual dress shoes and you can take a walk in the morning or before dinner.

Shave with soap. Drill holes in your toothbrush, yuk yuk yuk.

Vacation? Fuggheadaboutit.
Hey honey, I hope you like this green t-shirt and this blue button down, because it’s all I have to wear all week.

[Too Tall]

Than there was that time I was stuck in Paris: no passport, 40Euros (borrowed), my bike and the cloths I had on and (wait for it) Assos Sturmprinz jacket hahahahahahah.
It took a couple weeks to get funds and new ID but during that time I lost 10 lbs walking Paris and gained an appreciation for living with alot less.

Patagonia MLC is what I'm bringing on our next 2 week vacation. We'll share a gear bag.

[Shoogs]

Patagonia 45L Black Hole. I've over stuffed it to carry on for a two week vacation, and I've put it in the overhead on a commuter flight...super versatile.

[NYCfixie]

I think we may have a clear winner in the Patagonia MLC as a carry-on soft-sided convertible (with the Eagle Creek and/or other packing cubes and accessories). But, I will admit the Tom Bihn stuff looks really nice and also very well made.

I incorrectly mentioned Tumi for the wife; it should have been the B&R mentioned by Lane and TTX1 - will check those out. Also tempted for the Costco one TTX1 mentioned just to see if it is truly that good.


As for packing light, that is always a work in progress and depends so much on being honest with yourself.

On the latest 3 day trip to Denver that included a formal family event with formal dress, the wife and I laid out our clothes and stuff on the bed beforehand, put a few things back we knew we would probably not need/use, packed the checked full size roller, and had almost nothing in the carry-on shown earlier in this thread. When we got home and realized it was nice that we used everything we brought, did not have to carry clean clothes back and forth to Denver, and had almost nothing in the carry-on, it made us realize that we could probably use 2 carry-ons next time and not have to worry about a larger roller that would need to be checked.

Minor thread drift. My own ability to pack one-hell-of-alot-less has made travel 100% easier.

For the last decade, my colleagues have often been startled that I show up to business trips with just the MLC, whereas they inevitable have a roller bag plus a backpack.

If you’re already wearing business casual clothes (maybe with a blazer), you don’t NEED to change into jeans for dinner. Likewise, don’t kid yourself into thinking you’re going to have time to run or workout if you know you won’t. Running shoes are heavy; if I’m sure I’ll get a workout in, then I have a pair of those New Balance minimal shoes that weigh nothing. Otherwise just wear good casual dress shoes and you can take a walk in the morning or before dinner.

Shave with soap. Drill holes in your toothbrush, yuk yuk yuk.

Vacation? Fuggheadaboutit.
Hey honey, I hope you like this green t-shirt and this blue button down, because it’s all I have to wear all week.

Than there was that time I was stuck in Paris: no passport, 40Euros (borrowed), my bike and the cloths I had on and (wait for it) Assos Sturmprinz jacket hahahahahahah.
It took a couple weeks to get funds and new ID but during that time I lost 10 lbs walking Paris and gained an appreciation for living with alot less.

Patagonia MLC is what I'm bringing on our next 2 week vacation. We'll share a gear bag.

Patagonia 45L Black Hole. I've over stuffed it to carry on for a two week vacation, and I've put it in the overhead on a commuter flight...super versatile.

[11.4]

The Patagonia is soft, squishy, takes the form of whatever you put inside. It covers and protects the contents but it only has limited structure or organization. You can address the latter with cubes but not the former. I find that if I have to walk a long ways with one, it sags and rubs on me and simply doesn't work as well as something very structured. The Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45 is made so everything is smooth on it, you can equip it with an amazing Tom Bihn strap or use it as a backpack, and Tom Bihn makes cubes specifically to fit the '45. When you have custom-fit organizers, it's amazing how neat it looks. And it doesn't sag or drag like the MLC will. The price is higher but you get something that is easy to stow, has great features, and has some of the best construction quality you can find. It's up to you whether it's worth having those features to offset the extra price, but it definitely works better.

[rwsaunders]

[Travelpro Crew11 22" Expandable Rollaboard Suiter] | The Flight Attendant Shop

Nothing fancy but I've gotten 3 million air miles out of two of these units over the past 30 years. The suiter fits a mix of casual and dress clothes and expands when I really need to squeeze in extra gear. I was just about ready to buy another one but somebody turned me on to rebuilding the roller wheels with skateboard grade wheels and it rides oh so smooth and quiet. I stuff my business equipment, headphones, reading material and a jacket in a Chrome messenger bag as I'm often in locations where it rains or field conditions are less than ideal. It easily fits under an airplane seat and doesn't let water in...my two primary concerns.

[Saab2000]

I have a couple from a company called Luggageworks. I'm not sure how they can be purchased online but maybe anyone can buy their stuff now. It used to be airline industry only but that's kind of dumb if you ask me. I tend to get them at bazaars in the underbelly of airports.

I've got an LW bag with lots of pockets and compartments for things like documents and iPads and even a laptop and pens and pencils and snacks and my Bose QC35 (best travel gadget I've ever owned btw) and spare batteries and charging cables and anything else I might need to access on short notice.

I love two things about it and this would apply to any bag I will ever purchase:

1. It must fit under the seat and leave room for my feet. Overhead space can be at a premium when you board last and you may or may not be able to access your carry-on bags in the overhead bins during a flight. Keep it with you and all is well. Or at least way less bad.
2. It must have lots of sleeves and pockets and compartments for different things. Organization is important to many of us and a tote with many compartments is indispensable.

Regarding security, use common sense:

Have it at least clipped to another bag but most importantly, have all your most important things with you on your person or in a bag more or less attached to your person at all times. Only check stuff you can afford to lose. Never keys, documents, electronics, meds, etc. Ever.

[TMB]

I feel really bad doing this to you -- like showing Too Tall a new website for some really gorgeous bike porn -- but , ....

Carryology | Exploring Better Ways to Carry

EDC Bags | EDCForums

and ... well, ... I've already probably done enough damage there.

Personal favorites?

I like Briggs & Riley over Tumi. Tumi has a slightly more polished look, but B&R has a lifetime no questions warranty and it has some better features like its roll around packing compression system and its outside frame. Buy the B&R Baseline series. You'll never need another. Be sure and get the International rather than the American one. It actually packs a little easier and there are more and more foreign flights on airframes that don't quite have enough room for the American standard bag.

If you have never really salivated in your life, check out Bedouin Foundry. Oops, TT just beat you to it and now your favorite bag is out of stock. The Barbary messenger bag is amazing. You'll never deign to look at Timbuktu or Mission Workshop again.

In a completely different direction, there's Tom Bihn's Aeronaut 45. It's carryon, it has amazing construction, you can get a lightweight Spectra version if that moves you, and it has a very good backpack system if you really need to walk a long way and are envying your significant other's roll around.

I probably have fifty bags hanging in a big walk in closet. These are the ones that never get a chance to get hung up.

This.

Briggs & Reilly. No other reasonable choice.

[Shoogs]

I was surprised how much stuff would fit when I "ranger rolled" as opposed to typical folding. Seeing the Marie Kondo style is impressive, I couldnt do it for every day life but packing for a trip is excellent

[Blue Jays]

"...If you have never really salivated in your life, check out Bedouin Foundry.
Oops, TT just beat you to it and now your favorite bag is out of stock.
The Barbary messenger bag is amazing. You'll never deign to look at Timbuktu or Mission Workshop again..."

Sweet stuff. Looks to be extremely high-quality gear. Wow.
All that website needs is bags photographed in context with each other, common items, and people to better judge size.
Contemplating either an olive/gray or an all-black Genghis for urban daytrips.

[11.4]

Sweet stuff. Looks to be extremely high-quality gear. Wow.
All that website needs is bags photographed in context with each other, common items, and people to better judge size.
Contemplating either an olive/gray or an all-black Genghis for urban daytrips.

Yes, it's gorgeous. Austr-Alpin buckles, beautiful leathers and fabrics. They from time to time commission a special liner fabric and they vary their colors a bit. I have one in black canvas with blood red leather. The bags are simply the best I've ever found.

[Blue Jays]

"...The bags are simply the best I've ever found..."

It is unfortunate there is so little in the way of "real world" usage photos.
Even their Facebook page has mostly tabletop pics. Good grief, put them over a model's shoulder!
Or show with an iPhone and a bottle of water already. Help us to buy your stuff, Bedouin Foundry. :-)

[Mabouya]

Not to pile on too much, but I have to agree with the comments above regarding the Bedouin web site - it's horrible: difficult to navigate, tough to understand what you're looking at, and enough of a pain that I said "F this" and I bailed. Maybe it's designed for a different generation of potential customers who's brains process visual information differently from this middle-aged guy's, but just the same, that place is a mess.