TB Anticipation Syndrome

[latchford]

My two shipments are still wandering around, trying to get over the I5 mountain passes in Oregon and California. The UPS site has been amusing; either they had a tracking error or one package made it to Roseburg OR and then retreated back to Portland to wait it out for a while. It also erroneously said it had made it all the way to Sylmar CA before correcting itself.
I just hope it's system overload/backup vs getting actually lost or destroyed, as they're both pretty expensive boxes of items no longer available.
Safety of the drivers and everyone else is more important though, so I'm practicing patience.

This is exactly why I'm more anxious about this package than my previous purchases. Plus it took 4 restocks and staying awake till 3am to finally get my Night Walk Side Kick. Was just notified that it has been processed through the LA international distribution centre and is in transit to destination.

Hope the weather over there calms down so that your boxes can get to you quicker. Wish I could send some sunshine from here but it's been raining a lot this week which is not quite usual.

[G42]

This is exactly why I'm more anxious about this package than my previous purchases. Plus it took 4 restocks and staying awake till 3am to finally get my Night Walk Side Kick. Was just notified that it has been processed through the LA international distribution centre and is in transit to destination.

Hope the weather over there calms down so that your boxes can get to you quicker. Wish I could send some sunshine from here but it's been raining a lot this week which is not quite usual.

I hope it gets out to you ok!

It's kind of funny to watch the UPS updating actually... the first package (which shipped on the 22nd) is now claiming it jumped from Portland to Visalia, so that's fun. If it's really in Visalia (Central Valley of CA), there's only one more mountain pass to get over... which was closed yesterday due to snow but is open again.

We're done with rain for a while in the southern part of the state; but I am legally obligated as a California resident to say "but we need the rain"

[latchford]

Mine's currently in LA and I hope it's enroute to the airport instead of wandering off to Compton or elsewhere like my last package did. Wouldn't want it doing the nomadic life in such severe weather! I just placed an order from another manufacturer who's shipping from Taiwan so my packages may have their own race too.

Well that was fast, the package from the other manufacturer won the race lol.

[G42]

Wayward Box No. 1 arrived!



They all look flushed and happy, probably off skiing down the mountains instead of dutifully traveling to me.

[latchford]

Wayward Box No. 1 arrived!



They all look flushed and happy, probably off skiing down the mountains instead of dutifully traveling to me.

Yay glad to see that they’re safe and sound! I love the little note card. Now anticipating box no. 2 while the saga continues…

[Aeon]

A week ago I ordered a Black Halycon/NWS Techonaut 30 mostly because stock was dwindling (the colorway is now sold out). I was/am holding out for a 1050 Black/NWS T45, but I knew I'd be upset if I didn't at least order the BH T30 while it was still available. It's scheduled to arrive tomorrow with some strap keepers. I'm ambivalent about keeping the bag; I have so many bags already in the 25-30L range that I don't need another one -- which is why the T45 is more appealing to me right now.

So ... I don't know why I thought there was a good chance I'd return the T30. I opened the box and knew I wasn't sending anything back to TB. I've done a few test packs over the past few days and it's better than my A30 for my packing style and carrying comfort, though I think I still prefer one big open space of my small Yeoman.

[G42]

So ... I don't know why I thought there was a good chance I'd return the T30. I opened the box and knew I wasn't sending anything back to TB. I've done a few test packs over the past few days and it's better than my A30 for my packing style and carrying comfort, though I think I still prefer one big open space of my small Yeoman.

The allure of the bag strikes again!

The Techonauts have that one less end pocket thing going on so at least it's a bigger open space for you than an Aeronaut.
FWIW, I usually put either shoes in the bottom/end Techonaut compartment (though it can be lumpy) or full Small Laundry Cubes packed out with sleep stuff and undies and sometimes a folded vest or similar outside the cube; things that fill out that bottom compartment, are squishable, and are only one or two things vs lots of little containers.

When's your next trip you can take the T30 on...?

[Aeon]

The allure of the bag strikes again!

The Techonauts have that one less end pocket thing going on so at least it's a bigger open space for you than an Aeronaut.
FWIW, I usually put either shoes in the bottom/end Techonaut compartment (though it can be lumpy) or full Small Laundry Cubes packed out with sleep stuff and undies and sometimes a folded vest or similar outside the cube; things that fill out that bottom compartment, are squishable, and are only one or two things vs lots of little containers.

When's your next trip you can take the T30 on...?

I only ever used one end pocket of my A30, so the Techonaut's design has always appealed to me. I travel with a thin blanket scarf that I have in an EQ quarter cube, I think? It fits at the bottom of the end pocket very nicely and I can pack shoes or what not on top of it without worry of getting crushed. It's the 3 outer pockets that I'm going to have to fiddle with because everything I put in those pockets I realized I'd probably put in my personal item. The first test pack I forgot to pack my 13" laptop (d'oh!), and wow...I definitely felt its added weight for the second test pack. It's due for a replacement soon, but I'm not one who will spend $$$$$ for the lightest, most capable laptop on the market at the time. So that is something I have to figure out.

I have no plans for any travel at the moment. Right now, I'm caring for my sib who is still not yet independent after their 2.5 month hospital stint nearly a year ago. It's one of the reasons why I wanted the T45...when my sib is back to living on their own again, I want to take a long trip and go wherever I want that day (my life is very regimented around sib's medication and food schedule and endless doctors appts). My A30/SA/small YD are great for 4 or 5 days, but a week or more feels like I have to edit a bit more than what I want.

I use my small YD for weekends and overnights...just chuck stuff in the bag, zip it up and go. The T30 definitely feels like a "trip" bag for me, so I don't know how much use I'll get from it presently. But I don't regret buying it. And I'll buy a T45 at some point, too. I should make a point to sell my A30 because there is no way it's going to see the light of day after buying the T30.

[G42]

Ah, best wishes to your sib - I hope their recovery progresses (that's hard on everyone, so best wishes to you as a caregiver too!) and that you get an escape trip to recharge soon!



Those outer pockets on the Techonauts do take a little fiddling with to determine what goes where...but I'd also say that you can just leave them empty and ignore them. Since they borrow space from the main compartment, it's not like you're really loosing out on anything really, by not using them.


The product description page has suggestions for what/how Nik designed them to be used... I generally put a reusable water or coffee bottle in that designated pocket, though I have also put a travel umbrella there and a rolled up light vest, on different trips.
The shorter side pocket I usually have an extra mask and a baggie with sanitizer and some wipes - they are backups, since I also have those items in my personal item, but I value redundancy for those items.
The top pocket I put a granola bar and my phone's car charger for when I'm traveling & getting a rental car - it's a place to stow it. Likewise, if I'm flying and don't need my personal keys, I put them in that top pocket, attached to an o-ring.


If the weight starts to bother you with the laptop, consider the padded hip belts. It will depend on where/how the bag hangs down on your back and thus where the hip belt hits.


Lots of folks like the Aeronauts and depending on the colour/fabric combo, you should be able to find folks willing to swap or buy it. What one do you have?

[Aeon]

Ah, best wishes to your sib - I hope their recovery progresses (that's hard on everyone, so best wishes to you as a caregiver too!) and that you get an escape trip to recharge soon!

Those outer pockets on the Techonauts do take a little fiddling with to determine what goes where...but I'd also say that you can just leave them empty and ignore them. Since they borrow space from the main compartment, it's not like you're really loosing out on anything really, by not using them. <snip>

If the weight starts to bother you with the laptop, consider the padded hip belts. It will depend on where/how the bag hangs down on your back and thus where the hip belt hits.

Lots of folks like the Aeronauts and depending on the colour/fabric combo, you should be able to find folks willing to swap or buy it. What one do you have?

Thank you for the well wishes!

I like the idea of the pockets because they are more functional than the flat pockets on the A30 that I never used. I think they'll be good for an umbrella and overflow snacks, candy, and hot chocolate mix. Maybe I'll stash my OpTech Mini strap that I use in the longer side pocket as well if I ever choose to carry it that way. Doubtful, but I like having carrying options.

I don't want the hip belt; I can't envision myself actually using one. If weight on a 30 liter bag is uncomfortable enough to consider a hip belt, I need to either switch to a roller or (more likely) reduce the weight of what I'm packing.

My A30 is 1050D Burnt Orange/Steel from either the first run of A30s or the first run of Burnt Orange A30s. Maybe that's one in the same, I don't remember. All I know I was deep into my "buy all the bags!" phase then. It hasn't seen a lot of use since I purchased the small YD and Smart Alec though.

[G42]

Thank you for the well wishes!

I like the idea of the pockets because they are more functional than the flat pockets on the A30 that I never used. I think they'll be good for an umbrella and overflow snacks, candy, and hot chocolate mix. Maybe I'll stash my OpTech Mini strap that I use in the longer side pocket as well if I ever choose to carry it that way. Doubtful, but I like having carrying options.

I don't want the hip belt; I can't envision myself actually using one. If weight on a 30 liter bag is uncomfortable enough to consider a hip belt, I need to either switch to a roller or (more likely) reduce the weight of what I'm packing.

My A30 is 1050D Burnt Orange/Steel from either the first run of A30s or the first run of Burnt Orange A30s. Maybe that's one in the same, I don't remember. All I know I was deep into my "buy all the bags!" phase then. It hasn't seen a lot of use since I purchased the small YD and Smart Alec though.

Burnt Orange, nice!

Wait - there a time when the "buy all the bags" phase ebbs...? I don't know whether to be happy or sad about that (!)


If I bring the OpTech or an Absolute strap and don't want it attached & dangling, I store it on edge, sort of wrapping the inner circumference of either the lower pocket or the main compartment, if you follow me. I do that in the Aeronauts and Techonatus.
Since I never really fully unpack the bag whilst traveling, it stays in place via the cubes and is out the way, but available if I need it.

[moriond]

Thank you for the well wishes!

I don't want the hip belt; I can't envision myself actually using one. If weight on a 30 liter bag is uncomfortable enough to consider a hip belt, I need to either switch to a roller or (more likely) reduce the weight of what I'm packing.

Hi Aeon The neat thing about the padded hip belt option that makes it something I might use on the T30 whereas I don’t use one on the Aeronaut is that you can leave the ends attached to the Techonaut and just tuck them away behind the built-in skeleton frame when you’re not using them. And I find they are better positioned to distribute the weight of the bag on my hips than in the Aeronaut design. So if I were doing a lot of walking around with the T30 I’d opt to buy and use the padded hip belt

HTH

moriond

[Aeon]

Hi Aeon The neat thing about the padded hip belt option that makes it something I might use on the T30 whereas I don’t use one on the Aeronaut is that you can leave the ends attached to the Techonaut and just tuck them away behind the built-in skeleton frame when you’re not using them. And I find they are better positioned to distribute the weight of the bag on my hips than in the Aeronaut design. So if I were doing a lot of walking around with the T30 I’d opt to buy and use the padded hip belt

HTH

moriond

Alright. You and G42 have convinced me to put the hip belt on my wishlist. I'll order it if it's in stock whenever I order the T45. I have no idea if I'll do a lot of walking with either bag, but like I said earlier, I like having options. I assume the hip belt would work better on my 5'3" frame with the T30 than the T45, but I'm in no rush to figure that out right now.

MikeV The link to the hipbelts from both the T30 and T45 product pages directs to a 404 error page. I clicked the link within the What's Optional tab under Full Description section for both bags. HTH.

[moriond]

Aeon I think they put all the options onto a single product page for hip belts now and that you have to choose the 1” size in the drop down menu. But you’re correct that this means links from blog posts or explanations about how frame sheets work now go off to 404 pages. We (as mods) used to routinely have to check things like that in the organization of shoulder straps.

I haven’t had much occasion to travel with the T30 (or in general), and I still like the A30. But if someone were buying a new bag and specifically said they planned to do a lot of walking around with their bag in backpack travel mode I’d advise them to take a look at the T30 with the padded hip belt option. If you’re just getting transportation to and from the airport and like the Aeronaut design, don’t need luggage pass through, etc. then I might not bother to make the recommendation. And frankly I find the handle wrap on the Aeronaut more comfortable to grip (I have small hands).

While there might be variations in how well the padded hip belt sits on your frame, I’m pretty sure it will work for you. I’ll quote from a 05-23-2022 thread T45 sags off shoulders—need suggestions to make it fit better

https://forums.tombihn.com/forum/tom-bihn-forums/general-bag-discussion/340085-t45-sags-off-shoulders%E2%80%94need-suggestions-to-make-it-fit-better?p=340096#post340096

I'm quite a bit shorter than you (5'4"), but I also have a T45. Loved it for a week-long trip, and was very smug about my packing/bag choices compared to others on the trip... but I digress.

I bought the padded hip-belt attachments, and that made the bag super easy to wear. I was pretty loaded up when I packed; I used a few packing cubes and other zip-bags. I don't have a full stock of TB accessories, so I had to rough it with what I had. I used the compression straps inside to keep everything snug, and the o-rings to clip organizer bags. I think that helped keep everything stable and balanced internally.

I was worried about purchasing the T45 vs the T30 because of size on my frame, but with the padded hip-belt, it's just awesome. And you can tuck the hip pads in the mesh backing without undoing the gate-keeper clips to keep it nice and slick when you don't need them. best design!! good luck

[latchford]

They're here!!!

Açaí is gorgeous and goes great with Night Walk. Wish this pair could've stuck around to be made into other bags like the Side Kick, Synik 22 and Café Bags. I think Night Walk/Northwest Sky is a pretty good pairing but my first choice would've been Night Walk/Acuity. I disliked the Night Walk/Tidal pairing enough to sell the first Night Walk SK I bought. Missed having the SK though so I bought another in a preferred combo. I'm never, ever gonna sell this!