Carry-On Traveller's bag

[Zephyrnoid]

This is a late follow-on report on this test.
The result is that the Aeronaut mades an excellent backpack and in my case, managed to contain a week's worth of groceries for a 3 mile bike ride to and from the store with only a little wobble (from lack of waist strap)

Ok. So many of us have used the Aeronaut for Carry On Right? Well hey, I'm in a daring mood so the next week I'm trying something different.
I'm curious to see how much shopping will fit into an Aeronaut worn as a backpack. So all next week, I'll fill it with my groceries and other purchased goodies! Think of the plastic I'll save- Oh! I'll be on my bike too.
Pix to follow

[Packie]

Has anyone tried either the Tough Traveler "Tri-Zip", or the Easy Going Carryon? These are the other two bags that Doug Dyment recommends on Onebag.com in addition to the Red Oxx Air Boss.
E

I have the Tough Traveler "Tri-Zip" bag and I like it very much! Even though, I have never used the Aeronaut, the difference between these two bags is mainly the inside layout. The Tri-Zip has three different compartments that stretch over the whole bag, whereas the Aeronaut has one big compartment in the middle and two small ones at the ends. These structures work in different ways and the key question is really to define what kind of structure you'll need.

I'm a student and my travels often include a "pack your own sleeping bag and sleeping mattress" clause. I can fit both of them + some other small items in the clothing compartment of my Tri-Zip. Then my clothing (for a weekend), laptop, toiletries and other small items go in the two other compartments. However, this would not work with the Aeronaut, since its main compartment is not long enough for my sleeping mattress.

To Just:
I agree on the fact that a three compartment bag bulges very easily, if your gear is even the slightest thicker than the compartments. Nevertheless, the Tri-Zip is one inch thicker than the Red Oxx Air Boss :-)

I like the removable hip belt of the Tri-Zip. The shoulder strap is, however, only a simple strap without any comfortability factor. I mainly use the bag as a backpack, but when carrying it through airport security I really appreciate my TerraGrip shoulder strap.

[Just]

To Just:
I agree on the fact that a three compartment bag bulges very easily, if your gear is even the slightest thicker than the compartments. Nevertheless, the Tri-Zip is one inch thicker than the Red Oxx Air Boss :-)

Haha my complaint is more along the lines of "but if it bulges so easily, I'll never know if I'm packing too much or not!" (also translated as "how much bulge is excessive?")

Although one can usually use the measures of "does my shoulder feel like it's about to fall off?" or "do I feel myself listing to one side?" instead of the visual estimates. =P

I think the Tri-Zip's compartments are compartmented better than the Air Boss' though - with one larger compartment towards the wearer's body and the two smaller ones away from. (correct if wrong, just guessing from pictures)

...oh hey, I didn't know the Tri-Zip came in different colors!

But what's this? It looks like a conspicuous American flag on the outside of the Tri-Zip bag!

[Packie]

lol, ok Just, I get the picture =)

The inner depths of the Tri-Zip compartments are: 2", 2.25" and 4"

But what's this? It looks like a conspicuous American flag on the outside of the Tri-Zip bag!

You just take a pair of scissors and, voilà!

[PM4HIRE]

My carry on is a medium size Bailey duffle, click http://www.baileyworks.com/catalog/product.cfm?id=5 to view. Simple functional design.

Tom in AZ

[Just]

lol, ok Just, I get the picture =)

The inner depths of the Tri-Zip compartments are: 2", 2.25" and 4"

Neat! Thanks!

You just take a pair of scissors and, voilà!

Point taken.

[TdeF]

I wanted to list my concerns for the Aeronaut.
1. Zippers in stressful areas.
a. with bag on your back, one of the end zippers is on the bottom where the weight falls.
b. carrying by the handle, the bottom of the U of the zipper is down where the weight falls. With a lot of weight, or an overstuffed bag, would these be a problem?
2. No compression straps inside or outside. These would help with above also.
3. The carry handle appears to pull from the top of the bag along the seams. It is unsightly to me and tugs at my engineering background (the handles on each end seem to get it right). Is this the same for anyone else?
This is meant to be more of a question to help allay my concerns and not a criticism.

[Darcy]

I wanted to list my concerns for the Aeronaut.

Hi TdeF! Welcome to our forums.

As the guy who designed the Aeronaut, Tom will have more detailed technical answers for you regarding the load on zippers (because of how the Aeronaut was designed, this isn't really a problem) and the handle (same thing). He'll be posting a reply tomorrow.

There are many different types of maximum carry-on bags out there: backpacks, duffels, shoulder bags, or combinations of all three, bags designed for business people, world travellers, or vacationers, etc.

The Aeronaut is one kind of maximum carry-on bag that fits the needs of many travellers, but isn't designed to be a one-fit solution for every traveller. The Aeronaut has been really popular and Tom may design different types of maximum carry-on bags in the future.

What you may be looking for is a maximum carry-on bag that is designed to function primarily as a backpack. The Aeronaut is designed to be able to be used as a backpack at times, but might not be the right bag for someone who wants to use a maximum carry-on bag primarily as a backpack and wants all of the features a backpack would offer, such as compression straps.

[Zephyrnoid]

I'll do my best to address your trepidations...

I wanted to list my concerns for the Aeronaut.
1. Zippers in stressful areas.
a. with bag on your back, one of the end zippers is on the bottom where the weight falls.
*Not an issue really
b. carrying by the handle, the bottom of the U of the zipper is down where the weight falls. With a lot of weight, or an overstuffed bag, would these be a problem?
*No it would not. Unless you're lugging bricks or gold bars, the zippers are plenty strong enough not to burst from pressure on them. Most of the pressure is on the fabric anyway and that ballistic fabric gives just a bit and is as strong as any tactical webbing I've ever experienced
2. No compression straps inside or outside. These would help with above also.
* One compression strap would be a a keen idea for an underfilled Aeronaut- good idea. However, I use compression sacks INSIDE the bag, along with Tom Bihn Packing cubes http://www.tombihn.com/page/001/PROD/TBP/TB091 and organizer pouches. I fill my Aeronaut to the gills so a compression strap would have no value to me. I also normally lay a folding sheet over the top of the load before zipping up the main compartment. This mitigates any pressure at all on the hatch and in fact, facilitates pressurless zipping and unzipping.
3. The carry handle appears to pull from the top of the bag along the seams. It is unsightly to me and tugs at my engineering background (the handles on each end seem to get it right). Is this the same for anyone else?
*Humn, I noticed that too in underfilled Aeronauts. This is due mostly to the suppleness of the Ballistic cloth- but as long as it doesn't cause undue stress on the seams themselves (and I haven't observed that happening) then it rarely looks bad on my fully packed Aeronaut. Loosely packed Aeronauts may have a different look in that regard. Solution? Carry a more fully packed bag and do bring home more goodies from your travels!
This is meant to be more of a question to help allay my concerns and not a criticism.

*Of all the carry-ons I've ever dealt with, the Aeronaut beats all. Just the use of ballistic Nylon and the outer contours are enough to make it my 'Go To' go bag! Now if I had to choose between Aeronaut and Super Ego- then it might be a tossup. Did I already mention that I'm ADDICTED to compression sacks, packing cubes and organizer pouches?

[Zephyrnoid]

Ony 53 more posts till 40,000 views! Do we pop a bottle of Champagne or what?!

[Darcy]

Ony 53 more posts till 40,000 views! Do we pop a bottle of Champagne or what?!

Maybe a tiny travel bottle of Champagne!

[TdeF]

Darcy, I thought about your suggestion. I would be more interested in a "slightly less than maximum" carry on. Probably without backpack straps. One that could be compressed down tight, if need be, to keep things from moving around, and adjust the size to contents. More like a duffel than a backpack. An outside pocket for tickets, paperback/magazine and water bottle. Able to carry with a handle or shoulder strap, and probably have some other belt (similar to a messenger bag) to stabilize the pack on the back when carrying it for some distance.

[eristick]

TdeF, with the exception of the fact that it's a backpack, it sounds like the Brain Bag would do you quite well. It's a couple inches shorter than the Aeronaut, has compression straps, outside pockets, and sternum and waist straps to stabalize it while carrying.

[Zephyrnoid]

An excellent suggestion indeed!

TdeF, with the exception of the fact that it's a backpack, it sounds like the Brain Bag would do you quite well. It's a couple inches shorter than the Aeronaut, has compression straps, outside pockets, and sternum and waist straps to stabalize it while carrying.