The Techonaut / Technonaut Thread!

[Waterlogged]

I have to admit that this bag is really tempting me (although I still really want to see the Trinity). For situations where I just need a travel backpack (as opposed to lugging stuff around for work), this would work really well. Hmmm, maybe combining a Techonaut with my Cadet...

Things I'm wondering:
1) Does the internal frame debate shift at all when the halcyon bags are used instead of 525/1050? I know that in other bags halcyon generally provides less structure.

2) I'd be interested to see someone doing a comparison of the Techonaut 30 to the Synik 30. Based on the specs, they are similar. But they seem to be designed for different niches (Synik = EDC, Techonaut = travel).

[Surrealle]

Pondering and rationalizing… as the TN30 doesn’t have a frame sheet, do you think it could be acceptable as a personal item on a flight? Anyone have experience using a A30 underpacked as their personal item?

I think you'd be okay on US flights (though who knows these days with the uptick in air travel aggression) especially if you underpack a halcyon version. It should fit under the seat on most of the bigger planes and I think that's all they care about--and they don't even seem to care if it sticks out a little into your foot room.

[Kevin]

So what fabric choice are people going with for this bag? I think I might try Halcyon on this one. The side pockets on my 1050d Aeronaut can be hard to access when it’s fully loaded out, and the side pockets on the new design seem more important with the loss of an end pocket.

[GrussGott]

Pondering and rationalizing… as the TN30 doesn’t have a frame sheet, do you think it could be acceptable as a personal item on a flight? Anyone have experience using a A30 underpacked as their personal item?

In my experience, I think it'll work for most all US flights - the general rule I use is for max size when the bag is lying on its back (e.g., shoulder straps) 20"L x 10"H x 15"W ... the limiting factor for me is usually that 10" high, with 9" being for sure and 10" meaning it might have to be jostled to be stuffed under the seat.

The TN30 is ~20 x ~13 x 8, so the 8" height & 13" width will likely easily fit & the 20" length puts it at the same size as the S25 which has been my underseat bag all over the US, Europe, & Asia for the last 6 years and I've never had a problem.

The only things I'd note is:

(1.) If you fly on a bulkhead seat, then obviously any bag has to go in the overhead (and even the A45 fits in the small RJ bulkhead overheads! Thanks Tom Bihn!)



(2.) If you fly business class then obviously it's not going to be a problem for sure

(3.) If you like to get an exit row seat then there's a small chance you'll get "a word" about the 20" length as some US airline flight attendants will ask you to be sure the bag is fully under the seat to keep the path clear, at which point you'll have to kick the bag some for effect. I've never had it go farther than that. Note that most (all?) Euro airlines don't allow bags of any size under the exit row seats, nor can you hold a bag of any size in your lap, or use a back-of-seat bag.

[GrussGott]

I have some TN 45 questions / musings in the form of pictures that I didn't see in the blog post or website, but maybe just missed - apologies if so:

(1.) First up is just a thought, which is, the A45 is nice and big - we knew that, but this is an interesting perspective on size for me!



(2.) Next, I'm wondering about the bottom pocket ...
● I'm assuming the bottom pocket has a zip like the A45 end pockets & the WF large packing cube fits when zipped leaving the full bottom pocket open (since WFPC= ~18" & TN= ~22", i.e., ~4" bottom pocket)?



(3.) Next is the lining for the side quick-access pocket ...
● is it detachable or is this an optical illusion in these pics?




(4.) Finally, the side & QA pockets ...
● I'm wondering if they're "flat" like the Tristar & Western Flyer, i.e., have no room of their own, or if there's some extra material so, say, a water bottle doesn't fully take up interior space


Apologies if this stuff is in the literature somewhere and I missed it, and much appreciated if anyone knows!

Thanks!

[Boaz]

I’m likely going to be trying out one of these in the 45 size. The big changes for me as compared to the A45 are 1) the mesh on the back panel and 2) the edgeless straps. I feel like these two features will greatly improve the carry for me in backpack mode.

Since it doesn’t come in Verde (my favorite) I’m thinking about going Halcyon this time around, which has me considering if that makes me want the optional frame sheet. That nite walk sure is tempting, though I’d love to see a few more pics of it first.

[GrussGott]

I’m likely going to be trying out one of these in the 45 size. The big changes for me as compared to the A45 are 1) the mesh on the back panel and 2) the edgeless straps. I feel like these two features will greatly improve the carry for me in backpack mode.

Since it doesn’t come in Verde (my favorite) I’m thinking about going Halcyon this time around, which has me considering if that makes me want the optional frame sheet. That nite walk sure is tempting, though I’d love to see a few more pics of it first.

I'd also LOVE a verde! and agree on the big changes ...

One TN45 change I'm hoping to both verify & experience is if a large WF/TS packing cube fits the TN45's main compartment in partition-zipped mode



If that's the case, the TN45 could be a packing-stye game changer in that it would be ideal for all styles!

That is, flat packers can easily use a Tristar flat-pack style, and 3D packers can use them more cubic A45 style.

I tend to use a mix of bundle (better for 3D) & roll style (better for flat), but part of that choice is adapting the bag I'm using ... I think if the TN45 easily accommodates both flat & 3D styles, I'd probably switch primarily to roll.

I've spent the last few weeks living out of a bag, and the ability to fit two large WF cubes on top of each other would be AWESOME!

[trex]

Has this bag been sent out to any reviewers so there's a possibility to a more thorough video of the bag?.. I also want to see more pictures of people wearing the 45l so I can get a sense of just how big it is.. I think the size is the hardest decision.. 30 is a bit too small.. and 45 looks huge.

Night walk color looks nice, but would like some more real life pics of it.

[GrussGott]

Has this bag been sent out to any reviewers so there's a possibility to a more thorough video of the bag?.. I also want to see more pictures of people wearing the 45l so I can get a sense of just how big it is.. I think the size is the hardest decision.. 30 is a bit too small.. and 45 looks huge.

Night walk color looks nice, but would like some more real life pics of it.

You can check out the Aeronaut 45 page for lots of pics, and while 45 can look big depending on the person, it's definitely not huge. Many people open the box and think they must've gotten the A30 by mistake ... note the A45 & TN45 are the exact same dimensions.

a few examples of the A45:

It was this last pic that convinced me to buy it, given at the time it was my exact use-case.

With that, I'm a two-bag traveller and I usually use a Western Flyer or, now, Tristar (or both!) for up to 4 days, but if I'm going a week or more, it's the A45.

[x3n0n]

One TN45 change I'm hoping to both verify & experience is if a large WF/TS packing cube fits the TN45's main compartment in partition-zipped mode

Given the text of the "organization" blog post, it sounds like this should definitely work; the TS Large cubes have caveats saying that they will (TN30) or may (TN45) require unzipping the divider, but the WF cubes have no such caveat, suggesting that it should "just work".

My wife and I are in the earliest stages of planning a spring 2027 (!) Japan trip of more than a month (possibly involving my work laptop), and I'm thrilled that these exist. They're now at the top of my list for that trip, and I'm looking forward to several years of reviews to make a decision.

[G42]

I think the size is the hardest decision.. 30 is a bit too small.. and 45 looks huge.

The overall size of the T30 and T45 are virtually identical to the Aeronaut 30 & 45 - so you can use that to help gauge size, including the video on the A30/A45 pages that show folks of different heights carrying the bag.
The T30/T45 look different because of the trim/zippers/design, but for overall sizing, it's comparable.

[trex]

The overall size of the T30 and T45 are virtually identical to the Aeronaut 30 & 45 - so you can use that to help gauge size, including the video on the A30/A45 pages that show folks of different heights carrying the bag.
The T30/T45 look different because of the trim/zippers/design, but for overall sizing, it's comparable.

I really hope they make a similar video with the Techonaut.. it looks like it has more rounded corners so it will look more like a backpack than a duffel

[ayazgood]

Definitely buying a T45 to replace my A45. I will greatly prefer the laptop option, mesh back, single end pocket, exterior pocketing, zipper-less shoulder strap storage, edgeless straps, and less sticky zippers. The only possible downside is that it looks a bit less formal and slightly more back-packy, but I really don't think anyone cares about that anymore, even in the most formal settings.

My biggest problem is answering the age old question of halcyon versus 1050 ballistic. On the one hand, the halcyon is 10.4 oz lighter and has more give (making it more accommodating). On the other hand, the 1050 ballistic is indestructible, doesn't show marks easily, holds its shape better (making it easier to pack), is less prone to showing the outlines of its contents, and will probably look a little nicer in more formal settings. On the other hand, the old pictures of the hero's journey in halcyon look pretty good, as does the Night Wood color (too bad they used NW sky for the interior). Would love to see a video and/or better pictures of a night wood halcyon version in use.

Question - Does the interior zipper of the end pocket work like the A45, where it just releases the pouch to be partly shoved up out of the way, or is it a flap that can opens up the end entirely?

[dmoneysong]

(3.) Next is the lining for the side quick-access pocket ...
● is it detachable or is this an optical illusion in these pics?

Isn't the orientation of this internal side pocket they used to put shoes in upside down? In backpack mode, the contents would just fall down. Am I missing something?

[Darcy]

(3.) Next is the lining for the side quick-access pocket ...

● is it detachable or is this an optical illusion in these pics?

Isn't the orientation of this internal side pocket they used to put shoes in upside down? In backpack mode, the contents would just fall down. Am I missing something?

The "pocket" that our video-making crew used for their shoes is actually the lining of the smallest of the three external quick-access pockets. So, putting a pair of shoes in there is more of a hack than anything else. Sometimes the construction or lining of various designs creates these kindof hidden, unintentional pockets that folks like to make use of. It's all about what works best for you.

If you choose to tuck something in there, know that there won't be much space in the external access of the pocket: could fit a Nik's Wallet in there but not much else.