Review: Tri-Star, Medium Cafe Bag, Organizer Wallet, etc. :)
I purchased a Tri-Star (steel/solar) with packing cubes and shoulder strap, as well as a Medium Cafe Bag (navy/cayenne), and organizer wallet and wanted to give a review.
I'm a "less is more" kind of traveler and found the Tri-Star to fit my needs perfectly. I've used it for weekend and 5-day trips, and have been able to fit everything I need, plus my full Medium Cafe Bag in the center section, each time. I don't use the center section for a laptop, though - just an iPad with a padded sleeve on one side, and my cafe bag on the other.
When I packed my cafe bag inside the Tri-Star, I had to reposition it on the side that wasn't against my harder cosmetics/toiletry case (on the divided side of the Tri-Star), but it fit fine when positioned against the divided side that contained my soft clothes. My cafe bag was full and included a Kindle with cover, but wasn't stuffed. I loved the packing cubes - they made packing much easier, and I was able to use the Tri-Star as a "dresser" while at the hotel instead of unpacking like I usually do.
It fit under plane seats with room to spare. On several recent trips, the flight attendants were banning all wheeled bags (regardless of size) from being carried on due to space issues, I was able to walk right on with no issues. Instead of fighting to beat the crowds to insure overhead space, now I sit and relax while everyone else waits in slow-moving lines to board, then I walk right to my seat, pull my Cafe Bag out of the center pocket, tuck my Tri-Star underneath the seat in front of me, and have a seat. No more fighting to get in the front of the line for overhead space. I'm so care-free and relaxed that I've caught other travelers throwing some envious looks my way.
I also love the organizer wallet, and leave it clipped onto one of my cafe bag's o-rings at all times. This has saved me on numerous (not admitting how many) occasions when I've had so much going on around me I forgot to put the wallet back in. I wouldn't even realize I forgot it until I'd see it dangling along the side of the bag, trying to keep up with me. :) I'm so glad I decided to add that to my order at the last minute. The only issue I've had with it is the zipper consistently gets stuck on the felt when I'm zipping it closed. I don't know if mine is defective or if it's a design flaw. It's a little aggravating, but leaving my wallet behind would be even more of a hassle. I'll email to see if anyone else is having the same problem. If so, maybe it's been fixed and I can exchange mine.
I've enjoyed the wallet so much (other than the zipping issue) that I recently received some pouches and key straps, and that's added even more organizational features to my cafe bag. The only problem is that I loved the olive-colored pouch so much that now I feel compelled to order the Imago I've been eyeing just so I can get something in that color. I'm without same. :)
I hope my sharing my experiences have been helpful to others considering these products. Let me know if you have any questions.
I'm a "less is more" kind of traveler and found the Tri-Star to fit my needs perfectly. I've used it for weekend and 5-day trips, and have been able to fit everything I need, plus my full Medium Cafe Bag in the center section, each time. I don't use the center section for a laptop, though - just an iPad with a padded sleeve on one side, and my cafe bag on the other.
When I packed my cafe bag inside the Tri-Star, I had to reposition it on the side that wasn't against my harder cosmetics/toiletry case (on the divided side of the Tri-Star), but it fit fine when positioned against the divided side that contained my soft clothes. My cafe bag was full and included a Kindle with cover, but wasn't stuffed. I loved the packing cubes - they made packing much easier, and I was able to use the Tri-Star as a "dresser" while at the hotel instead of unpacking like I usually do.
It fit under plane seats with room to spare. On several recent trips, the flight attendants were banning all wheeled bags (regardless of size) from being carried on due to space issues, I was able to walk right on with no issues. Instead of fighting to beat the crowds to insure overhead space, now I sit and relax while everyone else waits in slow-moving lines to board, then I walk right to my seat, pull my Cafe Bag out of the center pocket, tuck my Tri-Star underneath the seat in front of me, and have a seat. No more fighting to get in the front of the line for overhead space. I'm so care-free and relaxed that I've caught other travelers throwing some envious looks my way.
I also love the organizer wallet, and leave it clipped onto one of my cafe bag's o-rings at all times. This has saved me on numerous (not admitting how many) occasions when I've had so much going on around me I forgot to put the wallet back in. I wouldn't even realize I forgot it until I'd see it dangling along the side of the bag, trying to keep up with me. :) I'm so glad I decided to add that to my order at the last minute. The only issue I've had with it is the zipper consistently gets stuck on the felt when I'm zipping it closed. I don't know if mine is defective or if it's a design flaw. It's a little aggravating, but leaving my wallet behind would be even more of a hassle. I'll email to see if anyone else is having the same problem. If so, maybe it's been fixed and I can exchange mine.
I've enjoyed the wallet so much (other than the zipping issue) that I recently received some pouches and key straps, and that's added even more organizational features to my cafe bag. The only problem is that I loved the olive-colored pouch so much that now I feel compelled to order the Imago I've been eyeing just so I can get something in that color. I'm without same. :)
I hope my sharing my experiences have been helpful to others considering these products. Let me know if you have any questions.
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