Three weeks in Europe with Aeronaut, Imago, and Medium Cafe Bag

[Guest]

I wrote a new post on packing the Aeronaut. I'll probably re-take some of the pictures. The lighting in my room was not so great and they don't look very good. Here are some of them:
(You can read the full post on my blog)

[ncb4]

I don't think your cat wanted you to leave! But thanks for sharing these, as I'm about to pack my Aeronaut for the first time. If only it were for a three week trip to Europe... Off to read your blog.

~Nancy

[Maria]

Oh kitty is so curious and is probably thinking - you must be going for a long time with this bag!

[Guest]

thanks! there were two kitties - the other one was just outside the frame. Casper was fascinated by all the zippers.

[Maria]

Ahhhh! Two kitties means you've doubled the cuteness factor!

I need an Aeronaut!

[Guest]

I need an Aeronaut!

I love my Aeronaut. What I need to figure out is a good companion bag. On this trip, I'm bringing my Imago since I need to bring my laptop as this is partly a work trip.

I would like to get one of the smaller bags (perhaps a tri-star) for going to conferences. I usually bring my Aeronaut but it is usually half empty... It's so big that my husband and I share it on shorter trips - he packs one cube, I pack another, and we use one bag.

[ncb4]

I love my Aeronaut. What I need to figure out is a good companion bag. On this trip, I'm bringing my Imago since I need to bring my laptop as this is partly a work trip.

I would like to get one of the smaller bags (perhaps a tri-star) for going to conferences. I usually bring my Aeronaut but it is usually half empty... It's so big that my husband and I share it on shorter trips - he packs one cube, I pack another, and we use one bag.

I'm amazed that you need only half an Aeronaut, even on a short trip. Clearly, you have mastered the art of packing light! The Tri-Star might be perfect for when you attend conferences: that middle compartment is designed for a laptop, and yet there is plenty of room in the TARDIS bag for all your clothes. Not sure you could manage all those shoes though (smiling). And the Tri-Star has a more business-like look; I think many other forum members have carried the Tri-Star into meetings and the non TB-ers in the room just thought it was a large briefcase. Would the Western Flyer be too small for you?

[moriond]

I love my Aeronaut. What I need to figure out is a good companion bag. On this trip, I'm bringing my Imago since I need to bring my laptop as this is partly a work trip.

I would like to get one of the smaller bags (perhaps a tri-star) for going to conferences. I usually bring my Aeronaut but it is usually half empty... It's so big that my husband and I share it on shorter trips - he packs one cube, I pack another, and we use one bag.

@peregrina if your laptop fits into the Imago, you can use the Synapse with a cache. I generally use the Synapse+Tri-Star combination for traveling these days, and I took those to a conference in Japan. As ncb4 says, the middle pocket of the Tri-Star is useful for accessing things. You could store your Imago there, and I put my Little Swift there if I'm carrying my Synapse on an airplane. (The Synapse will fit under seats -- even the ones that have the A/V equipment boxes.) I'd still like the option of a smaller Aeronaut. You might be able to use a Western Flyer.

The main reason that I prefer the Tri-Star to the Western Flyer aside from the easy access to the middle pocket is that it works for any instances where I need to carry items that don't "flat pack" to nicely fit into a Western Flyer -- which can include things given to me while I'm traveling. This is one of the advantages of the Aeronaut design, too. If one of your other bags can carry such items -- e.g., a Swift, or maybe the Synapse, if you don't need to use it for other contents, or if you don't require this capability, then you might want to try the Western Flyer. I hope that Tom does come out with a smaller Aeronaut to match some of the stricter size requirements of some international airlines.

[Guest]

I'm amazed that you need only half an Aeronaut, even on a short trip. Clearly, you have mastered the art of packing light! The Tri-Star might be perfect for when you attend conferences: that middle compartment is designed for a laptop, and yet there is plenty of room in the TARDIS bag for all your clothes. Not sure you could manage all those shoes though (smiling). And the Tri-Star has a more business-like look; I think many other forum members have carried the Tri-Star into meetings and the non TB-ers in the room just thought it was a large briefcase. Would the Western Flyer be too small for you?

I like the looks of the Tri-Star. I think it would suit me well. The Western Flyer might actually do since for most conferences I go to, I don't bring a laptop but just my iPad. I do tend to bring only 1-2 pairs of shoes for conferences :)

[Guest]

@peregrina if your laptop fits into the Imago, you can use the Synapse with a cache. I generally use the Synapse+Tri-Star combination for traveling these days, and I took those to a conference in Japan.

My only problem with a Tri-Star + Synapse combination is that I'd like to carry the heavier bag on my back. I can't really carry heavy bags on one shoulder...

So, I've had a change of plans for the second bag on my trip - instead of the Imago, I'll be taking the Swift! My laptop fits perfectly in its cache and there's more room for other loose ends

[starshine]

That's exactly how I pack! Off to read the blog!