Challenge: Help Me Find My Perfect Minimalist RTW Bag

[Eire]

It is a shame the bag is not made in the US as that is something I look for but this was the only one I could find that worked for me. It is of very high quality. It is quite comfortable when fully packed and while in backpack form. One thing that I really like is that it holds its shape and doesn't bulge.

Eire

[julawils]

Eire, that does look like a great bag. I wish it was made in the US, though. Is it comfortable when fully loaded and using as a backpack?

[Eire]

While it's not a Tom Bihn, I love my Eagle Creek Adventure Weekender. High quality build and very lightweight. It is a convertable suitcase/backpack. I looked for a very long time and tried many bags before finally becoming satisfied with this one. I can travel for any length of time and the bag is never full. I use Tom Bihn pouches on the inside for organization. Look at it on ebags site as the eagle creek site is acting funny.

Eire

[JohnDel]

My next suggestion is to pile all the stuff you'll be packing on your bed or a table or in an open top box in a rectangular pile. Then measure the length, width and height of the pile in inches, multiply them to get the volume in cubic inches and compare the volume of your stuff to the bag volumes listed on the TB website. That will give you an idea of which bags will easily contain it all, which bags might contain it with carefull packing and which bags couldn't possibly contain it all. It will be a rough check, not an exact check, but will give you an idea of what's possible.

Sounds like a great adventure ahead.

[jumpkick]

For sure! By the time I'm at the store, I'll already be down to my packing list so I'll have everything with me. The West Coast trip is really the start of everything. Then I'm off to Malaysia!

[roarmouse]

Perhaps you could bring,as much as possible,what you plan to have for your trip...Then transfer to the TB bags as a sort of IRL practice pack? Maybe someone on-site could offer a suitable laptop for comparision in that area.

Peace,
Sorcha

[jumpkick]

Thanks for the responses TavaPeak and jannilee.

I think I'll now be banking on the trip to the TB Store to find my bag. Can't wait to try everything on! I'll keep an open mind about the convertible bags. After giving them a second look, I'm sure I would be more satisfied with one of them rather than the MEI bag, just for the organization and separation which would make a huge difference.

The funny part will be first flying from IL to CA without a satisfactory bag at all! Haha..

[jannilee]

I actually don't have a Brain Bag. I am only about 5'4" and in my 60's. The length of the BB is about the same as my WF. I hardly even notice I have that on. I don't think you would find it too bulky as you are much taller than I am. I travel everywhere with either my wf or synapse. I never travel with more than 17lb and prefer to be in the 13 to 15 lb range for 3 weeks or so. I strongly advise going to the Tom Bihn store. The staff are lovely (waves at Katy) and you get to try out the different bags, all of which are much "bigger on the inside" (TARDIS).

[TavaPeak]

I suspect that what you've shown in the photo would fit in a Tristar, without the technology. I find the pockets that organize a Tristar are great. If you downsized your computer, it might all fit. If you want space for souvenirs or a jacket, the Aeronaut might be a good choice.

Sounds like it would be worth the trip to try some things out for yourself. ;-)

[jumpkick]

jannilee, Did you find that the BB feels bulky at all when you wear it? I love the separated organization of the BB, and the brain cell does sound like it offers a good amount of protection. I'm just concerned about the pack fitting my frame.

I have a couple of Pacsafe shoulder bags that I've carried before. One is too tiny to really be functional, and the other could probably hold an iPad or 11" MB Air, but even without one, it tended to give my shoulders and back some pain from wearing it everywhere at all times for a couple months in SE Asia.

On another note, I'm ashamed at how often I fantasize about the bigger Synapse. I'm pretty much praying that it will be out before my trip begins. Although...I was already planning a roadtrip from LA to Portland with my boyfriend in early April...I think I have him convinced to drive the extra few hours to Seattle to hit up the TB Store! .....and there goes my budget!

[jannilee]

I think you would need the capacity of the brain bag for your packing list. No one has mentioned that the brain cell clips into the bag and sits against your back so would not be subject to a slash and grab. Alternately if you get an 11 " macbook air you could get one of pacsafe's day bags and wear it cross body. I took one to spain last year and it was great. Well organized, reasonably light for the level of protection and fit my ipad perfectly.

[jumpkick]

Ok, I couldn't wait to get a visual, so here's my packing list: (Please ignore the obnoxious standard-issue Korean bedding in the background!)

First, my travel outfit. I usually get pretty cold in planes, etc, so I picked some bulkier layering items: black tank top, teal t-shirt, reversible leggings with skort over, scarf, rain jacket, and trail runners.



Here is the rest of my clothes list all laid out.



Here's everything from the previous photo packed up into the Specter Cube and Half Cube along with a little wet bag the bikinis are in (can be compressed more than it looks, and my rubber-banded shoes. Sunglasses for size reference.



Here's the packed clothes from the previous photo, plus the miscellaneous items, (left to right on the bottom row): Coolmax sleep sack, Nalgene, headlamp, Molskine, pack towel, sunglasses, majority of toiletries are in the black striped bag. Things that I'd want easily accessible, like wet wipes, aren't included because they'd be elsewhere.



I'm assuming everyone knows how much space the technology takes up, so I didn't put it together. That might change anyway if I upgrade to something smaller. (Now you've got me thinking again!)

[jumpkick]

Thanks so much for the suggestions!

julawils, I was trying to figure out if the zipper pulls could be lockable, but from the pictures, it looks to me like the only thing available might be the cord pulls, which could be cut rather easily if so determined.

Fat Crip, You make an excellent point about the laptop. Believe me, if price were no consideration, I would have an 11" Air already. Before I decided to start a website, I was planning to sell my MacBook Pro and just have an iPad Mini. My boyfriend already went ahead with that plan, and I wish I could do the same, but I'll need a real computer for work. Perhaps I'll just suck it up and upgrade the the Air anyway once I'm back in the States. I would love a solid state drive.

Frank ll, I've looked into some PacSafe bags before, but I'd never considered bringing along my own safe. This looks very doable and inconspicuous. Definitely an accessory to consider!

bvp663, Great post! That's definitely helpful to see. Hopefully when I get all this figured out, you can add me to the list. haha

JohnDel, I agree 100%. I haven't really considered the Tri-Star or Aeronaut to be honest. I feel like I had my try with convertible bags with the MEI Voyageur and it just wasn't what I need. I am a backpacker, so I'm not so much concerned with looking like a backpacker or a tourist or whatnot. I'll own that.

I'll take a second look at the Brain Bag, but my concern is about the bulk of it. Any ladies out there carry this bag long-term with no problems? It just doesn't look as streamlined to me.

In the next couple days, I'll also try to do a practice pack in my Eagle Creek Specter Cubes and take some pictures to show how compact my clothes are.

Although, after doing some more research on these forums, I found the possibility of a bigger Synapse. My trip begins April 15th...I wonder if I can possibly wait long enough for it to be out??

Thanks again, all!

[JohnDel]

I recommend you buy a Brain Bag now and do some test packing and walking/hiking with it to determine what your other bag should be. You mentioned trekking in New Zealand and base camp in Nepal so you'll need a backpack no matter what else you have.

[bvp663]

I've also been researching packs for travelling around the world. If you'd like to see how other people are utilizing Tom Bihn products for around the world travel, you can check out this thread which has a collection of my research so far/