Western Flyer internal pockets what?!?

[Lani]

[OK first of all, my apologies for not being around much this past month. As an excuse, I ran two half-marathons (one in Orlando, the other in Anaheim), a local 10K race, and I am getting ready to go on a week-long cruise in 2 weeks after which I will be running another half-marathon before coming home... so I've been a little busy. The GOOD part about all this, besides getting in good physical shape, is that I've been doing all my traveling with Tom Bihn gear to great success! Woo hoo.]

I was perusing the Western Flyer description page when I came across the following photo in its gallery:



HARK!!!! None of the Western Flyers I have personally ever seen have had these two sewn-in pockets in the back section!!!! Is this something that's only available in the newer models? I don't have one on my Nordic Dyneema Western Flyer, though.

...or could it be a feature only available on the version that you can use with a rolling upright?!?!?

Enquiring minds MUST KNOW!!

[lotuseater]

Is this something that's only available in the newer models? I don't have one on my Nordic Dyneema Western Flyer, though.

...or could it be a feature only available on the version that you can use with a rolling upright?!?!?

Enquiring minds MUST KNOW!!

Didn't you see the super secret dropdown option only visible with x-ray specs?

It's only available on the rolling luggage sleeve version :-( Our backpack strap version takes up too much space, I suppose.

[Lani]

It's only available on the rolling luggage sleeve version :-( Our backpack strap version takes up too much space, I suppose.

Oooooo... wow, that makes it tough to decide!! Thanks for clueing me in!

[Walker]

@Lani, the rolling luggage pocket model is also noticeably lighter than the bacpack model.

[Lani]

@Lani, the rolling luggage pocket model is also noticeably lighter than the bacpack model.

Ohhhhhhhh hmmmmmmmm!!

[JLE]

My WF has them (rolling luggage sleeve), and they are really handy!

[autolycus]

Definitely confirms that if I ever get a Western Flyer, it'll be the luggage handle version. Of course, until they make the Nordic Dyneema in that version, I will likely hold off. I like the steel dyneema, but I already have the co-pilot in that color and want a different color dyneema if I get the Western Flyer.

[dsmking]

@Lani, the rolling luggage pocket model is also noticeably lighter than the bacpack model.

Intriguing...How much lighter? I am planning to get a Dyneema only Tri-star or Western Flyer and would consider forgoing the backpack straps if it lightened the bag enough.

[Espresso]

I'm debating about which Western Flyer to get. Does anyone know how much the Dyneema Western Flyer weighs with and without backpack straps?

[Walker]

We need help from the Tom Bihn crew for the official weights. I had ordered the WF backpack in Nordic blue dyneema. It felt noticeably lighter than my WF backpack in ballistic navy/solar.

I also ordered the WF with the rolling luggage pocket in steel dyneema/steel. It felt noticeably lighter than the dyneema backpack version.

But I had no way of taking actual weights.

I returned the backpack version - traded it for a Tristar in dyneema nordic blue.

Reason for trade - after comparing the dyneema and ballistic WF backpacks live, I concluded that I can live with the heavier weight of my ballistic navy/solar WF backpack. It is sized just so, such that unless I pack bricks, the weight is pretty much controlled by the volume/amount of stuff I pack in it.

Since getting the WF, I have been dying to get me a Tristar. But I did not want a carry-on bag that is over 3 lbs empty. The dyneema Tristar is under 3 lbs, very noticeably lighter than my Aeronaut in ballistic/iberian.

[Darcy]

Weights:

Western Flyer, Backpack Straps, in Ballistic = 1160g = 2.56lbs
Western Flyer, Backpack Straps, in Dyneema/nylon = 956g = 2.1lbs

Western Flyer, Rolling Luggage Pocket, in Dyneema/nylon = 814g = 1.79lbs
Western Flyer, Rolling Luggage Pocket, in Ballistic = 1054g = 2.32lbs

[dorayme]

Wow, the rolling luggage/Dyneema option is so light! I'm so wimpy though, when my WF is fully packed, I need the backpack straps to be able to comfortably carry it.

[autolycus]

Weights:

Western Flyer, Backpack Straps, in Ballistic = 1160g = 2.56lbs
Western Flyer, Backpack Straps, in Dyneema/nylon = 956g = 2.1lbs

Western Flyer, Rolling Luggage Pocket, in Dyneema/nylon = 814g = 1.79lbs
Western Flyer, Rolling Luggage Pocket, in Ballistic = 1054g = 2.32lbs

Thanks for the stats, that's interesting info. Based on the internal pockets and the weight info, I will almost certainly pull the trigger on a Western Flyer for use as a briefcase overnight bag, just as soon as y'all start making it in Nordic dyneema with the rolling luggage pocket. Are you getting my hints yet?

Of course, I'm pretty sure I'd also place an order for a Nordic Dyneema Brain Bag if that ever happens--might even go steel on that one if that's the only dyneema option.

[Tizi]

I have one in ballistic with straps. I was debating between one with or without the backpack straps. The first time I used it, I needed the straps to run to a bus to catch a flight. Perfect. I am glad I opted for the straps.

[Darcy]

Thanks for the stats, that's interesting info. Based on the internal pockets and the weight info, I will almost certainly pull the trigger on a Western Flyer for use as a briefcase overnight bag, just as soon as y'all start making it in Nordic dyneema with the rolling luggage pocket. Are you getting my hints yet?

Hint taken, but... sorry, no plans to make the rolling luggage pocket version in Nordic Dyneema/nylon. :/