Western Flyer as Briefcase

[Tizi]

I was at the TB store this week and was looking at their line of briefcases. I was thinkinkg the WF might work very well for a briefcase. Has anyone used the WF as an EDC briefcase? If so, how does that work for you?

[Mausermama]

My days of brief cases are over, but I do have a Western Flyer in Nordic Dyneema. I think it seems a bit on the big side for an everyday carry brief case, although I suppose it would work. Mine has the clips where you can clip in the laptop cover. You could use the rest of the space in that side to carry the power brick and cords. The other side could tackle papers and such. The outer pockets could hold an iPad or more papers. Still, if I could use any briefcase made by Bihn, it wouldn't be a contest at all. I'd choose the Founders Briefcase because I love the retro feel and all those organization compartments make me drool! Unfortunately, I just don't have the need at this point in my life. Maybe someday, though...

[newuser]

I was also thinking about doing this. I guess if you are a larger person, it wouldn't look out of place, but it's hard to tell without having one in my hands.

[Miking]

I use the Tri-star as a briefcase all the time, it and I imagine the western flyer have this amazing ability to accordion so they never look like a giant bag with nothing in it. No one has ever made a comment about it being to big, I have had a few comments about how it is too small for an overnight bag though. If they only knew!!!!

[mjmotal]

I don't think the Western Flyer would be too big. I took a picture of my old Patagonia messenger bag with a 13" Macbook Pro and a picture of my Western Flyer with the same laptop:



Not too great a size difference.

[tpnl]

Disclaimer - I do not have a Western Flyer - I have a Tri-Star, PC Checkpoint Flyer and Zephyr as "briefcase Style" TB bags

Interesting question - after doing a little digging ... I think I have unknowingly convinced myself that I want a Western Flyer now as a briefcase!! IMHO, I think it is definitely not too big.
The dimensions of the Western Flyer (18 x 12 x 7) are slightly smaller than the Empire Builder (18.25 x 12.75 x 7) - so, if the Empire Builder is a great briefcase (and I certainly read a lot to that effect), the Western Flyer should be fine.
The dimensions of my PC Checkpoint Flyer are in fact significantly larger - 19.5 x 14.5 x 7.5 - and I have no issue using this as my daily briefcase or a travel bag.

I looked for some pictures of people using it as a shoulder bag and it did not seem big - even for more petite individuals. Here are two examples I like:

Less is more: the svelte Western Flyer from Tom*Bihn - OBOW Blog - One-bag, carry-on, light travel tips, techniques, and gear

Originally Posted by Dorayme (excellent pics!): http://forums.tombihn.com/bag-review...-big-bags.html

It really just comes down to, IMHO, how much and how big are the things you want to carry. If you have a MacBook Air, you probably want the briefcase that is not that much bigger (e.g. Cadet or Zephyr). If you are like me, I could fill the Western Flyer with just my EDC (my Smart Alec is about 80% full just with my EDC when I am backpacking it to work). Finally, the Empire Builder and Zephyr are excellent briefcases that have enough room and built in protection (which the Western Flyer does not) to double as a travel bag for short trips - just like the Western Flyer. However, I think fashion and organization styles are what comes into play when looking at those briefcases - either you like it or not.

Hope this helps (I am sorry if it confuses things more)

Cheers!

[Tizi]

Then the question is: with or without backpack straps?

[Tizi]

Does the WF have the rail system for a cache?

[tpnl]

Tizi

If it were me, I would go for the backpack straps. If you need a passthrough, just put the roller handle through the two backpack straps and tighten them. For me, I really like the whole "Convertible" briefcase / backpack idea and is the best of both worlds.

As for the rail system, moriond actually asked on your behalf in another one of your posts about the ID:

http://forums.tombihn.com/questions-about-bags-accessories/7352-id-cache-rails-system.html

You can actually add the rail loops to any bag that does not have it. I did this to my older tri-star. It is easy to do - for the horizontal configuration, the loops consist of 1" webbing that is centred in the bag and 7" apart centre to centre. I got a tailor to do this for me but it is easly enough to do it yourself.

See my post (it was for backpacks but it is the same for the horizontal config except for the width between rails):

http://forums.tombihn.com/thoughts-tom-bihn-bags/7164-tpnls-idea-brain-cell-rails.html

Hope this helps

Cheers!

[Tizi]

Thanks, I just saw that. The WF does not accomodate cache with rails. I was debating between the ID and WF for larger mobile office. I really wanted the rails system. I ordered the ID, but will look at the WF while I am at the store and decide then.

I was thinking the backpack straps would add weight and bulk to the WF therefore was going to go without them. I have a Tri-Star for backpack mode if needed.

[newuser]

I don't think the Western Flyer would be too big. I took a picture of my old Patagonia messenger bag with a 13" Macbook Pro and a picture of my Western Flyer with the same laptop:
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Not too great a size difference.

Thanks for posting these pictures. That seals the deal for me! I'm getting a Western Flyer as my new briefcase for work.

[Tlacltme]

I adore my rolling handle WF as a briefcase. My briefcase use of it is a bit unstandard in that I don't carry it everyday to work. One of my kids has had some health issues necessitating frequent visits to St. Louis Children's Hospital, a good 3 hour drive one way- 6 hours roundtrip. My lovely rolling handle WF in aubergine has been my constant companion, my supersized "co-pilot" if you will In it I generally pack: snacks, water bottles (several as I'm a water junkie), paperwork, books, games (electronic and otherwise), changes of clothes, diapers, wipes, baby toys, chargers, phone, wallet, etc. It sits on the seat next to me as I drive and thanks to the lovely organization, I can easily find things in the dark as I drive (we've had many "leave at 3 am to be there by 6:30 am" type trips). I carry it crossbody or strap it to the back of the stroller and everything is easily accessible, no digging required.

I often prefer a more vertical approach: the LCB, my Synapse....but the horizontal nature of the WF, combined with the many compartments-- though not too many , and even how the zippers unzip into a clamshell style so I can easily unzip and access things in a hurry-- it's been perfect. It's made these difficult visits much easier and more organized.

I had been on the fence about the WF- cost! do I really "need" it, etc. Then Tamnica posted lovely pics of her new Aubergine WF and I knew I had to do it. So very glad I did. I'm not a business person, briefcase type, but I think the WF would likely make a wonderful briefcase in many situations.

HTH!

[weirdguy]

Some preliminary pics of the burnt orange WF that arrived today.



I really do love this color.



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

@brendabethman's new post about her new Burnt Orange WF (posted at another topic) suddenly cross my mind that WF also could work as a Briefcase and the price between Western Flyer and Founder's Briefcase are almost similar.



I'd been thinking a lot lately to have a Founder's Briefcase as my work briefcase. Currently I'm using Packing Wedge only, it is a bit tight with my A4 Folders, Papers and a smaller Notebook. I hope to switch a briefcase to able to hold A4 Documents/Folders (some Folders are slightly bigger) very well in Packing Wedge and a future 12.5-13" Laptop.



Back to the story, I quickly make dimension comparison at my TB Spreadsheet and "Wow" they have almost similar dimension. But that WF is very slightly bigger and 30% or 2.3" more depth. That's great, i assumed. I could use the extra space to squeeze in Office Binder. Therefore, more value for money for WF's bigger volume. However, I really like the Parapack fabric - couldn't let go the uniqueness of Founder's Briefcase either!

[Perseffect]

I have a western flyer and have test packed as a briefcase. It is bigger sure than other bags but not by much. I think it's really cool.

I posted on making my own cache with rails addition at:

http://forums.tombihn.com/questions-about-bags/8542-cache-rails-western-flyer-2.html#post81800

I also have a horizontal Freudian slip which is just the perfect addition to turn any bag into a work bag (organisation wise). I would also use the western flyer in horizontal mode with the shoulder strap.

And the best thing, take all the work bits out and it's a perfect overnight/weekend travel bag. Two bags for the price of one in my opinion and justification enough for the asking price.

Lastly I have a Tristar also which I would feel is too big as a briefcase alone so the western flyer hits the sweet spot for me.

[bbcamp]

I use a WF as a briefcase occasionally, particularly when I am on a trip overseas (because it is my favorite cabin bag for long flights). I also use it here in the US when I have to carry a particularly large load of stuff into the office. (confession: I use a lot of paper books in my work.)
It works very well for a briefcase, and does not look to massive when not stuffed full..
I have never used a cache with rails, so can't say how that turns out, but it holds one or even two laptops in neoprene sleeves very well.
I have the backpack straps, which I rarely use--I wish Tom would give us both straps and an open back pocket at the same time...