Airline Carry-On Bags (not for bikes) Roller and non-Roller styles

[NYCfixie]

Sorry to start another bag thread but the commuter/day-pack and bike bag/box threads did not seem appropriate.


My wife and I are travelling more for pleasure as part of our child-free and non-home-owner life (apartment rental living is awesome). We do not travel for work but I assume suggestions will be about the same even though we have no need to bring a laptop, sometimes a tablet, and always a small point and shoot camera.

A bag (for me) and roller (for her) that is international standard size carry-on to hold toiletries, magazines, travel guide book(s), a book, hat, tablet, chargers, and 2 changes of clothes for when we travel internationally (they always lose our checked luggage for 1-2 days when we fly internationally - cough, cough, United) and will also be good for our 2-3 day shorter USA based trips to visit family. For international, we would also check a larger bag but for USA shorter trips the carry-on would be the only piece (unless we are going for a longer trip and then we would also check a larger bag).


Me (non-roller): I do not want a roller (don't ask because it's like trying to convince me to drop rim brakes for disc brakes - not ready and do not see the value for my needs). I want a convertible/hybrid soft sided bag. I have seen these and would like actual feedback on them or recommendations for ones you think are as good or better:

Timbuk2 Wingman
eBags Mother Lode Weekender
eBags Professional Weekender
eBags eTech 2.0 Weekender


Her (roller): She wants a hard-sided roller but there are so many options I do not even know where to start.




Help from regular travelers (business or pleasure) would be greatly appreciated.

[theflashunc]

For a roller bag I've been very happy with my Tumi. I've got the cordura softshell case but they also have a hardshell. Yes, they're expensive, but I've beaten the hell outta the thing over the last 5 years and it just keeps on ticking.

[caleb]

For you, a Duluth Pack Jet-Setter: Jet-Setter Duffel Pack - Duffels | Made in USA | Guaranteed For Life | Duluth Pack If I didn't want a roller, it's what I would use.

[Pastashop]

Leisure / Business Travel Packing List - Travel Light (One Bag)!

after reading a bunch of things on that site, I simplified my packing for travel and wound up with two RedOxx bags: C-Ruck and SkyTrain. Both have been 'round the world and the US and barely shown signs of use. But my travel has tapered off, so they just sit in the closet... (too bad there isn't a forum for that, eh?..)

[NYCfixie]

Helpful but not always easy if you go on a bike/hike/kayak vacation.

Leisure / Business Travel Packing List - Travel Light (One Bag)!

after reading a bunch of things on that site, I simplified my packing for travel and wound up with two RedOxx bags: C-Ruck and SkyTrain. Both have been 'round the world and the US and barely shown signs of use. But my travel has tapered off, so they just sit in the closet... (too bad there isn't a forum for that, eh?..)

[robin3mj]

Patagonia LLC is my go-to. It'll fit at your feet when the overheads are full and everyone else is gate checking their rollers.
It has backpack style straps for when you need it but they stow nicely out of sight otherwise.

Add an Eagke Creek packing folder or two and it's good for a week on the road in business clothes, or two weeks for a warm weather vacation.

[Too Tall]

Second Patagonia.

[NYCfixie]

Any specific Patagonia model(s)?

Found this....
Patagonia Headway MLC® 45L






Also found this which looks really cool because trips to Denver are usually around holidays which means I need to bring a suit or sport-jacket and slacks.
Eagle Creek Converge™ Weekend Set

Patagonia LLC is my go-to. It'll fit at your feet when the overheads are full and everyone else is gate checking their rollers.
It has backpack style straps for when you need it but they stow nicely out of sight otherwise.

Add an Eagke Creek packing folder or two and it's good for a week on the road in business clothes, or two weeks for a warm weather vacation.

Second Patagonia.

[SlowPokePete]

Can't go wrong with Patagonia...

SPP

[sailor]

I have a timbuck2 wingman in the canvas material. I have only used it a couple times but so far I am happy. It fits enough for 4-5 days and carry reasonably well as a shoulder bag or a backpack but the transition is a bit clumsy. Pockets are useful and all have a bright material for easy organization. I also think it looks a bit nicer than the black nylon bags. I also considered the patagonia but was able to buy the timbuk2 much cheaper.

[j44ke]

Their MLC line is great. The standard sized version and a small version (which since it is small is obviously not an MLC, but I don't remember the name) we have are now about 10 years old. Both have new straps, but otherwise the rest of the bags is original. They hold a freakishly large amount of stuff, and if you pack right, the internal compression straps allow you to cinch everything down flat and relatively unwrinkled.

I guess this is the small version now

and this is the large version.

I can easily get a weekend's worth of clothes in the small version, though that's without a laptop. With a laptop in the bag, you lose a little space because you can't bulge out the sides much.

[teleguy57]

My MLC standard size (all they had at the time) is about 10 years old also, and is my go-to bag. Doesn't have the fancy inner zip stuff like the newer model, but does have a divider that attaches with clips (I have it out most of the time) and two outside pockets. Backpack straps are great when you need them, out of the way when you don't.

[roseyscot]

My MLC standard size (all they had at the time) is about 10 years old also, and is my go-to bag. Doesn't have the fancy inner zip stuff like the newer model, but does have a divider that attaches with clips (I have it out most of the time) and two outside pockets. Backpack straps are great when you need them, out of the way when you don't.

Yup, currently in Seattle for 3 nights and easily getting by with my Patagonia MLC from 12+ years ago. I supplement it with a small Osprey backpack for my work computer, documents, chargers, and snacks, but if traveling for pleasure, I comfortably store a week's worth in my MLC alone (as long as it's not a week in the arctic).

[MarkC]

RedOxx bags: C-Ruck and SkyTrain.

Pasta has good taste yo.

Air Boss for me. Great carry bag, fits as much as a small roll aboard. The Red Oxx guys make damn fine gear. Might pick up an Aviator duffle for 1-2 day trips.

For work I always go with a small backpack that fits laptop, iPad and the few other things I always want with me. The other bag is for clothes and gear.

[j44ke]

The Patagonia Black Hole Cube bags (new items as of last year I think) are good additions. We have several of the small ones for dopp kits, batteries/chargers/cables/SD cards/SSD drive bag - the sorts of things that roll around and make TSA say "Please open your bag". So rather than digging all your underwear out in public, they can just pull out the bag and dig in there.

We don't have the bigger models, but look like great shoe bags, especially grungy sweaty cycling shoe bags.

[Blue Jays]

TUMI luggage for me. The initial investment hurts and then it lasts for 20+ years looking like the bees knees.

[11.4]

I feel really bad doing this to you -- like showing Too Tall a new website for some really gorgeous bike porn -- but , ....

Carryology | Exploring Better Ways to Carry

EDC Bags | EDCForums

and ... well, ... I've already probably done enough damage there.

Personal favorites?

I like Briggs & Riley over Tumi. Tumi has a slightly more polished look, but B&R has a lifetime no questions warranty and it has some better features like its roll around packing compression system and its outside frame. Buy the B&R Baseline series. You'll never need another. Be sure and get the International rather than the American one. It actually packs a little easier and there are more and more foreign flights on airframes that don't quite have enough room for the American standard bag.

If you have never really salivated in your life, check out Bedouin Foundry. Oops, TT just beat you to it and now your favorite bag is out of stock. The Barbary messenger bag is amazing. You'll never deign to look at Timbuktu or Mission Workshop again.

In a completely different direction, there's Tom Bihn's Aeronaut 45. It's carryon, it has amazing construction, you can get a lightweight Spectra version if that moves you, and it has a very good backpack system if you really need to walk a long way and are envying your significant other's roll around.

I probably have fifty bags hanging in a big walk in closet. These are the ones that never get a chance to get hung up.

[NYCfixie]

I really want to like the Wingman but I have not been happy with Tmbuk2's quality lately.

I have used their messenger bags for daily use over the past 20 years, did not take care of them, and yet they rarely wear out. I usually get bored of the color/style and get one with an updated color/style well before their useful life is over. My issue is that lately their quality is just not the same and/or their travel luggage is not made as well as the messenger bags.

I purchased the "Doctor's bag" (in the pictures) maybe three years ago, have only used it as a carry-on maybe 10 times, but it is already falling apart. We also purchased a soft-sided roller that we check as luggage, have used it only a few times and it is coming apart at the seams (no pictures). So, is it the luggage that is not made as well or is timbuk2 quality getting worse?


Attachment 100932
Attachment 100933
Attachment 100934

I have a timbuck2 wingman in the canvas material. I have only used it a couple times but so far I am happy. It fits enough for 4-5 days and carry reasonably well as a shoulder bag or a backpack but the transition is a bit clumsy. Pockets are useful and all have a bright material for easy organization. I also think it looks a bit nicer than the black nylon bags. I also considered the patagonia but was able to buy the timbuk2 much cheaper.

[Blue Jays]

"...My issue is that lately their quality is just not the same and/or their travel luggage is not made as well as the messenger bags..."

"...So, is it the luggage that is not made as well or is timbuk2 quality getting worse?..."

You nailed it, my friend. It is even apparent with their tire/tool/tube bags.
They have clearly switched to a cheaper factory. Quality has sadly degraded. :-(

[Too Tall]

Lane, there is a very special corner of he!! for you ;)

I forgot to say that I use packing cubes inside the Patagonia MLC. It makes organization so much better. This is similar to what I use:
Amazon.com : Suitcase Organizer 4pcs Mesh Pouch Best Set - Plus 6pcs Organizer Bags (ORANGE) : Travel Cubes Set : Sports & Outdoors