Comments on: First Take: Tom Bihn Aeronaut travel bag

By: Kevin

Kevin — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 11:41:46 +0000

Agree: the OPEC/Campmor bag is still a ridiculous steal. If you’re interested in it, Clint, email me – I have a 10% Off code which I think you’ll be able to use to lower the price a bit more.

By: Michael W.

Michael W. — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 03:52:28 +0000

Glad I didn’t overwhelm you. Some of us who read Kevin’s excellent reviews are bagaholics and own way too many bags for our own good. If you don’t mind the enormous Campmor “ad” on the front of the former OPEC bag (which can easily be toned down with a black Magic Marker), it is a terrific bag. I would invest in some small “key ring” size carabiners from REI or a similar outlet to keep the zippers closed (I would make the same recommendation for any bag).

Enjoy Thailand and Vietnam!

By: Clint

Clint — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 22:59:23 +0000

@Michael, thanks for the great advice. I seriously can’t believe the Campmor is only $30 and it may be all I need right now. I mean it costs the same as the shoulder strap on the Tom Bihn. If Tom Bihn is more of the business type bag I just don’t need that currently. I use a zero halliburton carry-on for work trips anyway. I definitely travel more like a backpacker on personal time but I’ve put those days of lugging that giant pack behind me and want to keep it basic.

I agree with you on the shoulder bag messenger style approach. The weight of my gear bag/day pack isn’t that bad actually but I know what you mean. I stopped carrying my 15″ macbook pro on trips and got an 11″ air to make the load a lot lighter. DSLR and an extra lens isn’t that bad plus I usually have it in my hand anyway.

I actually just ditched my lowepro 250 for a slimmer Kata DR-466i Digital Rucksack and a 11 liter Osprey day pack to switch up depending on the trip type. Not sure if those are reviewed here but I would be happy to share.

I am going to do a full review on this site but thanks for the tips.

By: Michael W.

Michael W. — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 18:22:41 +0000

@Clint,

If you want to make a good impression (traveling on business) the Bihn products are a great investment, perhaps the best.

In terms of pure maximum legal capacity and “toughness” though, RedOxx (the Airboss, reviewed here on PH) is even better, probably tops.

RedOxx also makes good “duffel style” one-bags as an alternative to the rectangular “suitcase” style bags we are talking about here. These essentially swap height and width for similar volumes, but generally have more organizing pockets.

Since you have already allocated your shoulders to your backpack, the RedOxx Airboss is free of backpack straps, a pure shoulder bag, hence doesn’t waste weight or space on the backpack suspension. It’s pricey though.

If you like to travel a little more like a backpacker – take a minibus instead of a taxi or limousine to your side destinations – you can save a LOT of money by getting one of the budget bags reviewed on this blog, like the Outdoor Products Essentials Carryon, now rebranded as the Campmor Essentials Carryon (you will need to use a Magic Marker to “black out” the splashy new Campmor logo): http://www.campmor.com/outdoor.....ct___60795

or the Rick Steves Classic Back Door bag (ignore the landing page picture, you can get it in black) http://travelstore.ricksteves......038;id=346

The two bags linked to above are also reviewed here on Practical Hacks (the Campmor is under “OPEC” if you use the blogs search function). Both of them DO have backpack straps, but they are fairly minimal – don’t waste much space or weight – but if you are a gram shaver, you can cut them out and use the resulting empty zippered slot for storage. They both have an included, albeit cheapy, shoulder strap.

When I travel with a combination like yours – day pack and shoulder bag – I usually adjust the shoulder bag strap length so I can sling the shoulder bag cross-body, bike messenger style, so it won’t slip off. Hung low enough so I can wear the daypack over it.

I like travel with a combination like this, esp. in SE Asia, because the main luggage piece will easily fit any taxi trunk, or on my lap in a mini-bus, while the daypack keeps the valuables always handy.

My only source of amazement is that you can deal with the weight of a DSLR _and_ a laptop. My maximum degree of acceptable pain is a point and shoot (which are getting better all the time, esp. the interchangeables) and a netbook or Macbook…

By: Clint

Clint — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 17:17:52 +0000

My travel is definitely on the casual side of things and usually to warmer climates when possible. I usually need an extra pair of running shoes and sandals in the bag and like I mentioned bring a daypack for DSLR/laptop. Typically a trip is no less than 7 days and I have no problem with doing a load of laundry in a foreign country(can actually be fun). I like the versatility of this bag but not price is a little high which is why I want to be sure. $30 for a shoulder strap? Seems to me it should just come with the bag.

My upcoming trip is 2 weeks in Thailand and Vietnam and I don’t want to be rolling a bag around and don’t want to be stuck with a huge backpack with no other options to carry. The aeronaut would allow me to wear my regular backpack and carry the aeronaut on my shoulder. I think it would be a great fit for my travel.

Thanks for any suggestions.