Travel Packs
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Travel Packs
I've been doing some research on travel packs, by which I mean
airline carry-on capable bags that can be carried via handles, slung on
a shoulder via a shoulder strap, and converted into a backpack.
Here's a sortable table of the options I've found, roughly in order
of how good they sound to me from my research:
| Brand |
Model |
Volume |
Dimensions |
Price |
Notes |
| Tom Bihn |
Aeronaut |
2700 |
22x14x9 |
$192 ($160 + $25
strap + $7 shipping) |
3 lateral sections, side pull handles. Attractive
and well made, with a special flair for good UI design.
Calculated price includes very nice
padded strap.
More photos,
in-depth review. |
| Rick Steves |
Convertible Carry-On |
2500 |
21x14x9 |
$120 ($99 + $10
strap + $11 shipping) |
A good value. Expandable to 3000 cubic inches.
Includes free mesh bags and security pouch. Also available from
Amazon.com. |
| eBags |
Weekender Convertible |
2700 |
22x14x9 |
$60 (free shipping) |
The best value, and favorably reviewed by many
buyers. No shoulder strap option. |
| Patagonia |
MLC |
2400 |
22x13x9.5 |
$161 ($148 + $13 shipping) |
Well reviewed, except for complaints about
the unpadded shoulder strap. Also available from
eBags and
backcountry.com
(both offer free standard shipping). |
| Tough Traveller |
Caravan |
2200 |
20x13x8 |
$184.50 ($174 + $10.50 shipping) |
Aluminum stays. Not a lot of information on-line.
Not the most attractive pack out there. Stated volume and dimensions
are out of whack (20x13x8 is about 2000 cubic inches).
More photos. |
| Tough Traveller |
Tri-Zip |
2300 |
20x13x9 |
$212.50 ($202 + $10.50 shipping) |
3 sections (middle is padded laptop sleeve),
aluminum stays. A bit more business trip oriented than some other
travel packs. Despite recommendation from
One Bag, not a lot of
information on-line.
More photos. |
| Uphill |
Sierra |
2000 |
18x13x8 |
$66.50 + shipping |
A very good value, but many cons. A bit small.
Only available in blue and green (a
customer service e-mail says other colors
are available, but out of stock). Despite recommendation from
Travelite,
scant on-line information or photos. Company products power
Mormon proselytizing. |
| Eagle Creek |
Voyage 65L |
2600 |
23x14x9 |
$180 (free shipping) |
Includes expandable daypack (stated volume is
3800 cubic inches total, 1200 cubic inches for backpack).
Exceeds 45 linear inches, so possibly too big for carry-on use.
Includes padded waistbelt. A bit too technical looking.
Not sold directly, available from
Amazon.com,
eBags, and
backcountry.com
(the latter two offer free standard shipping). |
| Victorinox |
Mobilizer NXT 3.0 2-Zip Expandable Overnighter |
1938 |
20x12.75x8 |
$230 (free shipping) |
A smart looking bag, and Victorinox bag
construction is high quality; but, small and expensive.
Manufacturer website is lacking in information and does not sell
directly; purchase link is via
eBags.
More photos from Amazon.com. |
| Trager |
Jet Pack |
2800 |
21x17x8.5 |
$80 (free shipping) |
Well over 45 linear inches, so probably too big
for carry-on use. Manufacturer website is lacking in information
and does not sell directly; purchase link is via
eBags. |
Volume is in cubic inches, as claimed by the manufacturer (not every
manufacturer states a volume; volume inferred from dimensions is shown
in grey). Dimensions are in
inches. Click on the column headers to sort the rows. This information
is current as of April 2006.
Good guides on packing and travelling include
One Bag,
Travelite, and
Rick Steves Travel Tips.
Another good writeup is
Mark Verber's
packing and traveling light recommendations.
Andrew Ho
(andrew@zeuscat.com)
|