I'm starting to really like that saddleback briefcase. Damn you whoever linked it! (909 maybe?)

I'm looking for another bag. The main plastic buckle on the strap of my Maxpedition Lunada sling bag got cracked. I'd really like something tougher like the Red Oxx bags, but I'm not a fan of backpacks or regular messenger/shoulder bags. I like the Maxped Lunada in that's kind of a hybrid of the two, kind of like a one armed backpack you can swing forward for quick easy access.

Also, the Lunada is getting too small for what I need to carry. I do like the modularity of being able to swap and add different smaller packs onto it. I guess I could go for something larger, but I'd probably be getting into backpack territory.

I'm starting to really like that saddleback briefcase. Damn you whoever linked it! (909 maybe?)

Keep in mind that they are quite heavy by themselves, if that's important to you. That's the price (other than $$$)to pay for leather. It's durable and pretty, but certainly not lightweight.

The absolute strap from Tom Bihn is the schiznit. It makes the airboss perfect. The standard Red Oxx strap works great on the gator and metro but was not that great on the airboss. The Tom Bihn absolute strap fixed that.

Good to know. I was thinking of ordering one myself.

There's a kit of Eagle Creek inner bags going here for about $30, so along with an Air Boss or similar, it's starting to look tempting. I have been reading One Bag, and I had a good look at my own current luggage and now I see where you guys were coming from about wheels. When I was travelling years ago I had become reasonably good about cutting down the amount of crap I was taking, but my last trip to Australia showed that I need to learn again.

Amos, I have an Eagle Creek 15" Pack-It Folder, which I quite like, but have only used twice, mostly because I don't travel enough to remember I own it when I do travel.

Dinny, re the travel towels, I just bought an Aquis Adventure Microfiber Towel in Extra Large (29" X 55"). As I don't want to contribute to the potential towel shortage in upcoming trip, I chose this one because various web reviews seem to indicate it's as comfy or comfier than other travel towels and dries more quickly than some. It's also more expensive, but oh well. The final deciding factor was that amazon sells it, and since I'm someone's grandmother, Prime will get it to me in two days without shipping costs. I'm hoping it works out. I go the the gym in the morning, take a shower at work, and have been having to hang a wet towel (use a very thin beach towel) on a hanger in my office, which isn't exactly attractive, and the towel's still wet by the end of the day; it's that or stuff it in my gym bag and have everything very wet and stinky when I get home. I'm hoping this towel will solve that problem.

You rock, Vicki. Exactly what I was looking for.

I broached the topic of needing a new carry-on with the missus. Bad idea. And of course I know much better. Always broach such topics AFTER the purchase, if at all. Anyway, I had hoped to be sporting a new Tristar out west, but no dice. Maybe I'll get some packing cubes, though.

Keep in mind that they are quite heavy by themselves, if that's important to you. That's the price (other than $$$)to pay for leather. It's durable and pretty, but certainly not lightweight.

I'll definitely keep it in mind, thanks for the input.

You rock, Vicki. Exactly what I was looking for.

I broached the topic of needing a new carry-on with the missus. Bad idea. And of course I know much better. Always broach such topics AFTER the purchase, if at all. Anyway, I had hoped to be sporting a new Tristar out west, but no dice. Maybe I'll get some packing cubes, though.

Poor Dinny, the trick is to just buy it for her (speaking as a gal, the tri-star would be a great gift), and borrow it when needed since you're such a frugal guy, or buy it as a daypack for when you are out and about with Little Monkey (the good dad angle). Now, not one of us here believes Mrs. Monkey is capable of being so easily manipulated as that, but in combo with a Craig's Listing one or more of your current bags or anythings, I think it couldn't be too objectionable.

Oh, and I bumped into another One Bag site:

http://www.onebag.com

This is a strictly informative site (no forum), and the guy, Doug Dyment, seems to have also helped design both the Skytrain and Airboss.

I had no idea there was such a thing as a "one bag" type movement out there, and I do find it amusing that it's pretty much what we knew and were doing 30 years ago, but I will say that the technology has improved greatly since then, especially with bags and clothing, and I've learned a few things over the past couple days of looking around (what's the best clothesline, best travel towel, etc.).

I ran into a bunch of those sites/forums, too. While I tend to agree with a lot of it, some of the approaches really aren't practical for business travel. And by that I mean travel that requires 1-2 suits and shirts that simply can't get wrinkled. Otherwise, though, I like the one bag idea.

30 years ago I had recently graduated from the 1 bag system

Poor Dinny, the trick is to just buy it for her (speaking as a gal, the tri-star would be a great gift), and borrow it when needed since you're such a frugal guy, or buy it as a daypack for when you are out and about with Little Monkey (the good dad angle). Now, not one of us here believes Mrs. Monkey is capable of being so easily manipulated as that, but in combo with a Craig's Listing one or more of your current bags or anythings, I think it couldn't be too objectionable.

You're on to something. It's her birthday soon, but she hates non-rollers. And as she travels all the time for business (much more than me these days), but maybe I can place a "bulk" order.

She only thinks she hates non-rollers. The Tri-Star with a couple nifty packing cubes and the uber-comfy Absolute Strap will win anyone over. My mom (Ms. Roller Only) now wants one.

Also, I'll show you my Little Swift next week. It's a really nice bag. Get one for her and then a little something for you, right?

Well, I finally made a decision on the bag. Just ordered a Tom Bihn Indigo Aeronaut with an absolute strap, large packing cube, and end packing cube. I plan to also get an Eagle Creek Pack-It Folder 15 and see where things go from there.

I was going to get the black or steel colored bag because they looked more professional but then I thought... why would I want to look professional? Isn't that why I went into academics?

Edited January 31, 201115 yr by shellylh

Ya know what I'd like? A bag with a plugstrip in it. Ya plug all your wallewarts in and run the cables to little pockets inside where you keep your gadgets plugged in. Then, when your at the airport, you just open a little side zipper and plug the whole bag in to charge your stuff.

Anyone ever see something like that?

Edited January 31, 201115 yr by Tyll Hertsens

Nice bag, Shelly. I love the color.

Tyll, get to sewing!

Ya know what I'd like? A bag with a plugstrip in it. Ya plug all your wallewarts in and run the cables to little pockets inside where you keep your gadgets plugged in. Then, when your at the airport, you just open a little side zipper and plug the whole bag in to charge your stuff.

Anyone ever see something like that?

Tyll, you can't mention stuff like that and then not do it yourself. Then we all feel guilty when we steal your idea and become rich and famous.

Edited January 31, 201115 yr by manaox2

Be my guest... just gimme one of the bags when your done.

C'mon, I'm waiting here.

Shelly, that bag looks awesome. I'm a boring suit, or I would snap up that indigo in a second. Also, the Bihn blog notes that they've got a bunch of "ultraviolet" (purple) color fabric that will be finding its way into the larger bags soon.

Ultraviolet would be awesome.

I'll wait and get my tri-star in ultraviolet.

So my Little Swift arrived today, which I quite like. It came with one of those stuff sacks, pictured above, in it, and though I get these things were designed for knitting and yarn, I won't be using it and see no practical purpose. It's an annoying size and takes up the whole bottom of the bag. Otherwise, this is a perfect size bag for me, and the ipad slides right on in.