Mike, is the Aeronaut close when it comes to making it as a carry-on, or is it no problem? My rolling duffel was a bit of a pain and it looked like it had similar dimensions.

Dinny: I would guess it would be no problem but haven't traveled with it yet. I think it is the new maximum size for some airlines, 22 x 14 x 9, (Continental for one) but it is supposed to keep its shape when fully packed which is probably not true for a duffel bag. I plan to practice packing it this weekend and I will measure the dimensions then. Of course, since Mike has actually carried it on, he would know best... probably why you directed your questions to him. I am not sure why I am trying to answer your question.

Edited February 10, 201115 yr by shellylh

^^^ Shelly, ignore Mike and Dinny .. they are nothing but Bihn shills and fanbois.

The bag does look very nice, however, and that's from an Oxx person, so it's a real compliment.

You are funny Gene.

Some quick pictures of the black co-pilot. I like that it can hold a pad of letter size paper and my Kleen Kanteen water bottle. It is really the perfect size for someone like me. The bag is moar black than it looks in the pictures. Please ignore the horribly ugly office carpet.

I think I will get a couple organizer pouches for the main pocket. Right now I have a Chrome Utility pouch in it to hold my ipod+JH13's, which is a little too bulky.

Next to the Chrome Soma.

I kind of like the Co-Pilots 3 side by side vertical pockets. Still seems too small for me, though.

What's the big vertical bag in the last pic?

That's nice Shelly. That is the bag, the Gator wants to be.

I just wish it wasn't so "not my style"

I'm a Bihn fanboy. I like the style better than the Red Oxx stuff.

I kind of like the Co-Pilots 3 side by side vertical pockets. Still seems too small for me, though.

What's the big vertical bag in the last pic?

The bag in back is a Chrome Soma - laptop backpack/messenger bag hybrid.

I'm a Bihn fanboy. I like the style better than the Red Oxx stuff.

I agree, although I haven't seen any of the Red Oxx stuff in person...

Edited February 11, 201115 yr by shellylh

oooooooh. that's sweet. I will resist the urge to hit the TB website.

I'm really insterested in the Red Oxx Sky Train or Tom Bihn Aeronaut. They seem to be directly comparable to each other.

I think I prefer the side by side comparments of the Aeronaut vs. the garment bag style two stacked compartments of the SkyTrain. But it looks like the SkyTrain has better adjustable back pack straps. I really liked how quick and easy it was to tighten and loosen the Alice buckles on the SkyTrain. I didn't get a chance to check out the Aeronaut's straps all that much. Does the Aeronaut have quickly adjustable straps like the SkyTrain?

The Aeronaut Straps are easy to adjust and have a waist and sternum strap which I think the Sky Train didn't have (at least that is my recollection). No sternum and no waist strap is a deal breaker for me.

I would guess that the straps on the Aeronaut are much nicer than the ones on the Sky Train. I packed up the Aeronaut today and wore it as a backback, it was very comfortable. The straps are also very easy to adjust as well.

I got the Aeronaut without the waist strap and don't find it to be a problem.

Oh, yeah, and the Aeronaut holds a ton of stuff.

Edited February 12, 201115 yr by shellylh

Maybe the Aeronaut only has the sternum strap. I will check.

According to Tom Bihn site, the waist strap is optional. $5 option I think.

I'd like the Aeronaut with the metal hardware Alice straps from the Sky Train. That would be perfect.

Does Tom Bihn warranty cover cracked buckles and plastic hardware in general? Every bag failure I've had are those weak plastic buckles cracking, even the so-called Milspec 3" Warrior buckles on my Maxpedition Lunada bag cracked.

I prefer the beefier zippers, metal hardware and less constrained compartmentalization of the Red Oxx bags. Plus the appropriate cocktail to go with a Ref Oxx bag is a Corpse Reviver 2 while the appropriate cocktail for the Bihn bags is a Cosmo.

I prefer the beefier zippers, metal hardware and less constrained compartmentalization of the Red Oxx bags. Plus the appropriate cocktail to go with a Ref Oxx bag is a Corpse Reviver 2 while the appropriate cocktail for the Bihn bags is a Cosmo.

grrr.. them's fighting words.

I choose the Red Oxx team for the fight. The hardware differences alone puts the Red Oxx gear in the lead in my book.

All I know is that Shelly has some kickass luggage.

Thanks Dinny!

I chose the Bihn bags because they are just better and Shelly has them. Nuff said. And I'm ordering another one because I can. I could have bought 2 or 3 more if I didn't buy my wife an over priced but very nice Marc by Marc Jacobs bag for Valentines Day.

The bag is moar black than it looks in the pictures.

What about the hardware? One thing that's drawing me to the Redoxx group buy is the black zippers -- do the Bihns have black zippers as well?

Yep.

Dusty, they remind me of wetsuit zippers. Here's what I mean: