Anyone have the Bento Bag?

I have not used this bag but do you ever watch the Youtube video channel called Travel Tips from Laurie? She did one a year or so ago featuring this bag so it might give you an idea about how it would work from a "normal" person, lol rather than the website advertising.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMKoisORnDw&t=2s

I'll also add that in her recent videos she is not using this bag so while the company was sponsoring this particular video I do not think it is one of her regular pieces.

The bag weighs just under 3 pounds. Some European airlines have a combined weight for both the carry on and the personal item. Usually 10 kgs.

I have one, that I got when they did the crowd funding. I love the organization and can fit a weekend trip worth of stuff in it. Great organization and pockets for stuff. Also comes with a see thru back that fits in a special spot for bathing stuff and another one that is not see thru to help manage cords.

My only issue is that loaded it can be heavy to carry about as a personal item...so it is mostly used for car trips or when it is going to be added to the RS rolling bag when I don't actually have to carry it very long...

I actually just got an underseat roller bag just so I would not have to carry a personal item anymore - and just for reference I am over 50 and under 5 ft tall. I don't like to add the stress to my shoulders/back during travel. I do love the Bento - but it is not always the back I pick...so, YMMV.

I wasn't aware of this bag until you asked your question and found this video helpful. Looks like a nice piece: https://youtu.be/O4j2nmWcq6I

Definitely wouldn't pay nearly $300 for it, though.

That was a good youtube video review, Jeff. He does go on about zippers doesn't he, lol!

I have time today (avoiding shoveling snow, lol!! or actually recovering from the first snow shovel event of the date) so I did a comparison of the Bento bag (3# or 2.9 or 2.7#? per the youtube) vs the bag I took the last 2 trips, the Baggallini Any Day Tote (1.5#).

https://www.baggallini.com/any-day-tote-with-rfid-phone-wristlet/ADT336-BG-B0002-NS.html

Taking the outside dimensions of each, the Bento is 1360 and the Baggallini is 1260 so a little smaller in capacity but the Baggallini is much lighter.

The thing that struck me about the Bento bag is the width across the bottom which is 8 inches. The RS Euro Flight bag is 7 inches across the bottom and that width is awkward to manage. SIL has the Euro Flight Bag and I've carried it for her was not as comfortable to me. Teh Baggallini is 6 inches deep and has worked fine as a shoulder or cross body bag mostly fully loaded. The width may not bother you at all. I'm 5'5" but chunky around the middle so a wider bag just hits me wrong.

The Baggallini is obviously a tote style bag which loads from the top whereas the Bento opens flat. The Bento comes with some cubes for toiletries and electronics but when you leave from Heathrow they will want you to have carry on toiletries in a ziplock instead of the clear pouch. You probably have a cube or pouch for cords and cables? The Tote style may be better while you are ON the plane, the Bento open flat will be easier to pack and access in a hotel room.

To me the question would be what do you plan to carry in it? I am guessing it will be your personal item for things you need on the plane as opposed to your actual suitcase for your trip to England. What will you need to get out on the plane vs what you are carrying because you can't go without if your checked bag goes astray.

More than you wanted to know....

This bag looks great but I think the dimensions are too large for international carriers “ personal” item.

Thank you all for your input. Pam, the Baggallini reminds me very much of this: CitySafe bag that I used once as a carry on in 2016. I got the LL Bean tote the following year and have used it since. For my personal item I've been using the LL Bean Stowaway Backpack. What I've really been hoping for is a bigger carry on. So then I thought, maybe a more organized personal item is what I need.
What I usually put in my personal item: camera (small point and shoot), medications, tech stuff (I don't have a good bag for this--open to suggestions), journal (about 6" x 9"), pens, small notebook, 3-1-1 bag, small binoculars, earbuds, eyeglasses and sunglasses in hard cases, small wallet, passport, and phone. I've been thinking of packing an outfit in a packing cube in case my checked luggage goes astray.

I love the idea of the Bento bag. It is so organized. LOL There are many flight attendant reviews of it. But as Pam said, the measurements don’t work in the end. The flight attendants seem to stop using it as well, often switching to Minky Blue (sp) bags. I know you said you want a bigger personal item, But the Sherpani Soleil type works for me. I fit all that you mention in this bag including a change of clothes. It also fits my airline’s personal item size. Mine is a Sojourn, but I think this bag has replaced it. It is a tote, crossbody and backpack. Just for another idea…

Well, well, well Wray! Aren't you the enabler on this cold winter day, lolol!! I wasn't familiar with the MinkeeBlue brand. The backpack and tote both look good and the tote comes in at 2.2#. I've looked at that Sherpani before and it looks good.

Sandra, I was interested in what you are thinking of taking to see if you were going to actually pack your clothing in the bag. In September I was worried about my carryon having to be gate checked so had a small compression cube packed with a clean shirt, unders, capris that I could pull out if that happened. It did not but it would have fit in the Baggallini if I'd needed it to along with my 3-1-1 bag. Understand your thought about more organization in a bag which is something that I like.

It's too bad you can't go see what the Bento feels like hanging on your shoulder!

I bought the Bento after watching Laurie on YouTube. The construction of the bag was nice, it looked nice but that was about it for me. For me the inside was awkward. I took it on a couple of quick trips. After the last trip I gave it away.

Wray, thanks for the brand suggestions. I will check them out.

Pam, do you mean, what clothing was I thinking of putting in my carryon? Probably a cardigan, undies and socks, pants and a 3/4 sleeve T-shirt.

That sounds like it will work for you!

I haven't travelled internationally since COVID but use a large leather very simple tote from Duluth Trading Company that must be 15 years old.
For your needs have you looked at Away? This one has the features you list and now they have added a more affordable fabric. It would definitely hold the change of clothes, too.
www.awaytravel.com/travel-bags/everywhere-bag-new?color=asphalt_nylon

Karen, yes, the Away products have made it to my short list! Thank you!