"New" bag for lightweight travel

Looks interesting to me; might try it. Good size. Wish they showed a little more detail, like backpack straps, which are essential for me (forget the shoulder strap, never use it) and the interior.

I wonder though, how can they ship a 1.6# bag with 1.4# shipping weight (just add water)?

Ops! Cabin Max's own website says no backpack straps. But weight doesn't agree either. (Oh, that's .80 kg - 1.76#, same as Ess Carryon)

Joel,

That bag may work for some people, but my impression is that the construction or materials are not as robust as some other products, and therefore may not last as long with frequent use. I'd probably pay more and get something like this - http://www.tombihn.com/travel_bags/pilot.html

The Dyneema version weighs 475 grams (1 lb., 1 oz), while the ballistic nylon version weighs 680 grams (1 lb., 8 oz.). Hopefully Frank II will spot this Thread as I'm sure he'll have a good perspective on this.

Tom Bihn Pilot: I consider myself an fanatical light packer, but my contents are about 1400 ci, so this bag, at 800-99 ci, would not be big enough even for me, unless I also checked a bag, which defeats the purpose of light packing. It's really light, at 17 oz, but for volume the weight is not exceptional. Material is thin, at 420d, but that should not be a problem since you are going to handle it yourself (no baggage gorillas). Lacks backpack straps, but small size would limit the packed weight, so you might not need them (note: I get 10# of content in a 1400 ci bag, so 900 ci translates to about 6½ #, ¾ the weight of a gallon of milk).

Ken, I'm with Lee that the Tom Bihn Pilot bag is too small; their Aeronaut 30 is a great size at 19.7 x 12.6 x 7.9"; but it's well over 2 pounds even for the lighter version, which is more than I want to commit to a carry-on. Also, the $270 price tag would be tough to justify to the Treasurer of the Household :-)

Lee, too bad about the lack of backpack straps on the Cabin Max. I never use them on the Campmor, so I'll probably go ahead and try the Cabin Max bag; losing one inch in each of two dimensions (compared to the Campmor) should make it that much more convenient to carry around and maneuver in crowds. Too bad about the weight too, according to the Amazon specs I was going to lose 2.4 ounces over the Campmor. But I guess there is no arguing with the actual product website.

I bought a digital kitchen scale for weighing all my stuff before it gets packed; if the bag comes in at anything other than 1.76 pounds, I'll post about it.

If the Pilot is too small, there's also the Western Flyer at 1600 ci and 985 grams in the Dyneema version or 1200 grams in the ballistic nylon version. It does have Backpack straps.

http://www.tombihn.com/travel_bags/TB0950.html

Ken, That's a nice bag, but still substantially heavier than the Campmor or the Cabin Max, which are 28 oz./794 grams. I see the attraction of the Tom Bihn as they are so well-made; but so far I'm willing to trade flimsier construction (which still should last years if I am careful) for savings in weight. And if it does rip, then I get to use the duct tape which so far I have not needed, then buy a new one (for $30) when I get back.

Another "plus" of the Campmor is its cheesy appearance (kind of floppy, giant logo), which can't be as attractive to potential thieves as more expensive bags. This is something to take into account if I try the Cabin Max, which actually looks respectable.

I'm a little confused about this bag.

According to the Cabin Max website--never trust the dimensions given by Amazon as they are often wrong--the bag measures 21.65" x 15.35" x 7.87". It weighs exactly the same as the Campmor bag. (That's 55cm x 39cm x 20cm and 0.8kg for our metric loving friends.)

Note the width dimension of 15.35"/39cm. This is the hardest dimension to "squish" down to make it fit sizer limits of 14". It's definitely European size limits.

I have no idea what material they use. Although the zippers may be YKK. It's hard to read.

This is a good ultralightweight bag for Europeans who would have to pay a lot to get the Campmor bag but I would probably still suggest the Campmor for Americans, and Canadians, as it will more easily fit in North American sizers.

http://cabinmax.com/en/daypacks/76-frankfurt-0616316229471.html

By the way....I have the original OPEC bag and consider it now to be a collectible item.....so.....I might pick up the newer Campmor version just to see if anything has changed and find the best way to hide the monstrous logo.

Whoops, I'm the one who is confused. Lesson learned, don't trust Amazon dimensions. So the Cabin Max is the same weight as the Campmor, but much wider. Sorry about wasting everyone's time; but thanks Frank II.

Introducing a new bag is never a waste of time...after all, there readers here who live in the land known as Europe who might like this bag.

Regarding covering up the logo on the Campmor bag....I first used a big fat black marker, and when that was kinda ugly, I sewed a "pocket" over the logo. It's big enough for a pack of Kleenex tissues or small notebook and pen, or place to put receipts, small map, or other items. Because of the location, I could machine sew part of it and handsewed the rest. Looks like it's supposed to be there. :)

Great idea about the pocket! I bought two Campmor bags because the price is fantastic, but my fiance is appalled by the logos. His attempt to remove the logos with heat didn't work, I'll give the pocket a try.