Packing Review -Osprey Ozone 42L - UPDATE with SEA Review

Glad you were able to pack well in your new bag. May you have safe and uneventful travels !

Thanks for the review, Trotter - I look forward to hearing about how it did on the flight! Have a wonderful and safe trip and happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

Hahaha!, well, happy birthday and glad we could help your DH with appropriate gift selection!

I’m glad you trial packed and for real packed. Good luck at the airport tomorrow as you go thru security and on your flight! If you have time to kill and are hungry the coconut cake at Cafe Flore takeaway in Concourse A is awesome!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

BTW…the odd spaces move around even if you think you packed the same, hahaha!!

This bag goes well into the overhead bin with the wheels out, then you have a nice grab bar to get it out when you deplane.

I had an early generation mono-pole roll-aboard and found that the lack of two poles left no leverage against the case’s pivot center, and was truly unwieldy to navigate.

I’d be interested to know if this issue has somehow been engineered out of current models.

Scudder, I had no problem with the monopole handle. I don't usually try to add a bag on top anyway so that was not an issue for me although they have added an add-a-bag strap under the top handle. The pole felt strong and durable during my 22 day trip.

As far as pulling this suitcase, I had a variety of conditions as I was on the RS Best of Italy. I pulled thru airports, train stations, up the street in Varenna, down a couple of sloping sidewalks, plus a variety of other conditions in cities on the tour including across cobbles, broken pavement in Rome (dodging dog doo) and some dirt. I had no problems with wobbles.

To be honest, it pulled better than my RS 20" 2-wheeler as it's double handle is a bit shaky and also pulled better than my TravelPro 21" 2-wheeled roller who's handle will not extend to the full length any more.

I bought this bag as well for my 2.5 week trip to Europe this past August/September. I loved how easy it was to maneuver and it was very lightweight and easy for me to lift. However, like you OP, I found it very hard to pack because the shape of it was odd! I used 2 slim packing cubes to go on either side of the handle, but slim cubes aren't my favorite because I find it hard to fit stuff in them, so I was struggling with what I could even put in them. I found myself constantly rearranging and trying to find a better way to pack it but I just couldn't find a great fit. Overall I'm still happy with the bag, but I'm not going to lie, I'm keeping my eyes open in case something better comes along!

For those leaving out of Seattle Tacoma International for the holidays, I experienced no problems on Novembre 21 on a domestic flight. Although TSA pre-check had long lines it went fast and smoothly. The agents were friendly and even funny. Other passengers, not so much. Lots of stressed out folks.

Regarding travelling with the Ozone, I experienced Scudder's concern about the monopole bag torquing when pushing the bag. Didn't have any trouble when pulling it. I had no problem lifting and fitting the bag into an Alaska Air 737-800 - but I did board in Group A. Not sure if there would have been space in the bins had I boarded later.

I have 2 monopole roller bags—- a 24” Victorinox, and a 21.6” REI model they no longer sell. I really like them: they are kinder to wrists because one can vary the hand position to relieve strain, and I find them easier to pack efficiently. The bottom area has two compartments, one on either side of the tube that holds the collapsed pole. Bags with regular handles, with two tubes for the collapsed handle, have 3 narrower spaces that are harder to use efficiently.

The one drawback I have found is that one cannot slip an accessory bag with trolly sleeve over the handle for transport. It can’t be held in a stable position. But I use a daypack for my personal item anyway.

So, Trotter -- have you made your return trip by now ? What was your overall impression of traveling with the bag ?

Kim, I just finished packing for my return to Washington State, where at least today it is 20 degrees (Fahrenheit) cooler than Boston. Go figure. I leave tomorrow (4 December). I plan to check the bag since I went shopping (no sales tax on clothes in MA and MA’s sales tax on other things is 4% lower than WA). And since there were a number of cancelled flights between Boston and Seattle over the last couple of days, my flight, assuming it goes, will be a zoo flight.

My partner has the 38l version of the Ozone and loved it around Europe. We did have an issue though one day when we had to walk through the rain - the bottom of the bag soaked through and make things wet inside.

I've only ever travelled with packs and usually have a pack cover to solve this problem - does such a thing exist for roll-alongs - most of the water was coming from spray from the wheels - I kinda need mudguards for it LOL