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Trolley Strap

Suggestions....I'm looking for a personal item sized bag, around 15 x 11 x 6, whithout a lot of pockets, but has a trolley strap so I can place it on the handles of my rolling bag.

I've been scouring the internet and sites like ebags and amazon, and haven't really found anything

I'm familiar with the Rick Steves bags so no need to tell me you've used them again and again.

I'm also familiar with add a bag straps and bag bungees. (I have both.)

I'm specifically looking for a bag with a trolley strap. (And no, I don't sew so adding one is out of the question and paying someone to do it, I found, isn't cheap. )

Posted by
4527 posts

Eagle Creek has a small duffle with a trolley strap, but the measurements don't fit your criteria. Maybe a sport store like REI has similar? It's my best shot, FrankII. Personally, if eBags and Amazon can't offer what you need then I guess it will be a longer search until someone designs something. I just don't know if it is out there at the moment. Good luck on the search.

Check out the LLBean "carryall accessory"bag. This is a close option. States there is a "back slot" to slide over luggage handle. I wish everyone would just use the term trolley strap.

Posted by
985 posts

That sounds about the size my sister used for her cpap. It had a trolley strap on the back and fit snugly down over the handle of her rolling bag. Maybe check out cpap travel bags...

Posted by
80 posts

How about the Tom Bihn Pilot bag? It would be the right size and the bottom of the rear pocket unzips to form a trolley strap (though it may have more internal organization than you're looking for).

Posted by
3777 posts

I have a Vera Bradley one which is quite nice. Also I purchased one at TJ Maxx for my husband, cheap and serviceable.

Posted by
470 posts

My husband got this Briggs and Riley bag for a recent trip on Air France (one of the carriers with restrictive "accessory piece" dimensions). While it does have pockets, it also has a large open area inside. It worked very well for him. Nothing that Briggs sells is inexpensive, but they absolutely stand behind their lifetime warranty. Good luck. Sidebar: we spent an inordinate amount of time looking/buying/returning potential accessory pieces that would meet the AF guidelines AND have a trolley strap. As it turns out, not one single AF employee measured, weighed or even looked at our accessory piece.
Scroll down to the bottom of the linked page to see the trolley strap info:https://www.amazon.com/Briggs-Riley-Kinzie-Street-Cabin/dp/B01HGST7XY

Posted by
5697 posts

Assume you have seen the RS Euro-tote, which holds onto roller-bag handles quite nicely and fits under airline seat. Works for me.

Posted by
16893 posts

Frank, just FYI that the Ravenna Day Pack Rick has online now is a newly remodeled version that just came in. The lower half of the back padding serves as the strap.

Posted by
362 posts

This is a good thread. We recently ran into the problem that our bags didn't stack as well as we'd like because the straps just weren't compatible. One was too loose for the carryon roller bag (the RS roller bag, for reference), and the other was so tight that it was a major hassle to remove it when it came time to board the plane.

Posted by
14812 posts

@DavidM--I was thinking of this bag but I have to figure out a way to secure all the zippers.

@Stewart& Vicki--I bought that bag but the zippers can't be secured to so I returned it.

@Laura--every other RS bag I've purchased, and that is quite a few, has either had a manufacturing defect or broke during my travels. As an example, one backpack strap on my original version Ravenna backpack came loose and wouldn't stay connected. I didn't report it because by that time I had returned so many problem items I felt they'd think I was jinxed.

@TravelingMom--nice bag but slightly too big and way too heavy

@sunbaked--that L.L. Bean bag looks interesting.

Posted by
4527 posts

For the Pilot bag, it might be a pain, but 3 luggage locks? One for the main compartment, then I expect each side would reach the middle zipper enough to use a lock each. Or a lockable S caribiner sort of like this
https://www.amazon.com/Nite-Ize-S-Biner-SlideLock-Stainless/dp/B077V37SMV/ref=sr_1_23?s=industrial&ie=UTF8&qid=1512596096&sr=1-23&refinements=p_89%3ANite+Ize
It depends whether you want to slow them down or make them take out the box cutter to get to your stuff.....

Posted by
2418 posts

Have you considered any of the many JandD bags that can attached to canoe thwarts or to bicycle handlebars or panniers using their versatile strap and clip systems?
As I've mentioned before, their products are very sturdy, so they might be overweight/overkill for your purposes.
Look at their Adventure Traveler anyway, though.

Posted by
139 posts

A double cable lock might work on a Pilot. Pilot is my fave personal item. But for a longer trip, I need a backpack that doubles as personal item / daybag.

A backpack with a waist strap (like the Bihn Daylight Backpack or S19) can be secured to a trolley handle. Tighten the waist strap, then slip the backpack vertically over the handle, with the back of the bag against the trolley handle. Tighten the waist strap for a snug fit. I use a Velcro strap (like Strapees) or a small carabiner to clip the top grab handle to the top of the roller handle. Works pretty well.

Posted by
327 posts

I have a Patagonia tote bag in black and a Kipling backpack that both have fabric sleeves which fit over the handles of my rolling bag.

Posted by
14812 posts

@Maria...I didn't say lock. I said secure. I use a cable key rings such as these--Cable Key Rings--to secure the zippers. They have thwarted two theft attempts that I know of.

@Mardan....which models of Patagonia tote and Kipling Backpack are you referencing because I couldn't find any with trolley straps.

@tavapeak.....I don't like backpacks. I'd prefer a shoulder/messenger bag. And anyway, the S19 has more zippers and pockets than states of the union. I have a Daylight Backpack and it won't work.

Posted by
327 posts

Frank, as I bought both my Patagonia tote and Kipling backpack in stores several years ago, I'm sorry I don't know the model numbers. However, I just found this similar tote on the Patagonia website. (They likely have other styles as well.)
The description says "integrated docking sleeve slides over telescoping wheeled luggage handles". Size is 16 x 12 x 6.
Hope this helps.

http://www.patagonia.com/product/headway-tote-bag-20-liters/48775.html

Posted by
14812 posts

Yes, I saw that one. It's a little too big and there is no way to secure the main compartment zipper.

Posted by
315 posts

Do not toss me to the wolves! Scout Ross, TJ Max or Burlington for a small diaper bag (too many pockets) and female purses that can double as a man purse. Hubby's man purse has the brand ful on it, 12"x9"x4". Tighten all most any strap and it will become a "trolley strap" or the "trolley strap" that can be added to that ever small rolling bag.

Posted by
552 posts

I have a black baggallini tote with the zippered sleeve which worked great for me on several recent trips. It appears to be the Avenue Tote, although mine must be an older version without the shoulder strap. I'm not sure about securing the top zipper.
Good luck in your search.

Posted by
552 posts

I've been looking for something like those cable key rings. Will order.
Thanks for the link, Frank.

Hillie - Wal-Mart sells the small cable locks at the counter where keys are made, near the hunting section. That way, you can buy just one or two for cheap without shipping costs. (Of course, that's only if you live near a Wal-Mart.)
Akros - the EC tote with Trolley strap looks like a great flight bag. Thanks for the link.

Posted by
14812 posts

@akros.....I already have that Eagle Creek Tote.

Even though I'm not thrilled with backpacks, I think I may have found something:

Tucano Agio 13 Backpack

I'm going to keep searching but this comes very close

Posted by
139 posts

You may have already seen Sherpani's totes with trolley sleeves. Here is one that looks a bit more masculine (sans tassel :-). It carries vertically, but might be used with an Op-tech strap?

Posted by
630 posts

I've been looking for something like those cable key rings. Will
order.

Hille, I've ordered cable key rings in the past and they are not all the same. There are some cheap ones out there that don't work that well. I've found these cable key rings work well. I've had to return other sets that were junk.

Posted by
630 posts

@DavidM--I was thinking of this bag but I have to figure out a way to
secure all the zippers.

Frank II, I use these luggage locks with my Tom Bihn bags. They have a cable that can lock 3 zippers together. Works well for me. Can't go wrong with Tom Bihn! I have the Co-Pilot that can slip over the luggage handle of a rolling bag. I'm thinking about getting the Pilot which will give me another 200 cubic inches of space. But do I really need another bag . . . . ha ha.

Posted by
552 posts

Thank you, Sunbaked and Pilgrim! I'll check them out.

Unfortunately we're not so sunbaked today! It's raining and a bit chilly! ;) ...but, hey, still better than up north.

Posted by
80 posts

Pilgrim, since it's Tom Bihn, the answer has to be yes, you do need another bag :-)

Posted by
630 posts

Hille, I've ordered cable key rings in the past and they are not all
the same. There are some cheap ones out there that don't work that
well. I've found these cable key rings work well. I've had to return
other sets that were junk.

@Hille, you're welcome! If you only need a couple of them, then Walmart is the way to go. I like to buy the bulk package because I use them to hold my luggage tags and I also give them away to my travel companions when I see their unsecured zippers.

Posted by
2418 posts

Frank, if you like that Tucano thing except for the backpack straps, then you should look at the briefcases that JandD offers.

Posted by
14812 posts

@avirosomail....I looked at the JandD bags the first time you mentioned them. None were right for my needs.

For those interested in the Eagle Creek small tote mentioned above, if you take a couple of cable key rings, and attach one on each end on the small grab handles, you can then add a shoulder strap to the bag. I did that and it worked well.

Posted by
73 posts

I have the Kipling Sasha tote. It's very lightweight, 15.75 x 11.25 x 8.25 inches, has a slip through (=trolley strap?) for sliding a handle through, and the main section can hold two really stuffed medium ebags packing cubes. If you don't stuff it, you could get the depth down to 6 inches easily.

http://www.kipling-usa.com/sasha-tote/100029529.html
I got mine in black at a Kipling outlet for about $63.

Posted by
630 posts

For those interested in the Eagle Creek small tote mentioned above, if
you take a couple of cable key rings, and attach one on each end on
the small grab handles, you can then add a shoulder strap to the bag.
I did that and it worked well.

Another great idea by Frank II. Thanks!

Posted by
630 posts

Pilgrim, since it's Tom Bihn, the answer has to be yes, you do need
another bag :-)

@DavidM, Will you marry me? LOL My current husband just doesn't understand. I may have to upgrade my husband to one that understands my bag addiction ha ha.

Posted by
80 posts

Pilgrim, LOL, but where would we ever find a house big enough for all the bags? Meanwhile, I've got my partner started on travel trays, the gateway drug to Tristars.

Posted by
630 posts

Yup, the travel tray is the gateway drug LOL. That’s the first thing I bought from Tom Bihn and I’ve been addicted ever since. I think Tom Bihn can now retire from all that I have purchased from his company.

I blame Frank II ha ha. I always buy what he suggests and I believe he’s the one who suggested the travel tray.

Posted by
14812 posts

Pilgrim.....probably. I just got rid of a few Tom Bihn Bags and still have more stuff than I know what to do with.

My problem is I'm always looking for something lighter, smaller and/or more efficient than what I alreay have.

Posted by
630 posts

Frank II, did you ever find a solution or bag that would work for you? I’m considering buying the LL Bean carryall accessory bag to hold the stuff I need on the plane (plus it would probably fit my 3-1-1 bag after I get through security.

Pilgrim,
Check out the LLBean sportsman carry-on bag as well. I like the wide trolley strap on the sportsman bag. I would try to find out how wide the trolley strap is on the carry-all bag. You could contact LLBean directly and find out.

Posted by
14812 posts

Yes....I found a solution....I bought a Tom Bihn Pilot. It comes with a trolley strap.

Posted by
630 posts

I have the TB co-pilot and was thinking about getting the pilot. Have you used it yet? What color did you get?

Posted by
14812 posts

I haven't used it for travel yet, only around town, but I have already planned how and what to put in it for travel.

I got Black Halcyon/Wasabi. I didn't think I needed the ballistic one and I wanted the lighter weight. I thought the Co-Pilot would be too small for my needs.

There is one thing I noticed.....when the back panel is unzipped to use as a trolley strap, there is still a small "lip" inside to hold magazines, newspapers, etc so they don't fall through. A great idea.

Posted by
630 posts

I got Black Halcyon/Wasabi. I didn't think I needed the ballistic one
and I wanted the lighter weight. I thought the Co-Pilot would be too
small for my needs.

I now only get the Halcyon fabric when I buy Tom Bihn products. I like it much better than the Ballistic material. The Halcyon is much lighter and more flexible. Ohhhhh, you have me really considering this! I have the co-pilot and it is too small for travel. I may have to bite the bullet and get the pilot. Hey, we only live once right! :) They do have the Haycyon/Wasabi in stock right now.

Posted by
139 posts

Ditto on the Halcyon! I use the Op-Tech strap with it because it's less bulky. I wish wish wish there was an easy way to convert the Pilot to a backpack carry!! It really is a terrific layout for a personal item. I've considered putting 2 grommets on the lower part of the trolley sleeve.

Let us know how the Pilot does for you, Frank II.

Posted by
630 posts

So, I just bought Tom Bihn's Pilot in Halcyon/Wasabi. I try to buy all my bags in this color so my husband thinks they are all the same bag - ha ha. He hasn't noticed yet, so my plan is working. We're headed to Vegas, Grand Canyon, and Hoover Dam in a few weeks, so It will be my test run for my upcoming trip to Italy in September. I'll let you know how it goes.

Posted by
1221 posts

Sigh. I need to keep reminding myself that the more Tom Bihn bags I buy, the less money I have to take them to cool places and y'all are not helping. And that the Brain Bag backpack I already have is exactly what I need for moderate day hikes on this summer'sMoab/Zion trip. (Lots of room for water bottles, food, and DSLR camera gear)

Selkie,
You have my sympathy. I often have to talk myself out of buying more stuff. Online shopping only compounds the problem. Give yourself a few good reasons like "it's better for the environment if I consume less."

Posted by
1221 posts

But when I buy from Tom Bihn or Red Oxx, I'm supporting American small manufacturing.

Selkie my friend,
You are sabotaging yourself here.
(It's a quandary that the economy and the environment are mostly at odds with each other.)

Posted by
630 posts

Selkie, if I like the new TB Pilot, it will also be my every day briefcase for work. So, I figured I could justify the cost since I haven’t had a new briefcase in a long time. :) But I have told myself that this is my last TB purchase LOL