Good travel bag?

I've gotten tired of flying with a ratty Jansport backpack & small adidas duffel bag (it's really just a gym bag that can fit a pair of shoes and maybe 2 days' worth of clothes). They're starting to wear out and the strap on one is coming unstitched.

Anyone have a bag that can fit in an overhead bin (and mayyybe under the seat if it's not packed to the brim) that is from a company that doesn't s*** all over America? I don't mind "tactical" companies, but I'm not looking to sport the Molle-monster-just-back-from-combat look.

I really like the Patagonia Headway MLC 45L; it's got plenty of room, yet can still fit on your back, and has a variety of carry-modes: backpack straps, top/side handles, and shoulder strap. It's $189 which isn't great, but is barely doable- especially with the 15% coupon patagonia threw at me for just looking at it and not purchasing it.

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However, Patagonia are a bunch of political, commie a-holes and I'm reluctant to give them my money.

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What weekend/short-week bag-pack do you like to travel with?

I have the Goruck 40L GR2 as my one bag travel. However, that doesn't fit under the seat. Only in overhead. For shorter trips, I have the 5.11 Tactical Covrt backpack. It's not tactical looking. Can fit under seat and in overhead. I use one of the 2 of those depending on where I'm going and the length of the trip.

eBags is local and seems to have a good selection of brands available. The product itself all looks the same to me, however, lol, so not sure it is what you are after or not. But might be worth a browse if you haven't yet.

https://www.ebags.com/category/luggage/f/checked

-John

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Originally Posted by Madeinhb

I have the Goruck 40L GR2 as my one bag travel. However, that doesn't fit under the seat. Only in overhead. For shorter trips, I have the 5.11 Tactical Covrt backpack. It's not tactical looking. Can fit under seat and in overhead. I use one of the 2 of those depending on where I'm going and the length of the trip.

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Excellent, just the kind of suggestions I was looking for, thanks!

I really like that GoRuck, $399 yowza!

The REFactor ASO bag is the best travel bag I've ever used. It's not cheap but it's a very well thought out design, extremely durable and doesn't look like a cool-guy bag if you buy a non-tactical color. Oh, and they're a Colorado company.

https://www.refactortactical.com/col...nt=37069869706

I’ll post up a picture of my bag tonight if I get time. It is one of the molle type “just got back from deployment” bags but I don’t care. It’s super functional and fits enough stuff for a week long trip and fits in the overhead.

Check these.. https://www.granitegear.com/travel/wheeled

Some are carry on size. All either have a removable backpack or have backpack straps that can be deployed.

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Originally Posted by KestrelBike

Excellent, just the kind of suggestions I was looking for, thanks!

I really like that GoRuck, $399 yowza!

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Yea. Wait until July. They do Christmas in July sale usually. I like it because it's military grade bag. It holds up. Made here in US. Lifetime warranty. They patch it up or replace it if damaged. Also - I figured this was going to be my new suitcase. Suitcases can be expensive for good ones. So I went with this.

Do you still get 20% off if you do a ruck with them?

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Originally Posted by Irving

Do you still get 20% off if you do a ruck with them?

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I don't know that. I know that if you are military or retired military - they give a discount on any bag, even when they are on sale.

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Originally Posted by Mick-Boy

The REFactor ASO bag is the best travel bag I've ever used. It's not cheap but it's a very well thought out design, extremely durable and doesn't look like a cool-guy bag if you buy a non-tactical color. Oh, and they're a Colorado company.

https://www.refactortactical.com/col...nt=37069869706

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Was just about to suggest that one, OP just missed a sale that made it $200...


Also despite the price, you really cannot go wrong with anything GORUCK made.

I had great luck with a Maxpedition backpack, but it is a little tactical and small. They have a street series now that looks almost metro, but it about $200. Not sure where its made though.
I would lay out the things you want to travel with and size the bag accordingly. Too easy to get caught up in gear lust, and end up compromising.

If you are willing to spend Go-Ruck money, I really, really like Red Oxx. USA made, Veteran owned, tough as nails without screaming 'tactical'. I have the Sky Train and the Roadster Mini Ruck, and love them both for constant travel. I would probably replace my Sky Train with the Tres Hombres if it ever wore out, but I doubt it will ever wear out, and Red Oxx has one of the best lifetime warranties I've encountered.

I use the Rush 24 Tactical Backpack from 5.11 Tactical for all of my "personal item" carry-on needs when I travel, and since buying it 3 years ago, I've been travelling a lot.

The bag is really too big for my daily use, and almost too big for travelling because of all the stuff I put into it makes it weight so much (routinely put up to 40lbs in it). Never had a problem getting it into an overhead bin and putting it under the seat in front of me (I just have to ensure I don't have my coat stuffed in it for it to fit under the seat). Two overseas trips and many CONUS trips and it still looks brand new, LOTS of pockets (so many I sometimes forget where I put something). Because of all of the pockets and to avoid leaving something in it and to keep it from alerting on the TSA explosives scanner, I NEVER use this bag for gun/range activities. I've also used it as my only bag for weekend getaways around CO with the wife; no need for another suitcase.

It's got side compression straps for when I either have less in it and need it to be smaller or put to much stuff in it and need it to fit in tighter spaces. I love the almost hidden side pockets for wallet/ID/passport and on top, next to the grab strap, is a soft-lined sunglasses pocket.

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These guys are out of Grand Junction, and don't shit on us like Patagucci

https://hillpeoplegear.com/Products/CategoryID/3

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Originally Posted by Mick-Boy

The REFactor ASO bag is the best travel bag I've ever used. It's not cheap but it's a very well thought out design, extremely durable and doesn't look like a cool-guy bag if you buy a non-tactical color. Oh, and they're a Colorado company.

https://www.refactortactical.com/col...nt=37069869706

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That's an awesome looking bag. I normally use a Blackhawk range bag to carry a few days of clothing, works great for me.

https://blackhawk.com/products/tacti...o-training-bag

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Originally Posted by JohnnyEgo

If you are willing to spend Go-Ruck money, I really, really like Red Oxx. USA made, Veteran owned, tough as nails without screaming 'tactical'. I have the Sky Train and the Roadster Mini Ruck, and love them both for constant travel. I would probably replace my Sky Train with the Tres Hombres if it ever wore out, but I doubt it will ever wear out, and Red Oxx has one of the best lifetime warranties I've encountered.

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Those look bomb-proof.

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Originally Posted by Mick-Boy

The REFactor ASO bag is the best travel bag I've ever used. It's not cheap but it's a very well thought out design, extremely durable and doesn't look like a cool-guy bag if you buy a non-tactical color. Oh, and they're a Colorado company.

https://www.refactortactical.com/col...nt=37069869706

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Ah that one's really growing on me. I think it's between this one and the GoRuck.

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Originally Posted by Madeinhb

Yea. Wait until July. They do Christmas in July sale usually. I like it because it's military grade bag. It holds up. Made here in US. Lifetime warranty. They patch it up or replace it if damaged. Also - I figured this was going to be my new suitcase. Suitcases can be expensive for good ones. So I went with this.

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This sounds like a good idea. I think I can wait until then to see...

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Originally Posted by rfizzle

Was just about to suggest that one [ReFactor ASO], OP just missed a sale that made it $200...
Also despite the price, you really cannot go wrong with anything GORUCK made.

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Doh. Naturally.

Thanks everyone for the ideas & suggestions!!