More thoughts on the Aeronaut

For regular vacation trips I'm comfortable with my medium cafe bag as a second bag but when I go away for research for example, I need not only to pack clothes for a month (not difficult for me) but also need to bring laptop and possibly a couple of books. I thought the ID might work for me but my body rejected it :(

I think in those cases I'll end up bringing a Smart Alec and carry the aeronaut by its handle (not uncomfortable if it's not too heavy).

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Originally Posted by peregrina

For regular vacation trips I'm comfortable with my medium cafe bag as a second bag but when I go away for research for example, I need not only to pack clothes for a month (not difficult for me) but also need to bring laptop and possibly a couple of books. I thought the ID might work for me but my body rejected it :(

I think in those cases I'll end up bringing a Smart Alec and carry the aeronaut by its handle (not uncomfortable if it's not too heavy).

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Was the ID too heavy/uncomfortable? I've been considering an Ego/Super Ego for that larger personal item. Oh, and I've got a large cafe bag on the way.

I don't think the ID would be uncomfortable to anyone used to a messenger bag. My problem is that I have a weaker lower back and although I'm fine carrying my medium cafe bag hanging across my body and the occasional shoulder bag, carrying a fully-packed ID made my back uncomfortable at the end of the day. I think for me a backpack works better for distributing the weight.

It depends on what you are used to...

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Originally Posted by peregrina

I don't think the ID would be uncomfortable to anyone used to a messenger bag. My problem is that I have a weaker lower back and although I'm fine carrying my medium cafe bag hanging across my body and the occasional shoulder bag, carrying a fully-packed ID made my back uncomfortable at the end of the day. I think for me a backpack works better for distributing the weight.

It depends on what you are used to...

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So how will that work when you have to carry your Aeronaut and have your Smart Alec on your back? The extra weight on one side can really throw your back off. (Sorry, had to put that out there, I work in Neurosurgery and am always harping on patients to strengthen their core and equally distribute weight, esp when they have back pain.) Of course keeping the Aeronaut lightweight makes all the difference, as I painfully experienced.

I know... I thought of that... I think the problem with the ID was having it hanging across my body. I actually don't find it too hard to carry the Aeronaut - provided it doesn't weight 30lb - holding the handle and putting it down every time I stop. If I need to carry it a longer distance, I might actually pick it up and sort of hug it. Not ideal but I wouldn't be doing this (traveling with both bags) too often... I sometimes see backpackers traveling with their big backpack on their back and a smaller backpack on the front. Not sure how comfortable that is but it does seem balanced...

I'm definitely working on strengthening my core with some yoga and pilates. We'll see how that goes... ;)

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Originally Posted by Nuke

One of the benifits of being a larger guy is that the rule of thumb that a bag shouldn't be more than 10% of your body weight means I get to carry more stuff.

I regularly load my Aeronaut to 25 lbs or so; I can carry that much weight rather easily. I do find that the backpack straps are better at the heavier wieght. I am still on the lookout for reducing some of my load, but the Aeronaut holds it well.

I love using the packing cubes (1 large, 2 small). They make it very easy to pack and repack at a moments notice.

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This is the first I have heard of the 10% rule. I weigh 128 lbs. so that would limit me to about 13 lbs., which makes sense. When a bag is heavy I find a shoulder strap uncomfortable. But there is a limit that a person can carry comfortably -- it's not only size. Thank you for your post.

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Originally Posted by peregrina

I know... I thought of that... I think the problem with the ID was having it hanging across my body. I actually don't find it too hard to carry the Aeronaut - provided it doesn't weight 30lb - holding the handle and putting it down every time I stop. If I need to carry it a longer distance, I might actually pick it up and sort of hug it. Not ideal but I wouldn't be doing this (traveling with both bags) too often... I sometimes see backpackers traveling with their big backpack on their back and a smaller backpack on the front. Not sure how comfortable that is but it does seem balanced...

I'm definitely working on strengthening my core with some yoga and pilates. We'll see how that goes... ;)

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Someone once posted they put their messenger bag on first then use the backpack straps of the Aeronaut over the top. I have not tried that yet but that might help.

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Originally Posted by peregrina

For regular vacation trips I'm comfortable with my medium cafe bag as a second bag but when I go away for research for example, I need not only to pack clothes for a month (not difficult for me) but also need to bring laptop and possibly a couple of books. I thought the ID might work for me but my body rejected it :(

I think in those cases I'll end up bringing a Smart Alec and carry the aeronaut by its handle (not uncomfortable if it's not too heavy).

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How does the medium cafe bag work for your personal item? I've ordered a large, but the punch is on back-order till June now! Just wondering if I can cram everything into a slightly smaller bag (water bottle included).

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Originally Posted by MsMoon

How does the medium cafe bag work for your personal item? I've ordered a large, but the punch is on back-order till June now! Just wondering if I can cram everything into a slightly smaller bag (water bottle included).

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Never mind, I see your photos:
http://www.tombihn.com/forums/showth...er+bottle+cafe
And these:
http://www.tombihn.com/forums/showth...er+bottle+cafe

Tom Bihn must have heard my cries, as there is now a waist strap retrofit kit available for the Aeronaut (and Western Flyer)! I think I'm more excited about this than anything else! (OK, almost)