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i don't know if i can ask this here, so moderators, i can delete this if you want but i just wanted to know if any tom binh fans also have the air boss by red oxx? i had a good look at this bag, it does look nice but a lot of clunky hard ware all over the bag. a lot of colours, heavier than the aeronaut. no backpack straps but still...man....this bag is just very intriguing. i would not mind buying one. any opinions on this bag? just curious.....
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2) Linking to and discussing other bag manufacturers in the right context is perfectly acceptable. If you're trying to decide between different brands of bags, or if you need to ask a whether a different manufacturers bag or accessory will work with a TOM BIHN bag, feel free to discuss or link. Posting a review or an in-depth discussion strictly about another manufacturers product is best kept to that particular manufacturers forum or website. We try to stay as on-topic as possible, and the topic here is TOM BIHN bags.
Blackfungi, thanks for the kick in the rump. I have both bags and was going to post a comparison/review of the Aeronaut vs. the Boss. I already did the Co-Pilot vs. the Gator.
Guess it's time to finish it! (Spoiler: my new-this-summer Aeronaut is a foot away, half packed for my flight home to SEA on Friday. My Boss is dusty and in my Seattle closet. It's been there since July!)
yeah, a comparison of the two bags.
thanks for that.Quote:
Originally Posted by Just
You can also check the forums of the One Bag, One World site for discussions. Here's an example to give you a flavor of the comparisons (this thread mentions a few different products). Also note that since the earlier threads, the Aeronaut has added compression straps that can be removed.Quote:
Originally Posted by Just
moriond
Excellent! One of the posts on the One Bag forum sums up my thoughts exactly:Quote:
Originally Posted by moriond
I couldn't have said it better myself. :)Quote:
Second, there are lots of little design tweaks in the Aeronaut which make it carry and "hang" better. It doesn't bulge, even when fully packed. It stays slim. It carrys well, both on the shoulder, the back and in the hand. (The odd shape of the opening to the main compartment is partly responsible--there is a reason it is the way it is.)
I tried the RO Air Boss and sent it back (which wasn't as easy as I hoped but it did go through). I think it's a good bag but I found out that I really don't like having something heavy on one shoulder or hand. It's possible that I over packed the Air Boss but the fact still remains I had no backpack straps so my only option was to carry it on one side. I have the Aeronaut and it also gets uncomfortable to me when I carry it on the side but I do have the option to put it on my back so it wins for me.Quote:
Originally Posted by blackfungi
It's an interesting bag. If you didn't over pack it the weight can be kept down. And if you don't mind carrying the weight on one side then it might work for you. Just a matter of knowing your own personal likes/dislikes.
I was planning on getting a Red Oxx bag, having first seen the brand on Doug Dyment's Onebag.com website. I'm glad I hesitated. Yes, I expected that I would have bought the Air Boss, but just from what I've read on it - it's heavy, a little large for my needs, and has a tendency to expand when packed fully. I wanted something that would keep it's overall shape and wouldn't become overly cumbersome to carry when it was full.
THEN I happened upon www.1bag1world.com and saw the Tom Bihn Western Flyer that Brad used for his travels to Europe. I really liked what he had to say about the bag and the other reviews he posted of Tom Bihn's products. I found excellent write up's on Practical Hacks and even Tactical Gearhead while doigna Google search.
So having never owned a Red Oxx bag - I happily admit I'm glad I never got one. (Hope that makes sense.) :)
the air boss is a lovely bag but it has no hidden backpack straps. the boss is super heavy duty, very rough looking. a bit heavier than the tom binh bags. the main selling point for me were the backpack straps by tom, they are just superbly made and they look like those that come with the professionally backpacks made by north face gregory or arcteryx and tom binh bags look great, great design, near minimalistic on the outside.
I own many TB bags and I use a RO bag for going to the gym every day so I'm familiar with the general quality of both. Both are going to last a very long time so durability is really not an issue. But I think TB has a more "refined" finish. I somewhat hate to say that since it sounds like the RO bags are inferior in some way but it's the best way I can describe it. My RO gym bag takes a tremendous beating and is still looking fresh and ready to go, but it can't meet the nice refined looks of my TB bags.
Put it this way, I bought a RO Gator years ago and enjoy it but I will probably buty a co-pilot tonight just because I think TB does it better.
I bought both the Air Boss and the Aeronaut at the same time because I couldn't decide. When they arrived, I did a test pack and ended up selling the Air Boss to a friend.
The Air Boss seems best suited to traditional business travel -- bundle-packing business clothes, and maybe a laptop and some gadgets. No surprise, given its pedigree.
For what I do, I need a flexible space to work with (I often have to carry microphones and other audio equipment along with my clothes, and I never fully unpack my bag when traveling), and the Aeronaut's "intelligent duffel bag" design suits me better. (I'd pick the Aeronaut over the Tri-Star or Western Flyer for the same reason.)
Personally, I like the look of the Air Boss, but that's personal taste for you. I did buy one of their Aviator duffel bags and I love it.