Aeronaut questions

I've read the available reviews and have got a fair idea about what the bag is like. I'm interested in the opinion of folks who have used the bag for a while now. Specifically- I travel for business and play - sometimes the same trip. How does the Aeronaut do for the business side. I probably do not need to pack a sport coat or suit (most of the time), but I often need to bring long sleeve dress shirts, ties, and slacks. Can this be effectively done without massively wrinkling everything?

I appreciate any advice/suggestions. I'm also looking at a Redoxx skytrain and MEI Executive Traveler.

It sounds like we pack similarly for business travel. I usually pack khakis/slacks, a few long-sleeved shirts, and a sweater. I've found the Aeronaut to work perfectly for this travel, especially when paired with a nice variety of packing cubes. The large cube fits the interior of the Aeronaut perfectly, and I usually use two there. The other advantage to the cubes is it allows you to pair up outfits, separate types of clothing, etc.

I've never had any real luck trying to avoid wrinkling no matter what I do, so I just don't worry about it anymore and iron my clothes when I arrive. I'd hardly say this is a problem with the Aeronaut, as it seems to be 'operator error'. I've just never been able to figure it out regardless of luggage type, so I quit trying.

The Aeronaut has a few nifty things that you only find after using the bag for a while. For instance, I find the handles sewn to the ends of the bag to be invaluable for pulling it out of overhead bins. The other thing I love about this bag is the obvious quality. It's just a joy to pack and carry, and I know I can pack everything I need for any length of time without having to check a bag. I haven't used the other two bags you mention.

Thanks for the reply. Sounds good. I have always been impressed by the quality of the bags. Do you have any sense of whether an Eagle Creek packing folder (for shirts) would fit in the center section of the bag? The measurements of the large packing cube would say no but one of the reviews gave the impression it would fit. I have come to be highly dependent on the folder - I need all the help I can get!

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Originally Posted by rabergnc

Thanks for the reply. Sounds good. I have always been impressed by the quality of the bags. Do you have any sense of whether an Eagle Creek packing folder (for shirts) would fit in the center section of the bag? The measurements of the large packing cube would say no but one of the reviews gave the impression it would fit. I have come to be highly dependent on the folder - I need all the help I can get!

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My 15" EC Packing folder fits fine. When I flew to Seattle in October it held three long sleeved shirts. Whether or not your clothes travel wrinkle free depends more on your method of packing than the type of bag.

I would however be reluctant to stuff a sport coat in my Aeronaut. If I had to travel with a sport coat (since I'm retired all my travel is for pleasure) I would wear it on the plane rather than pack it.

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Originally Posted by rabergnc

Do you have any sense of whether an Eagle Creek packing folder (for shirts) would fit in the center section of the bag? The measurements of the large packing cube would say no but one of the reviews gave the impression it would fit. I have come to be highly dependent on the folder - I need all the help I can get!

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One of the earliest reviews of the Aeronaut was posted some months before the packing cubes were offered and made use of a number of Eagle Creek packing products (shown in the pictures of the interior contents). Specifically, the Eagle Creek packing folder (for shirts) was used to pack a dress shirt for a wedding that the reviewer was attending.

For comparison, here's eristick's pictures of the small and large packing cubes for the Aeronaut. That's the small mesh packing cube that you see in her open Aeronaut, and the large packing cube is visible below it. Note that this bag was packed for casual travel using a modified bundle wrap method in the packing cubes.

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Originally Posted by rabergnc

I appreciate any advice/suggestions. I'm also looking at a Redoxx skytrain and MEI Executive Traveler.

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The only extensive review I've seen so far of the MEI Executive Overniter is this one at the One Bag, One World site. OBOW are supposed to review the Red Oxx Sky Train shortly (reader comments about the Sky Train design have already appeared on their forums), but in the meantime, there is a review of the Sky Train at the Travel Gear Review site.

If I had nine lives to live I'd buy Red Oxx gear. For me, Red Oxx is
simply too heavy and over-engineered for most URBAN travelers.

Red Oxx gear is really designed for hard core adventure traveling.

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Originally Posted by rabergnc

Thanks for the reply. Sounds good. I have always been impressed by the quality of the bags. Do you have any sense of whether an Eagle Creek packing folder (for shirts) would fit in the center section of the bag? The measurements of the large packing cube would say no but one of the reviews gave the impression it would fit. I have come to be highly dependent on the folder - I need all the help I can get!

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The 15" folder definitely fits. Any larger ones do not.

Thanks everyone for the replies. Useful guidance to be sure. Good to know about the Eagle Creek folder and the information about Red Oxx - I certainly fall into the "Urban" traveler category. Also on closer inspection of the available photos, the straps of the Aeronaut seem to be better designed (more ergonomically?) than those of the Red Oxx bag - at least the Aeronaut bags straps look like they would be more comfortable.

Anyone (Darcy?) have any information if other colors will be brought back or introduced any time soon? I do like the Crimson and Steel but I am a sucker for Hunter green.

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Originally Posted by rabergnc

Anyone (Darcy?) have any information if other colors will be brought back or introduced any time soon? I do like the Crimson and Steel but I am a sucker for Hunter green.

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Hunter and Grape are gone forever: for the foreseeable future, the Aeronaut will be available in colors Crimson, Steel, and Black.

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Originally Posted by Darcy

Hunter and Grape are gone forever

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Too bad about the Hunter.... Crimson it will be then!..... Actually I ordered the steel .. my wife was concerned about the crimson showing dirt more. I think she wants the crimson for herself!!

well, the last two times I packed my aeronaut(once on a plane over thanksgiving, and once last week on the bus for christmas) I packed a sport coat both times... slight wrinkles, but nothing that hanging it up in the bathroom when I showered didn't pull out...

of course, neither of those was heavily packed, just enough for a long weekend, or so of holiday revelry...


but honestly, with jacket, everything was fine, in fact, i think the jacket would have been more wrinkled fitting on the plane with me napping in it

How did you pack the coat? I have always been reluctant to try to pack a sport coat without a form of some type.

bottom level of the bundle wrap, and then my overcoat around it to tighten it down...

the "wrinkles" formed about seam that joins the arm to hte body, and steamed out during a luxurious half hour long shower:)

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Originally Posted by PM4HIRE

If I had nine lives to live I'd buy Red Oxx gear. For me, Red Oxx is simply too heavy and over-engineered for most URBAN travelers.

Red Oxx gear is really designed for hard core adventure traveling.

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I'm no expert but I did try the Air Boss and I think the folding method that uses straps like the Air Boss or Sky Train (as promoted by Doug D) is probably the best way to avoid wrinkles. I ended up with an Aeronaut because my primary goal wasn't avoiding wrinkles and I like the straps (I have not tried the Sky Train straps but reviews so far are good). If wrinkles are a top priority then I'd seriously look at anything with straps that allows you to use the folding method.

I would totally disagree about the Red Oxx gear being too heavy. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. My first impression was "How can this lightweight piece be as strong as people claim?" when I got my first product from them. I quickly realized the materials were rock solid even though they were very light. Heavy is not an accurate description imho.

As far as over-engineered, I might slightly disagree. The one piece I can see being over-engineered is the clasp for the strap which is kind of big. Other than that I see the same attention to detail and determination to make a strong sturdy product that I see with Tom Bihn products. In fact, I see very little difference in the "engineering" of the two companies since both clearly want the products to take any kind of travel abuse you or the airline throw at them.

I enjoyed my Aeronaut on my trip home for the holidays but if I were having to travel for work and needed to make sure I avoided wrinkles I'd probably look at getting a Sky Train or maybe the MEI pack with straps. I might even give the Air Boss another try.

I decided to go ahead and order the Aeronaut. Should be here late next week or thereabouts. I can avoid dress shirt wrinkles with the Eagle Creek folder - I've used it for a number of years and have gotten pretty good at using it. Pants are easy as well. Typically I wear or carry the sport coat. If I ever need a suit, I'll deal with that then! One of the sites (One Bag?) suggested a having both a bag for business and for leisure travel. Maybe that's the route I'll go if it comes to it....