TLDR
The Western Flyer is a three-way carry travel bag designed with the super organized, minimalist business traveler in mind. It is the smallest of our main carry-on travel bag options behind the Tri-Star, Aeronaut, and Techonaut.
- 2 main compartments of equal size and 6 O-rings
- 3 exterior pockets in the front panel
- Carry as a briefcase, backpack, or shoulder bag
- Personal item carry-on friendly for most airlines
Full Description
Two Main Compartments
The Western Flyer has two main compartments of equal size. The front compartment has 2 O-rings and a vertical divider that zips out of the way if it's not wanted. We recommend storing your clothes in a Western Flyer Packing Cube which is designed to fit in these compartments. Either half of the divided front compartment can fit a pair of shoes in a Packing Cube Shoulder Bag. The undivided back compartment also has 2 O-rings and is an ideal place to store your laptop in a Cache.
3 Front Exterior Organizational Pockets
On the left are two horizontal zippered pockets with an O-ring in each. One of the O-rings includes an 8" Key Strap, which is useful for tethering and keeping track of your keys or your AirPods. On the other O-ring, you can attach our Mystery Organizer Pouches or Ghost Whale Organizer Pouches. The top zippered pocket spans the full height of the bag and the bottom pocket goes about halfway.
On the right is a curved zippered pocket that is useful for storing a boarding pass when unzipped partially. Unzip it entirely, it's an expandable water bottle pocket. The bellows that make the pocket expandable can be snapped up so your water bottle doesn't fall out, or unsnapped to allow greater access to the pocket.
Ways to Carry the Western Flyer
Backpack
Want to carry the Western Flyer like a backpack? Untuck the hideaway backpack straps (same as those on our Aeronaut and Tri-Star) from the back compartment and snap on the bottom of the straps. They're our Edgeless Shoulder Straps and feature a 3/4" removable sternum strap and an optional (not included with this bag) 1" removable gatekeeper waist strap. Both the sternum and waist straps are simple webbing straps designed to help distribute weight and stabilize the bag to your body.
Shoulder Bag
The attachment points for an optional shoulder strap are offset on the Western Flyer to provide the best balance and comfort, should you carry the bag with a shoulder strap. We recommend using the Absolute Shoulder Strap with the Western Flyer if comfort is your primary concern. You also have the option of using any shoulder strap you already have that attaches to D-rings.
Briefcase
A single comfortable, padded handle made from PORON® foam sits directly above the center of gravity for maximum comfort, stability, and balance.
What's Included
8" Snaphook/Snaphook Key Strap
As with most of our bags, we've included a key strap. 8" long from tip-to-tip, a snaphook on either end. Good for attaching your keys to.
Cord Zipper Pulls
A set of pulls to extend, quiet, or replace your metal pulls.
What's Optional
Absolute Shoulder Strap
If you want to shoulder carry, the Absolute Shoulder Strap is the best choice for the Western Flyer.
Western Flyer Packing Cube
We recommend organizing your clothes and shoes in a Western Flyer Packing Cube. Cinch it down with the included tie-down straps for extra security.
Packing Cube Shoulder Bag
You can also store your shoes in a Packing Cube Shoulder Bag and store it on either half of the divided compartment. The Packing Cube Shoulder Bag will fit up to a size 12 in men's.
Freudian Slip
Love organizing and want even more pockets? The Tri-Star/Western Flyer Freudian Slip adds an additional eleven organizational pockets to your bag. One side of the Freudian Slip has two folder pockets that can fit folders/papers horizontally or vertically. The other side has two flat zippered pockets, four pen slots, two pockets sized for your wallet or phone, and a credit card slot.
Cache
The Western Flyer can accommodate a wide range of devices. If you plan on putting a laptop or smaller tablet in the interior banded open-top pocket, we recommend adding a Cache.
The Western Flyer has two main compartments of equal size. The front compartment has 2 O-rings and a vertical divider that zips out of the way if it's not wanted. We recommend storing your clothes in a Western Flyer Packing Cube which is designed to fit in these compartments. Either half of the divided front compartment can fit a pair of shoes in a Packing Cube Shoulder Bag. The undivided back compartment also has 2 O-rings and is an ideal place to store your laptop in a Cache.
On the left are two horizontal zippered pockets with an O-ring in each. One of the O-rings includes an 8" Key Strap, which is useful for tethering and keeping track of your keys or your AirPods. On the other O-ring, you can attach our Mystery Organizer Pouches or Ghost Whale Organizer Pouches. The top zippered pocket spans the full height of the bag and the bottom pocket goes about halfway.
On the right is a curved zippered pocket that is useful for storing a boarding pass when unzipped partially. Unzip it entirely, it's an expandable water bottle pocket. The bellows that make the pocket expandable can be snapped up so your water bottle doesn't fall out, or unsnapped to allow greater access to the pocket.
Backpack
Want to carry the Western Flyer like a backpack? Untuck the hideaway backpack straps (same as those on our Aeronaut and Tri-Star) from the back compartment and snap on the bottom of the straps. They're our Edgeless Shoulder Straps and feature a 3/4" removable sternum strap and an optional (not included with this bag) 1" removable gatekeeper waist strap. Both the sternum and waist straps are simple webbing straps designed to help distribute weight and stabilize the bag to your body.
Shoulder Bag
The attachment points for an optional shoulder strap are offset on the Western Flyer to provide the best balance and comfort, should you carry the bag with a shoulder strap. We recommend using the Absolute Shoulder Strap with the Western Flyer if comfort is your primary concern. You also have the option of using any shoulder strap you already have that attaches to D-rings.
Briefcase
A single comfortable, padded handle made from PORON® foam sits directly above the center of gravity for maximum comfort, stability, and balance.
8" Snaphook/Snaphook Key Strap
As with most of our bags, we've included a key strap. 8" long from tip-to-tip, a snaphook on either end. Good for attaching your keys to.
Cord Zipper Pulls
A set of pulls to extend, quiet, or replace your metal pulls.
Absolute Shoulder Strap
If you want to shoulder carry, the Absolute Shoulder Strap is the best choice for the Western Flyer.
Western Flyer Packing Cube
We recommend organizing your clothes and shoes in a Western Flyer Packing Cube. Cinch it down with the included tie-down straps for extra security.
Packing Cube Shoulder Bag
You can also store your shoes in a Packing Cube Shoulder Bag and store it on either half of the divided compartment. The Packing Cube Shoulder Bag will fit up to a size 12 in men's.
Freudian Slip
Love organizing and want even more pockets? The Tri-Star/Western Flyer Freudian Slip adds an additional eleven organizational pockets to your bag. One side of the Freudian Slip has two folder pockets that can fit folders/papers horizontally or vertically. The other side has two flat zippered pockets, four pen slots, two pockets sized for your wallet or phone, and a credit card slot.
Cache
The Western Flyer can accommodate a wide range of devices. If you plan on putting a laptop or smaller tablet in the interior banded open-top pocket, we recommend adding a Cache.
Still Have Questions?
- emailus@tombihn.com
- Call 1-800-729-9607
- Ask in our Forums
Materials
Exterior Fabrics
U.S. high tenacity 1050 denier ballistic nylon
— or —
bluesign® certified High-Tenacity 2x2 Ballistic nylon
Interior Fabrics
bluesign® and OEKO-TEX® certified 200 denier Halcyon/nylon ripstop
Zippers
#10 YKK Racquet-Coil water-repellent zippers with lockable sliders on main compartments
#8 YKK Racquet-Coil water-repellent zippers on face pockets
Handle
PORON® foam handle
Other Components
Tough Duraflex®, Nexus, and Woojin buckles and related components
Specs
Dimensions
17.9" (w) x 12" (h) x 7.1" (d) / 455 (w) x 305 (h) x 180 (d) mm
Weight
1050d high tenacity ballistic nylon: 2 lb 10 oz / 1200 grams
525d high tenacity ballistic nylon: 2 lb 8 oz / 1130 grams
Volume
26 liters / 1600 cu. in. (ASTM Standard Measure)
Total O-Rings
6 (2 in the front main compartment, 2 in the back main compartment, 1 in the top front zippered pocket, 1 in the bottom front zippered pocket)
- Sarah T.Verified BuyerBought For MyselfProduct Standouts Thoughtful Design, High Quality Craftsmanship, Durable2 weeks agoBought For MyselfProduct Standouts Thoughtful Design, High Quality Craftsmanship, DurableRated 4 out of 5 starsAirplane personal carry-on for 3 week trip
My driver to the airport remarked positively about the Western Flyer on both pick-up and drop off. I imagine he handles a lot of luggage. I wanted the WF so I could manage my baggage myself, and so chose this item with backpack straps and clamshell design. I needed something to complement my roller case that I typically put in the overhead, and the WF seemed like it would be good for my laptop, iPad, chargers, passport, plus additional clothing. It held a lot, but I wish it had more pockets and a side pocket for a bottle, not the top pocket it says can hold a water bottle. I found getting my laptop and iPad out for security inspection awkward. Yes, I should have bought the extra sleeve, but detaching sleeves is one more thing to deal with in a crowded airline security line. I really couldn’t make the compartment that had a dividing zipper work for me when I was using the WF as a backpack. I just left it unzipped. I used the mystery pouch for storing some jewelry, and that was fine, but would it be possible to have the pouch with an elastic cord that allowed you to take it out without detaching? The good news about the WF was that the airlines (mostly British Airways) did treat it as my personal carry-on, and I could also bring my roller case aboard. I purchased the shoulder strap for added flexibility, but as I am short, I found the backpack straps worked better. The materials and workmanship are excellent, and the concept of add on containers to be fastened to…
Was this helpful? - Gwynne H.Verified BuyerBought For MyselfProduct Standouts Good Storage Size, High Quality Craftsmanship2 weeks agoBought For MyselfProduct Standouts Good Storage Size, High Quality CraftsmanshipRated 5 out of 5 starsAn excellent carry-on choice
The usual impeccable design and construction is married to the perfect size for EU budget carry-on rules. At the time of writing it's exactly the right size for Easyjet under seat carry-on (less than 45 x 36 x 20 cm); Aeronaut 30 and Tristar being sadly too big. Nevertheless the two main compartments can hold a surprising amount of stuff whilst importantly retaining the overall shape of the bag. An excellent choice for this use; bonus points for the three main means to carry and the end grab handle makes under-seat retrieval so much easier.
Was this helpful? - A.L.Verified BuyerBought For MyselfProduct Standouts High Quality Craftsmanship, Sewn in USA, Compact, High Quality Finishings, Unique2 weeks agoBought For MyselfProduct Standouts High Quality Craftsmanship, Sewn in USA, Compact, High Quality Finishings, UniqueRated 3 out of 5 starsA Classic, In Need of an Update
I’m a Class of ’24 Bihn-ion, using the Western Flyer (WF) for about 3 months. Sadly, it’s a 3-star bag that I find myself passing up for other luggage in my collection. The 1050 Ballistic Coyote colorway is beautiful – rich depth of color and smooth yet supple and durable hand feel. The rectangular shape provides more usable space than the Synapse line, and it I can pack in more than the 26L would imply. Dual flat compartments are nice for separating business clothes from shoes and notebooks.
I’m always happy to pack the bag up and get on the road with it, until about 20 minutes into my adventure. When loaded out between 18-20 lbs., I notice the edgeless straps dig into my shoulders. The bag never felt close enough to my body or high enough on my back. The straps need to be wider and firmer. Frankly any bag over 25L should come with load lifters but no bag in the TB lineup comes with that option. The WF also doesn’t have an option for a padded waist belt.
The WF is probably better as a road/car companion. If you use it like a travel backpack in an airport or city commuting on transit, I think you’ll be let down. Unfortunately, I don’t think TB offers a bag with the WF’s redeeming qualities that ALSO solve the problems I experienced.
Any bag lover can relate to the feeling of a bag “speaking to you,” and if this one does that, go for it! I guess, sometimes we make excuses for the things we love. The WF will be in my collection but there are better options for 2–5-day…
Was this helpful? - Daniel O.Verified BuyerBought For MyselfProduct Standouts High Quality Craftsmanship, High Quality Finishings, Thoughtful Design, Versatile, Compact1 month agoBought For MyselfProduct Standouts High Quality Craftsmanship, High Quality Finishings, Thoughtful Design, Versatile, CompactRated 5 out of 5 starsBought for recent vacation. Excellent
We purchased two of these for recent trip that required smaller carry on bags for sub-trip around Europe. These were prefext and lightweight, and when using your accessories, they made our trip much more enjoyable.
Was this helpful? - Michael L.Verified BuyerBought For MyselfProduct Standouts High Quality Craftsmanship, Durable, Good Storage Size, Versatile, Thoughtful Design1 month agoBought For MyselfProduct Standouts High Quality Craftsmanship, Durable, Good Storage Size, Versatile, Thoughtful DesignRated 5 out of 5 starsGreat Bag
Great bag. Multiple ways to carry. Strap, book bag, as briefcase. Blue interior makes it easy to find items in pockets. Solid construction. Wished there was a dedicated space for laptop as oversized bag means device might move around. I like that is large and will fit under seat on plane. I can use this for travel as personal item and carry to work everyday.
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Sewn in Seattle
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