I have the western flyer and I love it. I use one medium packing cube with it and an eagle creek compression envelope. It’s usually all I need for travel. I’ve used it on a two week trip to Germany and Italy…it also fits well in an overhead compartment on small airplanes.
for those wondering - i've been able to use this for business travel. especially when i can wear my dress shoes and a blazer on the plane. winter is TBD but i think i'll be able to fit 2x blazers in the back (with the large mesh packing cube) and maybe the shoes in the front larger compartment. Middle is always laptop cache and snake charmer duty. front zipped up sections for the things i need to work in the airport like my phones etc. rolling the shirts and underwear etc and shoving in the corners is working for me, as is using only one pair of Outlier pants for each trip. if i was packing differently i suppose it wouldn't work, and probably wouldn't work for longer trips though you can always get a separate bag for under the seat
Gotta keep them pants on!! That aside, been subbed for a couple of years from some Reddit post years back, this pushed me to spend $185 less on a large capacity carry-on. LOVE YA BB.
The problem with the Tom Bihn Tri Star is that it looks like it is going to be over the size limit for a lot of the new carry on size regulations. Another issue is when people see good bag "organization" I see lack of flexibility and this becomes even more crucial with smaller bags. All of the extra compartments and pockets actually makes the Tri Star and bags like it less useful for some people, not more. For any given external dimensions the more internal compartments you have just means you're sacrificing bag space and it's cutting what could be larger compartments into smaller ones. With larger compartments I can always sub divide them myself into smaller compartments with packing cubes and the like but I can't make a small compartment larger. As a true "one bag" I think this makes bags like the Red Oxx style bag here actually superior (for it's external dimensions at least).
I cant be the only one who was shocked to see you in undies 😂😂😂😂!! But then you explained about your baby. It’s a dad thing. Great review Chase! Cant find such in depth reviews anywhere on the Internet!
Another great and really useful review Chase. Getting to a single bag for travel is so hard, but important for those one night business trips. Tom Bihn makes excellent bags.
I wish I had tons of dough to throw around buying Tom Bihn stuff. That tri-star and western flyer look very nice and professional. Thanks again for some awesome reviews, undies an all lol
Here is where you can purchase the Gregory Bag. (sometimes if you search the images, there will be a link attached to the image) global.rakuten.com/en/store/wannado/item/grg-cvt-on-msn-hd/
I think that internal pocket inside the main compartment of the air boss could be used to put what's in your pockets (wallet, cell phone, keys, etc.) and hang outside the bag as it goes through the X-ray machine. At least that's what I think it could be used for. To bring up the Pakt One bag, it has such a pocket. The Pakt One is done by Malcom Frontier and it's a rebirth of his original bag. Those "minimalist guys" made it famous again with their documentary. Malcolm also brought them in on the project for it's rebirth. I'm a big fan of it as I was an early bird purchaser of the Pakt One on Indiegogo. In my mind it beats all four of the bags in your review, though, that doesn't take away from the review itself. I dig Red Oxx and would have gone with the air boss if the Pakt One wasn't around. Tom Bihn does great work, too, but I agree with the "dad" bag comment, as I think that describes all of Tom Bihn bags. If the air boss had backpack straps it would the go to bag in your video. It's a toss up between air boss and tom bihn. I don't think the Gregory belongs in this category for materials, build quality, etc. But, to each their own. Nice review.
Kevin Ankin My thoughts went to the Red Oxx Sky Train as a more comparable bag in regards to the backpack straps. Still, a great review and happy to see a Red Oxx bag up there.
Wow, audio went way out of sync towards the end, but good review Chase! These are close in design to the Pakt bag by the minimalist guys (basically laptop in the middle of two halves of a duffel-like bag) - would love to see you review that bag when you’re back from Mexico!
Chase, thanks for the review. How much do you like the Tristar? It looks like it has it all. The Tristar doesn't make the cut on website favorites(?). I'd like to start traveling - and with 1 bad (backpack). I'm a woman, 5'2". Do you think the Tristar would work on an extended vacation, and for me? Would Peak Design be good for me? I hope you're able to answer this question. (It's been a while since you posted this.)
On the larger Tom Bihn. The top pocket seems too small for boarding ticket, etc, and too small for decent size water bottle. And if you do use it for a water bottle, well, you certainly have lost that pocket for anything else. It's a sleek bag. But easy access, roomy outer pockets, were sacrificed for that sleek look.
If the Tom Bihn came with the packing cubes it would be an absolute no-brainer. The profit margin on those things is insane. I can't find a link for the Gregory bag either. Where did you get it?! I found the Gregory bag on Huckberry. Only Black and Green, though. It is a nice bag but just a tad small for me at the moment. I bit the bullet and bought the Tom Bihn.
3 year update, I bought both and have never used the Tom Bihn once. I traveled for months multiple times with the Gregory bag and it shows absolutely no wear. It is near flawless. I may never need to search for a bag again.
I saw the Gregory today for the first time. Was tempted to buy it "on sale" in Seoul ... somehow 50% off was still $150. Korea jacks the prices up of imported shit. Do you think getting a pair of shoes in there would work? it seems like there's a little bit of space to work with in the main compartment, between where you put your clothes and the organizer pockets. Seems like you could fit a folded blazer in there, or maybe even shoes? Or like shoes in the clothing area, and then throw one of those Eagle Creek shirt guys in the middle area?
Damnit Chase! Now I need a tristar and packing cube/backpack for my one bag (business) travel setup. Just a question though (although I'm guessing the answer is yes) Can you fit the laptop cache into the cube/backpack without it being too floppy or messy looking? That would be the ideal setup
Chase Reeves thanks for the response. Do you feel the material of the packingcube is more durable than it looks? Can’t really find any good info on durability but at least looks firmer than a pack away ikea backpack
Are bags made outside the US are of lesser quality? Is it because of quality control or US workers are just better at making bags considering all materials are the same?
Ian Gylan Not all materials are created equally, for example, at Red Oxx we use only US sourced raw materials and quality check every roll of cordura, web and zipper we receive. But also the pride and care that go into building our gear and making sure it’s thoroughly checked before it leaves our factory is no less important.
Thanks for replying. Red Oxx bags are awesome looking. Would love to get one myself. I got a mystery ranch backpack which I use for everything though not the one made in the US. Red Oxx should be on the top of my list when I go shop for another bag with a bigger volume.
I would love to see you review the Tough Traveler TRI-ZIP and Mountain Equipment (MEI) Executive Over Nighter. Both are travel bags that can be carried like a backpack, with a shoulder straps, and handles. They date back to there origins in the 70's way before you ever heard of one bag travel. Both have been given good reviews by One Bag, One World and other magazines. Both are made in the USA. What do you think. They very much remind me of the Tom Bihn Tristar. www.meipacks.com/products/executive-overnighter www.toughtraveler.com/lug/travel.asp#trizip Love your reviews. Definitely the best reviews out there. They are both informative and entertaining.
Totally don’t care that you did the video in your underwear, but I’m a medical professional and have a very comfortable relationship with the human body. Do your thing.
I have the western flyer and I love it. I use one medium packing cube with it and an eagle creek compression envelope. It’s usually all I need for travel. I’ve used it on a two week trip to Germany and Italy…it also fits well in an overhead compartment on small airplanes.
for those wondering - i've been able to use this for business travel. especially when i can wear my dress shoes and a blazer on the plane. winter is TBD but i think i'll be able to fit 2x blazers in the back (with the large mesh packing cube) and maybe the shoes in the front larger compartment. Middle is always laptop cache and snake charmer duty. front zipped up sections for the things i need to work in the airport like my phones etc. rolling the shirts and underwear etc and shoving in the corners is working for me, as is using only one pair of Outlier pants for each trip. if i was packing differently i suppose it wouldn't work, and probably wouldn't work for longer trips though you can always get a separate bag for under the seat
Great video, Chase! I guess this is what happens when you put all of your clothes in the bags for the video...
Gotta keep them pants on!! That aside, been subbed for a couple of years from some Reddit post years back, this pushed me to spend $185 less on a large capacity carry-on. LOVE YA BB.
Yo Chase, can we get a review of the Red Oxx Sky Train??
The problem with the Tom Bihn Tri Star is that it looks like it is going to be over the size limit for a lot of the new carry on size regulations. Another issue is when people see good bag "organization" I see lack of flexibility and this becomes even more crucial with smaller bags. All of the extra compartments and pockets actually makes the Tri Star and bags like it less useful for some people, not more. For any given external dimensions the more internal compartments you have just means you're sacrificing bag space and it's cutting what could be larger compartments into smaller ones. With larger compartments I can always sub divide them myself into smaller compartments with packing cubes and the like but I can't make a small compartment larger. As a true "one bag" I think this makes bags like the Red Oxx style bag here actually superior (for it's external dimensions at least).
I cant be the only one who was shocked to see you in undies 😂😂😂😂!! But then you explained about your baby. It’s a dad thing. Great review Chase! Cant find such in depth reviews anywhere on the Internet!
yep. took my second time around to notice that but hey, it's cool!
Another great and really useful review Chase. Getting to a single bag for travel is so hard, but important for those one night business trips. Tom Bihn makes excellent bags.
I wish I had tons of dough to throw around buying Tom Bihn stuff. That tri-star and western flyer look very nice and professional. Thanks again for some awesome reviews, undies an all lol
Here is where you can purchase the Gregory Bag. (sometimes if you search the images, there will be a link attached to the image)
global.rakuten.com/en/store/wannado/item/grg-cvt-on-msn-hd/
I think that internal pocket inside the main compartment of the air boss could be used to put what's in your pockets (wallet, cell phone, keys, etc.) and hang outside the bag as it goes through the X-ray machine. At least that's what I think it could be used for. To bring up the Pakt One bag, it has such a pocket. The Pakt One is done by Malcom Frontier and it's a rebirth of his original bag. Those "minimalist guys" made it famous again with their documentary. Malcolm also brought them in on the project for it's rebirth. I'm a big fan of it as I was an early bird purchaser of the Pakt One on Indiegogo. In my mind it beats all four of the bags in your review, though, that doesn't take away from the review itself. I dig Red Oxx and would have gone with the air boss if the Pakt One wasn't around. Tom Bihn does great work, too, but I agree with the "dad" bag comment, as I think that describes all of Tom Bihn bags. If the air boss had backpack straps it would the go to bag in your video. It's a toss up between air boss and tom bihn. I don't think the Gregory belongs in this category for materials, build quality, etc. But, to each their own. Nice review.
Kevin Ankin My thoughts went to the Red Oxx Sky Train as a more comparable bag in regards to the backpack straps. Still, a great review and happy to see a Red Oxx bag up there.
Great review Chase!! going towards the Tristar, i got a Synapse 25 already thanks to your review!!!
Man oh man... need to clean my eyeBALLS 😳
Great video but not helping with my bag buying addiction!
Wow, audio went way out of sync towards the end, but good review Chase! These are close in design to the Pakt bag by the minimalist guys (basically laptop in the middle of two halves of a duffel-like bag) - would love to see you review that bag when you’re back from Mexico!
Chase, thanks for the review. How much do you like the Tristar? It looks like it has it all. The Tristar doesn't make the cut on website favorites(?). I'd like to start traveling - and with 1 bad (backpack). I'm a woman, 5'2". Do you think the Tristar would work on an extended vacation, and for me? Would Peak Design be good for me? I hope you're able to answer this question. (It's been a while since you posted this.)
Thanks for the review. Definitely been looking for bag like that Tom Bihn, can't wait to pick one up.
Man that Red Oxx "claw" strap on a loaded out bag literally tears the skin on my shoulder. I found it to be terrible for carrying any kind of distance
I would love to see a review of the allpa 35l (cotopaxi) from you !
Superb review! Special thanks for showing bags in all positions on yourself.
Awesome review once again! Love seeing your videos pop up in my feed. I hope you’re having an awesome vacation!
You forgot the Topo designs 3 day... killer 3 way bag
So glad you don’t go commando! Great comparo between the bags. Subbed!
Yo Chase, I like the way you pack those trunks...
Did Chase do a full review on the Western Flyer?
Great video Chase as usual. I would like to know how the big tri-star compares capacity-wise to the Aer travel pack
The big tri star is probably very similar capacity to the Aer travel pack. Great comparison actually.
On the larger Tom Bihn. The top pocket seems too small for boarding ticket, etc, and too small for decent size water bottle. And if you do use it for a water bottle, well, you certainly have lost that pocket for anything else. It's a sleek bag. But easy access, roomy outer pockets, were sacrificed for that sleek look.
If the Tom Bihn came with the packing cubes it would be an absolute no-brainer. The profit margin on those things is insane. I can't find a link for the Gregory bag either. Where did you get it?! I found the Gregory bag on Huckberry. Only Black and Green, though. It is a nice bag but just a tad small for me at the moment. I bit the bullet and bought the Tom Bihn.
3 year update, I bought both and have never used the Tom Bihn once. I traveled for months multiple times with the Gregory bag and it shows absolutely no wear. It is near flawless. I may never need to search for a bag again.
Omg I have been craving a new video for so long. Now it's here
I see you've already got the junk bag. Anyhoo, I like Tom Bihn and Redoxx very much.
Hi Chase , where do you got ur beige wristband from?
I saw the Gregory today for the first time. Was tempted to buy it "on sale" in Seoul ... somehow 50% off was still $150. Korea jacks the prices up of imported shit.
Do you think getting a pair of shoes in there would work? it seems like there's a little bit of space to work with in the main compartment, between where you put your clothes and the organizer pockets. Seems like you could fit a folded blazer in there, or maybe even shoes? Or like shoes in the clothing area, and then throw one of those Eagle Creek shirt guys in the middle area?
A pair of minimal shoes would work probably. Blazer or shirt thing between the sections, yes, that would probably work.
Thank you. I am subscribed. Good flo. And I just realized that you did this in your chones. classic!
Chase, can you also review the dongle *ROD*ney pocket in your undies? hahaha :)
Shout out Rhode Island!
You know I'll never be able to un-see that? You know what I'm talking about...
Dude you should start posting every week
Where to get that Gregory though!!
lol the chonies, btw where i can get that chonies?
Damnit Chase! Now I need a tristar and packing cube/backpack for my one bag (business) travel setup. Just a question though (although I'm guessing the answer is yes) Can you fit the laptop cache into the cube/backpack without it being too floppy or messy looking? That would be the ideal setup
Yea you can... one man’s floppy is another man’s not-bad, so you’ll have to be the judge of that.
Chase Reeves thanks for the response. Do you feel the material of the packingcube is more durable than it looks? Can’t really find any good info on durability but at least looks firmer than a pack away ikea backpack
Love your videos. Very soothing.
I see no link to the chonies... 😜 haha
Are bags made outside the US are of lesser quality? Is it because of quality control or US workers are just better at making bags considering all materials are the same?
Ian Gylan Not all materials are created equally, for example, at Red Oxx we use only US sourced raw materials and quality check every roll of cordura, web and zipper we receive. But also the pride and care that go into building our gear and making sure it’s thoroughly checked before it leaves our factory is no less important.
Thanks for replying. Red Oxx bags are awesome looking. Would love to get one myself. I got a mystery ranch backpack which I use for everything though not the one made in the US. Red Oxx should be on the top of my list when I go shop for another bag with a bigger volume.
17:38 Good for acknowledging you were ridiculous for doing this video in your grape smuggling underwear
The title says Air Boss but it's the Mini Boss.
Love your reviews!
I want Tom Bihn tri-star.
Tom bihn isn't in Korea !
Dude...put on your pants...next vid "waterproof packs direct from my tub"
I would love to see you review the Tough Traveler TRI-ZIP and Mountain Equipment (MEI) Executive Over Nighter. Both are travel bags that can be carried like a backpack, with a shoulder straps, and handles. They date back to there origins in the 70's way before you ever heard of one bag travel. Both have been given good reviews by One Bag, One World and other magazines. Both are made in the USA. What do you think. They very much remind me of the Tom Bihn Tristar.
www.meipacks.com/products/executive-overnighter
www.toughtraveler.com/lug/travel.asp#trizip
Love your reviews. Definitely the best reviews out there.
They are both informative and entertaining.
Like them ... Like them.... Like them.. like them ..😂
I meant the choonies tho 😂 haha
"Chase is 5' 10", 190lbs"... Can we get some international units please? ;) But thanks for the Tri-Star review anyway!
Why not minaal 2.0
Great video ! But definitely not my millennial aesthetic choices. Can't help it! Tortuga all the way!
Straight up reviewing bags in his underwear 14:27
Totally don’t care that you did the video in your underwear, but I’m a medical professional and have a very comfortable relationship with the human body. Do your thing.
Damn, Chase. I can see your meat, bro. 😕
tom bihn is nice but kinda pricey..
190lbs that pretty chubby....
you're a good sale person
Cracked me up.
Review and undies like a boss!!!!😎
Hey you are a Dad, so shouldn't you embrace a Dad bag?
Yea, but I’m still a little too young and metro to go full zip off shorts and pleated pants :)
Had no idea you are catholic. Taint wee a bit revealing today? Yes we do see how big it is! Very nimble..
Shame on you, Rodney!
RODNEY!
Filming in your underwear Dude i was distracted not in a good way
the #chonies were a fun touch, but good reviews nonetheless 👍