Red Oxx Sky Train

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So I just posted a thread about my wife and I deciding we would try to do carry-on only for a trip with our kids at 3 and 5 to Disney for five days (plus I had to attend a conference there, so I needed business casual wear as well).In my search for the right bags to handle this task, I discovered the area of soft sided luggage that was maximum legal carry-on size and typically had multiple carry options (grab handles, shoulder strap and/or backpack straps). I settled on the Red Oxx Sky Train (I can explain more as to the competitive models below).

I liked the concept of having a piece of travel gear I could use for business and personal travel as I just get more out of it then. And in my search I came up short on a lot of newer reviews of the product other than the Red Oxx site itself. Further, there was a lot of info on the inter web that gave me moment for pause in the purchase and I really don’t think a lot of the points are salient, so I figured I would post some new info up here.

I read a lot of reviews about the backpack straps not looking comfortable; they are padded and no worse then your standard backpack strap. While I might not want to hike long distances with this, that has more to do with the lack of frame sheet and rigid frame and no padded hip belt; NOT the backpack straps. The straps are great in that they entirely tuck away when not necessary and provide more than enough comfort to haul the bag the distances one would need to with this setup in relative comfort and keeping your hands free. This was a big seller for me, having backpack straps. I have made enough sprints through airports to know it is a must for me.

I was also keeping an eye on the professional demeanor of the bag. I read a lot of reviews about it not looking professional enough for business travel, which is obviously a matter of perception, but I own now, or have owned in the past, bags from Briggs and Riley, Coach, etc and find this just as sufficiently professional (in black) as those items. While I have never held one, I actually think it is more professional looking than the Air Boss since the handle straps don’t loop over the front like they do on the Air Boss, which gives the Sky Train a very clean look. Sure the zippers are pretty burly, but they are hidden under a nylon flap (also good for weather).

I did read some comments about the bag being too big when loaded lightly. I don’t really get this. There are straps inside the main compartment to cinch the load down. I felt that even with my standard overnight business trip load out (which always involves a pair of running shoes and workout clothes) the bag was just fine. In fact in that case I could throw my briefcase or laptop in the bag and have just one piece of gear to bring on the plane.

I love the large main compartment that expands into the outer compartments. Sure the bag can get heavy fully loaded but this is a factor of what you bring not the bag design. The interior is bright red, and I always love having bags with bright, contrasting interiors. I really find it helpful to find small items.

Another huge selling feature of this bag is the general gear you can fit in it. I was able to test back all my snorkel and dive equipment in (Apollo Bio Fins, mask, boots, snorkel, computer, lights) along with my DLSR camera, extra lens, laptop and clothes. I tried to fit the same load in a duffel meeting carryon specs and could fit most everything except the laptop and extra lens.

The Sky Train is incredibly well made in materials and craftsmanship. I love having two grab handles and while the rubber tubing might not be the coolest it is functionally great.

The one drawback here is the price. It is pretty steep and while the bag will last forever, I fear my ever changing travel needs would obsolete the bag before its time. But this is just a factor I need to live with.

I looked at a number of these soft sided pieces of luggage in the max carryon size and here were my thoughts on why I ruled out others:

– Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45 – duffel bag configuration that I don’t really care for and even more expensive then the Sky Train

– Red Oxx Air Boss – I really wanted the backpack carrying option. Red Oxx customer support showed a way in which you could carry it like a backpack it didn’t look at all comfortable. I also didn’t like the 3 compartment area as much as the Sky Train.

– Patagonia MLC – main contender for me, but I didn’t like that it had a zippered internal compartment instead of straps since I was using it for awkwardly shaped gear not just clothes. The price point in the MLC also seems to have snuck up over time and is not that far off from the Sky Train. Patagonia does make some pretty nice bags though IMO.

The maiden voyage was good; it handled more than I could have expected on our first trip. I will run it through the ringer on business and personal trips the next few months and make a final determination.

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