FIND OR FABRICATE?

When you add “travel” to the list, I think of Tom Bihn.  Super durable, flexible and organize-able.  They look more like luggage but there are two options that are meant for travel and backpacking.

I have the Aeronaut 30, and many also praise the Aeronaut 45, but the Guide Pack or new Hero’s Journey may be of greater interest as backpacking choices.  All Tom Bihn bags will carry-on without question and won’t have loose straps if you have to check for some reason.

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@Bob thanks I’ve always thought his designs  (the synapse looked quite interesting) were well thought out. the guide pack is pretty in line with the aesthetic I like. What can I say I’m a sucker for the old school pack designs?! but the hero is a bit too fiddly for my likening and all of those options are quite heavy! I prefer a more spartan exterior sort of like a haul bag i.e. Fish Atom Smasher, Rockies Rolltop

@Ken thanks

I have a synapse 25 that matches my Aeronaut 30, but the combo is a lot to carry though the airport, when fully loaded.

I like the idea of the hero’s journey with a main pack and a separable lid that can be a shoulder (personal item) bag on travel days or a peak bag on the trail.  I have a Zpacks multipack I use on the trail, but it’s a little small for this travel purpose.

The TB materials are heavy by UL standards.  I think the could drop down to the 200d they use on smaller bags or  even a lighter Dyneema or cuben hybrid, and lighten up the zippers and straps.   They don’t do custom work, but maybe another quality cottage vendor could run with it.  I would be interested in that!

@Bob yeah TB makes great travel stuff no doubt but ideally I’d love a pack that I could walk to the airport with, throw in a planes cargo netting and pull out and go hike with.

This could really work! if only it weren’t so heavy and i could obviously do with a few less/different options …

the search goes on…