Posts Tagged Eagle Creek
Eagle Creek FlipSwitch Wheeled Backpack
The new Eagle Creek FlipSwitch is a very fun and useful hybrid wheeled carry-on / backpack. It does, however, take some playing around with and trial and error to fully ‘get’ it. Before I tried it out, I wondered whether it was going to score high on novelty points in the double duty gear category, but low on practicality points. I’m happy to say that’s not the case.
First, here’s what it is and how it works: At first glance, the FlipSwitch looks like your standard wheeled carry-on. It comes in two sizes, 22″ for the carry-on version and 28″ for the larger or checked bag version. It’s soft-sized with ripstop fabric under a lifetime warranty, has reinforced sections where bags are subject to the most abuse, and two-sided, lockable zippers in two compartments. There’s also a zippered water bottle holder, two reinforced handles (one on the side and one at the top), and nice, easy to roll wheels (with a pull handle, of course).
However, unzip the outside compartment, and you’ll find a full suspension backpack system. This includes a fully padded, vented back, padded shoulder straps, a fully adjustable waist belt, and even a chest strap. Within the back pad is a small zippered compartment, and behind the whole system is an extra, roomy pocket. It takes about one minute for a newbie to switch the bag from carry-on to backpack and be on the go again, but I imagine I’ll get my time down to under 30 seconds as I get more familiar with the bag.
Do you need it? This was my first question once I’d become familiar with how the FlipSwitch works. The fact is, the backpack system does take a substantial amount of space in the bag, and we all know how precious space is in our wheeled carry-ons. That said, the backpack system is removable. You could absolutely leave it at home and use the space for more storage. Of course, I know the minute I do that, I’ll encounter a situation in which I need the backpack.
Whether having this nifty backpack option is worth the space it takes depends entirely on your mode of travel and preferred method of carrying your bag. For standard air travel, I’ve found I haven’t used the backpack once. The next time I’m flying, I’ll remove it from the pack before leaving. However, for road trip travel and trips when I need to carry my bag long distances in cities, I have used the backpack every time.
If you opt to keep the backpack system attached, but not used, you basically lose the storage space of the outer compartment. This leaves you with the interior compartment, which is small by carry-on standards (35L). You do also have a small zippered pocket on the lid of the inner compartment, good for storage smaller items, toiletries, or power cords. There’s also reflective striping and an ID pocket.
What it comes down to: is the FlipSwitch a quality bag? Yes. And I’m not surprised; I’ve always been able to trust the Eagle Creek name. But for $275 for the 22″ model, you’re paying for both a bag and a backpack. If you need both, this is a great value. If not, the FlipSwitch is probably more than you need. Pick one up in light blue or black at Eagle Creek or Backcountry for $275, or find one for around $250 at Amazon.
Posted by Amy in General Gear on April 23rd, 2013
Eagle Creek No Matter What Rolling Duffel Packs Down Tight
A year ago when a lot of people left the Outdoor Retailer show raving about some new technical fleece or stay-dry sleeping bag, one thing that really grabbed me was a new line of luggage Eagle Creek was putting out that could be stored in a tiny corner of a closet. It wasn’t even on the floor or a shelf—it was hanging on a display rack. Yeah I know, for most Americans living in oversized houses filled with overflowing stuff, finding a place in the garage for suitcases isn’t a big deal. But if you live in a small apartment in New York, San Francisco, or Europe, space is at a premium.
I recently got my hands on one of these No Matter What rolling duffel bags from Eagle Creek and if I still lived in my old 480-square-foot condo across the river from Manhattan, I’d be ready to give some designer at the company a kiss.
The first photo you see here is what this large capacity 105-liter rolling bag looks like when it’s full. And believe me, it’s hard for a guy like me to even make this thing full. I packed it with anything and everything I thought I would need for a one-week vacation and still had plenty of room to spare. Even with three pairs of shoes, a couple books, a sweater, and a coat. I wasn’t too worried about the weight though because I was in my own car and hey, it has wheels! As with all Eagle Creek bags, they’re good wheels too—ones that aren’t going to blow out on you at just the wrong time.
This being a duffel, it’s not all that complicated. One big zipper with two lockable zip tabs runs the length of the bag and inside is a big open space to stuff with your belongings. If you want to be organized, you can use Eagle Creek’s packing cubes, folders, and sacks. There’s a handle on the top where two loops join, a handle on the end opposite the wheels, and a shoulder strap you can take or leave behind. Compression buckles keep everything reigned in. The fabric is tough water-resistant dual ripstop nylon.
The pouch that the bag stuffs into doubles as a laundry bag you can bring along, with mesh on the sides. When you get back home (or when in a tiny hotel room), after unpacking you can stuff this whole shebang into that small pouch, which you can see from this photo next to a size 10 shoe, is not going to be a space hog in your closet or under the bed.
There are not many rolling bags of any kind out there that can compress to this size when not in use, so if your living quarters are nothing like those in sprawling suburbia, this compacting duffel could be the ticket. The one I tried out is the large size, but you can also get one in XL: three feet long and holding 128 liters of capacity (7,800 cubic inches). Both of these weigh less than four pounds, but if you stuff the latter to capacity you might run into a weight limit issue with the airline. Have a luggage scale handy while packing.
These packable rolling duffel bags come in blue or black and retail for $130 (large) and $140 (XL). What takes them from “decent deal” to “great deal!” is Eagle Creek’s No Matter What warranty, the kind of promise you usually have to pay three times this much to receive: whatever happens, they’ll fix it or replace it, for the life of the product. It doesn’t get any better than that.
See more details at the Eagle Creek site where you can buy direct. These bags are also available at Zappos, Backcountry, or Moosejaw.
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Posted by Tim Leffel in Adventure Gear, General Gear, Kids and Family on March 13th, 2013
Eagle Creek Gear Warrior
Sometimes you just can’t pack light for a long or gear-intensive trip. When that happens, you need luggage that can fit everything in the most convenient way possible, to avoid that multi-bag “yard sale” feeling. One of the best bags that gets it all in without struggle is the Eagle Creek Gear Warrior.
This duffel on wheels is lightweight and has multiple carrying options, depending on the terrain. Grab the handle and wheel it along when things are smooth, or use the side and top haul handles when you’re hiking stairs and getting between tight spaces. The durable lockable zippers, reinforced material blocking, bumper protection, and the sturdy wheel and handle system will keep this bag from falling apart easily on your multiple adventures.
The gigantic main compartment has interior compression straps and a side zippered mesh pocket. The secondary compartment allows for a dedicated space to put your gear so that it’s separate from your clothing. Use the additional laundry chute to keep your dirty clothes away from everything else. Traveling companions will thank you.
There are also plenty of attachment options for exterior loading, when you can’t get absolutely everything into the bag. The stowable equipment keeper secures clothing and gear (like that helmet) on the outside, and includes the handy Porter Key bottle opener. Hey, why spend time digging for a bottle opener when you need one? Some things require speed. In addition, you can use the exterior front compression straps to lash gear to the bag.
If you’ve got any of Eagle Creek’s Pack-It folders, cubes, sacs, or kits, they’ll integrate easily into this duffel so you can spend less time digging around for that essential item.
I’ve used the bag on a couple of longer road trips, but am especially excited to use it for a variety of ski trips this winter. Now that’s a sport where I have a lot of gear.
The Eagle Creek Gear Warrior lists for $285 (that’s the 32-inch version) on the Eagle Creek website. The 36-inch version is $310. Each size is the same price on Backcountry.com or Moosejaw.
See more reviews of Eagle Creek travel gear.
Posted by Jill in Adventure Gear, General Gear on January 11th, 2013
Best Travel Gear of the Past Year (Looking Back at 2012)
What was the best travel gear of the year? Which were the most interesting travel clothing items, shoes, gadgets, and bags?
We review a useful piece of travel gear or outdoor clothing each weekday. Taking out a few holidays here and there, that’s close to 250 items in the course of a year. We keep on using a lot of them after we’ve posted the review, seeing how well they hold up and how useful they are in our frequent jaunts around the country and the globe. Here’s what stood out for us in 2012, in the writers’ own words.
Ramsey Qubein’s Business Travel Gear Favorites
I love my Able Planet Clear Harmony noise-reducing headphones. They are affordable, lightweight, and come in a great, sturdy carrying case with an airplane adapter. When used to plug into audio channels or for watching videos on an airplane or with my laptop, the sound quality is impeccable proving they were worth taking up the valuable space in my carry-on.
Dressing up and dressing down is often a challenge too, but my Bostonian travel shoes from Clarks make that task easy. The loafers are easy to slip on and off at security and on the plane, and pounding the big-city pavement in these shoes is very comfortable.
My Briggs & Riley carry-on bag expands when I overstuff it, but still fits easily into overhead bins of most planes (I still dread those regional jets as much as you). This Baseline suitcase is great for business travelers because it supports folded suits well while also providing easy-to-access pockets on the outside.
When I do get time off, the Sierra Designs Frequency jacket has surprisingly proven a sharp favorite because I can scrunch it up into a tight corner of my bag, wrap it around my waist, or wear it anytime I am in cool weather without it being too bulky. Plus, the stylish accent colors on the black, zip-up jacket are attractive in almost any setting.
Amy Whitley’s Best Outdoor and Family Gear Bests
The Osprey Aura-50 literally saved my neck on a four-day backpacking trek last July, earning it a place on my list of top travel gear for 2012. What sets the Aura-50 apart from other backpacks is its customization: with plenty of ways to adjust the pack and harness, it will fit you correctly, reducing neck and back pain as you hike with heavy loads.
I reach for the Aventura 2-in-1 dress more often than any other item of travel clothing. It’s a halter dress and a skirt, and can be dressed up or down. Put it over a swimsuit or take it out on the town.
I use my Haiki Hobo 2 bag every single day, and it shows literally no wear. Plus, it’s made of recycled materials, so I can feel good as well as look good.
Our whole family now wears Polarmax technical base layers. What I love: they’re high quality without the high price. These base layers are no-frills goodness.
Tim Leffel’s Globetrotting Traveler Gear Picks
It’s getting harder each year to find something truly unique and groundbreaking, so this Camelback All Clear stood out for solving a huge plastic bottle garbage problem in a unique way. Using a similar technology to the SteriPen (a perennial favorite), this water bottle purifies any tap water you put inside it. I’ve used it in five countries where you can’t drink the water normally, and everything was “all clear” in the health of me and my family.
The item I probably used the most this year was a simple one: the Eagle Creek packable daypack. The company gave these away at the Adventure Travel Summit last year and every well-traveled delegate I’ve met since is still using it and raving about it. It packs down tiny in any bag, but is strong enough to be a functional daypack for sightseeing.
I was thrilled to see more companies putting out lightweight, easy-to-pack travel shoes this year. I liked all of them and have used the Teva Mush Frio ones the most, but these Timberland Camp Shoes that zip in half win the innovation prize. The only ones all year that made my 12-year-old say “That’s so cool!” Honorable mention to Wolverine for their adjustable disk to customize rugged hiking shoes for different feet and situations.
It’s been hard to avoid hearing about P^Cubed Pants if you’re someone who reads travel blogs or magazines, or checks out the SkyMall catalog even. The Pick Pocket Proof Pants scream “backpacker” in the original style (fine for real adventures), but the business pants are nice enough to wear to meetings, while still making sure you won’t get pickpocketed walking from one place to the next in Rome.
The gadget I loved at first use has been with me on every long trip since: the Innergie 3-in-1 PocketCell Travel Charger pictured at the top of this post. I know I can get on a flight across an ocean and still have power when I arrive for my Android cell phone or fast-draining iPod Touch. And the same cord works for both.
Last, a shout-out to Microsoft for finally creating a mobile interface that doesn’t make people want to throw their devices across the room. Their tile system on Windows phones and the new Windows 8/RT operating system for tablets is terrific, making the home screen interactive and informative at a glance. And hey, you can surf Flash sites and use Windows Office programs to get real work done, meaning you don’t have to carry a tablet and a laptop on business.
Jill Robinson’s Outdoor and Active Gear Favorites
A lot of my travel this year has focused on outdoor adventures, and it’s not always easy for me to find clothing that I’d be happy to use on nearly every trip. But once I do, I’m a loyal girl. The ExOfficio Nomad Skirt is not only comfortable and stylish, it dries super quick—which is optimal when you pack so light that you rely on evening hotel room sink laundry sessions. Also, for those of us who abhor having to use an iron on a regular basis, it’s wrinkle resistant.
Similarly, the Isis Rim Rock Short is something that gets tossed in my bag almost every time. The shorts are lightweight, durable, wrinkle resistant, and rugged yet cute enough to wear on city streets without getting weird looks.
The Eddie Bauer BC-200 Hard Shell Jacket is my go-to storm jacket for my travels. It protects me from the wind and rain, but it doesn’t take up much of my valuable suitcase space.
I test wheeled, carry-on suitcases out all the time, and while I like many of them, I’ve used the Gregory Cache 22 Suitcase for most of my trips this year. The wide handle allows me to pack my clothing flat, and the oversize wheels help me manage a variety of terrain without the bag spinning out.
The item that’s made the cut into my everyday life is the LifeProof iPhone Case. Not just for travel, it keeps my phone dry and protected from falls without adding bulk. It’s great when I’m on the water, in the snow, in dusty places, and even when I’m around kids or other folks who spill a lot.
How about you? What did you pick up in the past year that you couldn’t bear to part with now?
Posted by Tim Leffel in Adventure Gear, Business Gear, General Gear, Kids and Family, Travel Light on December 31st, 2012
Digi Hauler Backpack Carry-on From Eagle Creek
Whether you’re a flashpacker or a business traveler that wants to keep the load light, this Digi Hauler convertible backpack by Eagle Creek could be your ultimate carry-on.
As a laptop or tablet has become as common for travelers to carry as a toiletry kit, and legacy airlines do their best to make you pay up to check a bag, a carry-on bag that can hold your clothes and your electronics is now vital. While some rolling bags have a laptop pocket, those wheels subtract vital space you could be using for packing, plus they add a lot of weight. The lightest rollaboard bag I’ve used is a 6.8-pound one from Delsey I’ll be reviewing later. This one without wheels comes in under two pounds—and has a higher cargo capacity.
So unless you’re a 98-pound-weakling and can’t carry your bag, this Digi Hauler allows you to pack more and be more mobile, especially in places where you can’t wheel your bag down a sidewalk. This one works as a backpack or you can stuff away the straps and use the grab handles for a suitcase/duffle bag. It holds 44 liters, or 2700 cubic inches. Probably not enough for a year-long round-the-world journey for all but the lightest packers, but plenty for a week’s vacation or long weekend break. All you need, with no baggage fees to pay. (Unless you’re on Spirit Air, Ryanair, or Allegiant that is.) That’s the same capacity, by the way, of the much-loved Tom Bihn Aeronaut I’ve used on countless trips.
This Eagle Creek one is considerably lighter than that one, but thanks to thinner ripstop nylon fabric. I’m not really worried about the durability. I have yet to wear out any Eagle Creek bag ever, over a period of close to 20 years now, so the lifetime warranty is not just a marketing ploy. The laptop section doesn’t have much padding, so you might want to put your computer in a sleeve, but it sits right next to your back instead of being accessible to thieves on the other side. There’s also a hook at the top for locking the zipper in place.
There are three other pockets: one on the front flap, a mesh one inside the flap, and a lined side one that can be used for a water bottle. All the zippers have pulls that are easy to grip and there are external compression straps to hold everything in place. It comes in three colors, all with reflective areas for safety.
This Digi Hauler backpack is widely available at retail or at the Eagle Creek site for the list price of $120, or you can check prices online at eBags, Altrec, or Zappos.
Want one for $10? Our sister site, the Cheapest Destinations Blog, is participating in the annual Passports with Purpose charity drive to raise money with Water.org to build wells in rural Haiti. You can bid a $10 donation on this item that Eagle Creek so generously donated and you could score. (Open to North America recipients only.)
Want to bid on some other things to improve your odds? Perceptive Travel is giving away a weekend getaway in Texas and our contributor Amy Whitley pulled in a stay at a Ritz Carlton in California. But you ladies might be more interested in what our blogger Jill Robinson put up: a nice merino wool Realfleece 260 jacket from Icebreaker.
There are probably a dozen other things you’ll drool over. Visit the Passports with Purpose donation page before December 11 to see the whole list and try to win.
Posted by Tim Leffel in Business Gear, General Gear, Travel Light on December 5th, 2012
