Timbuk2 Aviator Travel Backpack

I bought this bag to replace a large over-the-shoulder Timuktu messenger bag. The Aviator has very substantial shoulder straps and waist strap that tuck away unobtrusively. There is a rain poncho for the pack, located in a compartment under the lateral handle. The pack has two compartments, a bottom main compartment and a top compartment. Four clips securely hold the sides of the main compartment and one clip holds the top of the flap that gives access to the top compartment.Because I was already carrying a backpack that contain my computer and work stuff, for the first 3 months, I carried the Aviator over my right with one of the straps so that the Aviator was under my right arm. It was well balanced and surprisingly comfortable. This bag is perfectly sized to fit into overhead compartments but is a little too long to fit completely under the seat. But, it is relatively thin and not so tall on its side, allowing it to be inserted between bags in the overhead compartment. If I lay the bag on its flat side, there is enough room to place my backpack on top in the compartment.While I have not tried it out in the rain, I am pretty sure that the Aviator is sufficiently water resistant to keep your clothes dry under heavy and sustained downpours, even if you don't put the poncho on. Most of the material has the waterproof coated side facing outward but some areas have uncoated surfaces, perhaps the reason why the poncho was included. The pack is very well-made and looks like it will last a lifetime. The top flap hides the top compartment. The flap that covers the main compartment can be unzipped and folded back to provide access to the compartment. There are handles on the top and both long sides.ADDENDUM: I have now used the Aviator for several round-the-world trips and have learned how to use it more effectively.1. I started using Aviator as a backpack and the computer compartment (which is in the back, i.e. against the back of the body) of the Aviator. I use to carry a Timbuk2 backpack that would hold my 15" Macbook Pro. Using the Aviator as a backpack meant that I cannot carry any other backpack. So, I bought a light ThinkTank 15 (v2) bag with a top handle and shoulder strap for my 15-inch Macbook Pro. I would insert the empty ThinkTank into the computer compartment of the Aviator and then slip the Mac into it. I use the Thinktank bag to transplant the computer around without having to carry the Aviator around. When I go on an airplane, I often carry the ThinkTank bag with the Mac, my Aviator, and a camera bag (An Ona Prince Street bag). If they give me trouble about boarding the plane with three items, I can easily put the ThinkTank (and the Mac) back into the Aviator (to date, nobody has bothered me to do this). My ThinkTank bag and camera bag both fit under the seat while the Aviator fits in the luggage compartment above my head. This way, I have everything that I need under the seat in front of me and my Aviator bag on the compartment. This combination really works well for me.2. The shoulder and hip belt straps of the Aviator are very comfortable. Timbuktu thoughtfully put small adjustable straps on the shoulder and hip belts to distribute some weight off the sewn interfaces with the pack; both are more comfortable than regular shoulder and hip belts. I usually tuck the hip belts into the recessed compartment but leave the shoulder straps out, unless I am checking the bag. Incidentally, I have checked the bag several times when I have to carry extra stuff onto the airplane or when I am carrying a bottle of wine or liquor, which I put in sealed plastic bag in the main compartment for clothes. I take my computer out before checking the Aviator as luggage.3. I pack the following items in the Aviator when I travel. In the bottom compartment, I keep my clothing (sorry about the details but it illustrates what the bag can hold: 4 shirts, 3 pants, 4 sets of underwear, a pair running/sleeping tights and t-shirt, a suit and tie, 4 pairs of socks, swimming trunks and goggles, and an Arcteryx gore-tex jacket). In the top compartment, I carry an ultralight down jacket, a pair of light running shoes, two mesh bags containing computer and camera accessories, a computer charger, and a foldable nylon bag that can double as a laundry bag and also as an extra carrier for gifts and purchases. In the front zipper compartment, I carry a small toiletry bag, sewing kit, and electric shaver. The fully loaded Aviator plus computer is about 18 lb. Without the computer, the Thinktank bag, computer accessories and charger, the Aviator weighs about 12 lb. This is enough for a week or more of travel around the world under most weather conditions.

If you have ever done carry-on for domestic flights with a really tight connection, you know the frustration and stress of waiting for somebody to move the gate to the plane, then waiting for up to ten minutes for your gate-checked wheel-on bag which doesn't fit overhead on your small commuter jet. I just took 7 flights in 9 days, and five were on small regional jets (3 different Canadair and Embraer models). The Timbuk2 fit in every overhead compartment despite my overpacking it and stretching its height in the middle. The ability to stroll off the plane past people lining up for their gate-checked wheeled bags is a great benefit to this bag. I worked hard to avoid bad karma by not having a smug smile.I love this bag, but it wasn't perfect for me for work trips. If your Aviator is going up in the overhead, you won't be able to access it easily. It zips and buckles like a vault, and you can't quickly grab out headphones, tablet, work for the plane. Since I used the top pocket for a dopp kit, I couldn't easily get to the laptop below it. Also, it is smaller than a wheeled carry-on. If like me you want your "going out" and "comfort clothes" and you need to pack workout shoes in addition to your wear on the plane shoes, you will need to bring another bag, or you will need to compromise for any trip longer than 3 days. I brought another bag- a small duffle with a shoulder strap to put my running shoes, tablet, and other reading materials for the plane. The problem with another bag is that the Aviator already occupies the best spot for bags (on your back), so the shoulder strap of the extra bag has to scramble for a shoulder hold, and I found that it was uncomfortable.Ironically, I think the best full-work-week carry on solution is the Timbuk2 Aviator on your back and one of the really small under-seat wheeled bags (Samsonite has a good one) for your small laptop, tablet, headphones, and a couple of extra packing cubes to put under the seat. The Aviator was VERY comfortable on my back alone (never even had to use the hip straps, even with a full load), but I don't want to have to hand carry another bag, and the other bag shoulder strap thing wasn't feeling good at all. I know that pairing this bag with a very- small wheelie might be an anathema to "one-bag" aficionados, but essentially, you are simply reversing the normal carry-on businessperson plan (wheeled overhead bag plus backpack for under the seat) and gaining the ability to always avoid gate checking.PROS:Very well-madecompact enough to fit in every overhead compartment! NO GATE CHECKS!!!!Excellent backpack fit- does not create pain, rides easily and puts on easily. Hip straps are great if you are walking longerLooks good and professional. Don't always have to look like the backpacker with the zip-off pants (not that there's anything wrong with that...)Suitcase-style opening really helps packing and unpacking once you get to your destination.The straps and clips are very good at compressing your load.Multiple side handles get used, a lot, and work very well.Lack of depth of pack means you are less likely to clobber your seatmates when putting this thing on in the plane. Less bulk in that direction than most computer backpacks.Lack of depth forces chronic overpackers (me) to think a bit and strategize better.Fun having something a little different than every other work commuter.CONS:*Uses up the best place to put a bag (on your back), so any other bags (for under-seat) need to complement this one. Harder to carry.*It does carry your laptop, but getting it in and out of pack takes effort, especially if you have used the top pocket for other stuff also (and you will).*I will probably never use the rain cover, but I stuffed my keys in that pocket loosely. I ALWAYS need to put my keys somewhere on trips, and I'd like an attached keyring for that.*Other outside pockets are so shallow that it's hard to think of what you would put in them. I tried putting in airline tickets, but how do you get them out for TSA or boarding if you are wearing your bag?*Essentially, all the things that make it tight and secure and low profile also make it difficult to access things. Best for clothes, not for work, reading stuff, or electrical paraphernalia that we all are popping in and out of our packs in airports. If you are used to regularly accessing your carry-on backpack in the airport (as I do), you have to wrap your brain around the idea that this is a back-pack, but it's not like a computer backpack you will be getting in and out of.

容量は他の方も言われている通り、並みですがものを詰めても、外見が変わらないのが良いです。ビジネス利用にもこれならものを入れてだらしなくなったバックパックにならない。ビジネス出張なら2泊くらいは可能だと思います。

通勤用途で購入しました。スポーツジム等に寄るために荷物が多くなることが多いのですが、シューズ、ウェア、水筒、ランチボックスまで問題なく入ります。写真のまま型崩れしないバッグなので、中身が入っていてもいなくても見た目が同じなのがうれしいです。見た目のインパクトもあり、スーツ等と組み合わせても違和感がありません。造りも丈夫そうなので非常に気に入っています。サイドには傘を入れるスペースがあり、レインカバーも入っています。傘入れは防水なので他の荷物が濡れる心配も無く使いやすいです。欲を言えばあともう一つぐらい小ポケットがあると完璧だと思います。

家族旅行用にと購入しました。最初に見たときには思いのほか量が入らにように見えましたが、実際に荷物を入れてみると想像以上に入ってしまいビックリしました。他のバックパックのメーカーではないデザインなのも気に入っています。バイクに乗るときなどもカッコよくて◎！