Help me choose a weekend bag!

[brooklyn87]

Well guys, the time has finally come for me to choose a weekend bag and I'm having a hard time pulling the trigger, so I'm looking for some advice. I'm deciding between these three (all in the "carryon" size):


-the ever-popular Frost River Flight Bag

-the Frost River Explorer Duffel

-the Beckel War Bag in olive drab Beckel War Bag in olive drab


I'm drawn to the Flight Bag because people have overwhelmingly wonderful things to say about it - but I wonder if the lack of outer/smaller pockets would annoy me. The Explorer Duffel looks good, but I feel like I haven't heard much about it. And I like the affordability of the Beckel bag, but can't decide how I feel about its looks, especially the contrast color handles.


Any opinions? Does anyone own any of these three bags? Any thoughts would be much appreciated!

[hornsup84]

I have a war bag en route, it may even have arrived today; I'll check when I get home from the office.

[jordan]

i like the first two.


I bought the features Maxton Men bag awhile back, and its quality was a little cheaper than it looked in the pics, but itll do for 60$

[jicarv]

I like the Flight Bag.

[MattC]

I too am after a weekend bag. However, it is between the war bag, and this thing of beauty: http://woodandfaulk.bigcartel.com/product/mo-bag

[jason_carreira]

How about this?


http://needsupply.com/mens/accessories/bags-and-wallets/ravine.html


Ooh... this is cool:


http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/49398...e-waxed-canvas

[jason_carreira]

http://www.overstock.com/Clothing-Sh...3/product.html

[Cannon]

Still a big fan of these offerings: http://www.jcrew.com/mens_category/accessories/bags.jsp

[brooklyn87]

@Cannon - yeah, the abingdon duffle weekender - http://www.jcrew.com/mens_category/a...2430/52430.jsp - is pretty much my perfect bag aesthetically. but i just can't justify spending $188 on a j.crew bag of dubious construction when frost river is made in the U.S. and guaranteed for life.

[cigarsmoker]

I've had the frost river flight bag for several years and it's held up admirably during trips cross country and overseas. You won't be disappointed.

[pratyk]

How about this?


http://needsupply.com/mens/accessories/bags-and-wallets/ravine.html


---


I have the Herschel Supply Noel (Same as Ravine but a little longer and has a separate compartment for shoes).


The quality is good. Interior is lined and everything but no pockets. I bought it from Maxton Men and they have coupon codes available at times..

[jordan]

I also have the Noel. Haven't gone on a trip with it yet (I am in two weeks) but it didn't seem as quality as id hoped for when seeing it in pictures. I don't think its junk though, especially for the price.

[Lance F.]

I have the war bag and the possibilities bag, both in olive drab, from Beckel Canvas. Have had them for almost a year and I have zero complaints. Very sturdy, thick canvas, and the zippers are big..in a good way I think. I've stuffed and over stuffed both bags, even on a weekly basis for the possibilities bag going to and from school.


Having the option to customize the bags, for a price, is what got me to go with Beckel. I added and outside zipper pocket to the smaller bag, and 3 internal non-zipper pockets to the bigger bag.


Also, if anything ever goes wrong with it you can just send it back to get fixed.

[Cannon]

@brooklyn87 I hear ya. I use an Abingdon Backpack and it has held up beautifully, but I didn't expect it to and it doesn't have the guarantees in the event something busts down the line. That said, I am so happy with it and haven't found any comparable bags aesthetically so I am considering buying a backup to just keep in its packaging and then I'll open it in maybe 5-10 yrs and it will be my travel backpack while the one I am using now takes the hefty beatings (I use it daily for books right now).

[hornsup84]

Seconding Lance's writeup -- the war bag I received last night (black canvas) is pretty great. I got some custom internal pockets as well. It's probably less expensive looking than the other bags, but I have a feeling it'll hold up forever (and look cooler over time).