What To Pack It In > Business Travel Bags

For business travel in urban locations, the best solution is a bag specifically designed for optimal packing. Ideally, this includes three main (full-length and full-width) compartments, with the zippers on at least two of them designed to completely free up three sides of the bag (permitting them to be opened flat for packing, and also allowing access to the bag when it is sandwiched in a luggage rack or aircraft overhead bin); the compartments should have internal tie-down straps, so their contents can be prevented from shifting (and thus wrinkling). The bag should be constructed of quality components, including strong fittings to accommodate a shoulder strap.

Recommended Business Bags

Almost from the inception of this Web site in 1996, I bemoaned the lack of a truly exceptional business-style carryon bag. I myself used the excellent Boyt model LG336 ("3-Zip Air-Bus Carryon"), but neither it nor any suitable replacement was available for many years (since the bankruptcy of the original Boyt company). In 2004, however, a Montana-based maker of rugged "adventure" luggage responded to my frustration, asking if I would like to help them design the "ultimate carryon bag" for business travellers. I happily agreed, and you can view their resulting product at right: the Red Oxx "Air Boss" (in one of its dozen colours, including basic business black). It measures 21 × 13 × 8", weighs 3 pounds (1.36kg) and features (in addition to the three main compartments, all with wrap-around zippers) two outside zippered pockets (one full length, and a narrow one for passport, ticket envelopes, chequebook, and the like), an outside sleeve pocket, and tie-downs in two of the main sections (they're omitted from the centre section to facilitate sliding laptops and such in and out of a heavily packed bag). Construction is 1000-weight urethane-coated Cordura nylon fabric, with #10 YKK chain zippers throughout, mil-spec handle snaps, and bomb-proof D-rings for the shoulder strap (included is the exemplary "Claw" strap and a heavy-duty luggage tag). All seams are double-stitched and bound with #92 bonded SolarMax nylon thread. The discreet use of inter-compartment closed-cell foam padding gives the bag some structure for packing purposes, without compromising the flexibility necessary to get the bag into tight overhead compartments. And it lists for $225, only $15 more than the Boyt bag of a decade earlier (over which it is significantly improved).

Air Boss users should know that it was designed to be carried with the passport and open sleeve pockets nearer the body. The (main) compartment on this side should also be the primary storage space for clothing, allowing it not only to protect items in the centre of the bag, but also cushion the bag's contact with your hip.

I hasten to add that my involvement with the creation of the above bag was a labour of love, not commerce. Other than getting an Air Boss of my own out of the collaboration, I received no compensation for my design contributions, and I obtain no monetary benefit from the sale of the bags. I recommend this bag because it is the closest approximation (that I'm aware of) to my ideal business bag, and for no other reason.

The only other bag I have found to date that comes close to meeting my various criteria is the Easy Going Carryon (shown at left). Available in black only, this bag is made of ballistic nylon, and has somewhat more internal padding, making it a bit more structured (but also somewhat heavier and less supple) than the Air Boss. It weighs 4 pounds (1.81kg), and is an inch larger in each dimension, though because of the padding, the carrying capacity is similar. Easy Going sells it for $180. A very nice bag, though a distinct second choice in my book.

Business travellers who are willing to sacrifice some interior space for improved carrying capability might also consider dual-purpose travel bags.

Luggage Carts

If it's occasionally necessary to carry something particularly heavy in the bag, a collapsible luggage cart is a useful accessory. If this is a regular requirement, of course, another solution may be more appropriate, but you're probably straying beyond the purview of carryon luggage. A good quality collapsible cart will cost you another $70–80 or so from a discount luggage supplier. Mine is the Kart-A-Bag Concorde II model. The Concorde III is only about $10 more and has skids to handle stairs more easily, but is somewhat more bulky, and considerably heavier. Don't waste money on the cheap carts typically sold in airport shops. Be aware that airlines will typically not let you store carts in the overhead bins; they must be placed under the seat in front of you. And when possible, of course, leave the cart at home.

Shoulder Straps

For most people, a shoulder strap will be the preferred carrying method. Unless your shoulders are horizontal, well padded, and non-slip, consider buying a better strap than that supplied with the bag. Here are some particularly good solutions:

Passing the strap over your head, to rest on the shoulder further from the bag, is easier on your back (I know, it looks a bit dorky, so you probably won't do it, but it is the better choice).

Dealing with Laptops

Simplicate and add lightness.

aircraft design slogan
[variously attributed]

Where does the laptop go? Much business travel involves the transportation of a laptop computer. I carry one most of the time, but not in a separate "laptop bag". Many airlines will let you bring one of these aboard in addition to your "official" carryon, but I prefer to avoid the second bag when possible, and in my experience, it's almost always possible (assuming that one has the freedom to choose a reasonably slim, lightweight laptop, and doesn't get carried away with accessories). I carry mine in the padded center section of my Air Boss (or Tri-Zip) bag; to stave off damage from below, I pack something appropriate on the unpadded bottom of such bags (another good use for the ever-functional sarong). The design of these bags is such that the laptop is easily extracted for X-ray inspection at airport security checkpoints. And yes, there's still plenty of room in the bag for the other items on my list.

If you crave further protection, you can place the laptop in a protective sleeve (these are widely available in a variety of sizes). A sleeve is also helpful if you are forced to check your bag, as it lets you remove the laptop and still retain some degree of padding; if the sleeve has attachment rings, you can connect it to your shoulder strap when such occasions arise.