When I first saw the Eagle Creek Traverse Pro Daypack luggage, I knew it met the requirements I had been looking for my international travels. My wife and I are retired and travel 5~7 weeks at least twice a year. We need lightweight luggage that can be put on planes, trains, buses and moved on busy, cobbled streets. I am a professional photographer and my wife uses a computer and research books in our travels. What is so nice about this luggage is that it is about 6 lbs and the front zips off as a back pack so I can put the back portion in the upper bin of a plane and put things I will use during the flight in the small packpack and put it under my seat. As I always carry my cameras, laptop, MP3 player and other necessary electronics onboard with me, it is important my luggage can accomodate these items and that they are readily accessible. The benefit of the Eagle Creek Traverse is its superb design and quality construction. I have traveled for over 50 years throughout the U.S. and worldwide for business and travel. This is the best luggage I have found at any price.
I did some serious research before making this purchase.
I needed a definitive go-to carry-on that would allow me to be flexible to make week long trips and last me a few years. Plus the flexibility of a detachable day pack was a great add on.
It is the most expensive carry on I have bought (U$299). What clinched the deal is the lifetime warranty and the other scores of great reviews I came across in this site and others.
Indeed, so far (3 months) it has fulfilled my expectations. Great materials, finishing, stitching, handle... solid wheeling. Fits perfectly in planes compartments.
i.e. great bag.
However, there are some details that (at least for me) make it not be the dream bag I was hoping for.
1) The zipper that attaches detachable daypack to the bag has no "lock" or anything that holds it in place once it is fully zipped. So when the backpack is zipped up to a full bag, the zipper keeps sliding up with the pressure. But it does unzip about 1/5 of the way. This does not mean the daypack detaches, but it could potentially (unlikely), separate from the bag.
2) The top of the bag (where the handle meets the bag) is inclined. Biggest drawback.
Now, there must be a reason for this design. However, it is annoying that other small packs or bags that you might want to rest on top of the carryon, keep sliding down, due to its shape. I.e. If you have a shopping bag or another backpack that does not attach to the handle you will not be able to place it on top of the bag at rest, and even while you are rolling, there is little stability as it keeps swaying from side to side.
3) The large ring zippers. Minor thing. Granted they might be helpful in some situations, but they can also cause problems by getting stuck into the latches and other things that are plentiful in cars, planes, busses, etc. Some might prefer it. I just don't see the benefit.
Conclusion : This is a great, well made bag, which will last. It has 1 major (inclined top), 1 medium (daypack zipper) and 1 minor (rings) flaw.
Will I keep it ? Yes, for the investment.
Would I recommend it? If the inability to support other bags on its inclined top does not bother you, yes.
Buy Eagle Creek Traverse Pro Daypack, Black, 22-Inch Now
I think Eagle Creek may have changed the designation of this bag. A few months back, I bought a 19" version, at that time called "Tarmac Plus One". That line seems to have been discontinued -or maybe the line's been renamed "Traverse Pro". In any case (no pun intended) I liked the 19" Tarmac Plus One so much that I bought its slightly larger (but otherwise similar) cousin, the "Traverse Pro 22". The features I like:
* Two-part case, easily connected (and disconnected) with sturdy zipper.
* When disconnected, the front (the "daypack") has a thin "slot" at the back that slides over the extended handle of the back of the case. When you're rolling it behind you, the daypack stays put (in my experience, for most roller bags, if you put another case on top of the roller, it tends to spin about & drop on the floor -but here, the narrow slot holds the upper bag very steady around the handle).
* The handle extends a long way easy to drag the roller behind you without catching your heels.
* The daypack has several well-designed pockets (they differ a bit between the 19" & 22" versions that I have). Both versions have laptop storage, pen pockets, places for paperwork, etc.
* The daypack has backpack straps, but they can be neatly tucked away. I tend not to use them -I just use the handle on the top, to carry it like a regular laptop bag.
* Very easy to roll onto a plane, put the bottom half in the overhead, and slide the daypack under the seat.
* As usual with Eagle Creek, very solid manufacture -it'll last for years.
So, lots of Pros. The only (slight) Con is that the lower case is pretty much devoid of features. But that's OK, it's meant to be the main storage area for clothes etc: and it does that just fine.
All in all, highly recommended. My only problem now is trying to prevent my wife from grabbing it when we're going on vacation :-) !!
Read Best Reviews of Eagle Creek Traverse Pro Daypack, Black, 22-Inch Here
We are buying a second set since I keep borrowing the one I bought for my daughter. Sturdy, easy to pack, roomy, fits perfectly in overhead, wheels are durable, looks good, doesn't topple over (like other brands I've had).
Want Eagle Creek Traverse Pro Daypack, Black, 22-Inch Discount?
Most of the time, when traveling on the smaller "toy" airplanes that fly in and out of smaller airports, I am forced to "gate-check" bags that would otherwise fit into the overhead bins on larger planes. I was able to unzip and carry-on the top portion, which contained my laptop and travel documents, and let the airline gorillas and sneak-thieves handle only the bottom portion, into which I packed only clothing.
My only complaint is that the lid to the bottom portion of the bag will not stand upright or fold back, making it necessary to hold it with one hand while packing it with the other.
I've gone through a lot of photography bags, many from lowepro Lowe was my first true hiking backpack from way back and I've liked their products for years. I've always looked for something that would allow me to go hiking for more than just a day trip but it seemed like the backpack aspect of photo bags takes a back seat to integrating the 'walls' that hold the photo gear. There is never a good waist belt system, etc. This little guy really did the job for me on a recent two week trip to patagonia where I was day hiking 10-12 miles a day in variable weather.
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