(22 Reviews)
By Aaron, Livermore, January 5, 2012
My wife and I use this bag as a carry on. It works great, holds a ton and fits in the small overhead bins on commuter planes.
By Amy, United States, January 5, 2012
We recently added this bag to our ever growing collection of Red Oxx bags. As with all the Red Oxx bags, this product is beautifully made, is reasonable priced, and is extremely durable.
By Donald Mamula, Pacific Northwest, December 29, 2011
This bag is exactly as described...it's a big open single-compartment duffle. No exterior or interior pockets, just a solid, well-built BAG. I would think that a barely-filled Aviator would have items moving about, but if you use packing cubes or fill the bag, everything will stay in place. It does take up some room in another suitcase, but it provides the durability to protect whatever you put inside. I wouldn't worry about the bag opening or breaking and having your possessions strewn about.
Heavy-duty zipper, well stitched handles, and monkey-knot pulls.
If you want pockets, dividers or other features, look to other RedOxx models. But if a simple durable "bag" is what you want, you can't go wrong with this.
By Gerard, North Dakota, November 12, 2011
I have been looking over your products for some time and thought I would try the Medium Aviator Bag, WOW! it's what you said and then some, I really didn't think it would be as good as it was but this bag is "Top Of The Line", I have bought a lot of duffel bags from Wal-Mart and K-Mart so that is what I expected to get, low end with a label. But this bag is well made and bigger then I thought it would be and built like a tank, I'm in for the long haul boys. Thank you Red Oxx
By MI, New York, NY, September 24, 2011
Small Aviator + packing cubes make the perfect carry on. Rectangular shape provides maximum storage space - no wastage from curves, while packing cubes provide organization. Fits easily into overhead bins - was able to even stow a computer bag right on top of the Aviator in a small commuter jet bin. Looks sharp for business - I am a banker and carried a full load of pitch books and documents into a board presentation in this bag, ditching the Tumi roll-on. Over-engineered specs - I don't think I can wear this out.
Now for the gripe. The bag really needs a couple of D rings for a shoulder strap. Nearly every other reviewer has mentioned this. The zippers go all the way around, but you can offset the D ring attachments - or have two on each side, with reinforcing straps stitched underneath and around, parallel to the zippers.
I knew about the lack of attachments for shoulder straps before going in, and still bought it. Why? Because, even after research I couldn't find any bags comparable to the Aviator, with or without shoulder straps, from any manufacturer at any price. Solid 1000D material, robust zippers, clean minimalist design and great American workmanship. Five stars.
By Sean, China, August 10, 2011
This bag is amazing. I do wish it had a shoulder strap, but it's an Aviator bag, and it's already great. Price is fantastic too!
Good things come in small packages
By kjm3579, Glassboro, NJ, May 16, 2011
I bought this bag as a gift for my son. He goes through duffel bags about one per year so I figured he was a good candidate for the Red Oxx quality and life-time guarantee. He has used this bag for over night and weekend trips and it still looks brand new. It actually measures a little smaller than his last bag but because it isn't divided up into lots of smaller pockets he has a lot more usable room in it. The quality and construction is first rate. The only thing lacking is a place to attach a shoulder strap. My son is pleased with it and I won't have to keep buying duffel bags in the future.
By J-Money, Alabama, March 31, 2011
This bag is the perfect size. It has tackled everyday duty back and forth to the gym as well as two and three night trips. This is my second bag from Red Oxx and third in the house. Do the smart thing and get rid of your "other" luggage.
By Mike, St. Louis, February 18, 2011
Absolutely love this bag. Bought a simple bag for work. Work 48 hours shifts on the ambulance and this has more than enough space for everything. Was impressed the minute I opened it. Bag is built like a tank! Great materials, zipper, and workmanship. A testament to American craftmanship.
By Anonymous, Zapopan, Mexico, January 6, 2011
This is a very basic bag, very well made with first class materials. I wasn't too convinced about the adequacy of the size, thinking that something like 20"x 13" x 8" would be better, however now I see that I can fit a filled 15"x 10" Eagle Creek folder, plus a pair of slippers and rolled slacks at one end, and two 6.75"x 11" eBags packing cubes on top of each other filled with the rest of my clothing and electronics in the other end. The folder and cubes give enough body so the bag won't sag, and still leave space for a few ziplocks with odds and ends. A shorter and wider bag wouldn't adapt so well to this arrangement.
My only regret is that there are no attachment points for a strap, which is a convenience when you need both hands free, but adding D rings shouldn't be difficult, and I intend to do so. Otherwise a great bag.
By Anonymous, NYC, December 31, 2010
Absolutely great bag that lives up to all of the great reviews here. It's simple, which is what makes it great.
By Anonymous, toronto, ontario, canada., December 30, 2010
a great bag for shopping and all around use. one thing that would be nice if red oxx could change this would be some kind of softer gel like material for the handles. when you have snapped up the two buttons on the handle, the edges of the loops kind of dig into your palm when carrying a heavy load. a very minor problem but just something that i had to mention. something like poron. all in all though, a solid bag. also, don't let the small size name fool you, it's pretty darn big. and the near all around zipper is amazing, makes putting in stuff inside the bag so easy. i got all three sizes, so i am ready to just about anything.
very nice touch of red oxx to include a luggage tag with each bag.
The "KISS" Principle in action
By Anonymous, Port Washington, Wisconsin, October 29, 2010
I have been a long-time user of packing cubes (Eagle Creek & L.L. Bean) in various sizes. I like the fact that the aviator bag is rectangular and accepts the various cubes so easily. I'm packed for a three-day road trip and I still have room for more "stuff". However, I attempt to follow the advice of Antoine de Saint-Exupery: "He who would travel far, travels light". Thanks, Red Oxx, for a well-made, straight-forward piece of gear.
Perfect for packing light
By obform, Red Sox Nation, October 21, 2010
In the month or so I have had this bag it has accompanied me on a 3-day trip to DC and a 2 week trip in Northern Italy. Filled with rolled clothes enough for the casual traveler, toiletries and a book or two it hardly weighs more than an empty rolling suitcase of similar capacity.
By David B, Madison, WI, October 7, 2010
I took a 10-day trip through Germany and the Czech Republic with two of these bags. One was stuffed full of clothes, the other only mostly full of electronics, shoes, and other misc stuff. Both bags fit perfectly in the overhead compartments or under the seats, both on international jets and tiny shuttle flights.
These things are lightweight, durable, and simple. I've never been a fan of lots of compartments, so these were great for me. Even without packing cubes or compression, I was able to pack as much as I wanted because I didn't have anything in the way, and the bags themselves weigh next to nothing.
If you pack light and hate baggage claim, I can't recommend these enough.
By Rob, , September 27, 2010
My small bag has seen duty as a camping duffle getting kicked around in the dirt, as well as a carry-on for a week-long trip to Italy where it held its own, both as a carry-on (the small bag is almost the maximum legal carry-on size) and as checked luggage. These days I keep a sleeping bag and camp pillow in the extra small (!) and throw it in the car when I know I'll end up sleeping outside or on someone's floor. The bags zip all the way open allowing you to pack them sideways, like a suitcase, which is nice for laying out clothes and shoes. The zippers on these bags are nice, smooth, and non-catching; which is essential for stuffing my sleeping bag. The bags are guaranteed for life, and it is easy to see why; they are simple and well-done.
By Alan, North Carolina, February 18, 2010
Remember the KISS principle? --Keep It Simple Stupid!! Thankfully this bag follows that line of thinking!! The only improvement I can think of is the addition of clip holders so I person could add a carry on strap if they wanted to. Otherwise, it's simplicity at its best.
Collapsibility of Duffel, But the Shape of A Suitcase
By Anonymous, San Francisco, July 6, 2009
Think "duffel but shaped like a suitcase, with a wrap-around zipper" and you'll have a clear idea what this minimalist carry-on is all about. ....To keep weight and price down, there isn't a shoulder strap or even shoulder strap attachment points for an accessory shoulder strap. No problem, the snap-together handle with wrap is really comfortable, unless you stuff it with bowling balls. ....NO extra pockets or slots. Just a good shape for stowing overhead or underseat; a sizeable interior; and minimal weight. Ideal for the canny minimalist or ultralight traveler. Also ideal for folding compactly and stowing in another bag, to bring back souvenirs. ....A nice gift as "starter luggage" for a niece or nephew who might otherwise make their funky bookpack or backpack serve double-duty as their luggage. ....Good "trunk bag" or "go bag" for cars, boats, planes - stuff it with warm clothing, sleeping bags (choose the right size bag!). ....In the "mesh" (the 3 "edge" panels on the zipper line are mesh) version, makes a good gear bag. ....Classic RedOxx quality. No corners were cut in materials or workmanship! Astounding value! ....Great for vegans, no leather used at all.
Less is Perfect, When Perfectly Made!
By Michael W., Oakland CA, July 1, 2009
This is a great bag, a throwback to minimalist (by modern standards) "soft-sided luggage" from the 70's and 80's.//This is basically a small fabric suitcase with a high quality YKK self-locking zipper (won't open on its own) that runs around 3 sides of the bag for easy packing, since the top flops back out of the way. //The fabric is the same top quality Cordura nylon canvas used in other RedOxx bags, albeit currently available in black only (I'm fine with that!). //The webbing handles run all the way down and across the bottom of the bag - they aren't going to be pulling loose from the bag any day soon. //The handle wrap uses snaps not Velcro to close, so there is no Velcro to snag on my clothing, pick up lint, or wear out. //There is no shoulder strap or even attachment points for an optional shoulder wrap - I applaud RedOxx for taking this bold step in the direction of minimalism, since this means the bag is that much lighter, that much more compact if I need to stow it in another bag. I'd rather carry this bag by hand (what a retro concept!) than have to deal with the extra weight and nuisance (always getting caught on something!) of a strap.//The rectangular "suitcase" (as opposed to "duffel") shape is optimal for packing and stowing. Plus it looks like luggage which is better for my travel..//My Asian flights put a 15 pound limit on my carryon luggage, and I've exceeded that 3 times in the past. This bag should help me stay within weight limits. First, the bag itself doesn't weigh too much; second, while it provides a generous 1,936 cubic inches of packing space, that is still much less than RedOxx's "one bags," the AirBoss and SkyTrain. I intend to pack only my clothing essentials and toilet kit (except for TSA liquids) here. No laptop, nothing "heavy." (That stuff goes in the Gator, which slips by without getting weighed, as my "personal item".)//The naked main (and only) compartment looks daunting at first - until I realized this isn't the 70's or 80's, when soft-sided luggage got ditched because I didn't know how to pack it. Hey, nowadays there are packing cubes galore to choose from (I use Rick Steves which are more generously sized than many others - a knockoff is sold at Target). Or I can bundle wrap. Personally I like cubes, they keep things from shifting and I can live out of the cubes without unpacking at my destination. For smaller items I used silnylon (ultralight) camping ditty bags, although Ziplocs work too.//This is NOT a carryon that will provide you with shoe pockets, slots, or features. Just maximum rectangular space, minimal weight. If you could travel using only a large shopping bag or tote, this is the bag for you - it will last a lot longer and look a lot better. If you need personal organizer features, think AirBoss or Skytrain or Adventure Duffel (I have my eye on the PR5).
By Nic, Seattle, May 28, 2009
This bag makes carry-on-only air travel easy. It's light, meets carry on size limits, and fits easily into overhead bins. The build quality is excellent - heavy duty zipper and handles that can easily support as much weight as you'll be able to carry. If you're looking for a simple, durable duffel, this is an excellent value.