(25 Reviews)
By David Lisak, Massachusetts, September 8, 2011
I own many Red Oxx bags, so I am no longer surprised by the excellent design features and superb construction. That's what defines this company. The Sun Chaser fits a very particular niche for me. I am a very frequent flyer, and I pack very light. So this bag, at roughly the same volume as the Mini-Ruck (1850+ cu. in.), is easily large enough to carry what I need for multi-day trips. The Sun Chaser has two features that -- for some trips -- make it more convenient than the Mini-Ruck. First, the double-zipper top opening makes it easier to pack and easier to see what you've got in the bag. Second, the shape of the Sun Chaser makes it easier to fit into the small, overhead bins of commuter jets, which all airlines are using now on more and more routes. The Mini-Ruck will also fit those bins, but if you've got it packed full you might need to do some shifting around to get it in and out.
Of course, packed full, I'd rather be carrying the Mini-Ruck on my back than the Sun Chaser over my shoulder, but that's why I own both bags.
By Anonymous, Virginia, September 5, 2011
Used this as my primary bag for a brief 3 day European jaunt. Very easy to pack given the large top flap. I took extra shoes and even packed my suit jacket easily, without much wrinkling. The little pockets are perfect for toiletries.
By Robert, Great Falls, VA, August 21, 2011
Truly under-rated and under-appreciated little bag. I substitute it for my Air Boss on some trips. I can get a week's worth of stuff in this bag, even with Lufthansa's absurd 8kg (17.2 lb) carry-on limit. Works just as well for a quick weekend trip to the beach, or the mountains.
Side pockets are good for miscellaneous stuff. Use some Domke inserts and it's a pretty good camera bag, with room for some extras.
By Farron, Orange County, CA, July 28, 2011
I no longer carry a camera bag, since I travel light with at most two cameras and lenses, maybe a small flash. The Sun Chaser is the ideal under-seat bag. The side pockets add space without adding height, the critical dimension for bags that go under the seat. As another reviewer noted, a not quite full bag was easy on the shoulder at about 13 lbs. I too chose it over the PR4, a bit less expensive and easier to pack.
By JackieB, SW FLORIDA, July 21, 2011
At 62 years old and 5'2" I decided to forget trying to lug around a roll aboard bag that I could never get up stairs and constantly tipped over, and try a one bag carryon that I could just, well, carry! So after many days of investigating hundreds of options including other American bag companies and reading all the reviews I could find on them all, I decided that the Red Oxx Sunchaser was THE bag! So after ordering the bag and promptly receiving it, I was at first afraid it was too small for a one bag trip. But, I packed the bag, anyway, for a ten day trip, hoping for the best.
WOW!! I fit EVERYTHING I needed into the bag (I don't even carry a purse) for the ten days and I still could have fit a little more and it only weighed 13 pounds! I am now back from my trip and using the Sunchaser was the very best experience I ever had traveling with a bag! Wish I would have had this bag years ago!!!! Thanks for this great product!!!
By Paul Walker, Texas, June 23, 2011
I've been giving Sun Chasers for graduation gifts for a few years now and it has worked out great. It's a great piece of equipment and as people move to a different phase of their life, a great bag for travel and weekends is always appreciated. I usually try to get them is school colors if possible but regardless, the recipients are always thrilled! Great products RED OXX keep em coming!
The Sun Chaser: Great Bag for Short Trips (Even to the Hospital!)
By Ryan F., Cuyahoga Falls, OH, June 15, 2011
This was my first Red Oxx purchase and I know it won't be my last. I almost purchased the Air Boss in May 2010 for a 10-day trip to China. But I purchased the MEI Executive Overnighter because it was a better fit for my needs.
I travel about 40% of the time for work and I've really enjoyed the "one-bag" concept, though I don't really stick to it. I always carry my laptop bag as well. I bought the Sun Chaser as a bag for shorter trips of 2 - 3 days, although this bag would work for longer trips too. The bag is built like a tank. It may even be overbuilt for a bag this small, but I understand how all Red Oxx products must have the same build quality.
I debated between this and the PR4. Since their physical sizes are the same, I chose the Sun Chaser for its superior function. It has a longer main compartment, which is easier to pack. The side pockets are more practical for me and the larger one holds toiletries perfectly for TSA.
Overall, I'm very happy with my purchase. I haven't actually traveled with this bag for work yet because my wife just gave birth to our son. I received the bag about three days before we had to unexpectedly go to the hospital. Luckily I had already swapped her designer bag with the Red Oxx to take all of our overnight clothes and other things for the hospital stay. The Sun Chaser performed really well and held more than her larger bag.
One complaint I have is with the carrying strap. I know this thing is never supposed to slip from your shoulder, but this comes with a price. When the bag is fully loaded, the strap digs into your shoulder and it is quite uncomfortable. I have a Tom Bihn Absolute Strap on my MEI bag that I will just use when I take the Sun Chaser. Red Oxx really should look into an alternative strap for those that need more comfort when walking long distances.
Great product from Red Oxx though. I hope to buy more of their gear when the need arises.
By Pierre, Washington, DC, June 2, 2011
Great, as all RedOxx products are. And very reasonably priced.
By Paul B., Vermont, May 8, 2011
Really great bag - just the right size for 3-4 day trips. Like others, I thought the Sunchaser might be too small when I first opened the box, but it holds a surprising amount of gear, and the outside pockets are really convenient. I do agree with others however, who commented that the hardware is a little overkill for this size bag. Maybe you could offer an alternative "ultra-light" model with similar features but these pared down features:
Lighter-weight hardware - titanium or aluminum rings, etc.
Alternative lightweight strap - Claw strap is great, but very heavy
Side stiffener to ease loading - this would really help packing
Center partition to divide main compartment
All in all a solid bag. Well laid out. I am very pleased with this purchase. Nice to find such high quality construction in a carryon.
By CB, Clearwater Valley, ID, January 7, 2011
I used this for a trip to San Diego, that involved smaller commuter planes. It fit perfectly under the seats even on the smaller planes. I carried a pro SLR with a good size lens and a telephoto zoom lens. Still had room for 2 changes of clothing, and a travel CPAP machine.
The construction of this bag actually shocked me with its quality. It is incredibly well-built, and the outside pockets are well designed. The zippers are so far above the usual quality! The claw strap was so much better than anything else I've carried that I ordered an extra strap to put on a piece of luggage I already had.
We liked this so much, we bought 3 more bags.
By Nathan, Missouri, September 19, 2010
Just got back from a week-long business trip and this was the only bag I took. Honestly, I couldn't imagine taking a bigger bag for a 7 day trip, but that's me. I would echo everything good that's been said about this bag by the other reviewers. I was pleasantly surprised to find that this fit under the seat in front of me on the plane. One of the flight attendants noticed me testing this as we deplaned. She commented that I made a good purchase.
In addition, I commend the Red Oxx customer service. Very helpful in my deliberations (I was thinking this, Air Boss, or PR4/5). They helped me make the right choice. I expect years of service from this bag.
By Kyle T, Ohio, September 19, 2010
At first I was concerned that this bag would be too small for use as an only carry on. Those fears were quickly put to rest when I started loading it up for my 11 day trip to Europe. 7 shirts, 2 shorts, 2 pairs of pants, my laundry kit, pair of running shoes and the other necessities later, I still had room left over (I was even able to fit a hiking day pack and souvenirs purchased there INSIDE my redoxx sunchaser for the return trip). Though it was bulging on the way back, it still fit comfortably within the more stringent airlines required carry on size and never received a second look (on some airlines I can even get it to fit underneath the seat in front of me).
Overall very pleased with my purchase and I am looking forward to many years of traveling with this very versatile bag.
By Gromulus, Ohio, July 13, 2010
Over the past several years I have accumulated several Red Oxx bags and accessory items. While they all have their place - the Sun Chaser is, without a doubt, my favorite bag. This is the perfect carry-on size for virtually every aircraft. It even fits under the seat if required. While the Flying Boxcar and PR-5 are also carry-on size, I wanted to play it safe with a slightly smaller bag. I was torn between the Sun Chaser and PR-4 but the Sun Chaser offers so many advantages. (If the end compartments of the PR4 would acommodate shoes, than it might be a toss-up between the two.) I really like the longer center compartment for versatility. The padded bottom helps retain shape and provides some added protecton for electronics. I find the larger side compartment on the Sun Chaser is perfect for my toiletry bag and the smaller one is great for cameras, MP3, etc. The end grab handles make all the difference when trying to get the bag out of the overhead compartment or other tightly packed areas. This is the most underrated bag that Red Oxx offers.
Soft sided bags rock for off-roading
By Anonymous, Bozeman, Montana, August 12, 2009
I recently went offroading and camping down in Colorado and at the recommendation of the friendly Red Oxx Staff, they suggested I try this fantastic duffel bag. I couldn't be happier. I didn't want to pack more than a weeks worth of clothes and since we'd be bouncing around in 4 x 4's I wanted to try a bag that could fit in a nook or cranny on the rig. The fact that Red Oxx bags are soft sided yet loaded with heavy duty hardware makes them perfect for off-road adventuring such as boulder trails. You can organize your stuff and then jam the bag into some hole. Here's the best part, because the hardware is brutus and that there's handles on the ends make yanking the bag out from under everyone elses jammed in back of a rig a piece of cake. The larger side pocket held my toiletry (also Red Oxx and highly recommended) and the smaller pocket my camera gear. The main compartment was loaded with shirts, shorts, light jacket, socks, undies, vest. At this rate I may end up with the entire collection.
The Sunchaser is a winner
By frank headley, Wilmington, NC, June 24, 2009
I have now used the Sunchaser on two trips and it came through with flying colors.My first trip was to Europe for 8 days and I used this as a supplemental bag in addition to a checked bag. As the trip was a cruise, I put most of my casual clothes in this bag and had room to spare. It was fortuitous to have this bag, as my checked bag was lost for 10 hours upon my arrival in to Nuremberg. It fit into every plane without having to be checked, including one of the smaller regional jets. Hauling this through European airports, I really appreciated the Claw strap. I felt the weight of the bag, but it never slipped or got uncomfortable.The bag really proved it's mettle, however, on an 8-day driving trip, using only the Sunchaser. I stuffed several electronic items (iPod,phone charger,camera charger), flip-flops,pair of running shoes,pair of short-sleeve pajamas,pair of running shorts,swim trunks,tee shirt, (2) pairs of golf shorts,(5)golf shirts, (9) pairs of socks,(9)briefs. I put the underwear/socks in an Eagle Creek cube and used that as my base to do my bundling. The shirts were light-weight (eg-similar to ClimaCool) and all items held up well with minimal wrinkling. And yes, I had to unpack and repack for 7 nights, but it only took 3-5 minutes each time. I echo past reviews on the helpfulness of the grab loops and the solid construction.At times, I wondered if the bag would zip up, but those strong zippers did the job with no apparent strain. Thanks for an extremely functional and durable bag!
By Mike, Florida, March 11, 2009
I am a solid Air Boss traveler but there are times when I just need to travel casually from 1-5 days. I purchased the Sun Chaser with this in mind and I have now found the solution.The quality and durability of this bag cannot in my opinion be matched. I recently used this bag for a 4 day trip and using a packing folder I was able to carry 5 shirts, 2 pants, underwear, socks, toiletries extra shoes etc. +and was still able to put my wife's purse inside with space left over for more! And, you are going to love the grab loops on both ends for retrieving this bag from underneath the seat or in the overhead bin!I flew on CRJ 700 & 900's regional jets and was never asked to check it as it easily fit under the seat! Buying from Red Oxx should never be a concern for you as they sell the most durable and functional travel products available, and they have the best customer service in the industry. Period!Thanks again Amanda for a great product and a wonderful buying experience.
By Ellen Kurtzman, United States, September 27, 2008
I've been hauling my Sun Chaser and Gator Bag for a while now and really appreciate the quality of how they are made and the cleverness of the designs. The more I pack and use them, the more I love them.I've saved enough in airline checked baggage fees to pay for the bags! (and buy myself some good dinners) I have shown friends how the system works and several have adopted it for themselves. For those of us for whom the Air Boss is just too big, the Sun Chaser offers a weekender alternative, although I can do a week out of it.Thanks!
By eric, los altos, August 24, 2008
this is a great bag. I use it to haul around my digital SLR gear and it holds everything I need in the main compartment, the small zippered compartments are great for accessories and the padded bottom and "claw" strap complete the package.
By Ellen Kurtzman, North Texas, June 21, 2008
I'm just home from a cross continental trip that bridged the new luggage and carry on rules for American Airlines. My new Sun Chaser fit nicely under the seat in front of me on an AA 757 with room to spare for a Little Roy that I use for a purse. This is an extremely handy size bag that bridges the gap between my Gator camera bag and the much larger carry ons that have to go in the overhead bins.Light in weight when empty, the Sun Chaser is large enough for me to use as a primary bag for short trips and as a carry on when I have to check a bag (I travel with things for business that the TSA won't allow in a carry on bag). The lighter the color of fabric you choose, the easier it is to see what you have in the bag.As with all RedOxx bags, this bag is beautifully well made and tough. I really appreciate the quality zippers and the great shoulder strap! Every time I travel with a RedOxx bag someone asks me where I got it and do I really like it. The answer is online for purchase via RedOxx and yes, certainly I do love this bag.I use the Little Roy bags for many things beyond use as a purse. They are very handy for digital cameras and also to carry the tools I need to set up our show booth at trade shows.The Sun Chaser easily meets the newly enforced carry on rules and is a pleasure to use for travel. I am glad I bought this bag and do recommend it to friends and strangers.
By Anonymous, , September 13, 2007
I purchased the Sun Chaser to replace an old Eastpack bag I got years ago that resembles the Beano. My first reaction was "This is supposed to be tough"? I couldn't believe how light it was and after reading about the toughness I was stunned. But after using it for a while I see what others are saying. You don't appreciate the toughness of the material until you try it a while and it's amazing how thin an light it is.So far the bag has been great. It's smaller than my previous bag (which was probably also the size of the Beano) and that makes it just about right for a gym bag. Shorts, shirt, sneakers, flip flops, bathing suit, and shower items all fit just fine. I could easily fit more including a towel if needed. I really didn't believe the hype on the strap but I now appreciate where others were coming from with the strap. It is pretty comfortable and I really don't like single shoulder strap bags. The extra strong zippers work great and the even the monkey fist ties on the end are a really nice touch. The padding on the bottom is great for giving the bag some form though I'm not sure I'd trust my DSLR camera in this bag as another reviewer said.My biggest problem is that I like the bag so much that I cringe putting my wet or sweaty gym stuff in there. Other than that it would be nice if there was a key fob in one of the pockets - it's a feature I've come to like in my bags. There is a ring on the outside of the bag but I'm not sure what it's for. I'm really happy with this bag. Looks great( I went with the red), perfect size, rugged and tough. I like it so much I'm trying to talk myself into an Air Boss to replace my pullman style bag. Or a Gator or Ruck, though I'm not sure what I'd do with them yet.