(39 Reviews)
By Elisa, Australia, June 23, 2011
This looked so cute that I threw it into an order for a garment bag for my son. It's turned out to be the bag he uses the most. It's a great size for an overnight bag and is also ideal for carrying a ton of textbooks. The quality is excellent and it looks even better in person. A really handy bag, and one which I'm coveting for myself.
By Jessica, Italy, June 13, 2011
This is the magical Mary Poppins bag, or perhaps Hermione Granger put an extendable charm on it -- truly seems bigger on the inside than the outside. I took just a messenger bag and the XS Aviator for 5 days in Greece, including a ton of toiletries, 4 pairs of shoes, and my own beach towel. Using the onebag.com bundle wrapping, everything fit fine. I do wish there was a shoulder strap (even though the Claw strap on my Air Boss is too long for me to use comfortably), but I just put the bag over my forearm when I got tired of holding it in my hand on the 1/2 mile hike between ferry ports. Love how lightweight this is!
The TARDIS of Duffel Bags
By Jamie, Churchville, MD, May 5, 2011
It is bigger on the inside. My first overnight trip with this bag was to a family event. For kicks I decided to pack really poorly and see how much I could cram into the bag. The fact is that I didn't do any cramming.
I fit 1 pair of Top Siders, 1 pair of underwear, 1 pair of athletic socks, 1 pair dress socks, 1 undershirt, 1 pair of dress khakis, 1 short sleeve polo, 1 long sleeve top, 1 dress shirt, 1 pair of new balance running shoes, 1 lightweight windbreaker for running, toothpaste, toothbrush, razor in ziplock.
For context I wear a size 12 wide shoe. I did a bad job folding knowing that my mother has an ironing board. I have no idea how dressy I will need to be so I packed basically 4 days of clothes just in case.
Here is the best part, the big zipped up without any problems. There was room to spare. It is so stout and tough that it will fit anywhere and not be a pain to lug around. Without a laptop it is pretty light. Best of all is that there is room to spare if you want to take an extra pair of shoes or a little something, but not too much room where you take everything you own. You could pack light and buy a t-shirt when you get there.
For less than $50 this bag is a steal. I am kicking myself for buying an Air Boss. All I need is my briefcase and this bag and I will be set for 5 days of clothes for business travel. If I wanted to bring some in flight entertainment, I am sure I can do three days business travel and put my Lil Roy for gadgets on the plane.
There is so much value for your money. Worst case throw some tools in it and see how you like it. I would love to buy another one, but this is the only bag I will need before it wears out in 20 years.
Red Oxx please email me if you are going to stop making this bag, I will buy a few for safe keeping.
Thanks again for making such a great product.
By a fierro, west texas, March 3, 2011
great little bag for the gym or a change of clothes. made in the U.S.A.
Would be five stars with shoulder-strap option, pockets
By Tyler, Nashville, TN, March 3, 2011
I travel often for business (on road ~20 weeks/year for 1-4 nights at a time) and bought this bag because my roller bag was just too much for most of my trips. This is a great bag and, as dumb as this sounds, it's a lot bigger than it appears on screen: pay attention to the physical measurements. Capacity is huge: I travel pretty light, but I can readily pack clothes for a 3 or 4 day business trip, including workout gear and running shoes (it requires wearing or rolling your jacket/blazer, which won't fit folded). At the same time, when underpacked it easily smushes down, making it stowable under the forward seat or taking up spots in overhead compartments that are way too small for rollers. The hardware is simple and sturdy.
Two things keep this bag from getting five stars. First, it should really have shoulder strap connections. Because of its huge capacity, the bag can be really heavy when stuffed, which can make it exhausting to hold in hand at all times. I think this is such a serious omission that I may wind up adding loops myself - because otherwise, I love it. Second (and this is far more minor) a couple of patch pockets on the inside of the bag would be a nice addition for tucking a cosmetics zip-lock bag, cell/computer charger, ticket, etc.
By Chris, MN, February 17, 2011
I bought 2 of these without ever seeing them in person. I am very happy with the purchase. I see multiple uses for these bags. I've used the bags on multiple occasions for carrying textbooks, clothes, food, and computer equipment. On a recent trip overseas, I rolled up this bag and put it in my carry-on. I ended up buying some duty-free whiskey as a gift and was given some cheap plastic bags. I was able to stuff the purchases into the aviator and was able to securely transport my newly acquired items.
I build quality on these bags is ridiculous. Simple, but very sturdy. The webbing that is wrapped around the entire bag does not make me worry that the bag will fall apart if I'm carrying a heavy load. I wish I could say I would buy more extra small bags, but I'm afraid these bags will last forever. I highly recommend them if you are looking for a simple duffel bag that will last forever.
Perfect carry-on for those short trips
By Jonathan, Ontario Canada, February 17, 2011
Those short, one or two night, trips that involve flying, can pose some tricky choices for luggage. This bag is perfect when you are travelling light. It's surprisingly roomy for such a small bag. It fits easily in the overhead compartment of even the smallest planes. It's also great to toss into a bigger bag giving you options for the return trip when you've bought things and need some extra space. For $30 you can't beat it! Excellent construction too!
By L. Smith, Atlanta, GA, February 10, 2011
This bag is wonderful! I'm pleasantly surprised how roomy it is every time I use it. I wavered back and forth between the xs and the s for my go to travel bag. I'm really happy I went with the xs. I haven't been able to completely fill it yet.
Whenever I unpack it I'm reminded of Mary Poppins bag. It doesn't look or feel big but it holds a huge amount of stuff!
By Alan, North Carolina, February 10, 2011
This bag always looked too small to me to be of use according to the website---Wrong!! I finally saw one in person on a cruise to the Bahamas. A fellow cruise passenger had one to take his beach gear from the ship to Coco Cay, the private island the cruise line leases. As fellow Red Oxx fans, we immediately struck up a conversation and I knew I had to get that bag when I got back home!!! It might be "small" compared to the larger models, but the bag hold plenty, trust me!! Now I use it as my personal carry on bag when I fly.
By Gary, NW Indiana, October 27, 2010
I use this bag to cart around my large format (4x5) camera gear. My camera, film, meter and holders fit well in this.
It's a great alternative to a standard camera bag. If you do large format, get one.
By Jeremiah Reilly, Montpelier VT, October 15, 2010
The xs aviator bag is perfect for the lean, serene traveler. I debated between ordering the s or xs and am glad that I choose the xs. Simple, sturdy, unfussy, sharp looking. For any travel which does not involve carry luggage long distances-most of my travel-this bag is perfect. I bought it to test on a weekend flight to Michigan and I was only able to make my connections because I could get on and off planes quickly and pass through security quickly. The Red Oxx XS Aviator plus the concepts from http://www.onebag.com/ are the perfect match. I could easily pack clothing and essentials for 5 to 10 days in the bag. If I were traveling longer or carrying my luggage with transport, I would order one of the Red Oxx bags with shoulder straps.
Second Aviator bag and I need more
By joi edwards, California, October 3, 2010
I got a Small Aviator bag a while back and have used it for many different things, Storing exercise equipment, Emergency Gear bag, Art bag on a painting crawl. Looking through your website I noticed that there was a smaller Aviator, the Extra Small! I needed a new gym bag and ordered one to try it out. It is perfect. I organize my gear in smaller bags so the wide-mouth is great. I can get a full change of clothes, 2 towels, small toilet kit, small bag of exercise stuff and my shoe bag. Fits in the locker when full. The perfect bag. I'm trying to figure out why I need another bag.
By Anonymous, Wauwatosa, WI, September 30, 2010
The ES Aviator is excellent as a small carryon. As remarked by others it has a deceptively large capacity and the unstructured nature of the bag works in its favor. I do not mind the lack of any pockets. Using a medium EC packing cube gave me all the internal structure I needed for a recent 3 day business trip requiring semi casual attire and was able to us the ES Aviator as my only carryon. As with all Redoxx products the build quality is outstanding. It is perfectly suited to even the smallest regional jets. The only complaint, as has been noted by others, is that it lacks strap attachment points. There are times when having the ability to sling the bag over my shoulder and have two hands free is a huge advantage. If the bag had attachment points it would be my main go to bag for short, casual trips.
By jdmitch, Olathe, KS, April 5, 2010
I use this for a travel bag. Fits in even the smallest overheads (and sometimes behind the very back seat in small planes). I can go (and have gone) an entire week out of this bag. I'd love to see an XXS for a workout gear bag.
By John V., San Diego, CA, December 22, 2009
I use (it) to carry all the things I need to take to work everyday. The
bag is a perfect fit for one of my panniers on my R100GS BMW. I am
loving the bag. It has done a great job. I only wish it had a pocket
to hold my keys and a few small Items. Thanks for making great
products.
John
By Kevin B., Dallas, December 3, 2009
I needed a bag to fit in "the seat in front of you" as a carry-on bag. This is perfect. I put my roll-aboard up in the bin. I put my 12" notebook in its sleeve and slide it into this bag along with other carry-on essentials such as a nice book to read, digital camera case, sweater, scarf, and a few other odds'n ends. It is a great little bag. I love the way the bag's zippers go almost all the way around. It makes it easy to zip all the way open, stack tons of stuff inside, then zip shut. I fly over 130 thousand miles a year and this bag is usally with me. Great complement to my 22" roll-aboard bag.
This Bag and the Rick Steves Packing Cubes are Made for Each Other
By Michael W., Northern California, August 18, 2009
Rick Steves Packing Cube Set:
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one large @ 14x11x5 plus two small @ 7x11x5 (two small, side by side, match one large cube)
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Small Aviator Bag = 15x11x8 - a perfect match (well, the cubes stacked could hit 10", but I seldom fill both sets completely)
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Separated at birth?
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Or BFFL (best friends for life)?
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I can pack all my ESSENTIAL extra clothing for a week's trip to Thailand in one large Steves cube plus one small cube (spare Ex Officio pants, lightweight synthetic short sleeve polo shirts in the large cube; underwear and socks in one of the small cubes). My toiletries and miscellaneous essential junk fit the other small cube. The large cube is fully packed to its full 5" thickness, but the the smaller cubes which fill out the width of the Extra Small Aviator are only about half filled, which works perfectly with the Extra Small Aviator's 8" width.
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The Cubes provide all the organization I really need, which organization the Aviator, a marvel of simplicity, lacks on its own.
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This results in such a small carry-on bag that I can't imagine any airline ever turning it down, even on the smaller regional jets with small overhead bins that I encounter in SE Asia. It WILL fit under the seat if necessary.
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When I get to my destination I pull the cubes out and live out of them.
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Mind you, if you need a bag to help with your organizing, you are better off with Red Oxx's conventional duffel bag series, which have lots of useful slots and pockets. But if you use a packing cube system or packing cubes plus Ziplocs or ditties, this might be perfect, and save you some weight without giving up the basic robust construction.
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My personal bag (or personal item, in airline lingo) is the Gator - it holds the junk I need for the flight itself (netbook, snacks, neck pillow, sweater, etc.). In the worst case scenario it will also stuff under the seat - or fit the smallest of small, the most over-stuffed of overstuffed, overhead bins.
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My checked bag, for my NON-essential "luxury items" like some extra clothing (the bulkier denim pants, the bulkier long sleeve cotton polos, beach/shower flip flops and extra shoes), gym gear, is a Red Oxx SMALL Aviator (which is also carryon sized, but much larger than I need for carryon).
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I love the Aviator series because they don't waste weight on pockets and slots and straps and strap attachment points, but are still made to Red Oxx quality standards and have their "non-slip" zippers which won't open until you tug the zipper pulls - hence no chance a careless TSA inspector might forget to close the zipper all the way, and stuff starts widening the opening and spilling out.
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BTW, the "mesh" version of this bag works too, but I discovered that the mesh version isn't "spill-proof" so unless you want to wrap your cubes/bundles in a plastic sack, this non-mesh version is better for real travel, the mesh version better for gym use.
By Peter Berg, Hawai'i, December 11, 2008
I've got two of these - Extra Small - that I use for tool bags. They are perfect: I like that they open fully enough to have the tools laid out for easy, dirt free access, and that they suffer continued abuse with grace.Thank you!!PeterQuindembo Bamboo NurseryHawai'i
By Anonymous, , September 19, 2007
I bought this thinking it would be good for a spare bag on trips but I think the next larger size might be better. But this probably could do as an emergency overflow bag even though it seems to be an odd size. I have it now in my car holding all the gear like a towel, flashlight, bungee cords, and a mapsco. I think I could also fit jumpers in there if I wanted. It's a nice way to organize everything so I can easily find it or move it around if I need space. As with all the Red Oxx products I own it's very rugged and tough. I could see this or the mesh version being a very good bag for the gym clothes, but I use my Sunchaser for that. I think it's a great value for the price and the quality you get.