I have used this bag twice now: once for a 2-week trip, once for a 1-week trip (both times to Europe). What's notable is that I'm a 46-year-old woman, and on both trips I had to look extremely presentable. Meaning, even though I'm an efficient packer, I had to pack multiple pairs of shoes and several outfits in order to meet my obligations for "dressing up" on several occasions.
I was skeptical at first, but now that I have used this bag twice, I'm a believer. It's easy for me to carry either way, depending on the situation. It fits nicely in the overhead bins, and it's rugged but still sleek.
It's made well, so I assume I will be able to enjoy it for years to come. Now, my mission is to find a second, smaller carry-on (my "personal item," as the airlines call it) by Red Oxx. I'm hooked!
(Mary,check out the Gator)

I bought the red Sky Train bag a close to when I was leaving for a 3 week trip to Japan and Australia. Red Oxx couldn't have been more helpful in ensuring that I got it delivered in time, the service was excellent.
I decided to travel with only one bag to avoid hauling lots of unused gear with me, and I followed the instructions for optimal packing. I'm 6'5" so it wasn't like I was just fitting dainty sized clothes in there. I took it as hand luggage to avoid the headaches of the opening of Terminal 5 at Heathrow, and then found it easy to travel all across Japan with. The bag is really comfortable and durable, it has a good number of useful pockets and is really well made, the zips and ties are fantastic. I hardly used the bag as a backpack as it was a lot more comfortable than I had imagined when using the shoulder strap as the rubber keeps it in place and spreads the weight over your shoulder.
Thanks to Red Oxx for the quality product, keep up the good work! I’m hoping to get the chance to get away a lot more often so I can test it even more!

Uncomplicated people, outstanding customer service. I had a problem with my Sky Train and received unbureaucratic and fast help - which I value a lot!
Great bag, great company, buy your stuff here!

I just received my Mariner Sky Train last week and I was very impressed when I took it out of the box. You can tell immediately that it's a very well constructed piece of luggage and it looks very sharp in Mariner. There are no stray threads anywhere. I can't wait until my next trip so that I can try it out. It was a bit expensive, but if I can get 20 to 30 years of use out of it, the cost is negligible. It looks like it will last at least that long as it appears to be very durable. I like the flexibility of the back pack straps and will probably use it mostly for leisure travel, but it looks nice enough for business travel as well. With the recently announced policy by American Airlines of charging $15 for the first checked bag (and $25 for the second), it even makes financial sense and it would help pay for itself over time by avoiding the need to check any luggage. Great job, Red Oxx!

The Sky Train arrived yesterday and my first impression was "what great craftsmen ship. The people who designed and made this really care. The stainless steel fittings have heft and open easily. There wasn't a loose thread in the bag. I'm really going to put it to work and learn to travel light with no check-in. Given the poor rep of two of my local carriers, United & US Air, this is almost a condition of travel.
My only suggestion is that you ought to include more descriptive literature on your product line & the How to Pack diagram with each shipment.
I ordered up a cell phone carrier now, knee jerk reaction to satisfaction with your product.
the best to you and thanks for keeping it in the good old USA
al
Al,
You can download the Bundle Wrap method here http://www.redoxx.com/articles/packing-for-air-travel.html

I already own an Air Boss, which serves almost all my travel needs very well. Its only drawback (for me) is that it cannot be carried as a backpack. I find this feature important when charging through airports, or walking to and from the underground, metros, subways, etc., which I try to use if at all possible when traveling to cities with mass transit.
When the Sky Train was released, I was delighted and bought one as soon as I could. I just got back from a short (2 day) trip to NYC; it was my shake down trip with my new bag. This was an all rail and walking trip -- DC metro, Amtrak, NYC subway -- with some taxi rides around NYC (due to the rain).
Like the Air Boss, the Sky Train seems to swallow up packed items with ease. Plenty of room for all that I needed, including my exercise equipment, clothes for 2 business meetings, assorted papers and a lap top. I used the backpack mode exclusively. I had no problem negotiating rapid transit, and the 20 block walk from NYC's Penn Station to my hotel was fairly comfortable.
My only complaint -- the bag should include both a sternum strap and waist belt to help distribute the weight load more effectively. I know that the Sky Train is not meant for hiking/mountaineering, and I am not suggesting that it should be designed that way. But being able to adjust the bag with these additional features would take it, in my opinion, from nearly perfect to perfect.
All in all, another superior product. Its my third Red Oxx purchase, and won't be my last.

After researching various bags for several months, I purchased my olive Skytrain in December 2007. I took delivery when I overnighted in Houston on my return from Nicaragua back to home in the UK.
I was initially disappointed, even on that first trip back home. HOWEVER, I have just completed a 3.5 week assignment in Maputo, Mozambique and am now a confirmed Redoxx fan: great build quality and customer service, although there are some improvements that could be made (four tie downs in each compartment for adaptability/flexibility, "sleeve"`panel at rear to enable Skytrain to be slipped over trolley or handle of other luggage).
I decided to go for carry-on luggage due to reports that Johannesburg Airport en route has an increasingly unenviable reputation for theft and damage.
My Skytrain carried: four shirts, two pairs slacks, pair of New Balance walking shoes, tie, handkerchiefs, sunglasses, toilet kit (core of bundle-wrap), portable scanner and cables, all in the main compartment; packing cube with underpants, socks, three t-shirts, one swimming costume, running shorts, spare power adapter for Toshiba notebook, external CD/DVD drive and power cable for use with Toshiba Portege M200 notebook, laundry bag, medication, flip-flop sandals, all in second compartment; "outside" compartment contained book (thick book, "Charlie Wilson's War"), toiletries in clear inspection bag, compression straps (just in case!).
Note to onebag.com aficionados: I note that most of you ALSO carry another bag for in-flight use; I carried a 2002 Swiss Army Webmaster tough nylon computer bag with my Toshiba Portege M200, cables etc, plus a Fujitsu U810 UMPC etc, system CDs, external HDD, camera, spare glasses, mouse, LaptopDesk, etc.
Because I am 60 years old and have a back that was subjected to years of enjoyable sport, backpacking etc, I also used a collapsible trolley.
I have confidence I can go without check-in bags for most assignments in future, thanks mainly to my Redoxx Skytrain.

I purchased the Sky Train mainly as a carry on for shirts and slacks,as an alternative to a large roller type garment bag.I have my shirts dry cleaned,folded,and plastic packaged.I packed 5 shirts,4 slacks,1 jacket,pj's,and several other items.I ended up not using it as a carry on on this trip,I took off the monkey knots in case they were a problem for conveyor belts.All worked well,clothes were no more wrinkled than using a heavier,larger bag.I weighed the bag on my return with soiled clothes and books and assorted items. It weighed 22 pounds. It was pretty stuffed,with about 18 pounds not counting the bag. The bag is rugged,holds a lot and I will use in all my trips coming up,maybe even as a carry on.
I have several Red Oxx bags,all are worth the money.I am a satisfied customer.
Thanks
Mike

I recently took delivery of your SkyTrain product. I did quite a bit of research on carry-on
bags before purchasing the SkyTrain including checking the carry-on
luggage dimensions stated by the airlines I would be most likely to
use - this bag complied with the greatest number of them.
I used the bag for Christmas holiday trip, as a trial run
for a more lengthy journey in 2008 which will include both plane &
train travel. The trip was within Ireland on a commuter airline -
their carry-on luggage criteria were 8 x 11 x 17 ins. (the SkyTrain
is compliant-ish) and max weight of 7 kg.
The weight restriction turned out to be more of an issue
than the case size - as your case weighs 1.8kg, that left 5.2 kg for
clothes etc.
Nevertheless, even with Winter-weight clothes and
weighing each item, I managed to get a sportscoat, 1 pair of
trousers, 1, shirt, 1 pyjamas, 1 set of underwear, socks, tie,
electric shaver (it was surprisingly heavy [350g] - I will have to
seek a smaller, perhaps battery powered one in future), hair brush,
toothbrush, toothpaste, charger for mobile phone, a hat and two
editions of national geographic (I find these just the right physical
size and reading length for 1-2 hour plane and train journeys), plus
travel documents and still was just over the 7kg limit. I used the
bundle-wrap method described in your website for the clothes.
If weight restriction was not an issue, I could have
easily fitted twice the amount of clothes, I am sure.
I found the construction of the bag and the zips and
handles and back back straps of solid construction, very comfortable
and easy to use. The general construction of the case gave me
confidence that if I was forced to treat it as checked luggage, it
would withstand the baggage handlers 'care & attention'. Its overall
appearance passed muster in the 5 star hotel I stayed in over Christmas.
In the event, the airline did not comment on the size of
the case, nor did they weigh it and inside the plane (a ATR 42/72 -
small body, 70 person commuter plane) the case fitted both within the
overhead locker (even though they are triangular in section) and
under the seat - no effort and no problem. ( I noted that a sign
inside the locker said 30kg max - each locker serves 4 seats, hence
the 7 kg limit - though it would only have been possible to fit 2
cases of the dimension criteria in each locker.).
The return trip was equally smooth and traveling through
airports at Christmas was considerably easier by virtue of not having
to wait for checked luggage to be regurgitated by the system.
On the basis of my experience with the SkyTrain, plan to
purchase other Redoxx products - the Gator & Travel Basket. - to
supplement my options for my next trip.
I congratulate you on producing such fine travel case.

The Sky Train is as billed...the perfect hybrid travel bag. I left last Sunday and flew to Green Bay with my Sky Train and a C-Ruck full of cold weather clothes. The saffron Sky Train not only held LOTS of thermal underwear, wool, hats, socks, and gloves; it also doubled well as a cheesehead during the sub zero pre-game activities. Flew back to Mississippi on Monday, dumped the cold weather clothes, and filled the Sky Train up with a weeks' worth of shorts, t-shirts, and sandals for a week in Mexico. The padded backpack straps work great when you're not wearing a shirt and the claw shoulder strap or plastic handles work well when you've already got the C-Ruck on your shoulders. I like the Sky Train's two levels for separating clean/dirty clothes on the return trip or wet/dry while on day hikes.

I thought the Air Boss was good, but this is definitely an improvement. It's very comfortable to carry (I've only used the handle, not the back straps), and the compartments are just what you need, and nothing more, for hassle-free travel. The size is compact enough to escape the attention of the baggage size enforcers. When my flight was delayed, it was such a relief to know that I didn't have to worry about waiting for my luggage to come out at the end of my flight.
From just one trip (Chicago-London), I can see why this bag will be the one I'll be using for many of my travels.
Great job, Redoxx Design Team!

I switched to this bag from the Aeronaut to better handle by business clothes. It definitely works better to keep my clothes unwrinkled. Although it looks small than the Air Boss - it really does expand to hold as much. I got my dad an AirBoss, which is great for travel by car, but the backpack straps are a lifesaver in the airport, now that I almost always need to connect. I suppose I would have preferred it 21" long, but now I can last 1 week on the road with the Sky Train and an Empire Builder. I'm now glad to be done fiddling trying to find the "perfect" bag, the Sky Train gets the job done with style.

Just put my new Sky Train to the test in the Bahamas. The bag scores an A+
I love my Air Boss but on long trips I tend to over pack and as great as the claw strap is, my shoulder still gets worked over. The Sky Train, with its backpack straps, solves that problem. I also used my Gator Bag in combination with the Sky Train for the first time. Sitting empty on the bed, the Gator looks small. But when I started packing it I was amazed at how much it could handle. And, that short length proved perfect when slid under my airline seat giving me plenty of room to move my feet. I am looking forward to using the Sky Train and Gator on upcoming trips to Canada, Italy and Romania. I highly recommend these bags.

I travel about 200,000 miles a year in planes. I have been using rolling bags but it is getting harder and harder to fit them in the various overheads on planes. Add to that about 5 trips through London Heathrow with their one bag rule and I was ready to try something different and go with a bag like this. I heard about Red Oxx on a frequent flyer web forum and decided to give it a try. I considered the Air Boss, and still may get one but liked the backpack straps, primarily for when I'm carrying a heavier notebook computer.
I am stunned by the quality of this bag, the "fit and finish" and the engineering. It is both very utilitarian and nice looking. It just feels like high quality. From the various zippers to the other hardware and to the shoulder strap it is incredibly well done. I particularly like the way the backpack straps are almost completely concealed. My only question now is which of your bags should I order next. Keep making these high quality products.