Weekender Bag Assistance

[unknohn]

I'm trying to figure out what "weekender" type bag to buy. Here is what I've been looking at:

Ernest Alexander Bedford Travel Duffel: https://www.ernestalexander.com/col...dford-wax-travel-duffel?variant=5952447545374

Ernest Alexander Andrews Wax Shoe Duffel: https://www.ernestalexander.com/col...s/andrews-wax-shoe-duffel?variant=48882695814

Frost River Flight Bag: https://www.frostriver.com/shop/luggage/luggage-luggage/flight-bag/

Filson Medium Duffel (over price range): http://www.brooksbrothers.com/Filso...?dwvar_UL00109_Color=NAVY&contentpos=12&cgid=

Filson Meridian Duffel (way over price range): https://www.filson.com/sale/luggage-bags/meridan-duffle-70344-s-sale.html

This is a big purchase for me. My budget is pretty limited but I want to buy something that will last for a long time (5-10+ years). I like the EA bags, but I wasn't sure how they compare to Filson on quality. Is it worth spending that much more for a Filson? And what do you think about the Bedford vs the Alexander?

 

[johng70]

First question - do you anticipate using the bag for flying or just driving road trips? If flying, you want to make sure dimensions work well - especially with smaller overhead bins.
A few years back I bought a very stylish buffalo duffle for weekends. Since then, we bought a Tom Bihn Aeuronaut for my wife. After a couple trips we bought a second one. We use the Bihns for air travel and the duffle for car travel.
The Bihn is infinitely more practical - you can have divided compartments or not and the dimensions of the bag mean it fits perfectly without being squashed in overhead compartments. The straps are very comfortable and you can wear it as a backpack which can be very useful if you have to race through an airport. It's a lifetime warranty which I like.
The buffalo bag just looks great, so it's the more stylish option. Where I work, we have a lot of consultants and one such consultant lamented how a lot of bags he's had over the years fail - they often fail at the pins/rivets or zipper and at the corners from abrasion of jamming it in and pulling it out of compartments. Now, he travels every week so he's hard on stuff. But, if you want something that will last a decade - buy a product that is lifetime guaranteed. Filson fits into that (so does Tom Bihn by the way). If you're going to do a lot of air travel, recognize you will have to jam a duffle into some overheads and be sure you're comfortable with the shoulder strap if you're lugging through airports.
https://www.tombihn.com/products/aeronaut-45?variant=34039227783

 

[unknohn]

I was aiming for something all-around, so would have to fit in overhead. Thanks for the input! I think I may end up going with something cheap for now and up spend when I have the funds for a Filson. Although the Tom Bihn's look pretty good - I think it's something I need to think through.

Much appreciated!

 

[Mahad Akram]

Nice bags !! I would probably go for the Andrews wax shoe duffel bag. Primarily, for two reasons which may also be true in your case. I find the strap has to be quite wide (also padded) in order to take weight. I really like the external pocket as well, so quick access for travel documents, phone etc.

when comparing bedford v alexander, if you see yourself using this bag quite often - the waxed canvas material on the alexander is durable (not to mention waterproof).

 

[flipstah]

I like the Bedford the most. Two side pockets>one