I remember a day when an airline traveller could bring two check bags plus a carry on for free. And the allowable weight of the check bags were somewhere in the neighborhood of 75 pounds. Now that airlines charge for all check bags, with a few exceptions, the carry-on bag has become the new hot ticket. Because of this, baggage has evolved to meet the new airline policies and restrictions. Savvy travelers have found ways to avoid the additional cost of check baggage by packing more efficiently into smartly designed carry-on rollers. The Aviator 40L from Douchebags is one such item and my new go-to carry-on bag for shorter trips.
I love exploring new cities, meeting new people and traveling with my family. Typically, I attempt to fit all of my cargo into a rolling carry-on bag and a good backpack. In fact, this method has become a mandate within our family. Allowing us to avoid additional fees and the whole check baggage scene when we arrive at our destination. This is usually quite easy when heading to warmer climates. Shorts, t-shirts and flip-flops don’t take up much space. Winter travel however, is a little tougher and I’m not always able to avoid checking a bag. But for most trips, The Aviator 40L has been a great companion. What I like most about The Aviator is its unique ability to divide and conquer my contents. And with 40 liters of volume, you’ll be shocked what will fit into this wonderful bag
Inside, you’ll find each side of the bag is separated by zippered compartments. On the large side, a mesh panel is utilized to separate and allow both airflow and visual confirmation of what lies beneath. Additionally, there are a pair of smaller mesh pockets along the inside of this compartment. The smaller side features a solid padded divider that protects a shallower velcro lined area. This area can be further customized with two included velcro partitions (seen below). Perfect for smaller items, shoes or a personal hygiene kit. Within the padded divider itself, you’ll find two sleeves for a laptop and tablet. Along with a small mesh zippered pocket for flat items like a passport, phone or wallet.
The exterior of The Aviator is constructed with a Polycarbonate shell featuring a matte black KPU vacuum coating. This offers a sleek yet soft touch while still providing a durable protective shell for your contents. Another nice feature is that the main zipper can be secured with a clever TSA approved combination lock. Fitting both zipper pulls into their corresponding slots, locks them in place. And prevents unwanted access to the contents of the bag. However, should you decide to check this bag, the TSA can always override the lock with their magic keys to search for any unauthorized items.
The Aviator 40L Specs courtesy of douchebags.com
IATA APPROVED CARRY-ON LUGGAGE
- Width: 35 cm / 13.8 in
- Height: 24 cm / 9.5 in
- Length: 55 cm / 21.7 in
- Weight: 2.5 kg / 4.4 lbs
- Wheels: 74 mm / 2.9 in
- Volume: 40 liters
- Polycarbonate Unicast shell
- KPU Vacuum-coating
- Polyester Vacuum-lining
- 3D molded EVA front cover
- Hook-up system
- MSRP: $299.
A retractable aluminum handle with several height adjustments allow for both adult and child travellers. And the rubber wheels offer race car style grip while hustling through the busy airports of the world. I’ve been a few places with The Aviator 40L and it has held up to the abuse well. I previously owned a rolling carry on bag from The North Face which has served me well for the past decade. I don’t see any reason why this slick Douchebag won’t be rolling alongside me for just as long. For more info about Douchebags, click here. And take a few minutes to look at their additional baggage on the Douchebag website.
