New airline checked-baggage fees have forced passengers to either carry on or pay up--$15 for the first checked bag, and as much as $50 for the second. With no fee for carry-on bags (yet), the Timbuk2 Suitcase ($225 list) may be the answer frequent fliers have been looking for. Timbuk2 has been producing laptop bags for years, but the San Francisco-based company is launching a new line of bags aimed at the travel market.
At 22 by 12 by 10 inches, the Suitcase is noticeably larger than bags in Timbuk2's current lineup. Empty, the oversize bag is also heavier than my laptop, tipping the scale at 5 pounds, which would be a deal breaker with most bags. I brought the Suitcase on a recent trip to St. Louis and didn't run into any issues carrying both the Suitcase and a standard rolling carry-on with me on the plane. And I saved $30 in checked baggage fees for the roundtrip flight. I easily fly eight roundtrips in a year--the number of flights it would take for the Suitcase to pay for itself in avoided fees.
With a notebook compartment that attaches to the rest of the bag with a single zipper, the Suitcase is essentially two bags in one. Like the rest of the bag, however, the notebook compartment is significantly wider than most notebooks; I was able to fit an 18.4-inch HP HDX18T notebook with room to spare.
The Suitcase is a great fit for travelers, especially when it's paired with a rolling bag for support. Fully loaded, however, the bag can easily weigh over 30 pounds, making it uncomfortable to carry with the shoulder strap. Its width is also an issue when carrying the Suitcase over your shoulder or on your back: I didn't go a day without accidentally bumping into half a dozen people.
Frequent fliers should consider adding the Suitcase to their luggage collection to avoid fees on trips where a single carry-on won't cut it. The separable notebook compartment is an added bonus when you don't have another option, but for most notebooks, it's simply too large for daily use. If you travel enough to justify spending $225 on a bag you'll use only while on the road, the Suitcase if a great choice. After all, thanks to the airlines, it'll pay for itself. The Timbuk2 Suitcase will be available on Nov. 25, in red, green, or black color schemes.
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