Although not very stylish (look like uggs or household slippers when wearing pants), these shoes are very warm and comfy so i wear them to the office anyway. They slip on and off easily, and will be convenient at the airport TSA. They have a very thick removable insole to keep you high off the cold ground, and they are as comfy as household slippers. One down side, is the composition of the sole. On wet, hard surfaces, it can be slick- i almost broke a tailbone on a wet metal RV step not long after i bought them. Since they are leather all the way to the ground, I'm hesitant to classify these as OUTDOOR winter shoes... If they had even a 1/2 inch of rubber siding above the sole, or constructed with a type of leather i could oil (like a sorel pac boot), I would feel more confident stomping through slush as advertised. I may be wrong- i'll test them in slush when i get the chance.

The main difference (other than the price) between this one and the previous year model(s) is the carrying handles. Same great bag, slightly different look. See my previous reviews. My advice: get an older model for cheaper:
http://www.backcountryoutlet.com/outlet/TNF3007/The-North-Face-Rolling-Thunder-Rolling-Duffel-Bag-4800-8400-cu-in.html

Cheap, decent looking, comfy. For $30 ya can't go wrong. Material is heavy duty cotton.

This pack is very resiliant to weather and outdoor abuse. The laptop sleeve however, won't support the largest laptops. I have a thin toshiba with a 15.4" screen, and it barely squeezes in there. My buddy has this same laptop with extended battery (making it thicker) and his is a REALLY tight squeeze. This is typically a carry-on when i fly, as it holds all my electronics (gps, various wires, SPOT transmitter, phone, etc) and still has some room for a light jacket.

I purchased these glasses to have prescription lenses installed at the optometrist. The frames are BIG. I have a decent melon for a head, but i still find these slipping off more often than i'd like. Best thing to do is try a pair on somewhere first. Go to spy optics website for frame dimensions.

Tough. I have 2 of em, and they've seen lots of travel (airlines, truck, boat, etc.) Zippers aren't sealed, so not water-tight like a river bag, but you can leave it out in a snowstorm and it will keep your stuff dry.

My last review was posted on July 16, 2008. Not surprisingly, after no less than 20,000 miles of travels, and living out of this piece of luggage for the past 7 months, the rivets that hold the collapsable handle (on the smaller of the 2 models) are busting loose. At least 50 'baggage smashers' at the airport through that many flights finally have got the best of it. Fortunately, backcountry has a lifetime warantee, no questions asked warantee, so i'll be getting a replacement right away. This bag SHOULD last a lifetime, but from the deserts of California to the North Slope of Alaska, i have thoroughly tested its worth. Other than the rivets, the bag is still remarkably bulletproof and nearly water/snow/sand/mud-tight.

I bought the smaller 'rolling thunder' bag here from this site over a year ago. Its been on 8 flights, and i used it EVERY weekend for about 5 months when i would drive to the mountains to go skiing. Still... it's in great shape and has passed the test of time. The rollerblade wheels work surprisingly well in snow, grass, turf, ice, after-party scum, and dirt. Even after all the abuse, they still roll silent on concrete. Although i could use a larger bag, and would purchase the 8400 cu in version in a heartbeat... it is 2" too large for most airlines (its linear length is 64" and airlines usually limit to 62"). BUMMER!!! Hey northface R&D- shave 2 inches off so we don't have to pay the 'oversize' baggage fees at the airport! Chances are, with this bag, we'll already be paying for 'overweight' fees.

The heel pocket is a little too high and stiff for my foot, so i got a blister after taking a 3 mile walk. Not 'walking' shoes, but very lightweight and good for around the house and other 'lazy' day activities. The smooth sole makes for excellent pedal transfer when driving. The part that makes them a true 'lazy' mans shoe, is the lack of shoelaces. The elastic band works just fine, and these shoes have become a favorite in my closet.