Could be better.

By mhkpilot Ranked #121 - Rolling Gear Bags April 26, 2009

I'm a pilot and travel A LOT and got this bag as a Christmas present from my wife. My old bag, of the Swiss Army brand, had telescoping handle problems due to poor design. The handle on this bag is sturdy and strait, not recurved like on my old bag, so when it tips over it won't bend/break itself. I had to tighten a loose screw on the handle a few times before I ended up putting some lock-tight and haven't had any problems since. Storage is good; I live out of this bag for 8 day stretches, with some creative packing. Wheels are hard plastic so they're loud (unlike hard rubber) and I've been meaning to replace the wheels with new rollerblade wheels but haven't gotten around to it yet. The zippers are large and durable, and the bag expands if you need more room, though it won't fit into an overhead compartment and thus you won't be able to carry it on the airplane. The biggest complaint I have is with the corners. The North Face failed to take baggage handlers into account for those times you do have to check it; even with the rip-stop balistic material, I've only checked this bag 4 times and there are holes worn through on both corners at the bottom of the bag opposite the wheels (if that makes sense?) The edges are reinforced with hard plastic within the fabric but the top of the bag is not, thus the edge of the plastic rubbing against the top fabric that isn't reinforced caused a tear/hole on the top. I wish I could post a picture. Also the plastic handle/stand at the bottom of the bag by the wheels is slowly getting ground down due to me unintentionally dragging it...using it as a break when I stop walking. I'm sure I'm not alone on this, and TNF should make this peice out of a lightweight metal. Other than those couple things, it's a decent bag with lots of room for it's size, expecially when you expand it, the handle is sturdy and strait and the bag is very attractive. I get lots of comments on it. I just wish the corners were a little tougher or made out of a kevlar or some other balistic material around the whole corner, not just part of it. Hope this helps someone.

View Details: The North Face Sidetrack 25 Rolling Gear Bag - 4275cu in

Helpful Votes: 2 Yes