Stylish Carry-on Showdown: Filson Duffel vs. Porter Boston (Monocle)

[Volkl]

Gentlemen, I want a lightweight duffel-style carry-on that will fit on any American or European short-haul flight and not look terrible. I covet the Porter Boston from Monocle, which is Tyler Brule's winning entry: http://www.monocle.com/Shop/Items/Po...er-Boston-bag/ At $450 or thereabouts, though, I don't love it that much. And I see it for sale nowhere but through the Monocle site. Filson's medium duffel seems at $280 the more reasonably priced choice: http://www.filson.com/product/index....entPage=family The Filson is slightly longer and may run afoul of some carry-on regs. Does anyone have praise or odium for either of these entries or their competitors? I'd be much obliged for any thoughts.

 

[Douglas]

That Porter Boston is sure a lot of scratch for a ******* canvas bag.

 

[Mr. Moo]

Originally Posted by Douglas

That Porter Boston is sure a lot of scratch for a ******* canvas bag.

+1

The Filson is a good choice.

 

[dopey]

Originally Posted by Volkl

Gentlemen,
I want a lightweight duffel-style carry-on that will fit on any American or European short-haul flight and not look terrible.

I covet the Porter Boston from Monocle, which is Tyler Brule's winning entry:
http://www.monocle.com/Shop/Items/Po...er-Boston-bag/

At $450 or thereabouts, though, I don't love it that much. And I see it for sale nowhere but through the Monocle site.

Filson's medium duffel seems at $280 the more reasonably priced choice:
http://www.filson.com/product/index....entPage=family

The Filson is slightly longer and may run afoul of some carry-on regs. Does anyone have praise or odium for either of these entries or their competitors? I'd be much obliged for any thoughts.
The Filson bag is considerably larger, and I don't know if it is suitable for carry-on use.
I own it, though have not used it yet as it was given to me as a gift.
Judging from what I know of the Filson and what I can see from the photos, the Filson looks to be a better made bag.

 

[Crane's]

Neither bag in the OP fits the 45 inch rule. I just did the math on the Bostonian and it's about 47 inches.

The Filson small duffel easily passes the rule.

 

[muskypicker]

Coincidentally, I am looking around right now for a canvas weekend(ish) bag also. These are great bags, but does anyone have any other suggestions for weekend canvas bags they've loved?

Thank you very much

 

[tda003]

Porter Boston looks awfully like the pilot's gear bag I used to carry in the Marine Corps. Held my helmet, sword & shield. you could probably get one at a military surplus site for cheap. Very well made. Not very elegant, but maybe w/ a clever gold embroidered monogram.....?

 

[Volkl]

Originally Posted by Crane's

Neither bag in the OP fits the 45 inch rule. I just did the math on the Bostonian and it's about 47 inches. The Filson small duffel easily passes the rule.
Many thanks--you are right about the medium duffel being too big on the linear measure, and the small duffel should work perfectly. The Porter bag claims it fits the linear rule, but I was too lazy to do the inches conversion myself.

 

[gdl203]

I have and use the Baby Boston and it's the best carry-on I'll ever need. The initial wound on the credit card statement did hurt a little but a few days later it wasn't painful at all and now I can barely remember it

 

[dopey]

Originally Posted by gdl203

I have and use the Baby Boston and it's the best carry-on I'll ever need. The initial wound on the credit card statement did hurt a little but a few days later it wasn't painful at all and now I can barely remember it

Do you use the shoe compartment specifically for shoes, or just as a regular compartment?

 

[fcuknu]

I thought you said stylish.

 

[gdl203]

Originally Posted by dopey

Do you use the shoe compartment specifically for shoes, or just as a regular compartment?

Shoes on trees + berry & phone chargers for quick/easy access.

 

[NickM3]

I use a Beckel Canvas 'War Bag.' http://beckelcanvas.com/products_vie...products_id=22 Been using it all summer as a weekend bag, beach bag and for my carry-on luggage. The thick canvas and stitching seems quite durable to me and the zipper feels like it has some heft as well. It doesn't have leather straps, and the optional canvas strap uses plastic rigging. But considering the price, I'm pleased. I just noticed they released an olive drab one as well. http://beckelcanvas.com/products_vie...products_id=71

 

[gdl203]

Originally Posted by NickM3

I use a Beckel Canvas 'War Bag.'
http://beckelcanvas.com/products_vie...products_id=22

Been using it all summer as a weekend bag, beach bag and for my carry-on luggage. The thick canvas and stitching seems quite durable to me and the zipper feels like it has some heft as well. It doesn't have leather straps, and the optional canvas strap uses plastic rigging. But it is also 20% of the price of the bags you're looking at.

I just noticed they released an olive drab one as well.
http://beckelcanvas.com/products_vie...products_id=71

 

[laphroaig]

I was looking at the measurements of two filson bags I could use as carry on luggage... the medium duffel was too big. The Pullman just meets the larger 45" carryon requirements if you don't overstuff it. Filson claim it's 15" wide; 1 inch wider than it should be. The Filson Large carryon meets the smaller 41" carryon requirements usually given for domestic flights.

The internal structure of both bags looks the same. They both split open like a suitcase and have straps internally on each side but that's about it.

My problem with both is that neither has an easy access laptop compartment so you'd have to stuff it inside the case with the clothes.