Rolling with the Filson Dryden Carry-On Bag

Finding the right carry-on bag can be complicated. As more and more regional jets are put into service by the airlines, the overhead compartments continue to shrink.

My trusty 40L carry-on bag that I’ve used for years occasionally gets the dreaded gate-check on many regional airlines. I had to find something that wouldn’t raise suspicion from the gate agent. That’s when I discovered the Dryden Carry-On from Filson.

Filson of Seattle is well known for their rugged, over engineered clothing and accessories. The Dryden Carry-On Bag is designed and built with the same high quality materials. The main body is woven from heavy duty 1000D ballistic nylon. And Filson dressed it up with reinforced Bridle Leather in key areas. Even the zipper pulls weren’t overlooked.

Dryden Carry-On Features:

• Meets major U.S. airline carry-on size requirements
• Abrasion-resistant 1,000-denier ballistic nylon
• Handle extends to 22″
• Base reinforced with double layer of fabric and Bridle Leather
• Compression straps keep contents secure
• Zippered front and back pockets
• Dimensions: 21¾”H x 14″L x 9¼”D
• Capacity: 36 L
• MSRP: $325

Once opened, the Dryden exposes two interior halves. Both with zippered dividers to keep contents separate and organized. With enough space for trips between 2-5 days, the Dryden is a great option for air travel. I flat interior sleeve pocket is perfect for a tablet or reading material. While a larger zippered exterior pocket can handle a 17″ laptop. That pocket isn’t padded so be cautious or use a separate padded laptop sleeve.

The Dryden’s Slimmer Design

This 36 L carry-on bag is a bit slimmer than my previous roller and it has payed off lately. There’s nothing I hate more than trying to travel light and fast. Then having an over zealous gate agent tell you the carry-on is too big and will need to be gate checked. The Dryden has fit all the Canadian Regional Jets (CRJ800) I’ve recently flown in. And that’s the most common aircraft to get you bag bumped to the lower storage compartment.

This bag doesn’t stand out in the crowd if you’re trying to keep a low profile while traveling abroad. But its heavy duty build can easily withstand the rigors of air travel. The collapsible pull handle gets a 7 out of 10 for stability. Nothing has beaten the old North Face aluminum pull handles so far…nothing. Heavily stitched nylon grab handles on both the top and side allow multiple carry options. And help retrieval from the overhead compartment.

Check out the Dryden Carry-On Bag from Filson for one of the best travel bags under $350 in my experience.