Hi guys.
I just recently returned from the extended travel with my new GM OTG tote and would like to share some thought. I use only carry in small suitcase and OTG tote.
Pros:
- overall this bag has great look, actually awesome look. I goes with a lot of outfits and elevate your look instantly. I got so many compliments and noticed a lot of looks (in the good way). It is structured and has simple and easy understandable shape.
- durable canvas
- two way to carry. This gives you options and at the same time creates difficulties (see bellow).
- it can fit under the seat however barely. I flew in the main cabin and I like to have a room for the legs as much as I can (often do exercises to prevent DVT), so to leave my OTG under the seat was not an option. I placed my tote in the overhead bin and it stayed all my flights (6) perfectly on the bottom.
- easy enough to keep it standing on my suitcase holding with only one hand while rolling suit case (it never fell)
Cons:
- I absolutely did not want my OTG to stay on the floor or the plane or bin and got a foldable nylon bag (+18$). I was not be able to fit my OTG in to any of my soft and very light fabric/?very thin felt bags. I tried cheap bag from TJMax but decided against it as it is so crunchy why folding/unfolding, very difficult to keep shape while folding, obviously it will take time and maybe help. All bags from TJM and as I saw later Marshalls similar bag had very crazy bright color. My nylon bag was easy to use, I could place OTG tote in and pulled it out myself although it is was a hassle. You already feel stressed in the airport and I do not think that I would like to do it in the future. Also, the annoying part was that you still need to fold it and place it inside your OTG and it also adds some weight.
- This tote is heavy. Maybe I felt this way because I usually use only small crossbody bag and this was my first tote for the long time. I thought that this bag will work for me and understood that it is big and structured bag and I made the conscious decision when I purchased it. But guys when you start putting staff inside- it get very heavy. I had: Macbook 13 (the must for work), Bose headphones, iphone, my lightest small leather card holders with 3 cards only, 2 energy bars, Uniqlo ultralight dawn jacket (the lightest one), sandwich size plastic bag with chapstick and 15 ml eye cream, eyeglasses in the fabric case. That is it. I did not have a case on my laptop, no other leather goods, no book/magazine, no planner. I did not load everything that I might be wanted. And again- the bag was heavy.
- Now the worse part is that I just discovered (literally prior to my last plane) that the shoulder straps attached to only lining and something in between lining and canvas and not to canvas as I thought before. Now I am terrified that the shoulder straps will be ripped off eventually. You can say that the top handles are awesome and I agree but in airport and travel generally you need to be hands free and have to use shoulder straps.
They call it "perfect for travel" - does it mean that it has to be durable including straps and you can put a lot of staff in it, well thoughtfully?
If you should not put a lot of staff in then why it's called travel bag and how it even can be called travel bag?
I know it is long but is it honest. I have mixed filling and I still love- love this bag guys.
