Eagle Creek 2011 Switchback Max 25 Travel Pack

We have been fans of Eagle Creek for years, so when my wife wanted the Switchback Max for an upcoming trip to Europe I didn't flinch (much) at the $350 REI price tag but was very happy to find it for $262.50 on Amazon. Express ship as leaving in two days and it was on our doorstep by this afternoon. All good so far. Opened the box and took our first look. I immediately noticed that cheap, lightweight, pot metal hardware had replaced the durable stuff of old. Heavy duty zippers gone... replaced with flimsy gauge. Still trying to stay excited for my wife, we begin attaching the backpack straps. As she does the cast metal clip that attaches the shoulder strap to the lower bag FALLS OFF. The stitching had flat given way. I was blown away that the quality had diminished so. Too late to get another one so my enterprising wife repaired the strap with her sewing machine this evening. I know her stitch will hold, but my bet is those little clips won't under 50 lbs. of standard weight. $350 and they go cheap on the hardware... amazing and sad. Sorry but my advice is go with another brand.

Hey other shoppers, I did a lot of research on which bag would be the most versatile option for me while on a working holiday to Canada. I chose the Switchback Max 25 as it could be wheeled, put on your back, the daypack had a laptop compartment inbuilt plus the Eagle Creek products have awesome reviews! I purchased the bag through Amazon and it arrived safe and sound to Australia. I purchased this bag because of the claims Eagle Creek made about its rugged construction and ability to withstand a rough handling. Sadly before I even got on the plane, the zip to the main compartment malfunctioned and ceased to seal correctly when I shut the zip. Before I purchased the bag, I made enquiry to Eagle Creek regarding the warranty. They said they had licensed repairers all over the world. Being that the zip malfunctioned as I was zipping it up to check it in with the airline, I thought I'd find someone in Vancouver to repair it for me. This is not the case. I email the manufacturer and after a long delay, I received word that the nearest licensed repairer is about 10 hours from me. I contacted the repairer and they told me to send them the bag and they'd take a look. As you can imagine I've just landed in Vancouver and it isn't practical to pull my stuff out and merely post the bag into another Province. I've been told the postage system is really slow here in Canada, so I am thinking I'll just make do until I am travelling through their Province, than I'll try get it repaired then. My point is I am disappointed that an Eagle Creek product failed me before I even left home however I do like the product I purchased and will persevere with it now, since it cost me so much and my trip has begun now.

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I am 5 months on the road with this bag and it has a very serious design flaw. The daypack cannot be locked onto the main bag so anyone can just unzip it and walk away with it. You cannot put anything that you don't want to lose in the daypack. I had an old Eagle Creek backpack with a zip off daypack and it had a place where it could be locked onto the main bag. If I had noticed this before I left I would have returned the bag immediately. Other than that, it is pretty sturdy although it seems a bit cramped inside due to the frame for wheels. Beats carrying on my back though.

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I have been hunting for a roller duffel since I borrowed a friends. I saw this in a store in Tel Aviv and knew it would be MUCH cheaper from Amazon ($220 vice the $600 in TA). I took it on vacation a few weeks ago, and it is perfect! The backpack chassis is fantastic, the zippers are great, it keeps everything well organized. LOVE IT!

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I have had my Switchback bag for over 10 years. It has stood up to extreme wear and has endured many many short commuter trips . The smaller zippable back is perfect for my 13" laptop with room to spare for hand held luggage, while the larger bag fits comfortably in the cargo bays.

All in all"the perfect solution to traveling w/o having to check luggage. "