One of my favorite designers and manufacturers of bags for travel and work is WaterField Designs in San Francisco, where all of ther products are produced. The company just announced an update to one its best-selling products, the Air Porter Carry-On, a personal item underseat bag. It’s been refined using input from many of its customers using a Community Design process that created the original version ten years ago, when I began using this bag to carry my computer, headphones, a change of clothes and even books back then!
Longtime users, frequent flyers, and tech-laden travelers contributed ideas from concept through prototype, resulting in a larger size, an ultra-lightweight ECOPAK option made from recycled materials, and upgraded security, tech, and organization features, all without changing the underseat fit and legroom that has made it a top seller. It fits under most airplane seats standing up, leaving room for your feet next to the bag.
New Features:
- New full-size option adds 2 inches of depth for increased capacity while maintaining legroom
- Dedicated tablet sleeve fits a 13-inch iPad with Magic Keyboard; joins existing laptop sleeve
- New ECOPAK™ sailcloth option adds an ultra-lightweight, eco-friendly alternative with waterproof durability
- Faraday RFID-blocking front pocket protects passports and bank cards from electronic skimming
- Hidden AirTag pocket for location tracking
- A zippered translucent pockets keep small items visible and secure
- Expanded side pockets with snap closures adapt to small or large water bottles
Retained Features:
- Padded laptop sleeve fits up to a 16-inch MacBook Pro
- TSA-friendly compartment opens flat for screening
- Three carry options: leather handles, removable shoulder strap, and luggage passthrough
- Gold-lined interior for enhanced visibility
- Handcrafted in small batches in San Francisco with full-grain leather accents
“Customers told us what mattered most after years of real-world use, and we focused on refining those details without changing the character of the bag,” said Gary Waterfield, company founder. “It’s still the Air Porter people trust, just more capable for how they travel today.”
Availability & Pricing
The Air Porter Carry-On is available at sfbags.com.
Price: Compact $429; Full size $449
Colors: Navy ECOPAK™ + black full-grain leather; black ECOPAK™ + black full-grain leather; tan waxed canvas + chocolate full-grain leather; black ballistic nylon + chocolate full-grain leather.
Materials: ECOPAK™ EPLX450RS, full-grain leather, Monolite™ mesh, waterproof YKK zippers, custom metal hardware, gold rip-stop nylon lining, closed-cell foam, Faraday RFID-blocking textile, rare-earth magnets.
Dimensions: Compact: 16 x 10.25 x 5.5 inches; Full size: 16 x 10.25 x 7.5 inches
Weight: Compact: ECOPAK™ 2.0 lbs, Ballistic 2.4 lbs, Waxed Canvas 3.2 lbs; Full size: ECOPAK™ 2.4 lbs, Ballistic 2.8 lbs, Waxed Canvas 3.8 lbs.
I’ve always been impressed at how well-designed and reasonably-priced their products are without ever compromising on the use of premium materials and being made in the USA. The designers and now their customers have worked together to make this the ideal bag to carry along with your rollerboard.
