The bottom cover pulls out and the strap lays over it. The cover offers a clean layer between your body and the bottom of the bag that gets laid down on the ground. Roll it and stow it back away in your zippered pouch when not in use and then the leather bottom is back in action. Just a thought.

1. Absolute minimum weight with strength and security. ABS/polycarbonate is the closest. Under 5 pounds preferable. I want the weight taken up by contents.
2. Maximum volume of internal space while exterior conforms to carry-on dimensions on the most stringent European airlines. This means corners with minimum radius while retaining strength so they will not crack.
3. A selection of iInternal organizing dividers or bags that take up the minimul space.
4. Wheeled. Two is enough. Conventional locations but inset as much as possible to conform to carry-on limits.
5. Two 4-number TSA combination locks built in.
6. Distinctive exterior colors that make it easy to find if one has to put it in the hold, but sedate. That means not plaid, not psychedelic, not bright. Safety is an issue in some places. It is also not leather or fabric. A textured or patterned exterior in a dark magenta or brown could be good.
7. Metal loops on exterior to connect shoulder or backpack straps or to some furniture for security.
8. I know I have more requirements. Just can’t think of them at this time.

If nobody builds my bag, I may have to find a Chinese manufacturer and start my own line.

Besides this bag, I carry a shoulder pack but have, yet, to find the ideal one. I have even more stringent requirements for that, but I may get a local seamstress to sew me my perfect sling bag. Current closest one is the Case Logic large E-Sling.

Here’s what I look for in a travel bag: DOES IT HAVE WHEELS? They need to retract, of course. I “hand carry” my camera; I do not wish to “hand carry” my luggage, too. Other things I look for: very strong fabric and stitching, outside pockets should have zippers or at least velcro to keep items from being shaken out; it MUST BE LIGHT WEIGHT. If it weighs more than 8 pounds empty, we’re apt to be in trouble. Remember, I have to lift this thing into the overhead compartment and when loaded, even the lightest bag is not light. I also need for the hardware, including zippers, to be very strong so they won’t give out on me in the middle of a trip!

I would LIKE the bag to fit under the seat, but if it doesn’t it must go in the overhead.

Color? I don’t care — even if it’s black, I’ll find it. I use “day-glo” tags and have additional unique tags that date to my many years as wife of an airline pilot. My current bags are taupe, and that’s better than black. Color of lining? I don’t care, as long as it doesn’t show dirt. I keep my bags for quite a while and the inside might get grubby if I forget to wrap up my shoes. Lining needs to be VERY light weight and rip-proof.

To be useful for me, a bag needs to hold about three pairs of medium-weight wool knit pants; 4 light-weight cashmere sweaters, one pair of shoes. I wear my heaviest clothes (pants, jacket, raincoat, heavier sweater), and pack underwear inside shoes and in corners. Scarves are tucked into corners. I take only essentials and separate pieces of clothing are mainly interchangable; most cosmetics are in my handbag, with the camera. Jewelry is on my body. This much will “do” me for about 10 days in a city and fits easily into a 22-inch “wheely bag”. Other stuff will go in there, too, if it’s packed right. (It definitely will “do” NYC for 10 days in Spring or Fall – and I don’t look like a tourist from California, either.)

I don’t want ANYTHING on the outside of the bag that could get caught on ANYTHING! With the exception of the handles, the bag needs to be smooth. I wonder about your rope detailing; it looks good, but is there a possibility that a mysterious “something” could get caught in that rope? Don’t want that.

Men and women may have different baggage needs. Younger and older people have different needs. What is your target market?

Your sketches, unfortunately, do not contain dimensions for height-width-length-depth. I would like that. I like the separate compartment in the base of the bag — reminiscent of someone who designed nice purses a while ago. What do you have to prevent clothes from rattling around and getting wrinkled when the bag is packed very lightly and is not full? (need a restraint strap to fasten across clothes).

I’d love to get my hands on your bag and see if it works for me!

Also, would you be so gracious as to consider other textile patterns? I hate plaid and love mod. Perhaps another textile pattern for the ladies?

Last but not least, please consider earth-friendly material options and fair trade production.

Thank you for opening up your design to feedback at an early stage. It is always a risk to any designer, but I sincerely hope you gain new perspectives that assist your company’s development.