Quick Take Review
Heading to the airport this summer? Be prepared for more crowded flights, smaller aircraft and what seems to be ever-changing TSA regulations. We faced all these things on a recent trip to Dallas and brought along a new AT6 Wheeled Carry-On with Removable Daypack for the ride.
Pretty much all the major airlines standardized on a maximum carry-on bag size of 45 inches (length + width + height). Without the daypack attached, the AT6 just squeaks in at 44 inches (22 + 14 + 8 inches). With the daypack attached – which adds another 7 inches of width to the bag – there’s no way the AT6 will fit in an overhead bin.
We actually didn’t have the opportunity to test overhead bin compatibility on our recent junket to Dallas. Why? Because our chosen carrier, United Airlines, flies small Canadair Regional Jets between our home airport of SFO and DFW. These sleek planes don’t have bins large enough for even standard carry-ons and everything needed to be gate checked.
Specs
Dimensions w/out daypack: 22 x 14 x 8 in
Dimensions w/ daypack: 22 x 14 x 15 in
Weight: 8 lb 8 oz
Capacity: Up to 3068 cu in
Material: Duraweave/miniweave nylon
The High Sierra AT6 survived as checked baggage in both directions with nary a scuff. Frankly, upon return to SFO the bag still looked new. The Duraweave nylon held up perfectly on both the carry-on and attached daypack. The telescoping handle felt very heavy-duty and the skateboard wheels made traversing the airport a breeze.
Inside the AT6 held plenty of cargo. With the daypack attached, the bag swallowed enough clothing for nearly a week of travel including three pair of shoes, running gear and much more. We liked the book style opening of the main compartment which provided full access to the interior. The exterior pockets delivered nice extra storage too.
Overall, the High Sierra AT6 is a stand out bag. The versatility of the carry-on plus daypack is fantastic. It comes in a distinctive green color for easy identification on the luggage carousel and held up phenomenally well in our recent travels. If you’re in the market for a new carry-on, definitely check this one out.