Checking a bag on a flight is always a gamble.
I used to work at an airline and I've seen checked bags go missing for months.
Sometimes they randomly turned up in unexpected places before being returned to the customer. One bag was found in the IT office, of all places.
After seeing that, I never check in a bag on my flights. I want my bag to be in my care at all times.
But that means that I need to have a bag that will be large enough to carry all my stuff, but compact enough to qualify as a carry on.
I was using a hardshell roller bag for awhile, but it lacked the capacity I was looking for. The wheels and handle took up too much space.
Then I found our MEI Voyageur in the back of one of our closets and it turned out to be the perfect carry on bag. I had bought it at a garage sale a couple of years before that and totally forgot about it.
Now I'm a huge fan.
So in this article, I'll show you why this bag is awesome, give you a bit of history, show you where to buy one and end with a few alternatives, if the Voyageur isn't your…bag.
The History of the Voyageur and Mountain Equipment Inc. (MEI)
There isn't a whole lot of information on Mountain Equipment Inc. except for that it was started in 1973 and operated out of Fresno California in the final years of the company.
It seems like the company went out of business around 2017.
A 44 year run is amazing and a testament to the quality of the bags they made.
According to their Yelp profile, they claim to be the first company to make “travel packs”.
These were meant to combine the capacity of a suitcase with the ease of carry of a backpack.
The internal backpack frame and padded straps made it super easy to carry heavy loads. But the backpack straps could be tucked away for easy storage and the bag could also be carried like a duffel bag with a shoulder strap.
Some say that the Voyageur is the grandfather of the modern travel backpack/duffel design that is so popular today.
Based on my research, I would agree.
My Experience With the Voyageur
I can personally attest to how comfortable these bags are, even with a heavy load.
We did the rim-to-rim hike in the Grand Canyon and I carried our tent, a sleeping bag, food, clothes and water. My wife also carried a bunch of stuff and she had no problem.
My back never got sore from the weight and I didn't have any hot spots from the bag rubbing on my back.
The waist strap does a great job of holding the bag in place and the back support is super comfortable, mostly because of the curved internal frame.
Specs and Features
Since the official MEI website is no longer around, the actual specs and names of their bags are impossible to know with any certainty.
MEI allowed buyers to do a lot of customization when they ordered, so I've noticed quite a bit of variation in the design of bags out there. That also makes getting the exact names of each model a little trickier.
So to keep things simple, I'm going to call the bags with the stowable backpack straps, shoulder strap, open flat design and internal frame, Voyageurs.
They all basically function the same, with the only major difference being size, so I'm going to put them into the same group.
With that said, here are the specs on the 2 bags that we have.
Small Voyageur
Here is the smaller Voyageur that we own.
It is the perfect carry on size at 37 liters.
Keep in mind that the maximum carry on size is 45 liters, so this is well under the limit.
Specs
- Measurements: 20.5 x 13 x 8.5 (in), 52 x 33 x 21.5 (cm)
- Capacity: 37 L
- Features:
- Tear away day pack
- Internal restraint straps
- External compression straps
- Leather accents
- Stowable backpack straps and waist straps
- Padded shoulder strap
- Top carry handle
- Side carry handle
- Removable internal frame
- Bottom strap attachment points
- Lockable zippers
More Pictures
Both of these bags have tear away day packs on the front that are great for short hikes or everyday carry. They are held on by 2 zippers that go down the length of the day pack.
The tear away bag on the smaller Voyageur doesn't have a zippered pocket in the front. I wish this one had the pocket, but it's still very handy.
When the pack is attached to the Voyageur, it serves as a small external front pocket for the larger bag.
The back of the tear away bag has a pocket that the straps can be tucked in when not in use.
It can also be used to store your phone or anything else you want easy access to.
The bottom of the Voyageur has attachment points for a sleeping bag or blanket.
Both bags have this feature.
The side carry handle is made of leather and there are attachment points for the shoulder strap. I forgot to take a picture of the shoulder straps, but they are padded and very well built.
On the inside, there are only 2 restraint straps.
Even though this bag is soft sided and doesn't have pockets on the inside, the frame on the bottom gives the bag enough structure to make it easy to pack and carry.
There is a grab/carry handle on the top of the bag, which makes it easy to pull it out from the overhead bin on flights.
Look at how thick that strap is. They don't make them like that anymore.
The internal backpack frame bars are accessible from the inside of the bag.
They can be removed to make the bag easier to wash.
Here's what the back of the bag looks like with the backpack straps deployed.
They can be tucked in and zippered up when not in use.
Although the padded waist straps are not taken out in this picture, they are inside the zippered pockets at the bottom of the bag.
Take a look at the bigger bag to see the waist straps in more detail.
As you can see, we have used this bag a lot and it's still going strong.
If you don't want to use the backpack/waist straps, this is what it looks like when the straps are tucked in.
Nice and clean.
Large Voyageur
This is the bigger Voyageur. It's a little too big to carry on a plane because of the side pockets, but it's awesome for road trips or camping.
It holds a ton of stuff!
Specs
- Measurements (main compartment, not including exterior pockets): 24 x 15 x 9.5 (in), 314 x 38 x 24 (cm)
- Capacity (main compartment, not including exterior pockets): 56L
- Features:
- Tear away day pack
- Internal restraint straps
- External compression straps
- Leather accents
- Stowable backpack straps and waist straps
- Padded shoulder strap
- Side carry handle
- Top carry handle
- Side zippered pockets
- Removable internal frame
- Bottom strap attachment points
- Adjustable backpack straps
- Lockable zippers
More Pictures
This is the back of the bag with the storage flap open. It features adjustable backpack straps which can be moved up and down with a MOLLE-like system in the center.
There is lower back support and padded hip straps, which are surprisingly snug.
A great feature of both bags is they have locking YKK zippers.
They lay flat and don't make too much noise, even when unlocked. I hardly see these on newer bags.
I'm torn when it comes to the pockets on the side of the bag.
It makes the bag unnecessarily clunky, in my opinion.
But they can be handy when I want to get to a water bottle or knife, without digging into the main compartment. It would have been better if they made the pockets flush with the outside of the bag.
The leather accents are a nice touch.
The inside of the bag is pretty plain. There are 2 restraint straps, but that's about it.
You can see the internal frame on the bottom of the bag.
Two curved aluminium bars give the bag structure and make it super comfortable to wear.
Where to Buy a MEI Voyageur
MEI is no longer in business, so the only place to buy a Voyageur is on the secondary market.
In my experience, best place to find one in great condition is on eBay. As I'm looking through the listings while writing this, there are currently several MEI bags available.
That may change in the future, so keep an eye out now, before they are gone.
These bags do have a following, so prices are not what I would call bargain basement, but you can get a deal on a bag in very good condition if you're patient.
Somebody got a fantastic deal on this one.
Most bags in this condition are priced much higher.
If you want to get a great deal on a Voyageur on eBay, then here's how to do it:
- Save a search and get email alerts on eBay when new items are listed. You can use this search that I currently use.
- Monitor your email for new listings.
- Create snipes on auction listings you're interested in so you get the best possible price by bidding 10 seconds before the auction ends.
Other places that you can look are garage sales, swap meets and websites that sell used items, like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace.
I purchased my first bag at a garage sale and my second one on eBay.
Finally, be aware that there are some bags that are being sold under the MEI name with a similar logo.
I don't know what the deal is with those bags, they could be knock-offs.
So learn how to identify the original logo and stick to the authentic stuff.
Here's the real logo.
MEI Voyageur Alternatives
Since the MEI Voyageur is no longer produced, there are 3 bags that I currently recommend as excellent alternatives.
I'll give you the benefits and downsides of each, when comparing them to the Voyageur.
Patagonia Black Hole Duffel 55L
I own the 55L version of the Black Hole Duffel and it's fantastic.
The previous version was pretty expensive, but the newest one is very reasonably priced. I wasn't a fan of the materials in the older version, but I love what they did with the new version.
It's lightweight, simple and fits a lot of stuff.
What else do you need?
You can get this bag directly from Patagonia or find a new or used on on eBay.
Advantages
- Lightweight
- Similar price as new Voyageur
- Easier to store
- Duffel bag handles
- Removable backpack straps
- Bigger than the small Voyageur
Downsides
- Material doesn't seem as durable
- No shoulder strap option
- No internal frame
- No hip belt
- No external compression straps
Who This Bag is For
The Patagonia Black Hole Duffel is a great bag for people who travel frequently.
It won't weigh you down, it's rugged and has a proven design.
I also like the fact that it looks great and is still very comfortable to carry.
Goruck GR3 45L
If you want a bag that's tougher than a Voyageur, then look no further than the Goruck GR3.
It's also made in the USA and they are totally overbuilt for what most people need.
This bag is truly in a class of its own.
I have 2 Goruck backpacks and I don't see myself carrying anything else on a regular basis.
However, I opted for the Patagonia Black Hole over the GR3 because of the duffel handles, removable backpack straps, larger capacity, lighter material and cheaper price.
But the GR3 is definitely my second choice…a very close second.
I'll probably get one at some point in the future.
At 45 liters, this bag is technically the largest carry on you can have.
But more on that a little later on in this article.
Like every other bag on this list, I recommend checking eBay first.
You might find a fantastic deal on a brand new one.
Advantages
- Much more rugged
- More pockets
- Lifetime guarantee
- You have a choice of materials and designs
Downsides
- No shoulder strap or duffel handle options
- No internal frame
- Significantly more expensive
- No hip belt
Who This Bag is For
The Goruck GR3 is for people who are rough on their gear and want the best of the best.
Owning this bag also gives you peace of mind knowing that if anything goes wrong with the bag, the company will fix it.
I had an issue with the zipper on my first Goruck bag after a few years of using it and they replaced the bag for free. So I know that they stand behind their product.
This bag is also for people who are sure that they will carry their bag as a backpack…all the time. There are no duffel or shoulder carry options here.
Cotopaxi Allpa Getaway Duffel 55L
This is the only company that I don't have personal experience with, but the reviews of the Allpa Getaway Duffel are solid and I like the design.
I've also seen their products in stores that carry other high quality brands, so this looks like an excellent option.
Cotopaxi have clearly designed this bag to be a direct competitor to the Patagonia Black Hole Duffel and it looks like they have done a good job.
If you don't want to pay full retail, you can also find this bag new and used for less on eBay.
Advantages
- Lighter weight
- Similar price as new Voyageur
- Duffel bag handles
- Removable backpack straps
- Cool colors
- More pockets
Downsides
- Material doesn't seem as durable
- No shoulder strap option
- No internal frame
- No hip belt
- No external compression straps
Who This Bag is For
The Cotopaxi Allpa Duffel is for people who want the ability to tuck the duffel straps away and appreciate the funky colorways.
It's very similar to the Patagonia Black Hole Duffel, so it's a fantastic alternative if you don't like the Black Hole.
The Allpa Duffel has more external pockets than the Black Hole, so that could be the deciding feature for some people.
What Other People Have Said About the Voyageur
As the MEI Voyageur fades into history, websites that talk about this bag will also start to disappear.
But if you want to find out more, here are some sites that talk about this legendary bag:
- Yelp listing for MEI
- Onebag listing, specs and more
- Onebag review, the most frequently linked article
- Deviating the Norm article on using the Voyageur for one year of travel, with packing list
- Some great pictures of the Voyageur 34L
- What the buying process was like
Check out how much stuff this guy can fit into his Voyageur.
Final Thoughts
My initial objection to using the small Voyageur as a carry on was that it looked too big.
But my wife needed a bag for her trip to Europe one year and thought that the Voyageur would work.
As it turns out, it worked perfectly.
After measuring the bag, it's actually well under the size limit.
It just looks huge.
Keep in mind that soft sided bags can be shoved into the bag sizer at the airport and fit perfectly.
Therefore, you can buy a slightly bigger bag like the Black Hole Duffel 55L, but only fill it about 80% and be just fine.
Some people even report being able to fill the Black Hole all the way and still carry it on.
That's probably a not good idea because you're likely to get checked at some point, but it's your call.
So even though the MEI Voyageur is no longer produced, there are still options to buy it or other similar quality bags.
Do a little research and find the bag that works best for you.
And remember, a reliable bag also essential during an emergency.
So have at least a couple of them handy.
