Flight Outfitters made quite a splash in 2015 when it launched as a new aviation brand, led by an innovative line of flight bags. Since that time the company has grown to be one of the better recognized names in aviation, and the Lift bag (the first Flight Outfitters product) has become a staff favorite at Sporty’s, with a thoughtful design that packs a lot of storage into a compact bag. But after nearly a decade on the market, the bags were due for an update, so we were happy to see a refreshed collection launch this month.
Changing a best-selling product requires the designers to walk a fine line, updating the style and improving weaker features—without messing up what works. We’ve been testing all three new flight bags over the last month and can say confidently that Flight Outfitters has pulled this off. Here’s a PIREP.
What's new
The first thing you notice about the new collection from Flight Outfitters is that every bag looks fresh and modern. Style is a very personal thing (and pilots aren’t known for stalking the fashion shows of Paris), but let’s just say that some flight bags look a lot like elementary school backpacks. These don’t. The new backpack, for example, looks like it came from a high-end ski resort or a nice camping store. All three bags are still predominantly black, so they hide dirt well, but the heathered gray accents are a nice upgrade and the signature Flight Outfitters Orange trim is still there. We think they look great.
But functionality is why most pilots buy a flight bag, not style. A regular duffel or briefcase can work in a pinch, but these lack dedicated pockets to organize and protect essential aviation gear. That’s where Flight Outfitters bags excel, with padded iPad pockets, headset hangers, and plenty of small pockets for charging cables. Little details stand out, like the multi-compartment elastic side pockets that secure a flashlight, fuel tester, and radio all in one area. There are also plenty of quick-access pockets that are perfect for in-flight use, when zippers or clips can just get in the way. Finally, we love the oversized grab-handles on the new bags. They are rugged but easy to grab and padded for comfort.
Reviewing all three bags
First up is the redesigned Lift bag, which Flight Outfitters calls the Lift 2.0. Our advice on this bag is, “don’t mess with success,” and fortunately they didn’t. It retains the same basic shape as the original but with some nice additions. The size mesh pockets accommodate a much wider variety of water bottles, flashlights, and radios than the older one, while taking up less space—it’s our favorite new feature. The slash pocket on the front is perfect for storing your phone or sunglasses case, but keeping it easily accessible. There’s also a redesigned iPad pocket in the back section that makes it easy to grab your tablet, and the adjacent mesh pockets are ideal for organizing charging cables. We put all our iPad gear in the back pocket and our headset in the main compartment, where a hanging loop keeps your headset from slamming onto the ground.
Favorite feature: quick-access mesh pockets on the sides are perfect for the cockpit.
The Crew Duffel is an all-new design for Flight Outfitters, and turned out to be the hidden gem in the new line. At first glance this looks like a regular old duffel bag, but wow can it do a lot. We have used it for airline travel, flying, at the gym, and more. It’s really a go-anywhere, do-anything kind of bag, with room for all your pilot gear plus clothes for an overnight trip. There are four internal pockets (including a padded iPad pocket) and four external zipper pockets, plus an organizer section for keys, pens, and other small items. We used the main center compartment for clothes and a Dopp kit, and its 1.3 cubic foot capacity swallowed everything we needed. Then the outside pockets held our aviation equipment, so everything stayed organized. For longer trips, we would pair this duffel with either the Lift 2.0 or the Aviator Backpack for the perfect luggage set.
Favorite feature: large center compartment with multiple organizer pockets.
Finally, Flight Outfitters introduced its fourth-generation backpack, called the Aviator Backpack. We love backpacks for GA flying since they leave your hands free for carrying another bag or even working a tow bar. This new design is just right, in our opinion: at 18” high it’s not too big (like some hiking packs) but not too small either (like some sling packs). It has room for everything you need, including dedicated pockets for both a tablet and a laptop. There are many hidden features that really pay off long term, like a soft sunglasses pocket and a strap to allow the backpack to slide over the handle of a rolling suitcase. Most importantly, the shoulder straps are outstanding—they are rigid enough to hold their form, but padded and ventilated to make all-day hikes comfortable. There’s even a chest strap to keep your back feeling good.
Favorite feature: hidden sunglasses pocket keeps your shades right where you need them.
One final thing we love about this new collection of flight bags: the prices. At a time when many companies use a new product launch as an excuse to raise prices, Flight Outfitters has refreshingly held firm. The Lift 2.0 is the same price as the original Lift was nearly a decade ago, at $99.95. The Aviator Backpack is the same $129.95 retail as the previous backpack. And the all-new Crew Duffel is just $99.95. You can find a lot of flight bags with half the features but at double the price.
