The mission of Tasmania-based Henty since the Wingman, the company’s first cycle commuting bag, has been to create luggage that works for both commuting and travel. The CoPilot combines crease-free garment transport with inner bag options. The basic CoPilot appeal is weatherproof luggage that works as well for carrying boardroom outfits as it does for the gym wear or day trips.
Keeping in mind that you have options for all components, the CoPilot is a two-bag system. One piece is an outer garment bag — that’s where you’ll pack suits, dresses, shirts, and ties, everything you want to keep flat. The inner day bag, around which you wrap the outer bag, holds gym clothes, shoes, toiletries, and pretty much anything you want to carry that you’d ordinarily throw into a duffel bag.
When you choose an outer bag, you are invited to select whether you want it with messenger style or backpack straps. The inner bag selections are an “inner tube” or “dry bag.” The inner bag is held in place with rugged clips, designed to withstand the abuse of running, cycling, or traveling rough. The CoPilot is available in black or gray, but you can also upgrade to camo or waxed canvas fabric.
Standard features of the outer bag, and there are many, include a leather carrying handle, key clip, loop for a bike light, reflective piping, a rain jacket cover, laptop compartment, stabilization strap, quick access pocket, and a weatherproof flap. The messenger style outer bag holds a 13-inch laptop while the backpack version has a 15-inch laptop compartment. The inner bag comes with a toiletry bag and a convertible hanger you can move directly from the bag to a closet.
The Henty CoPilot is scheduled to ship worldwide in January 2017. As usual with Kickstarter campaigns there are pre-order specials. The CoPilot’s list price will be $250, though on the Kickstarter site there are still early bird specials available for $170.