Tom Bihn: Voted Best Computer Bags at GadgetFest

At the first annual RainyDay Magazine GadgetFest, RainyDay readers were given hands-on time with all kinds of gear and gadgets reviewed by the magazine in the past year, ranging from Wacom Tablets to environmentally-friendly cleaning products.

RainyDay GadgetFest Winners

We sent our Brain Bag backpack, Brain Cell laptop case and accessories to the GadgetFest, where our bags were voted by RainyDay readers as “Best Computer Bag” and #6 in the Top Ten GadgetFest items of any category.

Thanks to the RainyDay readers who voted for us and congratulations to the person who won our bags in the GadgetFest door prize drawing! You can read more about the GadgetFest here.

TB Crew | 30 November 2005 4:00 pm

Limited Edition Jimi Stealth

Splashproof. Shockproof. Made of semi-rigid plastic. Limited edition black opaque finish. The Jimi Stealth Wallet. $16.00.

The Jimi Stealth

The Jimi

TB Crew | 29 November 2005 3:41 pm

News On The Aeronaut: The New Maximum Carry-On.

Take a first look at the Aeronaut, our up-and-coming maximum carry-on bag, modeled Tom’s friend Greg Madill (of The Ecclestons.

Greg and the Aeronaut

See more pictures of the Aeronaut in our forums.

The Aeronaut features backpack straps that can be hidden, splash-proof zippers, and various genius compartments designed to make your life easier. We expect it to be available in early 2006.

TB Crew | 29 November 2005 3:19 pm

Uncrate on the Super Ego

The Super Ego
“We’ve been testing out the Super Ego bag ($140) from Tom Bihn for a couple of weeks now and we have to say that it definitely gets the job done — no matter what that job is. Despite its average looking size in photos, it’s not just your normal messenger bag — the Super Ego is big. This thing can hold all kinds of stuff, and could easily function as both your laptop and overnight bag on a weekend trip. The bag is made of quality materials with tons of pockets. The Super Ego can also be customized with different color center strips of fabric and even a real seatbelt buckle to replace the plastic one. Now that’s hardcore.”

Uncrate

The Super Ego

TB Crew | 28 November 2005 2:44 pm

Slacker Manager on the Empire Builder

Take a look at the entry posted over at Slacker Manager about the Empire Builder.

Excerpt:

Anyway, I’d been looking around for a bag that’ll carry my laptop, assorted files and papers, some reading material and other miscellaneous jive. Basically something that could serve as my travelling office. Most computer bags have enough space for the computer, but little else. Not to mention zero style points. Somewhere along the line, I ran into references to Tom Bihn’s stuff. They make their stuff just up the road from me, in Washington state and outsource production to shops in other states when needed. I haven’t been to one of their stores and the only bags I have are the two I mentioned, but judging from their website and other reviews, all their gear is as well made as these. I say gear because that’s really what it feels like: high quality outdoor gear. Here in the Pacific Northwest, where Gore-Tex jackets are everyday apparel, this kind of bag fits right in.

Read More

See also: The Slacker Manifesto

The Empire Builder Briefcase

TB Crew | 28 November 2005 2:33 pm

The Empire Builder: A guide for potential buyers by J.S. in Colorado

Customer J.S. in Colorado emailed us his guide for potential Empire Builder owners:

Having used the Empire Builder for a few months I offer some observations in hopes of being helpful to potential buyers:

src="http://www.tombihn.com/Merchant2/images/ebblog1111.jpg"
alt="Empire Builder"
width="200" height="190">

1. This bag is capacious, as in big. It doesn’t look a lot bigger than the typical nylon case but it holds a lot. And there are no "theoretical pockets," the kind that look good in the store but can’t really hold anything. For example, the pockets under the outside flap (the one that’s secured with the big buckle) really can hold a lot when the main compartment is full.

2. I dismissed the talk about how comfortable the handle was as ad copy, but it really is. I’ve carried up to 22 lbs of charts and journals at a time. The handle is very nicely padded and distributes and cushions the weight very well. Of course, 22 lbs is 22 lbs (which is why I didn’t opt for the shoulder strap), but at least it’s 22 lbs that won’t leave your hand bone white and permanently curved.

More after the break.


3. The dividers are very, very nice. First, the way they’re held in the bag but easy to remove is a beautiful and creative piece of engineering. Second, since the bag stands up and open quite easily you have immediate and well-organized access to the contents. They’re not paper-thin, so too many would take up too much space for my use. I ordered a total of 6, which turned out to be just right.

Overall this is a very nice bag and well worth the money for its durability, comfort, size, and utility. I no longer have to empty out an attache at work and at home each day. Instead I often work directly from the bag as if it was a portable file cabinet.

I can’t think of a thing that I’d change.

Gratefully,

J.S.

The Empire Builder

TB Crew | 11 November 2005 2:15 pm

Café Bag at Burning Man

Customer Maureen sent us this email, along with pictures of her and her Cafe bag at Burning Man:
src="http://www.tombihn.com/Merchant2/images/tbburningblog.jpg"
alt="Maureen and her Wasabi Cafe Bag"
width="199" height="259">

“Two years ago I wanted a bag to carry my water and camera at Burning Man. I got your medium size, wasabi-colored Café Bag and it went with me everywhere, day and night “out on the playa”. Fabulous. Then I never put it down. It’s been my “purse” ever since, to business meetings and pubs, football games and airports. Great Bag.

More after the jump.


Today, I bought a small size Café Bag, because I wanted something a little smaller, but with all the perfect function of your bag. This one is Black outside with wasabi inside. Very chic, but with the fun of that lurid, gorgeous green.

I thought you’d get a kick out of a couple of photos, which I’ve attached.
Thanks a bunch. I first learned of you by driving past on Second Ave. in downtown Seattle and seeing the Wasabi Café Bag in the window. The power of window displays.

Happy Fall.

Maureen”

src="http://www.tombihn.com/Merchant2/images/tbburningblog2.jpg"
alt="Maureen and her Wasabi Cafe Bag"
width="311" height="200">

TB Crew | 8 November 2005 1:35 pm

Simon Comes to Work

Teresa, our Shipping Manager, brought Simon in to work today. Riley gets his own page on the Web site, and until Simon gets his, this blog entry will have to do. Here is Simon’s story, written by Teresa:

Simon is a six year old Border Collie that occasionally accompanies me to work here at Tom Bihn. He lives with my Mom, her husband Andy and his half brother Trooper, next door to me and my Bassett Hound/Malamute mix Augie. Simon is a bit high strung and nervous and it takes him a while to warm up to strangers or people he hasn’t seen in a long time. Once he does, he is very sweet and loves to interact with people. His favorite thing is fetching a tennis ball and we all take turns indulging him around the office. Then he takes a nap, much as he’s doing right now under Darcy’s desk.

Simon eats leaves

More Simon pictures after the break.


Simon running after a ball
Cute
Please throw the ball

TB Crew | 4 November 2005 2:12 pm

A Review of the Brain Bag You May Have Missed

Check out the MacMove review of the Brain Bag:

“The acquisition process for the pack was a positive experience. Their customer service rep was friendly and knowledgeable and their communications were clear and prompt. I received a shipment notification via email, including a UPS tracking number so I could follow the order throughout its journey.

I’ve got to agree with everything Eric says here. Bihn is a company that knows what they’re about and their customer service, packaging and branding all scream quality and attention to detail.”

Read the full review.

TB Crew | 4 November 2005 1:47 pm

Spymac reviews the Smart Alec

Excerpt:

The Smart Alec, like the company states, is "like no backpack you’ve seen." There are several elements that make this backpack stand apart from many others on the market; these include the zippers, durability and style.

The zippers are probably the most enjoyable part of the bag. Not only are the zippers waterproof, they move incredibly smoothly and, even after quite a bit of use, it looks like they are unlikely to ever get jammed up. There are three zippers on the bag, one on top, and one on each side and they all have large pull strings.

Read the
full review

See the Smart Alec

TB Crew | 1 November 2005 3:21 pm