We received the following email yesterday from C. -

“Empire Builder – Road Tested (literally), Macbook Pro Approved

To make a long story short, I drove away from my office today with my Empire Builder on the roof of my car. I saw it take flight at approximately 35mph. Luckily there was no one behind me on the road and I was able to pull over. I figured for sure my next stop would be to the Apple Store to replace the $2500 MacBook Pro that was inside. As soon as I recovered the bag and got in my car I pulled out the laptop and it booted right up no problem.

The front of the bag got pretty scuffed up, but your craftsmanship saved me a headache and wallet-ache.”

- C.

Below is an email we recently received from customer A. -

I just wanted to drop a quick note to you, to say my thanks. Last year, I spent a semester studying abroad in France. I study film, and the opportunity to study in the country where some of the best films have ever been made? I’ll take that. So, I signed up, and got ready. My dad decided I would need a good, strong bag to get my way around the country.

Tom Bihn had been on his radar for a while, and now was his chance to do a real “field test” before he got his own! So, an Aeronaut is what I received for my birthday about 4 months before departure.

I’ve been a long time fan of minimalism, traveling light and doing things as efficiently as possible. I had been studying up on the art of “one-bagging.” I thought this was the most appropriate way to travel. To me, it didn’t matter if I was gone for 5 days or 5 months, you still need the same stuff, and I could do it in a single, easy to use carry-on bag.

Using that one bag made my life easy. No waiting for luggage, no hauling around large suitcases, no worrying about anything. Everything I needed was in it. I had clothes, my full-sized DSLR camera, a book, coat, toiletries, and a few writing supplies. That’s all I needed. I lived in a town in the south of France called Pau, and stayed there for 4 months studying the language. The last few weeks were spent bumming around the country, seeing and doing things. It was perfect. I was afforded the freedom of traveling without the hassle of luggage.

The bag itself? Bomb-proof. I wore it nearly every day, and stuffed it full nearly every weekend with food, wine and a change of clothes for my adventures. Nothing every tore, broke, or came undone. I use it today for when I make short trips.

This spring I was able to take 10 days and visit my friend who had been studying in Germany for a year. 10 days was practically nothing for the Aeronaut! I packed it and took off. The best 10 days I’ve ever had with my friend. Again, stuffed full of food, drinks and my camera, we adventured around Germany. The bag held up fine. It’s seen rain, snow, extreme desert heat, and all sorts of traveling. I can’t imagine any other bag being so well made.

Then this fall, as I begin the final leg of my studies here in Las Vegas, I needed a new backpack. Where else to go but Tom Bihn? The Smart Alec is a great bag. As a camera operator for film shoots, it’s perfect for holding my miscellaneous gear and tools that I need. It’s also perfect for carrying my laptop and school work. Again, thanks to all of you at Tom Bihn for providing such great products and services. I look forward to the next time I’ll need another bag

Cheers,
A.

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