In stock: 3D Clear Organizer Cube (all colors)

The 3D Clear Organizer Cube is now shipping in all colors.

TOM BIHN 3D Clear Organizer Cube 3-1-1 Travel Bag

Video by maverick: Carrying Photographic Equipment in the Synapse

A review of TOM BIHN (or rather – Casey)

“Tom Bihn is extremely well-known for their quality and craftsmanship; they display it in every bag they sell. What isn’t necessarily as well-known is the care and attention they pay to their customers who’ve already given them money.

I ordered a Checkpoint Flyer, which has one component which is individually sized to the laptop. Minutes after I placed the order, I got a personal email from their customer support guy, Casey, telling me that I’d just missed the last one of the size I needed, and offering to upgrade my shipping to overnight when they got more in next week. With the upgrade, since they estimated they’d get in the cases on Wednesday, I’d receive the bag *before* I would have gotten it originally with UPS Ground! He also offered simply to cancel my order if I preferred, but I chose the first plan. I was stunned to be contacted so fast, without any action on my part.

Casey then continued to keep me updated throughout the order process, making the whole experience feel very personal. The bag, when I received it (a day earlier than I’d originally expected, as noted) was fantastic, just like the service was.

I will absolutely order from Tom Bihn again, should I ever need another bag– unfortunately for them, I’m not sure this one will ever wear out!”

Posted by reviewer USSJoin on ResellerRatings.com

maverick’s video of the Synapse

Discuss the video (and ask maverick questions about the Synapse) in the TOM BIHN Forums.

Introducing the Synapse backpack

We know you’ve been waiting for almost two years for the Synapse. Tom had long wanted to design a daypack smaller than both the Brain Bag and Smart Alec, but it had to be just right: and that couldn’t be rushed. We appreciate your patience and introduce to you what we think is now the company-wide favorite daypack: the Synapse

The Smart Alec in Japan

The Smart Alec in Japan

The Synapse is available for pre-order now and ships by mid-November. The first batch of Synapse is available for order in nine color combinations. (The second batch will be made in four color combinations.) $120. There is a wealth of information on the Synapse page (including 21+ pictures of the bag and a video by maverick.)

Features of the Synapse include:

  • Water bottle pocket fits up 1-liter or smaller bottle
  • Interior iPhone pocket made of waterproof Ultrasuede
  • Back panel is padded with 1/4″, high quality, closed-cell foam with exterior of Dri-Lex Aero-Spacer mesh and 1050 denier U.S. ballistic nylon
  • A total of eleven compartments/pockets that make organization second nature even for those of us who resist it
  • Smart Alec tours Japan

    The Smart Alec in Japan

    “Here I am sporting my new Smart Alec about a minute before walking on stage at the Sunset Festival in Fukuoka Japan yesterday, Sunday September 6th. I’m currently on tour for two weeks playing bass across Japan. This is the maiden voyage for my Smart Alec, and I’ve been putting it to dual use: First I tote my laptop (in a Brain cell clipped inside) to the hotel, along with my train reading material and some snacks and such. I also use a couple of clear organizer pouches to carry my computer and camera chargers and cables. When I leave for the venue, I remove the computer and load a change of shirt, the setlists, an extra set of bass strings, a camera and various sundries like sunglasses and sun screen, along with a clear pouch containing extra footpedal cables and guitar picks. The ipod itself (which I use to time our sets as we play) lives in the side pocket of my Smart Alec inside a small padded organizer pouch. Unfortunately I lagged a little in ordering my pouches, but once I receive my clear quarter cube which I think will handle my chargers and cables a little better, I think my rig will be just about perfect! Thanks to everyone at Tom Bihn!”

    Posted by HowardB in the TOM BIHN Forums

    leviathan: Smart Alec Packing List (3-1/2 days)

    “I finally got to test the full extent and ability of my new Black/Steel/Solar Smart Alec this past weekend. I was asked to head out on a last minute adventure selling merch for pop-rock band Switchfoot. I was out for 3 1/2 days including stops in Atlantic City, NJ, New York, NY, and Hampton Beach, NH. I traveled by bus, train, plane, and car. And I lived out of one backpack for the duration of the trip. Which is saying a lot for me. I’m a heavy packer. Here’s my list:”
    Read leviathan’s post in the TOM BIHN Forums for the entire packing list.

    The Smart Alec laptop backpack: made even smarter by Tom's redesign

    TOM BIHN will be closed Monday, September 7th

    TOM BIHN (factory, shipping center, and customer service) will be closed on Monday, September 7th for Labor Day. That means no orders will be shipped and no phones will be answered. We will re-open Tuesday morning. Have a wonderful holiday weekend!

    Lonely Planet TV Travel Tips: Saving Time and Stressbusters

    Our Checkpoint Flyer checkpoint-friendly laptop bag and Absolute Shoulder Strap are featured in two Lonely Planet TV Travel Tips videos: “Saving Time” and “Stressbusters”.


    “In the Brain Bag – I can run a Business.”

    “I can run my accounting package, measure components, work on drawings, review documents, order parts, watch movies or the Slingbox, listen to music, video conference with my office, my, engineering staff, and my grown kids and wife. I can do it all, most anywhere in the world.”

    Read why1504′s entire review – including a packing list – in the TOM BIHN Forums.