“i just returned from a 10 day trip to india. i wanted to carry 4 changes of clothes (layered clothing because it’s in the 40′s at night and as warm as the high 60′s during the day), toiletries, a pair of flip flops, a large point and shoot camera (canon g7), iphone, ipod, and headphones. i also wanted to carry a bag that i could use while there, but one i would not have to carry separately along the way. i was transiting through 3 airports on the way there, each of which required me to go through security (this is after the initial security screening at the originating airport). i didn’t want to worry about delayed or lost luggage – everything had to come onboard.”

So how did the Aeronaut and Large Cafe work for maverick on his trip? Read his entire post in the TOM BIHN Forums to find out.

“I bought myself a Swift for Christmas this year. It came with the standard Yarn Stuff sack, but I also purchased another Yarn Stuff sack with the clear bottom. This bag rocks. I am a guy who knits, and I am not exactly dainty. I use really large needles and thick yarn (my friends call it “rope”). This bag does everything the Tom Bihn folks claim it does” — Read bobster’s full post in the TOM BIHN Forums.

“I have it and I love it! I can’t wait to go somewhere just so I can use it (well, the way it was meant to be used. I suppose I may be tempted to just use it as a day bag if I can’t get on a flight soon enough!)

One thing I hadn’t noticed from the pictures – the zipper pulls! For those of you concerned about the metal zippers making noise – the Western Flyer has cord pulls! YAY! No need for metal since you’ll have this one with you. It makes sense! And it’s awesome!

Great size! ALSO, the zippered divider is pure genius!!!

(Psst, if I take the Aeronaut as my carryon, will the WF count as a personal item? Anyone?)” — posted by Just in the TOM BIHN Forums. You can see the Western Flyer here.

Patrick posts in our forums:
Praise for the ID bag!

“I love it. I have room in the open front “bay” for my mp3 player, travel mouse, deck of cards, and other accessories, and my freudian slip, laptop, and whatever textbooks I need for courses fit easily into the main zippered section.

Praise for Q-AM strap: I remember having some doubts about the Q-AM; I seemed to think it wouldn’t be comfortable because Tom Bihn also marketed the absolute strap as the “most comfortable.” Wow, was I wrong! The Q-AM doesn’t really work like a strap to carry your bag, it turns your bag into something you wear ;p I cinch one strap and the bag is snug against my back; un-cinch and it’s free to slide off my shoulder. And I haven’t had a sore arm yet after carrying it across campus.”

Read Patrick’s entire post.

gmich has added pictures to his review of the Brain Bag backpack. Read the review — “A teacher reviews the Brain Bag” — in the TOM BIHN forums. Or check out the Brain Bag page.

Check out the thread The Zephyr is the greatest… for customer feedback on our Zephyr
briefcase. (FYI, the Zephyr is almost sold out: once it’s sold out, it will be ready to ship again by late February.)

Excerpt:
“For my needs, the Zephyr is perfect. As a daily use bag, I typically have been carrying a laptop in a brain cell, 4-5 patient files (about 1 in thick each), printer cable, phone, a variety of pens, and a bunch of other small items. For travel I have been carrying the laptop and brain cell, a gear pouch (Waterfield – nothing against TB I just already had the pouch) for chargers, cables, etc) a couple of paperbacks and magazines, snack bars, files (not as thick as patient files) and a blow up travel pillow as well as other assorted little things.”

Posted by falconea in the TOM BIHN forums:
My husband then sprained his knee and is hobbling around with a knee brace, so the task of carrying everything we bought at the market for Christmas fell to me and the “>Utility Tote.

I’m happy to report that it holds:

2 kg (5 pounds) box of cherries
Large fresh turkey breast
2.5 kg (6 pounds) of chocolate buttons
Another .5 kg (1 pound) of different chocolate buttons
A frozen lasagna
2 glass pint bottles of milk
and a 10 gram jar of saffron!

And I still had room!

Despite weighing about 20 pounds it was very comfortable on my shoulder. And I normally struggle with a 10 pound carry on bag with an ordinary webbing strap.

“Whenever I arrive at my destination, I immediately unpack my clothes and put them on hangers. Then I spray them all with a light mist of water, stretching out the wrinkles on the clothes. Then I hang them up, still moist.

By morning, my clothes are effectively wrinkle-free. (At least for my purposes; I’m not a suit-and-tie guy, but I do wear long-sleeve button-down shirts when I work.) I have never had to use an iron.” — BJ Nemeth in the TOM BIHN forums. Read the entire post or thread.

Posted by caryn in the TOM BIHN Forums:
“I just wanted to let people know how amazingly comfortable the Super Ego can be fully loaded. I was not happy that I was “stuck” with a messenger bag instead of a Brain Bag Backpack (since the big HP wont fit). I did not want to carry a heavy asymetrical load on my spine. However, when carried on the lower back, with the stabalizing belt that comes with it, the entire load is shifted to the hips, just like a good backpack. (more after the break)

This position also keeps the load at a lower center of gravity which helps with stability over the icy sidewalks here in Vermont. And even if I fall on my backside, I am happy knowing that I have such great protections for my PC.

I opted for the adjustable messenger strap. The wide padded strap is just the best for comfort.
And toche! for having a bright color on the inside of the bag. It makes it so easy to spot items in the front pocket area.

I spent a lot of time researching and pondering the problem of a large 17 inch PC rig – and wouldnt you know it – it actually turned out to be a “No Brainer”!” — caryn

Feedback on the Imago (with the above picture) from Sid:
“I have one of your Imago bags, which was highly coveted by a friend of mine. When she had to move back to France, I decided it was the perfect going-away pressie… It was received with MUCH enthusiasm! I’d love to send you the photo she sent me – the big brimming with French chestnuts! It definitely provides an excellent display for the capacity of this great bag!
Cheers!” — Sid

Feedback on the Imago from Alan:
“Wow! I can’t believe that there a not any user reviews of the Imago!! This is a FANTASTIC bag. I have had mine since they were first introduced (black/black/wasabi YANG in ballistic nylon).

This fall I took a week long trip to a conference in Chicago and I choose to stay at a hotel more than 3 miles from the conference so I would get in a good walk everyday along the lake walking to the conference. My Imago was my companion the entire time and I thankful it was because it compact and thus I didn’t carry lots of stuff that I didn’t need as I often find myself doing with my Brain Bag and Super Ego.

In my life I find that my “stuff” always seems to expand to fill my bag and so the solution to prevent hernias and save backs is simply to carry a smaller bag. I was able to carry my Thinkpad X60T, power adaptor, camera, ipod, and all the folders and paper for my conference but not a lot of unnecessary stuff that I might have tossed in if I had carried a bigger bag.

I especially like the Wasabi interior…it makes things very easy to find inside. Also the attachment points to clip in the Organizer Pouches are great. I prefer Organizer Pouches to more pockets because it makes it so easy to switch between bags. As expected, materials and construction of this bag is top notch as with all Tom Bihn products. Highly recommended!!!” — Alan