“So I contact customer service and explain what’s happened. I got a brilliant e-mail from Josh [TOM BIHN Customer Service Associate], explaining that UPS have accepted responsibility (how on earth do you guys do that???) and that they’re overnight expressing me a new bag to arrive on the Friday before I have to leave. Perfect.” — Read the entire post by MarkA from our TOM BIHN forums.

“Hi I am from Singapore.

During browsing a year back I found your interesting website. Emailed your customer support about your product and the respond was immediate.

Believe it or not I have been using the Brain Bag for for 1 year 365 days. There aren’t any thread runs and color fading. Not like the knapsacks that I use.

The best part is the capacity it holds. Imagine My Sony laptops with Horizontal Brain cell, A4 hard cover lecture file, 3 to four full scap note pads, pencil case, umbrella, calculators, clothings, towels and many more thing. Nothing change on the bag. The previous bag I had of the same price already worn after a year.

Thank-you Tom you have really done wonderful things in the perfection of the Brain Bag. It is also a very nicely made bag. I salute you.” — S. in Singapore

“I just had to write and tell you how much I love the Swift. I ordered it in the Cocoa/Olive and have carried everywhere since it arrived. Made a visit to my local knitting shop where they hadn’t yet heard of Tom Bihn or the Swift. The shop owner was delighted to see a knitting bag that wasn’t quilted or floral.

Swift’s a great bag for my knitting (I’m no expert) and I can throw just about anything else in there to make it a wonderful multi-purpose bag.

As a Bihn bag devotee, I am delighted to add the Swift to my collection. Thanks, as always, for a great design, outstanding workmanship, unparalleled customer service and, yes I have to mention it–the washing label. I show it to everyone.”

– K. from Michigan.

“By the way, I’ve determined that my snake charmer is one of my most reliable workhorse items. Originally, it was just going to be the repository of my laptop power cord and perhaps my phone charger. Now, there’s a “charger side”, which has power cords and associated detritus for: laptop, cell phone, USB headset and PDA, along with a couple packs of AA and AAA batteries. On the other side, there’s an ethernet cable, a couple thumb drives on a lanyard, a few pens, a laser pointer for training classes, a cordless mouse and its little USB plug, and perhaps a few other things I can’t remember. One glance tells me which side is facing me, since it’s mesh, not solid. It sits happily at the bottom of my SmartAlec, and is always findable by feel, because of the mesh and handy loop on top.” — Posted by dsg29 in the TOM BIHN forums.

“My Treo fit in one of the small side pockets and a 4 oz Amphipod with water fit in the other other side pocket. Access to my bird book, binoculars, and jacket was easy while walking with the rest of the birders. As it says on the ordering page the “waist strap secures the bag to your body when you’re the move”. This was especially appreciated as we skirted poison oak along the trails.

One morning it rained on us for about 3 hours. Everything in my Ballistic nylon Imago stayed dry and the cork trim is as handsome and unphased as if it hadn’t felt the rain at all. (I knew rain was forecast but figured if cork can hold up for years in wine that a little water wouldn’t hurt it. Fortunately that was true.)” — Read Skylark’s full post on the Imago.

GaryS in our forums posted this review of our Aeronaut maximum carry-on bag:

“First trip with the Aeronaut(s). I ordered an Areonaut a couple of months ago and after receiving it Grandma decided she wanted one too. So, to try them out we scoured the web for cheap airfare and lodging in a city that offered great public transportation. We just got back after five days and are both sold on the Aeronaut as a “one bag” solution. We got on and off of buses and walked several blocks to hotels. No problem.” — Read the entire post.

lefty writes in our forums:

“I slip the Imago over my head so the strap hangs on my left shoulder and the bag sits on my right lower-back. I then buckle up the waist strap, get on my bicycle and ride a few miles to work. I have been doing this every day for about 3 months now. The bag stays without bouncing and shifting around. I am happy with it.

Specifically, I like two things about this solution.
1. Backpacks make my back sweat a lot while biking. I don’t have that problem with Imago because it sort of rests on my right lower back, or upper butt, I guess!

2. I stick my iPhone in the side pocket of Imago (which is well lined to avoid scratches), and wear the ear buds while I ride. It allows me to listen to music, while letting me answer phone calls handsfree.

So, how do you wear your Imago?

JGactorNY is wondering in our forums if anyone else likes their ID messenger bag as much as he does.

“So I googled & googled & came across TB. I then searched for reviews of the bag and found them to be remarkable. I came on this website, found one I loved but didn’t see many comments about it… the ID. I purchased it anyway, the black/steel/wasabi… it arrived yesterday & I absolutely love it! I don’t see many ID users on here… are there others who like their ID?”

In other forum news, ncb4 posted a very helpful picture showing what they can fit inside of their ID bag. It’s a must-see for anyone who has wondered what the ID can hold or how big it is.

“I have used the Smart Alec for about 6 months now and the following are my thoughts on the bag.

Background:

I am a backpacker and own 3 different backpacks I use varying on the time of year and length of trip. I also choose to travel by taking backpacks instead of a duffel or a rollerboard since I enjoy just being able to go and have my hands free. I use the Smart Alec to carry my laptop (HP dv2000), papers, books, etc. to/from work and school. I also wanted something that if I went on an overnight business trip, it would have enough room for a change of clothes and I wouldn’t need an additional bag. I did a lot of research on various bags before choosing the Smart Alec, sight unseen.” — Read the entire review in the TOM BIHN forums.

From DanNorris.com:

“I hunted high and low, bought at least 4 bags from the typical computer stores locally and, one by one, took them all back. Finally, I asked my good friend Matt Topper, who generally knows lots of useless things, for a recommendation. As usual, he came through with what may be my last computer bag ever: The Empire Builder from Tom Bihn. The only negative thing I can say about this critical piece of equipment is that it is fairly expensive. Once you get beyond that and realize that it’s worth it because it’ll last you forever, you won’t be sorry. It’s a great piece of equipment and I actually paid them to write this testimonial. In fact, I may buy another bag from them at some point if I need something else (smaller or backpack style or something else).”