“Look what I just did! I put diapers and a packet of wipes in a Snake Charmer and it works great!”
See also:
Snake Charmer
Janine on the Diaper Charmer aka Snake Charmer
moriond on the 20% lighter Aeronaut and Tri-Star
moriond on our new 400d Dyneema®/420d nylon ripstop fabric and the resulting 20% lighter Aeronaut and Tri-Star:
“Another way to put this is that if you’re flying on a European airline like Lufthansa or SAS that has an 8 kg weight limit for carry-on luggage, or an Asian airline like ANA where the weight limit is 7 kg, getting the weight of your bag down to just a hair over 1 kg (e.g., 400d Dyneema Aeronaut) can make a big difference. I think it’s just a question of understanding the trade-offs. These may not replace your Tri-Star, Aeronaut, or Western Flyer in Ballistic nylon, but for some folks this provides an important option. See, also, this USA Today article on carry-on luggage weight limits.”
Read the full thread — Introducing 400d Dyneema/nylon in Nordic and Steel — in the Forums.
The Aeronaut in Nordic 400d Dyneema®/420d nylon.
papids2000: Westerns Flyers Packed and Ready to Go
Western Flyers Packed and Ready to Go
Posted by papids2000 in the TOM BIHN Forums
“We are taking a 12 day tour of Europe starting 1st week in October. We will be traveling light so we are only taking the Western Flyers plus the backpack packing and shoulder cubes as daypacks. The only electronic devices we will be taking are the Iphones. Each of us will have 4 sets of clothes and 1 extra pair of shoes. Also will have an outer fleece jacket since it could be pretty cool by then. Of course Kiya wants to go also but she still did not get her passport.”
And an update:
“Wanted to follow up on our 12 day trip to Netherlands and Germany. Just took the two Western Flyers and it was so easy to move around on the trains. These bags our now our favorite for travelling light and efficient but also not looking like a backpacker. We also had the shoulder packing cube for which holds more than enough fo day trips in the city.”
Read the full post. See also: Western Flyer, Packing Cube Shoulder Bag
Eire: photos of the Packing Cube Shoulder Bag
“These were taken on a lovely Autumn morning on the banks of the Black Warrior River in Alabama. Other than using the cube as a day hiking bag, airline seat bag, and destination walking-around bag, I also use it as a small messenger bag while riding my bike for errands. While on the bike the cube contains my Fujifilm X-100 (taking the pictures), Rick Steves Wallet, ‘ keys, notebook, pen, small flashlight, tissues, spare T-shirt (also padding for X-100), sunglasses, first aid kit in small Dynema pouch, bike lock, I-phone, FOT pouch (thank you) with small odds and ends inside, flat repair kit, bike multi-tool and tire inflator. I can also add a packable rain jacket if needed. I still have a lot of room left over. This cube is my favorite Tom Bihn bag 
”
– Eire
See also:
Packing Cube Shoulder Bag
More customer photos of the Packing Cube Shoulder Bag.
dang: Travel Tray Review (through the TSA security checkpoint)
“Just used the Travel Tray on a recent trip to Panama. It really made going through the TSA security checkpoint a breeze. Not sure if I read about it here or in another forum but what I did was put my 311 liquids in a quart ziplock bag and put that in the travel tray and the travel tray in my bag. When I got to the security checkpoint I took the tray out of the bag and the quart ziplock with my liquids out of the tray. I then put my watch, phone, etc (basically everything in my pockets into the travel tray, zipped it up, and threw that in the bag. This way all my stuff was not out in the open for anybody to pilfer. After going through security I took everything out of the tray and put the quart ziplock back in. It really made going through security a nice tidy affair.
I always have some kind of tray when I travel to put loose items like my phone, glasses, keys, coins etc so they are handy and don’t get lost. I was using one of those flat trays where the corners snap together and while they work good for a few items I found the travel tray much better because it has a greater capacity, plus it serves as a dual use item for going through security as described above.
This is a handy little item that you really don’t need but it really is extremely handy. I’ll definitely be using this on all future trips.”
“I couldn’t be happier with the bag.”
Below is an email we recently received from G.
“I wanted to compliment you on the outstanding products you provide. I recently purchased the Citizen Canine and I absolutely loved it so much I needed to have more of your great products that I went ahead and purchased the Ristretto for the 13 in mac. I couldn’t be happier with the bag. It has so much room, yet looks very compact, I get compliments about it all the time. Some food for thought, a cell phone pouch on the shoulder strap would be nice. Although I love the organization capabilities of the front pocket, the cell phone is something most people would want quick and easy access too, and I would be happy to purchase such said accessory. With my order I also purchased your 14 oz glass bottle, very nice by the way. I just wish the Ristretto had a water bottle pocket on the side, although it fits just fine inside the bag, it takes up space for books, folders, notebooks, etc. All in all, I am a very satisfied customer, so much so that I have become an advocate of your fine product line. I wish Tom Bihn the best in all their business endeavors, and will look to your company for all my bag needs.”
– G.
Have something to share with us? Send us an email.
dorayme: Brain bag for large and small (photos)
“I got my dh a Navy Brain Bag last year when I went to the factory last spring. He has used it exclusively for his leisure travel bag for trips spanning an overnight to over two weeks. (his business travel involves grease and grime and he uses a lesser promotional freebie bag until its all used up). It not only holds his clothes and shoes, it manages his essential CPAP machine and accoutrements. Rocky loves his Brain Bag.”
“A few weeks ago I bought a brain bag in Olive for my middle child. He will be an overnight camper next year at The Rock | A Christ-centered Summer Camp Adventure in North Carolina and will need his own bag for the week. I want him to get used to packing his own things into packing cubes, etc. He carried it for the first time for this past weekend’s stay at his grandparents house. Each section was filled with a large eBags packing cube, one for him, and one for his brother. There was plenty of room left over. It wasn’t 50% full. He will be 8 in 2 days. Mardie loves his Brain Bag.”
Brain Bags and black holes?
“Brain Bag owners have all been cheated. Tom Bihn has been selling these backpacks to innocent people in order to test their miniature black holes that have been produced in their underground research facility in Seattle, right below their manufacturing building.
In all seriousness, my new Brain Bag arrived and it is about 20% smaller than my old __________ backpack and holds about 60% more stuff without breaking a sweat (if backpacks could sweat)
The only explanation is a miniature black hole that is put into the bag before shipping. It’s also the reason they have to put excellent stitching and quality fabrics into the backpack – or else it will be torn apart by itself!
Although I don’t like being cheated, I do like this backpack. I forgive Tom Bihn.”
Posted by febtiger in the TOM BIHN Forums.
The Brain Bag in Olive.
MagicTiki: Photos of my new Empire Builder
“Had some time this afternoon, so I’m dropping some pics of my new Empire Builder! I know everyone loves pics to help with their decision making process (I know I am obsessive about ‘em), so here we go…!”
Read the full thread by MagicTiki in the Forums.
O-rings galore.
“Wow. The Checkpoint Flyer turned out to be worth every penny.”
“Wow. The Checkpoint Flyer turned out to be worth every penny.
On my recent trip I had to clear numerous airport security setups. In the US, everywhere let me just send my unclipped Checkpoint Flyer right through. One TSA agent even took a closer look and made a comment that it was a terrific bag. He loved how it unfolded so easily. Only in Canada did I have to take the laptop out of the bag. The bag definitely earned its name–I flew through security.
The front zippered pockets were perfect for accessing small items during my flights (the entire, stuffed bag fit easily under the seat). The travel document pocket was definitely appreciated. I also liked the two zippered “secret” pockets between the laptop bag and the main compartment. I kept my financial items in that section.
The quality of construction and well-thought out components made this purchase a worthwhile value instead of a luxury item. I’ll be using this bag quite a bit!”
– Excerpted from an email sent to us by K.
The Checkpoint Flyer in Black/Steel with the Absolute Shoulder Strap.
