Customer feedback

Below are two emails we recently received from customers.

"After much research and comparison between Tom Bihn and ----- bags I finally decided to go with TB and I am so happy I did! I received my Aeronaut and ID bags yesterday along with several packing cubes I'd ordered from your company. The bags are absolutely beautiful and are so well made. I packed the Aeronaut tonight (using the packing cubes) for a 3 day trip and couldn't believe how much it held! My ID accompanied me to work today loaded with all my gear. I was so proud to show it off to my cubemates and even more proud to say that it was made in the USA! I ordered several pouches last night and can't wait to receive them. Just wanted you to know that you have one more very satisfied customer who will spread the word about Tom Bihn bags!"
- R.

"I have ordered and received 3 bags from Tom Bihn in the last 3 months. I absolutely love all the bags. They are very nice and have worked perfectly. I purchased the Side Effect and Brain Cell to travel to the Olympics and both worked wonderfully. The Side Effect was the perfect size to be able to go through the express security line but had more than sufficient room to carry everything I needed for the day. The Brain Cell kept my laptop very protected while traveling and the Absolute Shoulder Strap was the most comfortable one I have ever had. I just received the Swift and it holds all my yarn and supplies perfectly. I called customer service to help with ordering because the model number of my laptop wasn't listed so I wasn't sure what size and the person helping was very very helpful and courteous and wonderful. Thank you for such great products. I am sure I will be ordering more in the future. The products are very nice looking and function wonderfully."
- L.

"I never in a million years imagined myself to be traveling with a laptop, but received one as a gift this past Christmas. I had some trips planned and found that I would need to bring my computer to New Zealand, Australia, New York and Nevada. The Checkpoint Flyer is fabulous!! It's a breeze to get through both domestic and international security. In fact, the security personnel at Auckland International Airport asked where I purchased such a "brilliantly designed" bag. My only regret is that I failed to order a shoulder strap for it, which I will be doing soon. The bag is perfect! I have even been using it when I bring my laptop to work. Thank you for designing such a functional bag...a very thoughtful creation!"

Cheers!"

- Amy.

When we asked Amy if we could post her feedback on our blog, she replied:
"I just returned from another trip and the bag worked out great again! I can't believe how hassle-free and efficient it is for me to travel with my laptop; my husband, who was behind me in security, was hassled about his laptop and had to take it out of the bag he was using for inspection!"

"I've got a Super Ego bag from Tom Bihn, a bag/luggage designer from Washington state. The Super Ego is an unbelievable, a monstrous bag: capacious, tough as nails, even stylish, with a waterproof zipper and buckles for what I understand to be pretty much the best laptop sleeve you can buy. Other than a general ergonomic concern with courier bags, I've never had a complaint about my Bihn bag, and I wouldn't hesitate to buy from the company again.

Today the buckle on the front pocket broke.

I called customer service and explained that the plastic had snapped. Without prompting, the service rep said, 'Can you remove the male portion of the buckle from the bag?' Yep. 'We'll send you a new one on Monday.'

Done."

Read the full post at Wax Banks.

Skylark posted in the TOM BIHN Forums:
"TB forum seems like a great resource to tap for recommendations on ipod touch app's for packing lists needed for upcoming trips. I want one with check boxes so that once the list is made I can check as I pack the Aeronaut and Imago and then uncheck and reuse the list next trip. Thanks!"

Several forum members have already posted suggestions: is there a Packing List app that you'd recommend? Post here!

Terk posted in the TOM BIHN Forums:

Hey guys, I'm new to the forum here, and actually just discovered the website this past weekend. I didn't know Tom was still making gear. I checked out the website and forum, front to back, so I could catch up. I ended up ordering a Synapse and Side Effect. American made gear is getting harder to find nowdays, and I like to support the manufacturers that refuse to go offshore.

I thought some of you might be interested in seeing an old school Tom Bihn product. I bought this over 20 years ago from Tom when he was still down here in Santa Cruz. It is an early version of the Side Effect. I'm not sure what it was called back then. It's seen a lot of hard use, but is still going strong.

See the full thread in the TOM BIHN Forums for more pictures.

On The Tri-Star:
"Finally, I decided to purchase a Tom Bihn Tri-Star carry-on travel bag from the USA. It converts to a backpack, and comes with a ‘brain cell’ in which I packed my tablet computer. It was invaluable throughout our trip and we used it every day. I took it as carry-on luggage on the plane.

It fitted neatly over the handles of the wheelchair and we could pack jackets, guide books, cameras and other items (as well as the urine bottle) into the one bag, leaving both our hands free to handle the wheelchair (see photo). We carried all our toiletries and clothing on our overnight excursion to Belgium in this bag as well."

Read the full trip report by John L. Smith at Global Access News.

"At 40 years old I got tired of my life and decided to quit my job and sell my house and see what else the world has to offer." - Pam, author of Go See Run Eat Drink

Pam's One Travel Bag? The Aeronaut.

On the Aeronaut: "The Aeronaut is performing like a champ – even when I was hauling around two unedited guide books, and two books of fiction and two computers I was still about to cram everything in."

Visit Go See Run Eat Drink.

Posted by Joseph at Half Full:

Before my trip to Canada I had a very hard time finding good information about the new travel restrictions for travel by air from Canada to the United States. The general statement of "no carryons" isn't quite right. A comprehensive of permitted items is now listed at the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (PDF). The confusing distinction is that they permit laptop bags but not briefcases. Here's what I observed from my experience traveling today through Vancouver airport security:

My Tom Bihn Ristretto (a small over-the-shoulder satchel) was allowed through. I had packed in it a small Lenovo, an accessories zipper pouch, Bose headphones, a camera and a Kindle.

Read the full report @ Half Full.

Below - recent customer feedback we've received via email:

"About two and a half years ago I bought the Aeronaut, and it still looks as good as the day I bought it. I use it for every trip I go on, and am amazed at how much I can fit inside. It's the only bag I will use. Because of my satisfaction with it, I decided to buy the 3D Clear Organizer Cube a few days ago, and was thrilled that it arrived so quickly! As usual I am very impressed. Keep up the great work!"
- Elizabeth

"Thank you for the Western Flyer! It saved me having to cart a larger bag around western Europe when I did a week's side trip from the UK in September. I'm looking forward to it accompanying me on my fairly regular trips from Sydney to Noosa. No more waiting at baggage carousels!"
- Brooke

"I only will buy Tom Bihn bags. I have all of your backpacks, but the new Synapse is by far my favorite. It is so well designed, sleek, and well thought out that I can't ever imagine using another backpack again. I love it, and I will recommend it to anyone who asks--what a great pack!"
- James

"I have been using my Ristretto for a few weeks now and it is a fantastic bag. It is the perfect size to make one think about what needs to be packed around and fits all the essentials. You products set the standard - a very high standard. Thanks for all you do."
- Scott

"About two and a half years ago I bought the Aeronaut, and it still looks as good as the day I bought it. I use it for every trip I go on, and am amazed at how much I can fit inside. It's the only bag I will use. Because of my satisfaction with it, I decided to buy the 3D Clear Organizer Cube a few days ago, and was thrilled that it arrived so quickly! As usual I am very impressed. Keep up the great work!"
- Elizabeth

"I have been using my Ristretto for a few weeks now and it is a fantastic bag. It is the perfect size to make one think about what needs to be packed around and fits all the essentials. You products set the standard - a very high standard. Thanks for all you do."
- S.

"I am emailing to let you know that I am very happy with my Aeronaut. If it is not full, it fits into the hand luggage specs in Australia, and it is big enough to fit all my ovresease travel stuff for a month. After much searching (and discarding one heavy pack onto my husband) I am now suited. Fantastic"
- A.