Introducing 400d Dyneema/nylon in Nordic and Steel

[Lani]

P.S. I'm waiting for Lani's reaction. Just as the first thougt after the Aubergine announcement was to look for dorayme's reaction, I'm waiting to read Lani's response. Oh, and by the way, will there be a Packing Cube Shoulder Bag in Nordic Dyneema?

I finally got up from fainting. Hi. ^_^

(Still hyperventilating)

[alta215]

You found it in record-breaking time!

Woo Hoo! My claim to fame!

Saw the color swatch and then pictures popping up on the website and realized that it hadn't been announced yet. I must admit that I've been haunting the site helping my daughter decide on just the right bag to use as a diaper bag. Of course now I'll have to get something in that beautiful 400d dyneema myself!

[papids2000]

Looks like a Dyneema Synapse is coming our way. The Nordic Blue looks way cool!

[indigomtn]

I love it!! I must admit, I am sad to see that the diamond pattern will be going away in the 400d dyneema... I think that is part of what makes the dyneema so cool. But, I love the new color and I love that more bags will be available in dyneema!

[Janine]

OH
MY
GOOGLE

[moriond]

I must be a freak of nature... bright stripey luggage just does not appeal to me... give me black or other dark colors that don't show dirt or wear, maybe with edging or accents of other dark colors (eg dark purple) and I'm happy.

- Tim

Tim, you might want to take a look at the Dyneema–Our Secret Weapon? thread. I've linked you to the second page, which puts you in the middle of other reactions to using Dyneema for (the outside of) bags. However, you should scroll back to the first page, too (and look at the picture). We could always put Lani to work with her Sharpie. (And Ed probably recognizes the "sticking out the tongue" emoticon as coming from the Candlepower forums.)

I thought Darcy did a very good job with the explanations in the blog post about Dyneema.

moriond

[marbenais]

Is it possible to get samples of this fabric?

And count me in the rejoicing-for-more-Dyneema-bags crowd!

[MtnMan]

A few things I wanted to bring up in response to this new Dyneema announcement:

1: Does this mean that Tom Bihn is moving away from using ballistic nylon and/or cordura for exterior fabrics of its luggage? Will these other fabrics still be offered?

2: Why is this Dyneema fabric only sourced from Japan? I have nothing against it, but aren't there American manufacturers of such fabrics?

(BTW, the word "stellar" was misseplled in the official Synapse write-up earlier in this thread.)

If you ask me, nothing beats a navy-blue ballistic nylon Aeronaut and bright-yellow dyneema interior lining. I wish that would make a comeback at Tom Bihn.

[dorayme]

OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH MYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY GGGGGGGGGGGGGGODDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD


Quick!!! Lani hyperventilated and fainted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Janine texted me while I was out shopping with a friend and I started hyperventilating too in the middle of Target! My friend was laughing at my condition/obsession, but seriously, I love this announcement both the gorgeous color, and the travel bags in Dyneema. I can't say which is more exciting to me!

[eastercat]

I am really excited. Plans were to get the Western Flyer when funds would allow, but this is the first time I'm glad it's taking me so long to save up! Steel dyneema FTW!

[tbessie]

Tim, you might want to take a look at the Dyneema–Our Secret Weapon? thread. I've linked you to the second page, which puts you in the middle of other reactions to using Dyneema for (the outside of) bags. However, you should scroll back to the first page, too (and look at the picture). We could always put Lani to work with her Sharpie. (And Ed probably recognizes the "sticking out the tongue" emoticon as coming from the Candlepower forums.)

I thought Darcy did a very good job with the explanations in the blog post about Dyneema.

moriond

Thanks moriond, I'll take a deeper look at that. :)

[cucciasv]

Uh-oh!

<* spontaneously reaches for credit card *>

---

Someone please help me!
I have BAS (Bihn Acquisition Syndrome)!!

---

[Darcy]

P.S. I'm waiting for Lani's reaction. Just as the first thougt after the Aubergine announcement was to look for dorayme's reaction, I'm waiting to read Lani's response. Oh, and by the way, will there be a Packing Cube Shoulder Bag in Nordic Dyneema?

Lani's reaction made our night. Everyone else, too: we're glad you like the new Dyneema. It was a long time coming.

No plans for a Packing Cube Shoulder Bag in Nordic Dyneema. The 400d Dyneema/nylon will likely be saved for bigger/main bags such as the Aeronaut and Tri-Star. But who knows what you'll see in 2013.. Tom's working on several things that could utilize the 400d fabric in new ways.

Is it possible to get samples of this fabric?

We'd be glad to send you a swatch. Email us: customerservice@tombihn.com

A few things I wanted to bring up in response to this new Dyneema announcement:

1: Does this mean that Tom Bihn is moving away from using ballistic nylon and/or cordura for exterior fabrics of its luggage? Will these other fabrics still be offered?

Good questions, MtnMan. We'll continue to use both Cordura and our 1050d U.S. high tenacity ballistic nylon, but in the long run, maybe more ballistic and Dyneema/nylon and less Cordura.

2: Why is this Dyneema fabric only sourced from Japan? I have nothing against it, but aren't there American manufacturers of such fabrics?

Surprising but true: fabric finishing plants in the US have never mastered the coating (and heat-setting) of Dyneema/nylon blend fabrics. It's very tricky and the Japanese mill seems to have gotten it down.

(BTW, the word "stellar" was misseplled in the official Synapse write-up earlier in this thread.)

Thanks, I fixed that on the Synapse page. In a world of Steller Jay's and and Steller sea lions, I guess that's where my mind goes first.

If you ask me, nothing beats a navy-blue ballistic nylon Aeronaut and bright-yellow dyneema interior lining. I wish that would make a comeback at Tom Bihn.

Noted. I also loved Navy/Solar, but Navy/Wasabi is pretty great too.

[roadrunner]

So a slightly tangental question- Has the steel dyneema always been 400d or will that be for the future offerings?
(the blog seemed to indicate that the 400d is a new heavier option, is that correct?)

[MaggieScratch]

How water-resistant/waterproof is the Dyneema, compared to ballistic and Cordura?

I was considering getting a Smart Alec for a trip to the UK next year but that Nordic WF is very, very tempting, as is the Aeronaut, though I think the Aeronaut might be too big for my purposes--though at approximately two pounds, it might not make a difference. But in the UK, water-resistance is certainly a pertinent question! And it's one of the many things I love about Tom Bihn bags.