December 19, 2025

If Our Staff Could Design Anything, What Would It Be?

30 comments
The TOM BIHN staff at Holiday Party

With the holidays just around the corner, we’ve found ourselves daydreaming a little more than usual around the factory. It starts innocently – a color we miss, a pocket we’d change – and before long we’re deep in “what if” territory, with plenty of opinions from people who aren’t technically designers, but are just as passionate. 

So we asked the TOM BIHN team what they’d want if anything were possible. An upgrade to a favorite design, a new material, or something entirely new – these are the ideas currently living rent-free in our heads. 

 


José, Design

“My dream bag is a Black reverse X-Pac Guides edition Synik 26.”

 

Cindy, CEO 

“I would love to see the Trinity redesigned for women, more tote-shaped. The centered laptop compartment is so clever and the clamshell opening is so convenient for packing, but I will never use a briefcase-shaped bag!”

 

Maia, Marketing

“MY dream Tom Bihn bag: I'm a very loyal fan to the Pop Tote, but it's not always the best for carrying around my laptop and other gear! My dream TB bag would be something in line with the Pop Tote, but with a vertically oriented laptop sleeve to fit my smaller laptop, and if we're REALLY dreaming, I'd love to have it in Spectron in our upcoming color....oh and maybe some larger side pockets please."

 

Bella, Marketing

“I’d love a hobo-style bag – The slouchiness of the Pop Tote, but crescent-shaped, and in a fun ballistic or Spectron! Ideally, I’d like this to fit a few organizer pouches, whatever book I’m reading, maybe even my laptop?? But that might be getting a little ambitious…”

 

Matthew, Documentation

“My dream bag is a revamped Buzz that can hold my (admittedly large 16") laptop. Bring back Alphaviolet for the exterior and Kiwi for the interior. Make the front pocket more like the admin panel from the Bixi.”

 

Matt, Operations

“Guides Edition Daylight Backpack.”

 

Jack, Operations

“My wife and daughter are both ballet dancers and they really like the Parental Unit as a dance bag. They wish it had some vented storage for their shoes and mostly they want a "blush pink" option with the pink lining.”

 

Shelby, Customer Service

“My dream bag is a reverse Sunglow Big Bantam >.>”

 

Cody, Customer Service

“I'd love for the Paragon and Paramour to get smooshed up - the shape and pockets of the Paramour, with the mesh back and interior pocket of the Paragon.”

 


 

These wish lists are just a snapshot of the conversations happening around the factory right now – the kind that pop up between holiday plans, half-finished mugs of coffee and one too many baked goods. As we look toward the new year, we’re curious what’s been on your mind, too. 

A small tweak, a long-lost favorite, or something entirely new – what’s on your TOM BIHN wish list this season? Happy holidays from all of us at TOM BIHN!

30 comments

Sumir - January 9, 2026

I’d love to see a smaller size Techonaut. I love my 30 & 45, but they are in general too large to be used as a personal item. A smaller Techonaut in the 20L range would be very useful. The current offerings in that range pack differently.

Erica - January 2, 2026

I’d like to see something Bixi-ish, but with the Techonaut laptop compartment.

I like the general idea of the Bixi — one cavernous main compartment that extends top to bottom, and it has a “backpack” vibe rather than a “luggage” vibe. However, I am kind of confused by the design of the laptop compartment. It’s not padded on the bottom, and I don’t really like using the mesh pocket — I’d rather just a single, fully padded compartment like the Techonaut. It’s also got a lot of extra volume that I have no use for, which takes space from the main compartment. I’d prefer the Techonaut laptop compartment + skeleton back panel, and give the extra volume back to the main compartment for clothing.

If you did this I’d actually be looking for this bag in a 45L max carryon size, although I’d guess it would do well as a 30-35L as well.

I’ve also considered a 45L GR3 for this purpose, but they don’t have a mesh back panel (or the nice comfortable skeleton panel design).

Charlie - December 28, 2025

Would love a cross between a Brain bag, a Trinity, and a medium Cafe! Upright-tote shaped, multiple carry options like tuck-away backpack straps and a removable crossbody strap, vertical laptop compartment, zipper closures, the classic Tom Bihn organisation, but not so “briefcase” coded. A 12-15L tote for the working and travelling woman!

G42 - December 23, 2025

Please use the Coyote materials to make a “Guide’s Edition” run of Road Buddy duffels, similar to the look of the old Skookum Dog ones!

David N - December 22, 2025

I don"t now have much need of the large and medium Bihns I’ve purchased over the years. I’d like to see what you can do in the belt-pack space, like we used to see for small compact cameras, say in the area of 3×4″-4×6″.
Now I used a home made modification of a key pouch. It has a snap pouch then about a 1/2" deep zip patch and slim zip pouch on the back.
I carry stuff in it that damages pants pockets, damaged by keys, falls thru holes in pockets: small photo gray card, couple of coins, tiny pens and note pad, tiny permanent pen, small multitool etc.
Plus points if it can be removed from belt without removing belt (snaps etc)! Happy to provide feedback!

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