What's So Big About the Big Bantam?

Meet the Big Bantam: The Small Bag That Carries a Little More 

For everyone who’s ever loved the Bantam but wished it could hold just a little more—this one’s for you.

There’s a certain kind of person who swears by a small bag. You know the type—travels light, hates clutter, carries only the essentials. Maybe that’s you. 

The Bantam was made for that person: the minimalist, the traveler who’s honed their everyday kit down to the bare necessities—phone, wallet, keys, maybe a granola bar if the day looks long. But here’s the thing: life doesn’t always fit in 1 liter. 

Enter the Big Bantam. 

Same idea, just turned up a notch. It’s for the days when your “essentials” have multiplied—when your wallet has gotten even thicker with change from the farmers market, your reading material a bit less digital, or your appetite a little more ambitious. It’s still small, still streamlined, still that easy crossbody you forget you’re wearing—just with a bit more breathing room. 

We didn’t overthink it. We just gave the original Bantam a little more space to live. Because sometimes, less isn’t actually more—it’s just less. Think of it as the Bantam’s slightly bigger twin: same DNA, bigger ambitions.

But let’s cut to the chase—how does it actually compare to the rest of the TOM BIHN lineup?

The Big Difference

Big Bantam: 

Dimensions (Seam-to-Seam measured)

• 9.5" (w) x 6.25" (h) x 2.5" (d) / 240mm (w) x 160mm (h) x 65mm (d)

Weight

• X-Pac: 7.8 oz / 220 grams

• Spectron: 7.4 oz / 210 grams

Volume

• 2.5 Liters / 150 cu. In. (ASTM Standard Measure)

Bantam:

Dimensions (Seam-to-Seam measured)

• 8.5" (w) x 5.5" (h) x 1.75" (d) / 215mm (w) x 140mm (h) x 45mm (d)

Weight

• 4.8 ounces / 135 grams

Volume

• 1 liters / 60 cu. in. (ASTM Standard Measure)

And there are a few small but mighty upgrades: the Big Bantam has four O-rings compared to the OG Bantam’s singular ring. More spots to clip your keys, tether a small pouch, or add a key strap—because a little extra organization never hurt anyone. 

There are also two full-width pockets on each side of the interior and two half-width pockets on one side to keep smaller items contained. 

On the side of the Big Bantam, you might notice new D-rings. They’re a slightly different shape from the ones on existing crossbodies, like the Side Effect or Bantam. 

What Actually Fits Inside

In the OG Bantam:

• Phone

• Slim wallet or mini organizer pouch

• Keys

• Lip balm

• A pack of gum 

• A granola or protein bar

In the Big Bantam: 

Everything above, plus—

• An E-reader or a small paperback

• Sunglasses

• A compact camera

• Headphones

• Small perfume

• A couple more lip balms

• A portable charger and a charging cable

It’s the difference between just enough and comfortably enough. 

“How Does it Stack Up Against the Side Effect or Side Kick?” 

We thought you’d never ask. 

Think of it this way: 

• The Side Effect is your 1.7-liter daily companion. 

• The Side Kick is your “throw it all in and go” 3-liter crossbody

• The Big Bantam lives right in between. 

It’s a little leaner than the Side Kick, but it can fit just a few more snacks than the Side Effect. It’s the “let’s grab a coffee and walk aimlessly around the city” bag. The “I might end up somewhere interesting” bag.

Spoiler: both are great. It just depends on how much you like to carry—or how much life you like to cram into a day. The Big Bantam feels more like a day-to-night bag—versatile enough to load up in the morning and then take out for a night on the town. 

The Big Bantam is an evolution—a nod to the idea that a bag doesn’t always need to be tiny—sometimes it can be a little bigger. 

Sometimes you want room for the extra snack, the camera, the book you probably won’t finish but can’t leave behind. The Big Bantam gets that. It’s for the people who appreciate the freedom of small, but aren’t afraid to admit that sometimes, they need a bit more wiggle room. 

Same spirit. More space. A couple more O-rings. (And who doesn't love more O-rings??)

What do you think of the Big Bantam? Do you like the new features? What will you clip on your three new O-rings?

The Big Bantam is available now in X-Pac, Reverse X-Pac, Spectron, and Sunglow. Pick your favorite, pack it up, and get on with it. Life’s too short to carry the wrong bag.