Bags
The First Bag I Made
When I was first learning to sew, I made backpacking equipment for my G.I. Joe. I was about ten years old at the time, and I had already moved on from “playing”...
Carry Guides
Top 5 Most Underrated TOM BIHN Bags, Ranked by You
When it comes to hidden gems, no one knows TOM BIHN bags better than the people who carry them. Earlier this week, we put out a poll on Instagram and asked you to vote on which bags deserve a little more recognition...
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The BIHN Bulletin
Guides, gear insights, and stories for carrying well.
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Design
Making Bags is a Bihn Family Tradition
I can’t remember how exactly it started, but back in the 1970s, my mother took up the hobby of working with leather. Living near Santa Cruz, she had easy access to leather...
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Community
The History of Portable Culture
From 1990 until 1999, my business was my retail store/workshop in downtown Santa Cruz, California. For not quite ten years, I walked or rode my bike to work everyday (I only drove...
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Bags
Design Update: Aeronaut 45
You know us: we can't leave good enough alone. Our Aeronaut 45 maximum carry-on travel bag has been updated with a couple of new features and a few materials updates. All Aeronaut...
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Bags
Design Update: Parental Unit
Tom has made several design updates to our Parental Unit diaper bag inspired by feedback posted on our Forums, shared with us by friends and family who use the P.U., and Tom’s...
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Community
Tom's Grandfather's Table
When I began making outdoor gear, in about 1972, I used the back side of a ping pong table on saw horses, out in the garage, as a cutting surface. At some...
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Design
A Brief History of Padded Hip Belts
Early backpacks just had simple, unpadded shoulder straps made from webbing (woven strap material) or leather, and no waist or hip belt. Initially it was a big deal to add padding to...
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Company Updates
New: Padded Hip Belt for Smart Alec and Synapse Backpacks
Due to popular request, we’ve come up with a 1” Padded Hip Belt designed to work with the Synapse 19, Synapse 25, and Smart Alec backpacks -- three of our most popular...
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Bags
Introducing The Hero's Journey Travel Backpack
It's here! The Hero's Journey is in-stock and ready to ship in colors Black Halcyon/Northwest Sky and Nordic Halcyon/Northwest Sky. Colors Black Halcyon/Iberian and Nordic Halcyon/Wasabi are in production with an estimated...
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Company Updates
Introducing The Pocket Travel Pillow
Travel pillows can be so very comfortable, but they can also be so very bulky. Our new Pocket Travel Pillow, on the other hand, lets you make use of the clothing you're...
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Company Updates
New Colors! Webbing Key Straps
We're happy to introduce our Key Straps in five bold and new (yet familiar) colors of nylon webbing. Key Straps have long been available in Black webbing and, later, in Coyote webbing....
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Design
Interview With Tom: The Hero's Journey
Tell us the story behind the name "Hero's Journey." Early on in the process of sketching this pack, I pictured it being used by people headed off on a journey of discovery,...
