Guides & How To

A gift guide published on December 13th? Yeah, this year is feeling pretty last-minute to us. This is basically a list of what we’re giving this year so either click a link down below of the type that grabs your interest or just keep reading! We’re still searching for the just-right gifts for a few people on our lists, so feel free to share your gift ideas in the comments (maybe you’ll inspire us!) and if you want more gift-giving inspiration, check out our 2016 Gift Guide (Bags and Beyond) and Tom's Simplified and (nearly) Painless 2017 Gift Guide. The...

Road trip snacks in The Truck. Below is a list of questions (and answers) that we’re asked -- or anticipate we will be asked -- about our various tote bag designs. If you have a question that wasn’t answered here, feel free to emailus@tombihn.com. You offer five different tote bag designs (not counting different sizes). Can you tell me a little about each of them? Which of the tote designs is right for me? Why do you offer so many different tote bag designs? What are the advantages and disadvantages of a tote bag with a zipper top? What are...

Below is a list of questions (and answers) that we’re asked -- or anticipate we will be asked -- about the Aeronaut 30 and Aeronaut 45 travel bags. If you have a question that wasn’t answered here, feel free to emailus@tombihn.com How did Tom come up with the design of the Aeronaut? What does Tom consider to be some of the more unique features and aspects of the Aeronaut design? How many design updates have been made to the Aeronaut over the years? Tom designed the Aeronaut so that the end user could carry it via three different methods. In...

In my garage, Santa Cruz, circa 1983. The other day, someone stopped by the factory just as I was leaving – they are learning to design and make bags, and were hoping to look around. I was glad to give them a brief tour and answer some questions. Surprisingly, this request is not that uncommon: we've recently had more and more inquiries from people who’d like to start their own bag businesses or become bag designers, and are hoping I might give them some advice or wisdom to help them down their path. Of course, the thing about any map...

The Aeronaut 45 with its Aeronaut 45 Packing Cubes. Below is a list of questions (and answers) that we're often asked about Packing Cubes. If you have a question that wasn't answered here, feel free to emailus@tombihn.com If you'd like to see all of our Packing Cube offerings, go here. What are the main benefits of Packing Cubes? What are the downsides of Packing Cubes? How do I use Packing Cubes? How necessary are Packing Cubes? Should I fold, roll, or bundle pack my clothes in Packing Cubes? Are Packing Cubes only for clothes? How do the Laundry Travel Stuff...

When @icarusrex posted his "TOM BIHN Travel Bar" set-up on the Forums, we had an idea: we could ask him to craft a TOM BIHN cocktail. We polled the crew here at TB about their favorite cocktails and mixed drinks and shared that with @icarusrex for inspiration. Here's the cocktails he came up with (of course, we had to test the recipes, and yes they're very good) plus a couple of amateur creations of our own, just in time for New Year's. Alcoholic Drinks TB Cocktail (Sweet & Spicy) 1 1/2 oz. bourbon whiskey (@icarusrex used Elijah Craig 12 Year;...

Much has been said and written about giving gifts that are not things, and about how experiences ultimately mean more to us than stuff. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve observed that more than ever before, I cherish time spent with family and friends, travel to new and old places, fresh air, wildlife, and nature more than a garage full of objects. With that in mind, I’ve in years past given movie, concert or opera tickets as gifts, or even a gift certificate for a massage or kayak rental. So far, so good. As we set out to create a 2017...