What Goes Into A TOM BIHN Backpack?
-
Small Cafe Bag -
Medium Cafe Bag
This is a carousel with slides that contain product key features. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate.
Medium Cafe Bag Key Features
Buckle Up
Asymmetrical flap closure buckles your gear in place and keeps it within arm’s reach.
Carry Just What You Need
Compact, yet roomy enough for an iPad Air, e-reader, journal, or a few books.
Everything in its Place
A front zippered pocket keeps your important items secure and close by at all times.
Quick-Access Back Pocket
Slanted open-top back pocket keeps frequently used items within easy reach.
Grab and Go
A simple webbing grab handle to hang your bag on a hook or for carrying it from room to room – simple, strong, and always ready to lend a hand.
Clip It and Forget It
Four internal O-rings to tether your essentials. Keep the little stuff where you need it. No spelunking required.
Interior Storage, Simplified
Five low-profile pockets in the main compartment keep your essentials right where you need them.
Buckle Up
Asymmetrical flap closure buckles your gear in place and keeps it within arm’s reach.
Carry Just What You Need
Compact, yet roomy enough for an iPad Air, e-reader, journal, or a few books.
Everything in its Place
A front zippered pocket keeps your important items secure and close by at all times.
Quick-Access Back Pocket
Slanted open-top back pocket keeps frequently used items within easy reach.
Grab and Go
A simple webbing grab handle to hang your bag on a hook or for carrying it from room to room – simple, strong, and always ready to lend a hand.
Clip It and Forget It
Four internal O-rings to tether your essentials. Keep the little stuff where you need it. No spelunking required.
Interior Storage, Simplified
Five low-profile pockets in the main compartment keep your essentials right where you need them.
Buckle Up
Asymmetrical flap closure buckles your gear in place and keeps it within arm’s reach.
Carry Just What You Need
Compact, yet roomy enough for an iPad Air, e-reader, journal, or a few books.
Everything in its Place
A front zippered pocket keeps your important items secure and close by at all times.
Quick-Access Back Pocket
Slanted open-top back pocket keeps frequently used items within easy reach.
Grab and Go
A simple webbing grab handle to hang your bag on a hook or for carrying it from room to room – simple, strong, and always ready to lend a hand.
Clip It and Forget It
Four internal O-rings to tether your essentials. Keep the little stuff where you need it. No spelunking required.
Interior Storage, Simplified
Five low-profile pockets in the main compartment keep your essentials right where you need them.
Description
This is a carousel with slides that contain product key features. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate.
Medium Cafe Bag Key Features
Buckle Up
Asymmetrical flap closure buckles your gear in place and keeps it within arm’s reach.
Carry Just What You Need
Compact, yet roomy enough for an iPad Air, e-reader, journal, or a few books.
Everything in its Place
A front zippered pocket keeps your important items secure and close by at all times.
Quick-Access Back Pocket
Slanted open-top back pocket keeps frequently used items within easy reach.
Grab and Go
A simple webbing grab handle to hang your bag on a hook or for carrying it from room to room – simple, strong, and always ready to lend a hand.
Clip It and Forget It
Four internal O-rings to tether your essentials. Keep the little stuff where you need it. No spelunking required.
Interior Storage, Simplified
Five low-profile pockets in the main compartment keep your essentials right where you need them.
Buckle Up
Asymmetrical flap closure buckles your gear in place and keeps it within arm’s reach.
Carry Just What You Need
Compact, yet roomy enough for an iPad Air, e-reader, journal, or a few books.
Everything in its Place
A front zippered pocket keeps your important items secure and close by at all times.
Quick-Access Back Pocket
Slanted open-top back pocket keeps frequently used items within easy reach.
Grab and Go
A simple webbing grab handle to hang your bag on a hook or for carrying it from room to room – simple, strong, and always ready to lend a hand.
Clip It and Forget It
Four internal O-rings to tether your essentials. Keep the little stuff where you need it. No spelunking required.
Interior Storage, Simplified
Five low-profile pockets in the main compartment keep your essentials right where you need them.
Buckle Up
Asymmetrical flap closure buckles your gear in place and keeps it within arm’s reach.
Carry Just What You Need
Compact, yet roomy enough for an iPad Air, e-reader, journal, or a few books.
Everything in its Place
A front zippered pocket keeps your important items secure and close by at all times.
Quick-Access Back Pocket
Slanted open-top back pocket keeps frequently used items within easy reach.
Grab and Go
A simple webbing grab handle to hang your bag on a hook or for carrying it from room to room – simple, strong, and always ready to lend a hand.
Clip It and Forget It
Four internal O-rings to tether your essentials. Keep the little stuff where you need it. No spelunking required.
Interior Storage, Simplified
Five low-profile pockets in the main compartment keep your essentials right where you need them.
Reviews
Total 5 star reviews: 626 Total 4 star reviews: 51 Total 3 star reviews: 7 Total 2 star reviews: 7 Total 1 star reviews: 2
Slide 1 selected
693 reviews
- JCJaimie C.Verified BuyerBought For MyselfProduct Standouts Thoughtful Design, Made in USA, High Quality Finishings, Good Storage Size, Unique3 years agoBought For MyselfProduct Standouts Thoughtful Design, Made in USA, High Quality Finishings, Good Storage Size, UniqueReviewingMedium Cafe BagRated 5 out of 5 starsUrban Sketchers Dream Bag
Wow! This is an absolute dream bag for all of my sketching gear. My sketchbook, iPad Pro and all of my pencils, pens, paint…..everything fits in this bag! I paired mine with the Freudian slip, clear pouch and a small cubelet. I feel so organized while I’m sketching
- MHMelanie H.Verified BuyerBought For MyselfProduct Standouts Thoughtful Design, Comfortable, Versatile, Easily Adjustable, Unique2 years agoBought For MyselfProduct Standouts Thoughtful Design, Comfortable, Versatile, Easily Adjustable, UniqueReviewingMedium Cafe BagRated 5 out of 5 starsSpacious everyday bag
Slim profile, comfortable strap, quality workmanship, holds A LOT. A really versatile everyday or travel bag. Shown below:
-Photos 1-2: Side and overhead view when fully packed
-Photos 3-6: Packed with a standard letter size folder, an iPad Pro 11" 4th gen, and a Tom Bihn Vertical Packing Cubelet (1.5L) laying horizontally, a TB Double Organizer Pouch, size medium, in front pocket, and a S'Well 15 ounce water bottle (photo 6, only top is visible)
-Last photo: everything that's packed inside from the 1st 2 photos (TB Vertical Packing Cubelet + its contents, TB Side Effect + its contents, A5 journal, TB Double Organizer Pouch size medium, iPad Pro, TB Nik's Wallet, Eagle Creek mini Pack-it cube + contents, foldable shopping tote, pen pouch, Athleta mask pouch, S'Well 15 ounce bottle)
- JMJohn M.Verified BuyerBought For MyselfProduct Standouts Thoughtful Design, High Quality Craftsmanship, Made in USA, High Quality Finishings, Compact3 years agoBought For MyselfProduct Standouts Thoughtful Design, High Quality Craftsmanship, Made in USA, High Quality Finishings, CompactReviewingMedium Cafe BagRated 5 out of 5 starsLet's Get Small!
Years ago I had a Tom Bihn Ristretto for my original iPad. It was a brilliant bag for the time and I carried it for a couple years. It held up well and a friend is still using it many years later. I had gone to a large laptop and needed a backpack to carry it in for work, so got away from the minimalist EDC rig. Work has changed a bit and tech has improved and I can now sometimes travel without the backpack/laptop rig (20ish lbs.). I can make do with my 12.9" iPad Pro for short trips and light meetings. I had been looking for a small bag for a while and finally landed on the Tom Bihn Medium Cafe Bag. It's perfect for what I need. I also ordered a medium Freudian Slip. I have some stuff that I need to have with me all the time like my hotspot, notebook, etc.. When I was using the pack only, everything went in the pack. Now that I'm trying a multi bag strategy, I can keep a bunch of stuff that is essential in the Freudian Slip and easily move it from my pack to the Cafe bag.
While I loved my original Ristretto, I find the Medium Cafe bag to have a more modern aesthetic, sharper lines, lighter weight and enhanced utility. My 12.9 iPad is in a protective case that provides a little impact resistance as the Cafe bag has no padding, but I think that's a better option than the original Ristretto that had a built in padded section. I use it with the big iPad, but I'd imagine it would work well for a minimalist bag for a 13" Macbook as well.
- SSSarvenaz S.Verified BuyerBought For MyselfProduct Standouts Thoughtful Design, Good Storage Size, High Quality Craftsmanship, Durable, Versatile2 years agoBought For MyselfProduct Standouts Thoughtful Design, Good Storage Size, High Quality Craftsmanship, Durable, VersatileReviewingMedium Cafe BagRated 5 out of 5 starsPerfect size to hold gear for a whole day out
I have the small cafe bag as well but wanted the medium so I can fit some bulky/awkward items (including a large, rigid sunglasses case that made it hard to fit extras in my smaller bag). I could fit a few more pens, but what fits in my bag: headphones in case, book, notebook, sunglasses in case, small zip pouch, wallet, keys, regular and large Baggu, pen, hair clip... I could probably have squeezed in a few more pens and maybe a beanie or other soft item across the top, but this is the actual contents of what I had today. After watching 'Land of the Lost' as a child I feel the need to be somewhat over-prepared in case I suddenly find myself living among dinosaurs so I have all the essentials -- lip balm, a tiny flashlight, and disinfecting wipes.
- SBSEAN B.Verified BuyerBought For MyselfProduct Standouts Good Storage Size, Compact, Versatile3 years agoBought For MyselfProduct Standouts Good Storage Size, Compact, VersatileReviewingMedium Cafe BagRated 4 out of 5 starsGreat bag, but the strap...
The good:
- Fits my 12.3" tablet, even with the cache. Its stored in "landscape" mode, which works out for me as I can open the cache and charge the tablet without having to fully remove it. Good for a more minimalist EDC.
- The interior "well" is wide enough (about 3") for a small water bottle or tumbler. Its hard to keep it upright because of the soft material, but depending on how you carry across your body, you can use the internal "eyes" to hook onto it somehow.
- Interior pockets are good size. Good to keep a charger, cable, a mouse, and maybe a snack.
- Exterior pockets can keep a steno-sized notebook, or a "large" Moleskine 8x5s.
The bad:
- The strap. Its sewn onto the bag on one side and the the other side is looped through the buckle. In this configuration, you cannot extend or replace the strap without somehow cutting a stich somewhere. If there were strap "eyes" like the Maker's Bag where you could clip on a strap, it would be perfect.
Quality Designs Since 1972
Designed with obsessive attention to detail, we pride ourselves in offering bags in unmatched quality and durability—whether you're commuting, traveling, or navigating daily life. Built to endure, made to move with you.
The BIHN Guarantee
We stand behind every bag we make. If it’s our fault, we’ll fix it—no questions asked. For everything else, we offer honest repairs in our Seattle factory.