TLDR
Tom designed the Zeitgeist (you're here now) and Paradigm specifically for folks who’d been asking him for years to design a small backpack PLO (Purse-Like Object; read about the origin of that acronym in the Forums). The Zeitgeist is a reissue of a vintage TOM BIHN design from the 90's; the Paradigm is a more modern design.
Both backpacks share the same main compartment: a slightly teardrop shape with a zipper across the top and down the sides. Same shoulder straps too – a new style of strap offering a gentle contour and a touch of padding. Both have the same padded back panel with an interior padded sleeve suitable for a iPad or similar (sound familiar? It’s a scaled down version of the back panel of the Paragon).
After that, the Zeitgeist heads in one direction and the Paradigm heads in another…
The Zeitgeist features a simple flat front pocket with a diagonal zipper; we’ve trimmed the zipper with contrast colored grosgrain ribbon just for fun. We went with the new version of an old TOM BIHN label to give it even more of a retro flavor — we call it the “Moon Label”. The Zeitgeist has a small zippered interior pocket like the Paragon; the main compartment zipper (#8 YKK RC DWR) has an old school weather flap and is also a bit longer than the zipper on the Paradigm.
Full Description
Walk through the features of the Zeitgeist.
Padded Device Pocket
The Zeitgeist's padded compartment offers just-right padding without adding bulk or weight. Don't plan to carry a device? Know that most of the padding and construction of the compartment would be there regardless to offer comfort to your back and structure for the bag itself.
The Zeitgeist will fit devices up to the size of the 11" iPad Pro or Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 (but notably not the S7+).
Diagonal Exterior Pocket
The Zeitgeist features a simple flat front pocket with a diagonal zipper; we’ve trimmed the zipper with contrast colored grosgrain ribbon just for fun.
Interior Pocket
Small interior zippered pocket: perfect for a wallet, passport, keys, sunglasses or other small items.
Contour Backpack Straps
Our new Contour Backpack Straps were designed to be an upgrade from basic webbing straps. They have minimal foam padding to bump up the comfort factor, while remaining light and proportional to smaller or lightweight packs.
Tom developed the shape and fit of the Contour straps over several months, asking for feedback from friends and crew of all heights and sizes — many different refinements were made to the shape and fit. The result? While no backpack strap design is likely to work for everyone, it’s surprising to all of us how many of us love these straps in particular — folks ranging from 5’0” to 6’0” find them comfortable and well-fitted.
Grab Handle
We added a simple webbing grab handle to the top of the Zeitgeist. It'll come in handy if you'd like to hang the pack on a coat hook, grab and hoist it up onto a table, or carry it briefly by the grab handle itself.
Moon Label
The Moon label revisitation of a label Tom used briefly back in the mid-1990s.
Smooth Back Panel
The back panel of the Zeitgeist is always smooth 525d ballistic nylon in Black, no matter the main exterior fabric or color.
Padded Device Pocket
The Zeitgeist's padded compartment offers just-right padding without adding bulk or weight. Don't plan to carry a device? Know that most of the padding and construction of the compartment would be there regardless to offer comfort to your back and structure for the bag itself.
The Zeitgeist will fit devices up to the size of the 11" iPad Pro or Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 (but notably not the S7+).
Diagonal Exterior Pocket
The Zeitgeist features a simple flat front pocket with a diagonal zipper; we’ve trimmed the zipper with contrast colored grosgrain ribbon just for fun.
Interior Pocket
Small interior zippered pocket: perfect for a wallet, passport, keys, sunglasses or other small items.
Contour Backpack Straps
Our new Contour Backpack Straps were designed to be an upgrade from basic webbing straps. They have minimal foam padding to bump up the comfort factor, while remaining light and proportional to smaller or lightweight packs.
Tom developed the shape and fit of the Contour straps over several months, asking for feedback from friends and crew of all heights and sizes — many different refinements were made to the shape and fit. The result? While no backpack strap design is likely to work for everyone, it’s surprising to all of us how many of us love these straps in particular — folks ranging from 5’0” to 6’0” find them comfortable and well-fitted.
Grab Handle
We added a simple webbing grab handle to the top of the Zeitgeist. It'll come in handy if you'd like to hang the pack on a coat hook, grab and hoist it up onto a table, or carry it briefly by the grab handle itself.
Moon Label
The Moon label revisitation of a label Tom used briefly back in the mid-1990s.
Smooth Back Panel
The back panel of the Zeitgeist is always smooth 525d ballistic nylon in Black, no matter the main exterior fabric or color.
Choosing an Exterior Fabric
You like choices and we like to give you choices! That's why the Zeitgeist is typically available* in three different exterior fabrics. Our Materials Glossary explains each fabric in great detail, but here are some quick facts that may help you decide which to choose. And we're always here if you have questions: emailus@tombihn.com
400d Halcyon
- Weave:
- plain weave with 1/4” / 6mm ripstop
- Fibers:
- 400 denier type 6 filament nylon (base fabric); 420 denier ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene ripstop grid
- Coating:
- light urethane
- Made in:
- Japan
Choose this fabric if
- You want a lighter weight alternative to traditional nylon fabrics that has remarkable tear strength and good abrasion resistance.
- You're looking for a fabric with a modern, "technical" appearance.
- You have pets: 400d Halcyon doesn't collect pet hair, reducing your monthly lint roller costs.
525d High Tenacity Ballistic Nylon
- Weave:
- 2x2 “ballistic” weave
- Fibers:
- 525 denier type 6,6 (high tenacity) filament nylon, twisted
- Coating:
- heavy urethane
- Made in:
- South Korea with Canadian yarn
Choose this fabric if
- You want your bag to be soft and supple yet tough as nails.
- You want a fabric that's stately enough to be at home at work, the mountains, or a nice hotel.
- You don't want your bag to collect pet hair or abrade your clothing.
1000 denier Cordura®
- Weave:
- plain weave
- Fibers:
- 1000 denier type 6,6 texturized nylon, discontinuous surface fibers that mask surface damage caused by abrasion
- Coating:
- medium urethane
- Made in:
- U.S.A.
Choose this fabric if
- You want a durable, canvas-like, natural-feeling fabric, and don't mind the slightly rough or abrasive texture.
- You appreciate that it's been the outdoor industry's go-to, classic pack fabric for the past four decades.
- You don't care about your bag collecting pet hair or lint.
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