What Goes Into A TOM BIHN Backpack?
This is a carousel with slides that contain product key features. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate.
Marathon Messenger Key Features
Buckle Up
Flap closure with dual buckles keeps your gear in place and within arm’s reach.
Your Laptop’s Bodyguard
A padded laptop compartment with two-way entry keeps your tech safe from the bumps and thumps that come with travel.
Interior Storage, Simplified
Three low-profile banded pockets keep your essentials on standby and two elasticized to keep your water bottle or umbrella secure.
Snap to It
Designed for modular minds — these built-in loops let you securely attach a Cache laptop sleeve or accessories, keeping your tech suspended and your bag clutter-free.
Clip It and Forget It
6 internal O-rings to tether your essentials. Keep the little stuff where you need it. No spelunking required.
Keep it Steady
The included stabilizer strap attaches to the male buckle of the waist belt and prevents the bag from swinging during bike rides or brisk walks.
Everything in its Place
Two exterior zippered pockets keep your essentials within arm’s reach.
Grab Life by the Handles
A cushioned grab handle that helps your bag—and everything in it—get from point A to point B.
Buckle Up
Flap closure with dual buckles keeps your gear in place and within arm’s reach.
Your Laptop’s Bodyguard
A padded laptop compartment with two-way entry keeps your tech safe from the bumps and thumps that come with travel.
Interior Storage, Simplified
Three low-profile banded pockets keep your essentials on standby and two elasticized to keep your water bottle or umbrella secure.
Snap to It
Designed for modular minds — these built-in loops let you securely attach a Cache laptop sleeve or accessories, keeping your tech suspended and your bag clutter-free.
Clip It and Forget It
6 internal O-rings to tether your essentials. Keep the little stuff where you need it. No spelunking required.
Keep it Steady
The included stabilizer strap attaches to the male buckle of the waist belt and prevents the bag from swinging during bike rides or brisk walks.
Everything in its Place
Two exterior zippered pockets keep your essentials within arm’s reach.
Grab Life by the Handles
A cushioned grab handle that helps your bag—and everything in it—get from point A to point B.
Buckle Up
Flap closure with dual buckles keeps your gear in place and within arm’s reach.
Your Laptop’s Bodyguard
A padded laptop compartment with two-way entry keeps your tech safe from the bumps and thumps that come with travel.
Interior Storage, Simplified
Three low-profile banded pockets keep your essentials on standby and two elasticized to keep your water bottle or umbrella secure.
Snap to It
Designed for modular minds — these built-in loops let you securely attach a Cache laptop sleeve or accessories, keeping your tech suspended and your bag clutter-free.
Clip It and Forget It
6 internal O-rings to tether your essentials. Keep the little stuff where you need it. No spelunking required.
Keep it Steady
The included stabilizer strap attaches to the male buckle of the waist belt and prevents the bag from swinging during bike rides or brisk walks.
Everything in its Place
Two exterior zippered pockets keep your essentials within arm’s reach.
Grab Life by the Handles
A cushioned grab handle that helps your bag—and everything in it—get from point A to point B.
Description
This is a carousel with slides that contain product key features. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate.
Marathon Messenger Key Features
Buckle Up
Flap closure with dual buckles keeps your gear in place and within arm’s reach.
Your Laptop’s Bodyguard
A padded laptop compartment with two-way entry keeps your tech safe from the bumps and thumps that come with travel.
Interior Storage, Simplified
Three low-profile banded pockets keep your essentials on standby and two elasticized to keep your water bottle or umbrella secure.
Snap to It
Designed for modular minds — these built-in loops let you securely attach a Cache laptop sleeve or accessories, keeping your tech suspended and your bag clutter-free.
Clip It and Forget It
6 internal O-rings to tether your essentials. Keep the little stuff where you need it. No spelunking required.
Keep it Steady
The included stabilizer strap attaches to the male buckle of the waist belt and prevents the bag from swinging during bike rides or brisk walks.
Everything in its Place
Two exterior zippered pockets keep your essentials within arm’s reach.
Grab Life by the Handles
A cushioned grab handle that helps your bag—and everything in it—get from point A to point B.
Buckle Up
Flap closure with dual buckles keeps your gear in place and within arm’s reach.
Your Laptop’s Bodyguard
A padded laptop compartment with two-way entry keeps your tech safe from the bumps and thumps that come with travel.
Interior Storage, Simplified
Three low-profile banded pockets keep your essentials on standby and two elasticized to keep your water bottle or umbrella secure.
Snap to It
Designed for modular minds — these built-in loops let you securely attach a Cache laptop sleeve or accessories, keeping your tech suspended and your bag clutter-free.
Clip It and Forget It
6 internal O-rings to tether your essentials. Keep the little stuff where you need it. No spelunking required.
Keep it Steady
The included stabilizer strap attaches to the male buckle of the waist belt and prevents the bag from swinging during bike rides or brisk walks.
Everything in its Place
Two exterior zippered pockets keep your essentials within arm’s reach.
Grab Life by the Handles
A cushioned grab handle that helps your bag—and everything in it—get from point A to point B.
Buckle Up
Flap closure with dual buckles keeps your gear in place and within arm’s reach.
Your Laptop’s Bodyguard
A padded laptop compartment with two-way entry keeps your tech safe from the bumps and thumps that come with travel.
Interior Storage, Simplified
Three low-profile banded pockets keep your essentials on standby and two elasticized to keep your water bottle or umbrella secure.
Snap to It
Designed for modular minds — these built-in loops let you securely attach a Cache laptop sleeve or accessories, keeping your tech suspended and your bag clutter-free.
Clip It and Forget It
6 internal O-rings to tether your essentials. Keep the little stuff where you need it. No spelunking required.
Keep it Steady
The included stabilizer strap attaches to the male buckle of the waist belt and prevents the bag from swinging during bike rides or brisk walks.
Everything in its Place
Two exterior zippered pockets keep your essentials within arm’s reach.
Grab Life by the Handles
A cushioned grab handle that helps your bag—and everything in it—get from point A to point B.
Reviews
Total 5 star reviews: 5 Total 4 star reviews: 3 Total 3 star reviews: 2 Total 2 star reviews: 0 Total 1 star reviews: 0
Slide 1 selected
10 reviews
- FFredVerified BuyerBought For OtherProduct Standouts Thoughtful Design, High Quality Craftsmanship, Good Storage Size, Versatile, Durable2 months agoBought For OtherProduct Standouts Thoughtful Design, High Quality Craftsmanship, Good Storage Size, Versatile, DurableReviewingMarathon MessengerRated 5 out of 5 starsInstant go-to bag with classic vibes and contemporary function
Ballistic Exterior, Halcyon Interior
Just the right size. Perfect for riding, walking, hiking and short travel trip needs.
The Marathon Messenger has some classic features found in messenger bags. Large main compartment, single strap (with shoulder pad), double stealth clips, stabilizing waist strap (removable) and larger top opening than the bottom of the bag.
What happens after those basics really sets it up as a go-to bag across a range of uses.
The open main compartment of the Marathon Messenger is roomy but not cavernous. Important because if aren’t carrying a lot of stuff there won’t be items flopping around. Main compartment also has three front side open pockets, two flexible side pockets (for water bottles or whatever works there), back padded laptop slot (with nylon loops to attach a TB laptop Cache if you want to). The bottom is padded and that allows the bag to stand up (even when empty). “O” rings are also inside the main (great for attaching accessory pouches, keys lashes, etc.
The internal organizing features are just right and if there was any more it might as well be a briefcase and you would lose the ability to carry more stuff (jacket, dopp kit etc).
A cool feature is a quick access back zip opening. You can access the laptop (or anything else really) that way without opening the main.
Front outer side of main compartment has a zip pocket that goes the full width of the bag. Good for quick access items (phone, keys, anything). There are “O” rings in…
- SHShawn H.Verified BuyerBought For MyselfProduct Standouts Thoughtful Design, Comfortable, High Quality Craftsmanship, High Quality Finishings, Good Storage Size2 months agoBought For MyselfProduct Standouts Thoughtful Design, Comfortable, High Quality Craftsmanship, High Quality Finishings, Good Storage SizeReviewingMarathon MessengerRated 5 out of 5 starsExcellent Bag!!!!
I have been using TB bags for more than 15 years (Empire Builder, Synik, Ego, Super Ego, BrainBag). For the past several years I have been using my SuperEgo (Big Red). I love my Super Ego and always will, but the Marathon Messenger, I feel is the spiritual successor.
It’s roomy, but not bulky. A well thought out design with plenty of features. I have a couple of Handy Little Things in mine for storage optimization.
All in all, this is a solid addition to my TB collection!!
- AA.L.Verified BuyerBought For MyselfProduct Standouts High Quality Craftsmanship, Durable, Unique2 weeks agoBought For MyselfProduct Standouts High Quality Craftsmanship, Durable, UniqueReviewingMarathon MessengerRated 3 out of 5 starsUntapped Potential
I like that TB is designing bags that have a character; the Marathon Messenger is an antithesis to dull techno-tactical bags that plague the bag space right now. I was sad to return it.
At 20 liters, this messenger holds about as much as a Paragon or Synapse 19 backpack. Which is to say, A LOT! I’m glad TB included the stabilizer strap but I could never get the Standard shoulder strap tight enough to make this a comfortable carry on my 16” torso. The Absolute Strap gets tighter but is noticeably less secure because it displaces weight by allowing your carry to bounce.
This bag is wide and capacious. Fill it full and it becomes unwieldy. Lighten the load and the lack of secure organization for small things like earbuds or pens means your contents will drift out of position. It would be better to have the zippered organization found on the Nomad line under the messenger flap of this bag, and just the elastic water bottle pockets internally.
The MM is a good diaper bag or overnight duffel replacement. The organizational gripes I mentioned before matter less if you’re carrying stuffy toys, bottles, or clothes/shoes in packing cubes. I wouldn’t plan to use this bag for daily carrying dense/heavy things like books, laptops, or over-ear headphones, or even air travel because it lacks a luggage sleeve. Hoping for a less frustrating Version 2.
- PMPatrick M.Verified BuyerBought For MyselfProduct Standouts High Quality Craftsmanship, High Quality Finishings, Durable, Good Storage Size2 weeks agoBought For MyselfProduct Standouts High Quality Craftsmanship, High Quality Finishings, Durable, Good Storage SizeReviewingMarathon MessengerRated 4 out of 5 starsPretty great!
Needs organization in the flap pocket. It’s ridiculous there’s not a pen slot in there or anywhere. The zipper pocket hidden under the buckle flap makes it a double move operation to get into it.
Those critiques aside, it’s gorgeous, well made and my new favorite bag.
- BBBrandon B.Verified BuyerBought For MyselfProduct Standouts Thoughtful Design, Durable, High Quality Craftsmanship, Great Gift, Good Storage Size2 weeks agoBought For MyselfProduct Standouts Thoughtful Design, Durable, High Quality Craftsmanship, Great Gift, Good Storage SizeReviewingMarathon MessengerRated 5 out of 5 starsMy new travel bag and around town bag
I am loving the combination of style, function, and convenience with the Marathon Messenger bag. Its outer surfaces are quite durable and the many compartments and especially the top zipper for ease of access to what’s in the bag without having to unhoist/flip it open is brilliant. Very happy with my new bag.
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.