TLDR
A messenger bag with lots of built-in organization, designed with makers, artists, and creators in mind. Just like the Café Bags, the Maker's Bag is stylized with a distinctive asymmetrical flap.
- Main compartment with 5 elastic-banded open-top pockets, 4 O-rings, and 1 interior zippered back pocket
- Front zippered pocket under the front flap with 4 open-top organizational pockets in the interior, plus 1 O-ring
- Quick-access exterior slip pocket on the back side of the bag
Want to add even more organization? Consider checking out the Maker's Bag Freudian Slip.
Full Description
- DennisYesterdayRated 5 out of 5 stars5 Stars
Great fit and finish. This is my 3rd bag from Tom Bihn! Love it!
- Janeice C.Verified BuyerBought For MyselfProduct Standouts Versatile, High Quality Craftsmanship, Durable, Thoughtful Design, Comfortable3 days agoBought For MyselfProduct Standouts Versatile, High Quality Craftsmanship, Durable, Thoughtful Design, ComfortableRated 5 out of 5 starsLove it
I have a Maker's Bag from when they first were released and have loved it for many years. It's been a great bag for both every day carry and for traveling. I did originally get it to use as my on-the-go knitting/crochet/cross-stitch project bag but it proved itself so sturdy, useful, and usable that it became an everything bag. I was so happy when the Spectron version was announced because I was looking for a personal item for business travel that would be closer to the more boring expectations of 'professional' appearance while still having some personality and the functionality I like. This absolutely delivered! And bonus the Spectron is so lightweight while still feeling sturdy. I do sometimes wish that there was an ever so slightly bigger version of the bag that would fit a 15" laptop (technically I can make one fit but without leaving room for much else).
- Troy P.Verified BuyerBought For MyselfProduct Standouts Thoughtful Design, Comfortable, High Quality Craftsmanship, Durable, Good Storage Size3 days agoBought For MyselfProduct Standouts Thoughtful Design, Comfortable, High Quality Craftsmanship, Durable, Good Storage SizeRated 5 out of 5 starsBest Bag Ever...is even BETTER
This is my second Maker's bag. My first bag is several years old (and still going strong - I used it daily and it still looks new). But, I wanted a different color. To my surprise, when it arrived, I discovered you've made some "minor" but game-changing improvements! The new bag is a little bigger, but now can act as a DSLR bag with room to spare. It has an outside pouch in the back, perfect for throwing those last minute things in for quick access. This is my go-to back for all occasions.
- John M. G.Verified BuyerBought For MyselfProduct Standouts High Quality Craftsmanship, Sewn in USA1 week agoBought For MyselfProduct Standouts High Quality Craftsmanship, Sewn in USARated 3 out of 5 starsMildly disappointing
I have the Spectron bag, because I was interested in the material. It is very light and pleasant to the touch, as advertised, but I found it is awkwardly "floppy" if it's less than absolutely full. The more conventional materials are somewhat stiffer and hold their shape regardless of their load. The Spectron Maker's bag is so supple that if you have something small, but a little heavy, such as a laptop charger, it's able to pull the material down, which in turn causes gaps where the top flap folds down over the bag, and the flap's locking mechanism does not tighten down enough to prevent that.
I actually carried this bag "in the wild" last week and was not especially satisfied. I could not carry this in the rain without water getting in at the edge of the flap. Now the bag is beautiful and well made, as Tom Bihn bags are. I own a bunch of Bihn products, going back some years, and this is the first one I've wanted to return. Alas, I had taken the tags off and used it (it never occurred to me that I might not like it) so it's ineligible.
I do like the overall design quite a lot, and I suspect that I'd like a Makers in one of the stiffer materials. Were I to buy this again, I would avoid the Spectron. I'm actually not certain how the Spectron version was even released to be honest. I'd have thought testers would say "nah".
TBTOM BIHN3 days agoThanks for the review! That's a bummer it wasn't the right fabric for you, though. For what it's worth, Spectron is a direct replacement for our previous lightweight ripstop, 400d Halcyon. That fabric was very similar, if not a touch more flexible, and it was very well loved in the Maker's Bag. Different strokes and all that.
I don't want you stuck with a bag you don't like and won't use, though. I'll reach out via email and see if there's some way we can help. =)
- Lea V.Verified BuyerBought For MyselfProduct Standouts High Quality Finishings, Durable1 week agoBought For MyselfProduct Standouts High Quality Finishings, DurableRated 3 out of 5 starsBad case of the gaps.
While I really like this bag, on my first trip with it I found the flap gapped a lot on either side causing smaller items inside to fall out. When picking the bag up it would tip forward making items more likely to also slip out. I'd like it a whole lot more if the flap would keep the items inside more secure. I could reach inside and take things out without ever opening the flap. In the future, I won't be putting anything in it that might slip out or is of any value - easy for things to get lost.
