No. Our Seattle factory is dedicated to producing our own original designs.

No. While our bags are made in our own little factory, it's still a factory: it just doesn't work for us to make one of anything.

There's no set schedule on which we release new designs. For more on that, see our post On The Design Process: Inspiration, Timeline, Testing

We'll send out the first heads-up about the release of a new design to our email newsletter. Our goal is to put as much information -- photos, specs, description -- about the new design up a week in advance of it being available for order or pre-order so you can make as informed a decision as possible as to whether it's a design that will serve you.

We recommended subscribing to our blog posts or subscribing to our general email mailing list (sign-up is at the bottom of this page) -- while you're signing up for the mailing list you should sign up for the monthly giveaway too!

We also announce future debuts on Facebook and Instagram. Bringing donuts to the factory is unlikely to yield any insider information, nor is it likely to speed up the design process, but we certainly wouldn’t blame you for trying! Mmm, donuts.

Throughout the year we may add a new pocket to an existing bag or add a new color. We are often able to give our customers a sneak preview of upcoming changes on our forums, so that's the best place to check on what we're up to.

It depends on the bag and the fabric used to make that bag. We're always looking for great new colors to add to our line, but if we add a new color, we're probably replacing a current color with it.

We have so many ideas of our own that we hardly have time to make them all real! So, we don't accept product or design ideas or suggestions. If you think there's a way we can improve the customer service experience, please do email us.

Wheels and the associated hardware and stiffeners add significant weight to a bag and are only useful on smooth surfaces. Our product line is geared towards active folks who carry their own loads. Not to offend those who use roll-aboards — it's just not part of our line.

All of the fabrics we use are "waterproof": coated with urethane inside and treated to have a water-repellent outside. We also use YKK water-repellent zippers on the exterior of bags or cover the zipper with a fabric flap to keep water out. However, seams can leak if exposed to significant weather. You can renew the water-repellent qualities of your bag with Nikwax.

Be wary of other manufacturers claiming their products are "waterproof" just because the fabrics are coated. If the seams are not RF welded or heat sealed, they are probably not waterproof.

We measure our volume via a modified version of the F2153 ASTM method. We fill our bags with noncompressible plastic balls to a comfortably full level, then weigh the balls to calculate the volume.

Unless otherwise stated, we then measure the exterior dimensions of the bag using a set of calipers. On some pages, this is called the "Filled Exterior" method.

On some pages, there may also be a "Seam-to-Seam Interior" method. In this case, we use a measuring tape to measure the distance of an inside-out bag from one seam to the other in all 3 dimensions. This is mostly going to be seen in boxier designs, as this type of measurement typically isn't useful for rounded designs.

You can find reviews from folks on every individual bag page! We also recommend using a search engine to search the name of the bag you are interested in — you'll most likely find multiple reviews.

You can order online through this Web site or at our factory showroom here in Seattle.

Yes, it is. We take the responsibility of keeping your data safe, whether it's your credit card information or your phone number, very seriously. As with any checkout on any Web site, always look for the little lock or secure symbol in the corner of your browser window on any page asking for personal information.

Our bags are only available at www.tombihn.com and at our Seattle Factory Showroom, which is open from 6:30am - 3:00pm Monday - Friday.

TOM BIHN bags are carefully constructed of fine quality materials and components in our own Seattle factory. They'd be less expensive if we had them produced in China or Vietnam, but then we'd lose control over the quality of the finished product and the quality of the jobs we create. Our turn-around time (the time between designing a new product and being able to ship it to customers) is quite fast, especially for a small company. We could use cheaper materials, but we've been making bags for a long time and plan to make them for a lot longer still: we don't want folks complaining about this or that part breaking or wearing out prematurely. There are plenty of less expensive products on the market and it's up to you, the consumer, to decide if the quality of our products justifies their expense.

So now that you know what goes into our products, you might wonder why they aren't even more expensive. First of all, we sell almost exclusively to the end consumer, so there is no wholesale-to-retail markup: you buy directly from the factory. Second, we are a lean little company: we are not top-heavy with vice presidents, nor are we traded publicly. We are a museum-quality example of human-scale capitalism: we make stuff and sell it to people.

You bet. Everything you buy from TOM BIHN is satisfaction guaranteed.

Defects in materials or workmanship are uncommon and almost always evident while the product is still new. If you receive a product from us and find a defect within 60 days of purchase, please let us know right away. We will be happy to exchange it for you free of charge.

If something goes wrong beyond the 60 days and it's our fault, we'll fix it free of a repair charge. Repairs due to normal wear and tear or due to other things that are not our fault will be performed, when possible, at a reasonable charge. Please note that the cost of shipping for all repairs will be the responsibility of the customer.

Note: TOM BIHN is not responsible for long lines at the supermarket, people who talk too loud on cell phones, or the fact that microbrewed beer is largely overrated.

Our warranty does not cover consequential damages. While TOM BIHN cases and bags give excellent protection to computers and other technology, we are not responsible for any damages or losses associated with the use of our products. This warranty is limited to the replacement costs only of TOM BIHN products.

As we said above in the answer to "Why are TOM BIHN bags so expensive?" a lot goes into our bags: YKK® zippers, premium fabrics from South Korea and Japan, etc.. All of those components are turned into the bags you love in our Seattle factory, sewn together by our amazing factory crew. Yes, our bags are expensive, and no, we don't discount them.

Your TOM BIHN bag will last you many years, it will protect your laptop and other stuff from the elements, and it will be your constant, loyal companion. In short: we think TOM BIHN bags are worth it.

We can help you figure that out! emailus@tombihn.com or give us a call at 1-800-729-9607 or +1-206-652-4123. Send us the make and model number of your laptop or tablet (and if you already have the dimensions of your laptop, send those, too!) and we'll let you know which of our bags would best fit your laptop. You could also use our Laptop Bag Fit Guide to figure out which size would work best.

Email us. Call us (1-800-729-9607 or +1-206-652-4123). Tell us what's wrong. We don't want you to have an unhappy experience. If you talk to us, we can probably make it better *and* make sure it doesn't happen again, or explain a misunderstanding.

Email us. Call us (1-800-729-9607 or +1-206-652-4123). Tell us why you're so happy. That will make us really happy, too! If you talk to us and let us know what we did that was right, we'll make sure we keep doing it.

Visit the product page of the bag you're interested in and note both the Available and Next Batch color swatches. If the color you're hoping for isn't listed, then we're probably not making it anytime soon. Sorry! It may not be listed because that color or material won't be available ever again or for some time; or, it might just be that we wanted to offer other color combinations instead for the time being.

The "Only a few left..." message indicates that our inventory of the bag you've added to your cart is low and it could possibly sell out within days, hours, or minutes.

Customer requests prompted us to add an "Only a few left...." message, and we also personally find inventory notices helpful when doing our own online shopping.

Note that because we make our bags here at our Seattle factory, it's possible a particular bag could show as "Only a few left..." and then have its inventory replenished the next week or even the next day. Our factory crew is just that good!

If you have questions about the availability of a particular bag, feel free to emailus@tombihn.com or give us a call at 1-800-729-9607 or +1-206-652-4123.

These are designs that have been retired to make way (and room) for new designs. Our bags are very much in demand and our production capacity is already at its limit keeping up with that demand. We know it's tough to say goodbye to a much-loved design. It's tough for us, too. But we want to make room for the new designs we're working on, and man, are we working on some great ones. Can't wait to tell you about them.

At any given time, you can count on at least some of our bags being actively made on our Production floor as opposed to In Stock. Sometimes it's just a color or two that's sold out, but sometimes every color option is in the process of being made. It's pretty much been this way since we can remember, and we spend a lot of time thanking you silently in our heads that we get to be busy at work doing what we love to do every day. Over the years, we’ve made procedural and equipment improvements to increase our production efficiency and hired new production crew members at a sustainable pace. While our end goal was to increase production capacity, we made sure we never sacrificed the quality of our bags or the quality of our jobs and lives outside of work just to be able to make more bags faster.

We have explored various options over the years that would allow us to more readily meet the demand for our bags, but we didn’t like any of those options. What we do like is working together as one big team here in Seattle—we like walking into our own factory, knowing the people we work with, keeping our own eye on quality. Making more bags—by moving production off-shore, for instance—would allow us to grow into an even bigger company, and that’s something everyone would want, right? Well, when we thought about it, we realized we didn’t want that. As of 2024, we find ourselves pretty darn happy with the size of our small business: we’re 70 people strong.

That means we don’t have plans to significantly increase our production capacity, which leaves us with the reality that we’re not going to be able to keep all of our bags, in all color combinations, in stock all the time. (Of course, we’ll continue to review and make improvements to our procedures and add new crew members as is feasible, which will likely result in a modest increase in capacity over time.) It’s surely a unique business model to say “We’re happy at our current size, we’ll make bags for the people we can, and we’ll enjoy our lives outside of work, too,” but it’s the one we’ve chosen. We hope it makes as much sense to you as it does to us.

All that said, we realize it can be frustrating to not be able to get the bag you want from us, especially if you're going on a trip or have some other time constraint. Putting ourselves in your shoes, we’d be bummed if we didn’t get to use one of our bags either. :) Seriously, though, it actually irks us sometimes, too—the part of us that wants to make people happy. Even still, and after weighing all the pros and cons, we feel the best decision is to keep following the path we’ve been on: making high-quality bags in a way that feels sustainable to us.

We recommend hand-washing your TOM BIHN bag with a mild detergent — environmentally friendly dish soaps work well, but as always, with any soap, test it on a small, inconspicuous area of the bag before you use it on the entire bag. (Palmolive® and Dawn® soaps may be too harsh!) Fill your sink or bathtub with warm water, add a little soap (a little goes a long way), and let the bag soak for a half hour. If there are visible spots of dirt, gently rub the area with a washcloth, or you can apply a little soap directly to that spot and let it soak. Rinse your bag thoroughly (this is a lot easier if you've only used a little bit of soap) and lay your bag flat on top of a bath towel to dry. If you'd like to disinfect your bag, you can spray it with isopropyl alcohol.

Methods we DON'T recommend:

Having your bag dry-cleaned or putting your bag in a washing machine or dryer will void the guarantee and make your bag look funny. We don't want either of those things to happen. Your TOM BIHN bag can last for years. The fabrics we use to make our bags are treated with a water-resistant coating, but over time, that coating will start to dissipate. If you live in a rainy climate like we do, we'd recommend treating your bag with Nikwax after one year of use.

Email or call (1-800-729-9607 or +1-206-652-4123) us right away. Our bags are designed and built to be tough. They're passed through an inspection process at each point during manufacturing. But if you think you've found a problem with your bag, we want to know so we can fix it.

We can usually repair your bag (TOM BIHN bags only, please) for a reasonable price. Email or call us (1-800-729-9607) and we'll give you a quote. Note: Products which are returned for repair must be clean and free of dirt, sand, and strong odors.

Sadly, it is seldom cost-effective for us to add a new feature to an existing bag. And changing the color of a bag, well, that would be magic, wouldn't it? Think of the purchase of a TOM BIHN bag as you would the purchase of a car: next year's model may have more features or come in a new color. But at some point you just need to take the plunge and get out there and enjoy your new bag!

Sorry: we do not accept returns of used bags. Some other companies can afford to accept used products because the products cost so little to produce in the first place. Our bags are made of the highest-quality materials in our own Seattle factory, so they cost more to produce than bags made overseas (even if the prices of those bags made overseas are the same or higher than our prices!).

Additionally, we don't sell used bags. The only place to buy a TOM BIHN bag is through the TOM BIHN Web site or in our Seattle store, and that's your guarantee that the bag you buy from us is brand-new, unused, and free of any defects.

When you receive your TOM BIHN bag, you're welcome (and encouraged) to take it out of the box, inspect every inch of it, load it with what you carry in your current bag, and try it on for size, comfort, and looks. Don't spill coffee on it, let your cat sleep on it, or let your puppy chew on it. It's similar to how you would test out a pair of shoes: try them on indoors to see how they feel, but don't wear them outside.

Trying out your bag in the way described above should give you a good sense of whether the bag is right for you. If you decide it's not right for you, you're welcome to send it back for a return or exchange. If you would like help deciding whether it's right for you, give us a call or send us an email. And if it's love at first use, congratulations!

You have 60 days from the time we've ship your bag to return it to us for a refund, provided it is still in its original, unused condition: we do not accept returns of used bags.

No return authorization (RMA) is required.

If you are in the United States you may use our return label generator (click here to go to the returns page) to generate a prepaid USPS return label to send it back. (If you use this, a flat rate of $10 will be deducted from your refund unless we goofed in some way, in which case it's on us. Make sure to tell us if/how we goofed.)

If you live outside of the continental United States or would like to ship it via your own method, please scroll down to the next question: "How do I return a bag if I live outside of the contiguous U.S. or want to ship my return via a carrier other than UPS?".

Original shipping charges are refundable only if a product has been misrepresented, mis-shipped, or is defective in materials or workmanship.

Please ship the bag back to us in the original packaging if possible. If the original packaging is not available, package the bag in a generously sized, crushproof box: do not fold, roll, or otherwise stuff the a bag into a smaller container, as this can permanently damage the bag.

Once we receive your return it will be processed by us within 2 business days, after which most banks and credit institutions process the credit within 5 business days, to make it an average of 7 business days to process the credit.

If you have any questions, please call us at 1-800-729-9607 (U.S. & Canada) or +1-206-652-4123 or email us.

You may ship the bag back to us at the address below via any shipping carrier. No return authorization is required. Please use our returns system to begin the return and generate a packing slip for your return, then ship it back to the following address:

TOM BIHN
Attn: Returns
4750 A Ohio Ave S
Seattle, WA 98134
U.S.A.
Phone # 206 652 4123

Please ship the bag back to us in the original packaging if possible. If the original packaging is not available, package the bag in a generously sized, crushproof box: do not fold, roll, or otherwise stuff the a bag into a smaller container, as this can permanently damage the bag.

We strongly recommend that you insure and track your return shipment.

If you have any questions, please call us at 1-800-729-9607 (U.S. & Canada) or +1-206-652-4123 or email us.

If you've received your order and you've decided that a different TOM BIHN bag would better suit your needs, we're happy to make an exchange.

If you're exchanging for a different color of the same item, you can do a straight-across exchange using our returns system. If you want a different bag, we suggest using the returns system to receive a refund and order the bag you want instead via our site as a separate order.

You have 60 days after you've received your bag to return it to us for a refund/exchange, provided it is still in its original, unused condition: we do not accept returns or exchanges of used merchandise. You may ship the bag back to us at the address below. No return authorization is required.

In the unlikely event that we goofed and sent you the wrong bag or the wrong color bag, or you received damaged merchandise, please notify us immediately. We will either arrange for a pickup or we will reimburse you for the cost of returning the package to us; we will not charge you for the shipping costs of replacement merchandise. Shipping charges are refundable only if a product has been misrepresented, misshipped, or is defective in materials or workmanship.

You may ship the bag back to us at the address below. No return authorization is required:

TOM BIHN
Attn: Returns
4750 A Ohio Ave S
Seattle, WA 98134
U.S.A.
Phone # 206 652 4123

Please ship the item(s) back to us in the original packaging if possible. If the original packaging is not available, package the item(s) in a generously sized, crushproof box: do not fold, roll, or otherwise stuff the product into a smaller container, as this can permanently damage the product.

We strongly recommend that you insure and track your return shipment. Please include a copy of your receipt and let us know why you are returning the bag.

If you have any questions, please call us at 1-800-729-9607 (U.S. & Canada) or +1-206-652-4123 or email us.

We ship from our Seattle, Washington headquarters.

We ship worldwide via FedEx International Connect. We offer flat rate shipping to customers in Canada ($27), the EU, Japan, and Singapore ($36–$63+), and Australia ($59). Outside of the United States, tariffs, duties, and taxes are the responsibility of the customer and are usually paid at time of delivery. Please contact your local postal service or customs office for more information. Note: We cannot understate or otherwise misrepresent the value of merchandise on customs forms.

Most states within the United States require us to charge sales tax on orders shipping to those states. Outside of the United States, tariffs, duties, and taxes are the responsibility of the customer and are usually paid at time of delivery.

We ship orders Monday through Friday, excluding some holidays. Visit our contact page for up-to-date information on holiday closures. If you need an order right away, please call us at 1-800-729-9607 or email us and we'll see what we can do.

We ship U.S. orders via UPS (United Parcel Service) and DHL. Customers in Alaska and Hawaii may choose between UPS and USPS. International orders are shipped via FedEx International Connect, some smaller orders can be shipped via DHL Parcel International Standard (available in checkout for valid orders).

*Note: The shipping rates listed below are estimated for the average-size package. Rates for large orders, especially for large orders shipping via air, may be more expensive.*

Economy Shipping ($6-8)

An option for smaller orders within the contiguous US. 3-14 transit day delivery. Usually shipped via DHL SmartMail.

Standard Shipping ($10)

Shipments take between 2-10 business days to arrive depending on where the package is going. For Washington orders 7lb or less, Standard Shipping is $9. Usually shipped via UPS Ground Saver.

UPS 3 Day Select ($20 and up)

Guaranteed three business day delivery. For example, if we ship your 3 Day Select order on Tuesday, you will receive it on Friday.

UPS Next Day Air ($40 and up)

Guaranteed one business day delivery. Examples: If we ship your Next Day Air order on Tuesday, you will receive it Wednesday. If we ship your Next Day Air order on Friday, you will receive it on Monday. UPS Next Day Air to Alaska and Hawaii is $60 and up.

DHL Parcel International Standard ($14)

4-8 business day to Canada & Europe, 8-14 business day delivery to the rest of the world. Available for orders $50 and under.

FedEx International Connect ($30-$65 and up)

3-10 business day delivery. Flat Rate International Shipping: UK/EU/Japan/Singapore - $41, Australia - $59. Note: Outside of the United States, tariffs, duties, and taxes are the responsibility of the customer and are usually paid at time of delivery. Note: We cannot understate or otherwise misrepresent the value of merchandise on customs forms.

USPS Priority

Available on orders to Alaska and Hawai'i, delivers between 3 and 5 business days after pick-up. 

Visit your account page and look for your order number. Or — you'll receive an email from us with your tracking number the day your order is shipped. You can use that number to track your package (we ship via UPS and DHL so pay close attention to which you chose at checkout).

We don't include our own handling charges or other fees in our shipping rates. And we're continually working with our carriers to get better rates, which of course we pass along to you. Our international rates are a great example of this: flat rate shipping to the UK is $45. If you were to use the DHL online rate calculator, shipping to the UK could be anywhere from $120 - $250. By the way: we pay a little extra for each of our packages to be shipped UPS Carbon Neutral. That means, basically, that we buy carbon "credits" for each shipment to offset the emissions generated by the shipping process. It's something we think is the right thing to do, and, again, we're picking up the tab on that one. (Here's a video all about it.)

Because of the logistics involved with shipping (UPS is all about logistics and that explains why their rates are so low and their carbon footprint is so small), it's not uncommon for the shipping rate for small packages to be almost that of bigger packages. We know it might not make sense on the surface for a Side Effect shipping UPS Ground to a residential address to cost almost as much as a Western Flyer to that same address, but it's the tracking/handling and logistics of the shipment that you pay for, not so much the weight. As we mentioned above, we don't include handling charges or other fees in our shipping rates. What we charge for shipping is pretty much usually what it costs us, and often less. While it's true that USPS ("the Post Office") is cheaper than UPS, the service is less consistent and tracking just isn't as good. Most people who order one of our bags want to know where it is at all times along its route to them, down to the day it'll be delivered, and we respect that.