TOM BIHN Tri-Star, 3-Compartment Convertible Carry-On, 33L, 19x13x8

Images & Video
Description
Materials & Specs
Reviews & Q+A
Recommended Accessories
Sewn in Seattle

TLDR

The Tri-Star is a three-way carry travel bag designed with the super organized, minimalist business traveler in mind. It is part of our main carry-on travel bag options along with the Western Flyer, Aeronaut, and Techonaut.

3 main compartments of equal size and 9 O-rings
4 exterior pockets in the front panel
Carry as a briefcase, backpack, or shoulder bag
Personal item carry-on friendly for most airlines

Full Description

Three Main Compartments

The Tri-Star has three main compartments of equal size. The front compartment has 2 O-rings and a vertical divider that zips out of the way if it's not wanted. We recommend storing your clothes in a Tri-Star Packing Cube which is designed to fit in these compartments. Either half of the divided front compartment can fit a pair of shoes in a Packing Cube Shoulder Bag.

With room for most sizes of our Cache laptop sleeve, the center compartment of the Tri-Star provides a secure and protected place for your laptop. Simply attach the Cache onto the two unobtrusive webbing loops and you're good to go. If you want to store a notebook, pens, and/or a small tablet, the Freudian Slip is a great organizational addition to the Tri-Star. There are also 2 O-rings in this compartment.

The back compartment is full of open space and is ready to accept a Large Tri-Star Packing Cube, a Small and a Medium Tri-Star Packing Cube, or your clothes just on their own. It also features two compression/tie-down straps to help keep your clothing in place and wrinkle-free. They're an alternative to the Packing Cubes. The compression/tie-down straps are removable (via Gatekeepers) so if you don't want or need to use them, you can leave them behind.

4 Front Exterior Organizational Pockets

On the left are three horizontal zippered pockets with an O-ring in each. One of the O-rings includes an 8" Key Strap, which is useful for tethering and keeping track of your keys or your AirPods. On the other O-ring, you can attach our Mystery Organizer Pouches or Ghost Whale Organizer Pouches. The top zippered pocket spans the full height of the bag and the bottom pocket goes about halfway.

On the right is a curved zippered pocket that is useful for storing a boarding pass when unzipped partially. Unzip it entirely, it's an expandable water bottle pocket. The bellows that make the pocket expandable can be snapped up so your water bottle doesn't fall out, or unsnapped to allow greater access to the pocket.

Ways to Carry the Tri-Star

Backpack

Want to carry the Tri-Star like a backpack? Untuck the hideaway backpack straps (same as those on our Aeronaut and Western Flyer) from the back compartment and snap on the bottom of the straps. They're our Edgeless Shoulder Straps and feature a 3/4" removable sternum strap and an optional (not included with this bag) 1" removable gatekeeper waist strap. Both the sternum and waist straps are simple webbing straps designed to help distribute weight and stabilize the bag to your body.

Shoulder Bag

The attachment points for an optional shoulder strap are offset on the Tri-Star to provide the best balance and comfort, should you carry the bag with a shoulder strap. We recommend using the Absolute Shoulder Strap with the Tri-Star if comfort is your primary concern. You also have the option of using any shoulder strap you already have that attaches to D-rings.

Briefcase

Two comfortable, padded handles made from PORON® foam sit directly above the center of gravity for maximum comfort, stability, and balance.

What's Included

8" Snaphook/Snaphook Key Strap

As with most of our bags, we've included a key strap. 8" long from tip-to-tip, a snaphook on either end. Good for attaching your keys to.

A Set of Black Zipper Pulls

A set of pulls to extend or replace your metal pulls.

What's Optional

Absolute Shoulder Strap

If you plan to carry the Tri-Star as a shoulder bag, the Absolute Shoulder Strap is the only strap you'll ever need.

Tri-Star Packing Cube

We recommend organizing your clothes and shoes in a Tri-Star Packing Cube. Cinch it down with the included tie-down straps for extra security.

Packing Cube Shoulder Bag

You can also store your shoes in a Packing Cube Shoulder Bag and store it on either half of the divided compartment. The Packing Cube Shoulder Bag will fit up to a size 12 in men's.

Freudian Slip

Love organizing and want even more pockets? The Tri-Star/Western Flyer Freudian Slip adds an additional eleven organizational pockets to your bag. One side of the Freudian Slip has two folder pockets that can fit folders/papers horizontally or vertically. The other side has two flat zippered pockets, four pen slots, two pockets sized for your wallet or phone, and a credit card slot.

Cache

The Tri-Star can accommodate a wide range of devices. If you want a little bit of extra padding for your laptop, we recommend adding a Cache.

The Tri-Star has three main compartments of equal size. The front compartment has 2 O-rings and a vertical divider that zips out of the way if it's not wanted. We recommend storing your clothes in a Tri-Star Packing Cube which is designed to fit in these compartments. Either half of the divided front compartment can fit a pair of shoes in a Packing Cube Shoulder Bag.

With room for most sizes of our Cache laptop sleeve, the center compartment of the Tri-Star provides a secure and protected place for your laptop. Simply attach the Cache onto the two unobtrusive webbing loops and you're good to go. If you want to store a notebook, pens, and/or a small tablet, the Freudian Slip is a great organizational addition to the Tri-Star. There are also 2 O-rings in this compartment.

The back compartment is full of open space and is ready to accept a Large Tri-Star Packing Cube, a Small and a Medium Tri-Star Packing Cube, or your clothes just on their own. It also features two compression/tie-down straps to help keep your clothing in place and wrinkle-free. They're an alternative to the Packing Cubes. The compression/tie-down straps are removable (via Gatekeepers) so if you don't want or need to use them, you can leave them behind.

On the left are three horizontal zippered pockets with an O-ring in each. One of the O-rings includes an 8" Key Strap, which is useful for tethering and keeping track of your keys or your AirPods. On the other O-ring, you can attach our Mystery Organizer Pouches or Ghost Whale Organizer Pouches. The top zippered pocket spans the full height of the bag and the bottom pocket goes about halfway.

On the right is a curved zippered pocket that is useful for storing a boarding pass when unzipped partially. Unzip it entirely, it's an expandable water bottle pocket. The bellows that make the pocket expandable can be snapped up so your water bottle doesn't fall out, or unsnapped to allow greater access to the pocket.

Backpack

Want to carry the Tri-Star like a backpack? Untuck the hideaway backpack straps (same as those on our Aeronaut and Western Flyer) from the back compartment and snap on the bottom of the straps. They're our Edgeless Shoulder Straps and feature a 3/4" removable sternum strap and an optional (not included with this bag) 1" removable gatekeeper waist strap. Both the sternum and waist straps are simple webbing straps designed to help distribute weight and stabilize the bag to your body.

Shoulder Bag

The attachment points for an optional shoulder strap are offset on the Tri-Star to provide the best balance and comfort, should you carry the bag with a shoulder strap. We recommend using the Absolute Shoulder Strap with the Tri-Star if comfort is your primary concern. You also have the option of using any shoulder strap you already have that attaches to D-rings.

Briefcase

Two comfortable, padded handles made from PORON® foam sit directly above the center of gravity for maximum comfort, stability, and balance.

8" Snaphook/Snaphook Key Strap

As with most of our bags, we've included a key strap. 8" long from tip-to-tip, a snaphook on either end. Good for attaching your keys to.

A Set of Black Zipper Pulls

A set of pulls to extend or replace your metal pulls.

Absolute Shoulder Strap

If you plan to carry the Tri-Star as a shoulder bag, the Absolute Shoulder Strap is the only strap you'll ever need.

Tri-Star Packing Cube

We recommend organizing your clothes and shoes in a Tri-Star Packing Cube. Cinch it down with the included tie-down straps for extra security.

Packing Cube Shoulder Bag

You can also store your shoes in a Packing Cube Shoulder Bag and store it on either half of the divided compartment. The Packing Cube Shoulder Bag will fit up to a size 12 in men's.

Freudian Slip

Love organizing and want even more pockets? The Tri-Star/Western Flyer Freudian Slip adds an additional eleven organizational pockets to your bag. One side of the Freudian Slip has two folder pockets that can fit folders/papers horizontally or vertically. The other side has two flat zippered pockets, four pen slots, two pockets sized for your wallet or phone, and a credit card slot.

Cache

The Tri-Star can accommodate a wide range of devices. If you want a little bit of extra padding for your laptop, we recommend adding a Cache.

Materials

Shoulder Straps

Edgeless EV50 1/2” / 12mm shoulder straps (EVAZOTE® OEKO-TEX® foam)

Handle

PORON® foam handle

Other Components

Tough Duraflex®, Nexus, and Woojin buckles and related components

Specs

Dimensions

18.9" (w) x 13" (h) x 8.1" (d) / 480 (w) x 330 (h) x 205 (d) mm

Weight

1050d high tenacity ballistic nylon: 3 lb 6 oz / 1525 grams
525d high tenacity ballistic nylon: 3 lb 2.5 oz / 1433 grams
400d Halcyon®/420d nylon ripstop: 2 lb 12 oz / 1255 grams

Volume

33 Liters / 2000 cu. in. (ASTM Standard Measure)

Total O-Rings

10 (2 in the front main compartment, 2 in the center main compartment, 3 in the back main compartment, 1 in the top front zippered pocket, 1 in the middle front zippered pocket, 1 in the bottom front zippered pocket)

4.8

Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars

Based on 68 reviews

93%would recommend this product

Write a Review (Opens in a new window)

68 reviews

Sort

Tim M.
Verified Reviewer
Bought For Myself
2 months ago
Bought For Myself
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Tri-Star Organization
I purchased this bag primarily because I wanted more of a briefcase aesthetic than a backpack aesthetic and function. . It serves that purpose well.
I use a briefcase functionality much more than travel bag functionality.
The packing style is recommended by Tom Bihn doesn't really serve that purpose in that it involves opening the compartments then opening another packing Cube to acccess items.
I found this Surblue Bedside Caddy Organizer Storage Bag Pocket item on Amazon at 18" wide is a perfect fit and works perfectly my w small pouches amoungst other items that fits ideally and are an easy grab.
It fits the entirety of the front compartment. Clothes are in a medium - large packing Cube with a few other things in the back compartment. Middle compartment remains empty unless a purchase items to take home. Pens and like items are in the outside lowest pocket. 8" Tablet and flat work folder is in the outside top pocket. Middle pocket empty.
No bulging. Immediate access to all I need.
Was this helpful?
Edward M.
Verified Buyer
Bought For Myself
7 months ago
Bought For Myself
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Tri-Star bag is fantastic!
I used my Tri-Star on a recent business/personal trip. The organization is well thought out and the comfort of using the strap or the backpack setup is perfect. Love this bag, and is a welcome addition to my Synapse 25 (6 years) and Synapse 19 (12 years). Backpacks. Tom BIHN is the best! Durable, super organized, ultra convenient , and always stylish!
Was this helpful?
Jonathan C.
Verified Buyer
Bought For Myself
Product Standouts High Quality Craftsmanship, Thoughtful Design, Sewn in USA, Durable
7 months ago
Bought For Myself
Product Standouts High Quality Craftsmanship, Thoughtful Design, Sewn in USA, Durable
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Great Bag!!!
Perfect for airline travel. Awesome design!
Was this helpful?
Sean D.
Verified Buyer
Bought For Myself
Product Standouts High Quality Craftsmanship, Versatile
9 months ago
Bought For Myself
Product Standouts High Quality Craftsmanship, Versatile
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Excellent
It is perfect and well produced. Well worth the cost.
Was this helpful?
Christopher L.
Verified Buyer
Bought For Myself
Product Standouts Thoughtful Design, High Quality Craftsmanship, Good Storage Size, Versatile
10 months ago
Bought For Myself
Product Standouts Thoughtful Design, High Quality Craftsmanship, Good Storage Size, Versatile
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Love it!
This is a perfect bag for 2-4 days of business travel. I can carry my laptop, a folded suit and shoes, some other clothes and items to last me a few days. Its capacity is greater than a backpack but maybe just a little less than a carry-on roller bag. It just barely fits under the seat on a plane, so I don't have to worry too much if overhead storage fills up. It has just enough compartments to keep things well organized without there being too many that I forget where I put things.
I love that I can carry it using the handles, shoulder strap, or backpack straps. The *only* thing I wish it had was a way to attach it to the handle of a roller bag when I use both.
I love the bag and look forward to using it for years to come!
Was this helpful?

Sewn in Seattle

Our bags are designed and sewn right here in Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.

That allows us to be control freaks in the best way possible; we have direct control and oversight of the quality of our materials, our products, and the jobs and working environment that we help create. It also offers us a unique spontaneity: when we have an idea for a new product or accessory, we can design it, figure out how to build it, add it to our website and be ready to ship it out our front door all within just a few weeks. How cool is that?

Intrigued? You can find out more about the unusual way we do business on our Company Philosophy page.

THE BIHN Guarantee

Everything you buy from us here at TOM BIHN is satisfaction guaranteed. We’ve been in business since 1972 and we stand behind what we make.

If something goes wrong and it's our fault, we'll fix it for free. 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 right here in our Seattle factory where your bag was made. Defects in materials or workmanship are uncommon and almost always evident while the product is still new. Keep in mind that bags and packs are often subject to extreme wear in everyday use: do not expect them to last forever. Only true love lasts forever! You can expect a TOM BIHN product to give years and years of hard service.

Ready to Grab
the Tri-Star?

See Options

Cart

Your cart is currently empty!

Tri-Star

Tri-Star

TLDR