The Cadet in Nebulous Grey 525 Ballistic The Cadet in Nebulous Grey 525 Ballistic with a Island (bright blue) 210 Ballistic interior. The Cadet in Nebulous Grey 525 Ballistic with a Cloud (light grey) 210 Ballistic interior. The Cadet in Black 525 Ballistic The Cadet in Black 525 Ballistic with a Island (bright blue) interior. The Cadet in Black 525 Ballistic with a Cloud (light grey) light grey interior. The Cadet in Aubergine (purple) 525 Ballistic The Cadet in Aubergine (purple) 525 Ballistic with a Cloud (light grey) 210 Ballistic interior. The Cadet in Burnt Orange 525 Ballistic The Cadet in Burnt Orange 525 Ballistic with a Cloud (light grey) 210 Ballistic interior. The Cadet in Mars Red 525 Ballistic The Cadet in Mars Red 525 Ballistic The Cadet in Coyote (brown) 525 Ballistic The Cadet in Coyote (light brown) 525 Ballistic with a Cloud (light grey) 210 Ballistic interior. The Cadet in Ursa (dark brown) 525 Ballistic The Cadet in Ursa (dark brown) 525 Ballistic with a Cloud (light grey) 210 Ballistic interior. The Cadet in Wilderness (forest green) 525 Ballistic The Cadet in Wilderness (forest green) 525 Ballistic with a Cloud (light grey) 210 Ballistic interior. The Cadet in Deep Blue (dark blue) 525 Ballistic The Cadet in Deep Blue (dark blue) 525 Ballistic with a Cloud (light grey) 210 Ballistic interior.
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Cadet

Rated 4.9 out of 5
Based on 15 reviews

$180.00

EDC (every day carry) laptop briefcase. Checkpoint friendly.

13.5 liters (825 cu. in.)

Black Ballistic/Cloud 210 Ballistic
Black Ballistic/Island 210 Ballistic
Aubergine Ballistic/Cloud 210 Ballistic
Burnt Orange Ballistic/Cloud 210 Ballistic
Coyote Ballistic/Cloud 210 Ballistic
Deep Blue Ballistic/Cloud 210 Ballistic
Mars Red Ballistic/Cloud 210 Ballistic
Nebulous Grey Ballistic/Cloud 210 Ballistic
Nebulous Grey Ballistic/Island 210 Ballistic
Top of Cadet showing the zippers and front of the bag. Back of the Cadet Front pocket of the Cadet with multiple interior pockets and an attachment point at the top Shoulder strap attachment point at the base of the main compartment zipper. A cellphone in the front small pocket of the Cadet. Close-up of the zippers on the front of the bag Close up of the main zipper and grab handles A close shot of the Cache in the main compartment of the Cadet.
A person retrieving a laptop from a Cache inside the main pocket of a Cadet. A person holding a conversation while carrying a Cadet. A person waiting for the light rail wearing a Cadet. A person walking across a bridge wearing a Cadet. A person doing work on a laptop with their Cadet beside them on the table.

TLDR

The Cadet is a minimalist, everyday-carry briefcase designed to fit your laptop, a few files or magazines, power supplies, pens, notebooks, and other small accessories. If you want a thinner and more straightforward briefcase that will keep your stuff protected, then the Cadet is for you.

  • 6 interior organizer pockets
  • Main compartment with 2 interior unobtrusive webbing loops (to which you can secure the optional Cache), a large open-top pocket inside, and 2 O-rings
  • 3 exterior-access compartments (second compartment includes 2 O-rings)
  • 1 exterior open-top pocket on the back
  • Exterior, wide, quick-access pocket in the back for a magazine or newspaper
  • Optional rolling luggage handle pass-through when quick-access pocket is unzipped
  • Padded front, back, and bottom between the exterior and lining to provide some protection for an unprotected laptop
  • Left and right shoulder strap attachment points
  • Comfortable padded handles
  • #10 and #8 YKK Racquet-Coil water-repellent zippers with metal pulls

Full Description

The Cadet is what we like to describe as the strong, silent type of briefcase: straightforward and good-looking with lots of features inside.

Main Compartment With 2 Interior Unobtrusive Webbing Loops + Open-Top Pocket

Inside the main compartment are two unobtrusive webbing loops to which you can secure the optional Cache.

If you don't want to put your laptop inside the main compartment, you can store your files or magazines in the large open-top pocket or insert a Freudian Slip for extra organization.

Three Exterior-Access Compartments

The Cadet has three exterior-access compartments. The first of the exterior pockets is a small horizontal zippered pocket. Like the other compartments, it has a YKK Racquet-Coil water-repellent zipper.

Behind the small zippered pocket is a contoured zippered compartment that opens to about half of the height of the bag, revealing organizer pockets sized for a Magic Mouse or similar size device, cell phone, passport, plus three pen/pencil pockets. There's plenty of additional room in this compartment for a power supply, phone charger, a small notebook, or snack. There are also two O-rings inside.

Wide Open-Top Pocket On The Back

The back of the Cadet features a wide, open-top pocket for a magazine or newspaper. If you're using the Cadet for travel, the bottom of this pocket zips open so that you can slide the bag over the handle of a rolling luggage.

Wear The Cadet Three Different Ways

The Cadet can be worn as a messenger (crossbody), shoulder bag, or briefcase. Shoulder strap attachment points are on the left and right sides of the Cadet and feature our exclusive, super-heavy-duty DuPont™ Delrin® eye-loops, tested to 260 pounds each. Our Standard Shoulder Strap is included with the Cadet. You have the option of upgrading to our Absolute Shoulder Strap. Two comfortable padded handles meet above the bag's center of gravity; when the Cadet is zipped shut, the handles come nicely together so you don't have to fish for them when it's time to grab and go.

Closed Cell Foam On The Front, Back, & Bottom

Between the exterior and the lining is .25/6 mm closed cell foam on the front, back, and bottom — this gives the Cadet its shape and provides additional protection for your laptop; if you choose to go au naturel (no Cache), this foam will provide some protection for an unprotected laptop.

Main Compartment With 2 Interior Unobtrusive Webbing Loops + Open-Top Pocket

Inside the main compartment are two unobtrusive webbing loops to which you can secure the optional Cache.

If you don't want to put your laptop inside the main compartment, you can store your files or magazines in the large open-top pocket or insert a Freudian Slip for extra organization.

Three Exterior-Access Compartments

The Cadet has three exterior-access compartments. The first of the exterior pockets is a small horizontal zippered pocket. Like the other compartments, it has a YKK Racquet-Coil water-repellent zipper.

Behind the small zippered pocket is a contoured zippered compartment that opens to about half of the height of the bag, revealing organizer pockets sized for a Magic Mouse or similar size device, cell phone, passport, plus three pen/pencil pockets. There's plenty of additional room in this compartment for a power supply, phone charger, a small notebook, or snack. There are also two O-rings inside.

Wide Open-Top Pocket On The Back

The back of the Cadet features a wide, open-top pocket for a magazine or newspaper. If you're using the Cadet for travel, the bottom of this pocket zips open so that you can slide the bag over the handle of a rolling luggage.

Wear The Cadet Three Different Ways

The Cadet can be worn as a messenger (crossbody), shoulder bag, or briefcase. Shoulder strap attachment points are on the left and right sides of the Cadet and feature our exclusive, super-heavy-duty DuPont™ Delrin® eye-loops, tested to 260 pounds each. Our Standard Shoulder Strap is included with the Cadet. You have the option of upgrading to our Absolute Shoulder Strap. Two comfortable padded handles meet above the bag's center of gravity; when the Cadet is zipped shut, the handles come nicely together so you don't have to fish for them when it's time to grab and go.

Closed Cell Foam On The Front, Back, & Bottom

Between the exterior and the lining is .25/6 mm closed cell foam on the front, back, and bottom — this gives the Cadet its shape and provides additional protection for your laptop; if you choose to go au naturel (no Cache), this foam will provide some protection for an unprotected laptop.

Materials

Exterior

 

bluesign® certified High-Tenacity 2x2 Ballistic nylon

Fabric Lining

 

bluesign® certified 210 denier High-Tenacity 2x2 Ballistic

 

Zippers

#10 YKK Aquaguard® water-repellent coil zipper on main compartment
#8 YKK Aquaguard® water-repellent coil zippers on pockets

Components

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

Specs

Dimensions

16.1" (w) x 12.6" (h) x 4.5" (d) / 410 (w) x 320 (h) x 115 (d) mm

Weight

1 lb 9 oz / 710 grams

Volume

 825 cubic inches / 13.5 liters (ASTM Standard Measure)

What's Included

1x Standard Shoulder Strap, May be Upgraded to Absolute Shoulder Strap
1x 8-inch Black Webbing Snaphook/Snaphook Key Strap
1x Black Zipper Pulls w/ Plastic Ends (8-Pack)

Total O-rings

4

(2 in the main compartment
2 in the contoured zippered compartment)

Lifetime guarantee image

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.

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Rated 4.9 out of 5
Based on 15 reviews
average rating 4.9 out of 5
Based on 15 reviews
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100% of reviewers would recommend this product to a friend
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Reviewed by Ryan B.
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  • High Quality Craftsmanship
  • Unique
  • Sewn in USA
Rated 5 out of 5

Perfect for my needs

I telework a day or two a week, so I need to be able to throw my laptop and its docking station into the bag along with some paperwork from the office. This bag fits the bill for that perfectly.

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  • Thoughtful Design
  • Comfortable
  • High Quality Craftsmanship
  • High Quality Finishings
Rated 5 out of 5

Cadet

Great construction!

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Reviewed by Rebecca R.
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Product Standouts
  • Thoughtful Design
  • High Quality Craftsmanship
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  • Durable
  • Sewn in USA
Rated 5 out of 5

High Quality Computer Bag

I bought this amazing bag to carry my computer and files back and forth to work. It is high quality, sturdy, a beautiful color, and zips easily. Everything has a place, and I’m so pleased with this purchase!

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  • Good Storage Size
Rated 5 out of 5

Compact, well thought out design!

This is my second Cadet bag. The first one is still going strong and I love how much I can fit into this compact design. The material is very durable and attractive and the protection is excellent for Ipads, laptops and other tech items.

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Reviewed by Luis P.
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Product Standouts
  • Thoughtful Design
  • High Quality Craftsmanship
  • Sewn in USA
  • High Quality Finishings
  • Compact
Rated 5 out of 5

Still The Best

This is my third Cadet (I have the original in Black, a 2nd gen. in Burnt Orange and the latest gen. in Coyote) so that should be a good indicator about how much I love this bag. Every iteration is an improvement and I really like how TB went back to placing the strap attachment loops at the ends of the bag rather than across (as it was on my 2nd Cadet). I also like how the front center pocket is roomier now and can fit the larger smart phones (like the iPhone 13 Max Pro). The Coyote Ballistic colour is fantastic—I like everything about it and the bag could both work in a business and casual environment which I'm always in and out of. I also added another Absolute Shoulder Strap, a few organiser pouches, Strap Keepers (love these!), zipper pull cords and the 16A Cache which I ended up swapping for the older (and slightly bigger) 15C Cache since the 2021-22 MacBook Pro 16" ended up being a tad bulkier to fit the 16A Cache comfortably (it does fit with a bit of effort and shoehorning to avoid the zippers from scratching the corners).

PS. I'd still love to see a version where the middle pocket inside is wide enough to fit a MacBook Pro brick charger (the newer and bigger ones) and maybe a small slot/pocket to slip in an Air Tag? I'm in for a 4th Cadet—perhaps in ODGreen? :P

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