• visible variant TB0740-BKSL TB0740-BKIJ TB0740-BKLD^^The Cadet in Black Ballistic
  • visible variant TB0740-BKLD^^The Cadet in Black Ballistic with a Island (bright blue with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior.
  • visible variant TB0740-BKND TB0740-BKGL^^The Cadet in Black Ballistic
  • visible variant TB0740-BKND^^The Cadet in Black Ballistic with a Northwest Sky 200 Halcyon (light grey with white grid) interior.
  • visible variant TB0740-GKLD TB0740-GKND^^The Cadet in Nebulous Grey Ballistic
  • visible variant TB0740-GKND^^The Cadet in Nebulous Grey Ballistic with a Island (bright blue with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior.
  • visible variant TB0740-GKLD^^The Cadet in Nebulous Grey Ballistic with a Island (bright blue with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior.
  • visible variant TB0740-UKND TB0740-UKLJ^^The Cadet in Aubergine (purple) Ballistic
  • visible variant TB0740-TKND TB0740-TKLJ^^The Cadet in Burnt Orange Ballistic
  • visible variant TB0740-RKND TB0740-RKLJ^^The Cadet in Ursa (dark brown) Ballistic
  • visible variant TB0740-VKGL^^The Cadet in Saguaro
  • visible variant TB0740-DKND TB0740-DKGL^^The Cadet in Deep Blue (dark blue) Ballistic
  • visible variant TB0740-DKND^^The Cadet in Deep Blue (dark blue) 525 Ballistic with a Northwest Sky (light grey with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior.
  • detail visible^^Back of the Cadet
  • detail visible^^Top of Cadet showing the zippers and front of the bag.
  • detail visible^^Shoulder strap attachment point at the base of the main compartment zipper.
  • detail visible^^Close-up of the zippers on the front of the bag
  • detail visible^^Close up of the main zipper and grab handles
  • lifestyle visible^^A person walking across a bridge wearing a Cadet.
  • lifestyle visible^^A person holding a conversation while carrying a Cadet.
  • lifestyle visible^^A person waiting for the light rail wearing a Cadet.
  • Cadet
  • Cadet
  • visible variant TB0740-BKSL TB0740-BKIJ TB0740-BKLD^^The Cadet in Black Ballistic
  • visible variant TB0740-BKLD^^The Cadet in Black Ballistic with a Island (bright blue with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior.
  • visible variant TB0740-BKND TB0740-BKGL^^The Cadet in Black Ballistic
  • visible variant TB0740-BKND^^The Cadet in Black Ballistic with a Northwest Sky 200 Halcyon (light grey with white grid) interior.
  • visible variant TB0740-GKLD TB0740-GKND^^The Cadet in Nebulous Grey Ballistic
  • visible variant TB0740-GKND^^The Cadet in Nebulous Grey Ballistic with a Island (bright blue with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior.
  • visible variant TB0740-GKLD^^The Cadet in Nebulous Grey Ballistic with a Island (bright blue with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior.
  • visible variant TB0740-UKND TB0740-UKLJ^^The Cadet in Aubergine (purple) Ballistic
  • visible variant TB0740-TKND TB0740-TKLJ^^The Cadet in Burnt Orange Ballistic
  • visible variant TB0740-RKND TB0740-RKLJ^^The Cadet in Ursa (dark brown) Ballistic
  • visible variant TB0740-VKGL^^The Cadet in Saguaro
  • visible variant TB0740-DKND TB0740-DKGL^^The Cadet in Deep Blue (dark blue) Ballistic
  • visible variant TB0740-DKND^^The Cadet in Deep Blue (dark blue) 525 Ballistic with a Northwest Sky (light grey with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior.
  • detail visible^^Back of the Cadet
  • detail visible^^Top of Cadet showing the zippers and front of the bag.
  • detail visible^^Shoulder strap attachment point at the base of the main compartment zipper.
  • detail visible^^Close-up of the zippers on the front of the bag
  • detail visible^^Close up of the main zipper and grab handles
  • lifestyle visible^^A person walking across a bridge wearing a Cadet.
  • lifestyle visible^^A person holding a conversation while carrying a Cadet.
  • lifestyle visible^^A person waiting for the light rail wearing a Cadet.
  • Cadet
  • Cadet
(85 Reviews)

Cadet

$194

Ready to Ship

Everyday carry laptop briefcase. Checkpoint friendly.

What Goes Into A Tom Bihn Backpack?

Each bag is handmade in the U.S. using premium, hard-wearing materials—and built to last a lifetime, guaranteed. You're not just buying a bag, you're investing in decades of thoughtful design, durable function, and responsible craftsmanship.

Color & Material
Available Color options

Exterior Color:
Black
Interior Color:
Northwest Sky
Exterior Material:
Ballistic
Interior Material:
200 Halcyon

Upcoming Colorways

Upcoming Color Colorways
Add a Cache
$52.00 - 10A (iPad/iPad Air/Pro 10.5")
visible variant TB03310A TB03310B TB03312A TB03313A TB03313B TB03313C TB03313D TB03313E TB03315A TB03315B TB03315C TB03315D TB03316A TB03317B^^A Cache on the Vertical side.
Made in Seattle
Lifetime Guarantee

Cadet

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Description

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.

Reviews

4.9
Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars
Based on 85 reviews
Total 5 star reviews: 77 Total 4 star reviews: 8 Total 3 star reviews: 0 Total 2 star reviews: 0 Total 1 star reviews: 0
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85 reviews
  • BU
    Brian U.
    Verified Buyer
    Bought For Myself
    Product Standouts Thoughtful Design, Compact, Good Storage Size, Comfortable, High Quality Craftsmanship
    1 year ago
    Bought For Myself
    Product Standouts Thoughtful Design, Compact, Good Storage Size, Comfortable, High Quality Craftsmanship
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Business Class, Kicking Ass

    I already have a Brain Bag that I've brought on a few work flights, but was finding it to be a bit more bag than I usually need. I consolidated some equipment and made it fit in the Cadet and it's been a dream. It fits great under an airplane seat and the zippable handle passthrough makes moving through the airport so much more comfortable. I can't recommend it enough.

    Was this helpful?
  • TA
    Thomas A.
    Verified Buyer
    Bought For Myself
    Product Standouts High Quality Craftsmanship, Comfortable, Sewn in USA, Good Storage Size
    3 years ago
    Bought For Myself
    Product Standouts High Quality Craftsmanship, Comfortable, Sewn in USA, Good Storage Size
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Retired Man is happy

    Great briefcase. Now I have room for computer travel needs. A flashlight and magnifying glass for old eyes on clips. Love it.

    Was this helpful?
  • LP Profile picture for Luis P.google logo
    Luis P.
    Verified Buyer
    Bought For Myself
    Product Standouts Thoughtful Design, High Quality Craftsmanship, Sewn in USA, High Quality Finishings, Compact
    3 years ago
    Bought For Myself
    Product Standouts Thoughtful Design, High Quality Craftsmanship, Sewn in USA, High Quality Finishings, Compact
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    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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  • JF
    Jayson F.
    Verified Buyer
    Bought For Myself
    Product Standouts Thoughtful Design, Durable, Good Storage Size, Versatile, Comfortable
    1 week ago
    Bought For Myself
    Product Standouts Thoughtful Design, Durable, Good Storage Size, Versatile, Comfortable
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Perfect day-to-day bag

    Love this bag ! Use it every day and still looks new. Easily holds my 16" Macbook Pro + AirPod Max + 60% Programming Keyboard with case, all in just the main compartment.

    Was this helpful?
  • ML
    Michael L.
    Verified Buyer
    Bought For Other
    Product Standouts Thoughtful Design, Comfortable, High Quality Craftsmanship, Durable, Great Gift
    1 month ago
    Bought For Other
    Product Standouts Thoughtful Design, Comfortable, High Quality Craftsmanship, Durable, Great Gift
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Perfect

    Works perfectly for my office and travel needs. There is nothing I would change. I AM a Tom Bihn fan!

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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.