Since getting a 16inch laptop at work I’ve had to rethink my entire carry set up and briefly ventured a move over to an Alapaka tote bag, before finding a smaller Tom Bihn bag that would do the job while Paragon’s remain out of stock.

I have to say that the Paramour is one of those bags that looks much better in person - it features a reduced, but thoughtful approach to the level of organization you would get with a Synik, and it somehow holds a 16inch laptop much more comfortably and intuitively than my Synik 30 does. The front pocket is carefully engineered and can hold vertical items really well, but it would benefit from an extra o-ring or two in this area. This front pocket can easily fit a 24oz owalla, my travel journal, an umbrella, cell phone, keys and more. This was my first time getting a bag with Ceylon lining and while I don’t love it as much as halcyon, it works well to provide extra protection and visibility to parts of the bag. However, I think it would be better if the bag was fully lined to make things inside easier to see.

My main qualm with the Paramour is that it runs hot. I wish it has something akin to the skeleton panel in my Techonaut or some of the mesh paneling of the updated Paragons to keep things a little cooler.

Using a handy little thing I was able to add some extra internal storage in the main compartment, but I think this section would also benefit from some extra o-rings a little higher up.

This will remain my main work bag when I…

I think of myself as a high-maintenance, low-maintenance person: I want super nice, super functional, super pretty things so I never have to overthink any decisions in my day-to-day life. And so I needed a four-leaf clover of a backpack: holds a 16" laptop for work, has lots of little sections for organization, is strong as an ox, and perhaps most importantly, is super clean and polished-looking. The black Paramour backpack is it! I use it for work, travel, coffee-shop runs, etc., and it matches everything from full suits to feminine dresses to jeans and tee shirts. I'm so happy with my splurge!

Love the comfy shoulder straps, does not tip over easily when placed on the ground, and there are multiple pockets/dividers in the front pocket to keep things organized.

Love the water bottle holder as the middle section of the front pocket. It easily fits my 32 oz water bottle and it keeps the weight more well distributed when wearing the bag compared to a water bottle holder on the side of the backpack.

My only gripe is that the interior material is not used as the backing of the front pocket (see pic) very minor complaint, just wish I had that nice contrast in the front pocket.

This was my first Tom Binh bag, looking forward to buying another if this one holds up!