• visible variant TB0968-GKKD TB0968-GKLD TB0968-GKWD TB0968-GKSL^^Pilot in Nebulous Grey (medium grey) Ballistic.
  • visible variant TB0968-GKWD^^Pilot in Nebulous Grey (medium grey) 525 Ballistic with Wasabi (green with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior.
  • visible variant TB0968-GKLD^^Pilot in Nebulous Grey (medium grey) Ballistic with Island (blue with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior.
  • visible variant TB0968-GKKD^^Pilot in Nebulous Grey (medium grey) Ballistic with Sitka (dark green with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior.
  • visible variant TB0968-GKSL^^Pilot in Nebulous Grey (medium grey) 525 Ballistic with Sangria (red with red grid) 210 Cerylon interior.
  • visible variant TB0968-WKDL TB0968-WKND TB0968-WK6D^^Pilot in Wilderness (forest green) Ballistic.
  • visible variant TB0968-WKND^^Pilot in Wilderness (forest green) Ballistic with Northwest Sky (light grey with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior.
  • visible variant TB0968-WKDL^^Pilot in Wilderness (forest green) Ballistic with Dusk (blue-grey with light blue-grey grid) 210 Cerylon interior.
  • visible variant TB0968-TKND^^Pilot in Burnt Orange 525 Ballistic
  • visible variant TB0968-TKML^^Pilot in Burnt Orange Ballistic with Moss (green with light green grid) 210 Cerylon interior.
  • visible variant TB0968-TKND^^Pilot in Burnt Orange Ballistic with Northwest Sky (light grey with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior.
  • visible variant TB0968-UKGL TB0968-UKDL TB0968-UKND TB0968-UKRL^^Pilot in Aubergine (dark purple) Ballistic.
  • visible variant TB0968-UKGL^^Pilot in Aubergine Ballistic with Mountain Grey (grey with light grey grid) 210 Cerylon interior.
  • visible variant TB0968-UKDL^^Pilot in Aubergine Ballistic with Dusk (lilac with light purple grid) 210 Cerylon interior.
  • visible variant TB0968-UKND^^Pilot in Aubergine (dark purple) Ballistic with Northwest Sky (grey with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior.
  • visible variant TB0968-BKLD TB0968-BKRL TB0968-BKPL TB0968-BKOL^^Pilot in Black 525 Ballistic.
  • visible variant TB0968-BKOL^^Pilot in Black Ballistic with Cobalt (blue with light blue grid) 210 Cerylon interior.
  • visible variant TB0968-BKPL^^Pilot in Black Ballistic with Persimmon (orange with light orange grid) 210 Cerylon interior.
  • visible variant TB0968-BKML^^Pilot in Black Ballistic with Moss (green with light green grid) 210 Cerylon interior.
  • visible variant TB0968-BKLD^^Pilot in Black 525 Ballistic with Island (blue with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior.
  • visible variant TB0968-BKND^^Pilot in Black Ballistic with grey label.
  • visible variant TB0968-BKND^^Pilot in Black 525 Ballistic with Northwest Sky (light grey with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior.
  • visible variant TB0968-DKND TB0968-DKKD TB0968-DKML^^Pilot in Deep Blue (dark blue) Ballistic.
  • visible variant TB0968-DKML^^Pilot in Deep Blue (dark blue) Ballistic with Moss (green with light green grid) 210 Cerylon interior.
  • visible variant TB0968-DKND^^Pilot in Deep Blue (dark blue) 525 Ballistic with Northwest Sky (light grey with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior.
  • visible variant TB0968-DKKD^^Pilot in Deep Blue (dark blue) 630 Ballistic with Sitka (dark green with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior.
  • visible variant TB0968-MKND^^Pilot in Mars Red 525 Ballistic with Northwest Sky (light grey with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior.
  • visible variant TB0968-MKND^^Pilot in Mars Red 525 Ballistic with Northwest Sky (light grey with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior.
  • visible variant TB0968-NKND^^Pilot in Constellation (light blue) 525 Ballistic.
  • visible variant TB0968-NKND^^Pilot in Constellation (light blue) 525 Ballistic with Northwest Sky (light grey with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior.
  • visible variant TB0968-CKND^^Pilot in Coyote (tan) 525 Ballistic.
  • visible variant TB0968-CKND^^Pilot in Coyote (tan) 525 Ballistic with Northwest Sky (light grey with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior.
  • visible variant TB0968-RKND TB0968-RKDL TB0968-RKGL^^Pilot in Ursa (brown-grey) Ballistic.
  • visible variant TB0968-RKND^^Pilot in Ursa (greyish brown) Ballistic with Northwest Sky (grey with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior.
  • visible variant TB0968-RKDL^^Pilot in Ursa (greyish brown) Ballistic with Dusk (blue-grey with light blue-grey grid) 210 Cerylon interior.
  • visible variant TB0968-RKGL^^Pilot in Ursa (greyish brown) Ballistic with Mountain Grey (grey with light grey grid) 210 Cerylon interior.
  • visible variant TB0968-PK5D^^Pilot in Raspberry (reddish-purple) Ballistic.
  • visible variant TB0968-PK5D^^Pilot in Raspberry (reddish-purple) Ballistic with Acai (dark purple) 200 Halcyon interior.
  • visible variant TB0968-VKZD^^Pilot in Saguaro (olive green) Ballistic.
  • visible variant TB0968-VKZD^^Pilot in Saguaro (olive green) Ballistic with Zest (orange) 200 Halcyon interior.
  • visible variant TB0968-VHND^^Pilot in Taiga (green with grey grid) 400 Halcyon..
  • visible variant TB0968-VHND^^Pilot in Taiga (green with grey grid) 400 Halcyon with Northwest Sky (grey with white grid) 200 Halcyon.
  • visible variant TB0968-BTLD^^Pilot in Black 420 Spectron.
  • visible variant TB0968-BTLD^^Pilot in Black 420 Spectron with an Island 200 Halcyon interior.
  • ^^Photo coming soon. This bag/color combination is brand new! As soon as we finish the first production run here in our Seattle factory, we'll put up and actual photo of the bag. You can still sign up to be notified via email when this color is in-stock.
  • ^^New color / photo coming soon; an illustration of some shears and a length of fabric.
  • detail visible^^Close shot of the zipper on the Pilot.
  • detail visible^^Overhead shot of the Pilot.
  • detail visible^^The main pocket of the Pilot with a laptop.
  • detail visible^^A close shot of the Pilot side pocket zipper.
  • detail visible^^The side compartment of the Pilot with a notepad and marker inserted into the interior pocket.
  • detail visible^^The side compartment of the Pilot with phone and pen inserted into the interior pockets.
  • detail visible^^A reverse shot of the Pilot.
  • detail visible^^A close shot of the snaphook attachment point with a snaphook attached.
  • detail visible^^A close shot of the zipper of the main compartment of the Pilot.
  • detail visible^^The Co-Pilot and Pilot side-by-side.
  • lifestyle visible^^A person carrying a Pilot on a commute.
  • lifestyle visible^^A person carrying a Pilot.
  • lifestyle visible^^Profile shot of a person carrying a Pilot.
  • lifestyle visible^^A person carrying a Pilot through the airport.
  • A person carrying a Pilot.
  • lifestyle visible^^A profile shot of a person holding a Pilot.
  • lifestyle visible^^A person holding a Pilot.
  • ^A ski trip loadout.
  • visible video^^Thumbnail for a video of the Pilot.
  • visible variant TB0968-GKKD TB0968-GKLD TB0968-GKWD TB0968-GKSL^^Pilot in Nebulous Grey (medium grey) Ballistic.
  • visible variant TB0968-GKWD^^Pilot in Nebulous Grey (medium grey) 525 Ballistic with Wasabi (green with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior.
  • visible variant TB0968-GKLD^^Pilot in Nebulous Grey (medium grey) Ballistic with Island (blue with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior.
  • visible variant TB0968-GKKD^^Pilot in Nebulous Grey (medium grey) Ballistic with Sitka (dark green with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior.
  • visible variant TB0968-GKSL^^Pilot in Nebulous Grey (medium grey) 525 Ballistic with Sangria (red with red grid) 210 Cerylon interior.
  • visible variant TB0968-WKDL TB0968-WKND TB0968-WK6D^^Pilot in Wilderness (forest green) Ballistic.
  • visible variant TB0968-WKND^^Pilot in Wilderness (forest green) Ballistic with Northwest Sky (light grey with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior.
  • visible variant TB0968-WKDL^^Pilot in Wilderness (forest green) Ballistic with Dusk (blue-grey with light blue-grey grid) 210 Cerylon interior.
  • visible variant TB0968-TKND^^Pilot in Burnt Orange 525 Ballistic
  • visible variant TB0968-TKML^^Pilot in Burnt Orange Ballistic with Moss (green with light green grid) 210 Cerylon interior.
  • visible variant TB0968-TKND^^Pilot in Burnt Orange Ballistic with Northwest Sky (light grey with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior.
  • visible variant TB0968-UKGL TB0968-UKDL TB0968-UKND TB0968-UKRL^^Pilot in Aubergine (dark purple) Ballistic.
  • visible variant TB0968-UKGL^^Pilot in Aubergine Ballistic with Mountain Grey (grey with light grey grid) 210 Cerylon interior.
  • visible variant TB0968-UKDL^^Pilot in Aubergine Ballistic with Dusk (lilac with light purple grid) 210 Cerylon interior.
  • visible variant TB0968-UKND^^Pilot in Aubergine (dark purple) Ballistic with Northwest Sky (grey with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior.
  • visible variant TB0968-BKLD TB0968-BKRL TB0968-BKPL TB0968-BKOL^^Pilot in Black 525 Ballistic.
  • visible variant TB0968-BKOL^^Pilot in Black Ballistic with Cobalt (blue with light blue grid) 210 Cerylon interior.
  • visible variant TB0968-BKPL^^Pilot in Black Ballistic with Persimmon (orange with light orange grid) 210 Cerylon interior.
  • visible variant TB0968-BKML^^Pilot in Black Ballistic with Moss (green with light green grid) 210 Cerylon interior.
  • visible variant TB0968-BKLD^^Pilot in Black 525 Ballistic with Island (blue with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior.
  • visible variant TB0968-BKND^^Pilot in Black Ballistic with grey label.
  • visible variant TB0968-BKND^^Pilot in Black 525 Ballistic with Northwest Sky (light grey with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior.
  • visible variant TB0968-DKND TB0968-DKKD TB0968-DKML^^Pilot in Deep Blue (dark blue) Ballistic.
  • visible variant TB0968-DKML^^Pilot in Deep Blue (dark blue) Ballistic with Moss (green with light green grid) 210 Cerylon interior.
  • visible variant TB0968-DKND^^Pilot in Deep Blue (dark blue) 525 Ballistic with Northwest Sky (light grey with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior.
  • visible variant TB0968-DKKD^^Pilot in Deep Blue (dark blue) 630 Ballistic with Sitka (dark green with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior.
  • visible variant TB0968-MKND^^Pilot in Mars Red 525 Ballistic with Northwest Sky (light grey with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior.
  • visible variant TB0968-MKND^^Pilot in Mars Red 525 Ballistic with Northwest Sky (light grey with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior.
  • visible variant TB0968-NKND^^Pilot in Constellation (light blue) 525 Ballistic.
  • visible variant TB0968-NKND^^Pilot in Constellation (light blue) 525 Ballistic with Northwest Sky (light grey with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior.
  • visible variant TB0968-CKND^^Pilot in Coyote (tan) 525 Ballistic.
  • visible variant TB0968-CKND^^Pilot in Coyote (tan) 525 Ballistic with Northwest Sky (light grey with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior.
  • visible variant TB0968-RKND TB0968-RKDL TB0968-RKGL^^Pilot in Ursa (brown-grey) Ballistic.
  • visible variant TB0968-RKND^^Pilot in Ursa (greyish brown) Ballistic with Northwest Sky (grey with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior.
  • visible variant TB0968-RKDL^^Pilot in Ursa (greyish brown) Ballistic with Dusk (blue-grey with light blue-grey grid) 210 Cerylon interior.
  • visible variant TB0968-RKGL^^Pilot in Ursa (greyish brown) Ballistic with Mountain Grey (grey with light grey grid) 210 Cerylon interior.
  • visible variant TB0968-PK5D^^Pilot in Raspberry (reddish-purple) Ballistic.
  • visible variant TB0968-PK5D^^Pilot in Raspberry (reddish-purple) Ballistic with Acai (dark purple) 200 Halcyon interior.
  • visible variant TB0968-VKZD^^Pilot in Saguaro (olive green) Ballistic.
  • visible variant TB0968-VKZD^^Pilot in Saguaro (olive green) Ballistic with Zest (orange) 200 Halcyon interior.
  • visible variant TB0968-VHND^^Pilot in Taiga (green with grey grid) 400 Halcyon..
  • visible variant TB0968-VHND^^Pilot in Taiga (green with grey grid) 400 Halcyon with Northwest Sky (grey with white grid) 200 Halcyon.
  • visible variant TB0968-BTLD^^Pilot in Black 420 Spectron.
  • visible variant TB0968-BTLD^^Pilot in Black 420 Spectron with an Island 200 Halcyon interior.
  • ^^Photo coming soon. This bag/color combination is brand new! As soon as we finish the first production run here in our Seattle factory, we'll put up and actual photo of the bag. You can still sign up to be notified via email when this color is in-stock.
  • ^^New color / photo coming soon; an illustration of some shears and a length of fabric.
  • detail visible^^Close shot of the zipper on the Pilot.
  • detail visible^^Overhead shot of the Pilot.
  • detail visible^^The main pocket of the Pilot with a laptop.
  • detail visible^^A close shot of the Pilot side pocket zipper.
  • detail visible^^The side compartment of the Pilot with a notepad and marker inserted into the interior pocket.
  • detail visible^^The side compartment of the Pilot with phone and pen inserted into the interior pockets.
  • detail visible^^A reverse shot of the Pilot.
  • detail visible^^A close shot of the snaphook attachment point with a snaphook attached.
  • detail visible^^A close shot of the zipper of the main compartment of the Pilot.
  • detail visible^^The Co-Pilot and Pilot side-by-side.
  • lifestyle visible^^A person carrying a Pilot on a commute.
  • lifestyle visible^^A person carrying a Pilot.
  • lifestyle visible^^Profile shot of a person carrying a Pilot.
  • lifestyle visible^^A person carrying a Pilot through the airport.
  • A person carrying a Pilot.
  • lifestyle visible^^A profile shot of a person holding a Pilot.
  • lifestyle visible^^A person holding a Pilot.
  • ^A ski trip loadout.
  • visible video^^Thumbnail for a video of the Pilot.

Pilot

$188

With 30% more volume than the Co-Pilot, the Pilot is a medium, personal item carry-on travel briefcase designed to fit your work essentials.

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


Carry-on Friendly
Made in Seattle
Laptop Compartment
Lifetime Guarantee

Pilot

Join the Waitlist!

Description

The Pilot is a personal item-sized travel bag and laptop briefcase that handles business trips, weekend escapes, and everyday carry with ease.

Reviews

4.9
Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars
Based on 293 reviews
Total 5 star reviews: 273 Total 4 star reviews: 20 Total 3 star reviews: 0 Total 2 star reviews: 0 Total 1 star reviews: 0
293 reviews
  • DB Profile picture for Donald B.
    Donald B.
    Verified Buyer
    Bought For Myself
    Product Standouts Comfortable, Thoughtful Design, High Quality Craftsmanship, Sewn in USA, Good Storage Size
    3 weeks ago
    Bought For Myself
    Product Standouts Comfortable, Thoughtful Design, High Quality Craftsmanship, Sewn in USA, Good Storage Size
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Love it after two weeks so far!

    Intelligent design with different pockets inside for things I carry: pens, iPhone , Kindle, iPad, mini, MacBook Air, and wallet. Very well made with excellent construction. I upgraded the shoulder strap and it perfectly fits my shoulder with comfort. Made in USA--Seattle! I like the ability of sliding it over my carryon handle.

  • DS
    DARREN S.
    Verified Buyer
    Bought For Myself
    Product Standouts Thoughtful Design, High Quality Craftsmanship, High Quality Finishings, Good Storage Size, Sewn in USA
    4 months ago
    Bought For Myself
    Product Standouts Thoughtful Design, High Quality Craftsmanship, High Quality Finishings, Good Storage Size, Sewn in USA
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Super happy

    So many thoughtful features and designs. Very happy with the storage and layout. Didn’t think the water bottle holder was needed but is a great feature,

    I find myself using a lot!! Has been a great international travel companion so far

  • H
    HY
    Verified Buyer
    Bought For Myself
    10 months ago
    Bought For Myself
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Fantastic work bag

    Have been thinking for a couple of months… and the waiting available stock for a black colour bag gave me more time to find out what I really wanted … finally acquired the bag of my colour once available. Fantastic bag, light weight with great organisation that fit my daily use. Love the ballistic material as it is durable and easy to care compared to faux or real leather. I think I will use this bag for a long time for work and commuting.

  • JM
    Jeff M.
    Verified Buyer
    Bought For Myself
    Product Standouts Good Storage Size, Versatile, High Quality Craftsmanship, Thoughtful Design
    1 year ago
    Bought For Myself
    Product Standouts Good Storage Size, Versatile, High Quality Craftsmanship, Thoughtful Design
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Perfect personal item

    This bag has amazing organization and it’s so well-built. I was able to load it up with my Nintendo Switch (with a case) in the left front wing pocket, a water bottle, a bunch of edc items in the right wing pocket. In the main, I put my laptop, iPad, and plenty of room to spare.

  • ES
    Eric S.
    Verified Buyer
    Bought For Myself
    Product Standouts Thoughtful Design, Comfortable, Sewn in USA, Good Storage Size, Versatile
    1 year ago
    Bought For Myself
    Product Standouts Thoughtful Design, Comfortable, Sewn in USA, Good Storage Size, Versatile
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    A nearly perfect laptop/EDC bag

    After using this bag for several weeks, I am already convinced that it is the perfect bag for me. As background, my previous EDC bag was a Filson Original Briefcase that I bought in 2019. I used it for 5 years and finally sold it earlier in 2024 due to some "needs" (wants haha) that are perfectly addressed by the Pilot:

    1) Needs to "stand up" on its own, instead of being leaned against something

    2) Dedicated thermos storage

    3) Zipped pockets for storage of smaller items

    4) Lighter colored fabric to find stuff in darker environments

    5) Light weight but rugged

    6) Rolling luggage handle pass through (I travel frequently for work)

    The Pilot delivers on all of these in spades. Time will tell how rugged this is but Tom Bihn's customer service, similar to Filson's, is top notch. The ONE thing that I would suggest to Tom Bihn is to add a snap to the rolling luggage pass through so that when it isn't in use, the back flap of fabric can be snapped to the main body of the bag. This would clean up the overall look and improve the bag, in my humble opinion.

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.