What Goes Into A TOM BIHN Backpack?
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Asymmetrical flap closure buckles your gear in place and keeps it within arm’s reach.
Compact, yet roomy enough for an iPad Mini, e-reader, small journal, or a few books.
Four low-profile pockets in the main compartment keep your essentials right where you need them.
A front zippered pocket keeps your important items secure and close by at all times.
A simple webbing grab handle to hang your bag on a hook or for carrying it from room to room – simple, strong, and always ready to lend a hand.
A slanted open-top back pocket keeps frequently used items within easy reach.
Three internal O-rings to tether your essentials. Keep the little stuff where you need it. No spelunking required.
Asymmetrical flap closure buckles your gear in place and keeps it within arm’s reach.
Compact, yet roomy enough for an iPad Mini, e-reader, small journal, or a few books.
Four low-profile pockets in the main compartment keep your essentials right where you need them.
A front zippered pocket keeps your important items secure and close by at all times.
A simple webbing grab handle to hang your bag on a hook or for carrying it from room to room – simple, strong, and always ready to lend a hand.
A slanted open-top back pocket keeps frequently used items within easy reach.
Three internal O-rings to tether your essentials. Keep the little stuff where you need it. No spelunking required.
Asymmetrical flap closure buckles your gear in place and keeps it within arm’s reach.
Compact, yet roomy enough for an iPad Mini, e-reader, small journal, or a few books.
Four low-profile pockets in the main compartment keep your essentials right where you need them.
A front zippered pocket keeps your important items secure and close by at all times.
A simple webbing grab handle to hang your bag on a hook or for carrying it from room to room – simple, strong, and always ready to lend a hand.
A slanted open-top back pocket keeps frequently used items within easy reach.
Three internal O-rings to tether your essentials. Keep the little stuff where you need it. No spelunking required.
I have a large cafe bag which I use for work (and love), which was also intended to be my all purpose cross body bag for traveling. I have a progressive muscle disease that makes it increasingly difficult to carry much weight around for long periods, especially if I’m walking uphill or climbing stairs. After my last trip to Edinburgh, I knew I had to find a better day to day alternative.
Tom Bihn is my go to source for most of my “ carrying stuff around” needs, so I visited the website, and immediately found my answer in the small version of the cafe bag. I’d thought I should go with a bag made entirely of the lighter weight Halcyon fabric, but there weren’t any available, and I needed a bag sooner than later. The model I chose, with a ballistic exterior and Halcyon lining, arrived quickly and revealed itself to be perfect for me. It easily holds all the stuff I need to carry around on a daily basis, and can accommodate a small iPad and very light wind breaker. It has just enough internal organization options to keep my smaller stuff easily assessable, but not so much that things get lost in endless pockets. It could hold a narrow steel water bottle if I needed it to, but I rarely do because that weight seems to tip the scale to too heavy. The shoulder strap and pad are wide and comfortable and easy to adjust when I need to shorten the strap to hang it over an arm rest at a restaurant or performance. I use my larger bag’s waist strap when I’m riding my bike, but…
This is my first Bihn bag. My goal was to get something to use when I want to carry a water bottle and a few kid snacks, but don’t want to go “full backpack.” I am really happy with the bag. I bought the black on black version hoping it would blend in when I need to look a little less utilitarian and a little more refined - and it does. The strap is smooth and easily adjustable, so I can also shift to a shoulder carry when needed. The big thing: this small cafe bag does fit my everyday carry 750 mL water bottle. The organization inside is helpful but not limiting and the pocket placements are thoughtful and nearly perfect. I typically carry it with water bottles, wet wipes/tissue, granola bars, small wallet, key fob, phone and a few other items. It’s packed full but handles it well. The strap is wide enough to distribute the weight as comfortably as possible. As ann andded bonus, I’ve found myself carrying it more than other bags in our wet fall weather. It handles the rain well!
Overall, I am thrilled with the bag’s construction and function. My only regret is not buying it sooner. 😊 To help others making a similar decision, I’m attaching a photo of the the classic 17 Oz slim water bottle and my 750 mL inside, so you can see the fit, along with the “full” bag. I am 5’4”, 140 lbs for reference.
I was afraid that this bag would be too small. I am 4'11" and 99 lbs. Most small bags don't hold my water bottle, brush, sunglasses, makeup and hat. This one seems to do it all. And since it is cross-body, it distributes the weight so well so my back is not stressed like it is with some backpacks. The purple color is super fun and the fabric is durable. Great product!
Another great bag from Tom Bihn! Well made and the perfect size for our daily walks!!
Worked well for a recent 10-day international trip. My only modification was to remove the shoulder strap's grippy pad - it was a bit heavy, and really not needed for this small bag. Sadly the only way to remove it was to cut it off. I really liked the key strap which I used to hook to a small zippered pouch I used to hold my passport, cash, and credit cards, and the other ring which I used to clip on another pouch that held my earbuds. I could access both items without separating them from the bag which added some security. The bag ended up covered in sea salt but it washed up well after I got home.
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.
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.
