The Maker's Bag in Aubergine (dark purple) Ballistic. The Maker's Bag in Aubergine (dark purple) Ballistic with Tidal (faded blue with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. The Maker's Bag in Aubergine (dark purple) 525 Ballistic with an Island (blue with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. The Maker's Bag in Aubergine (dark purple) 525 Ballistic with a Northwest Sky (light grey with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. The Maker's Bag in Aubergine (dark purple) Ballistic with a Sakura (pale pink with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. The Maker's Bag in Aubergine (dark purple) 525 Ballistic with a Coyote (brown with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. The Maker's Bag in Aubergine (dark purple) Ballistic with Dusk (blue-grey) Cerylon interior. The Maker's Bag in Deep Blue (dark blue) Ballistic. The Maker's Bag in Deep Blue (dark blue) Ballistic with Moss (green) Cerylon interior. The Maker's Bag in Deep Blue (dark blue) 525 Ballistic with Taiga (olive green with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. The Maker's Bag in Deep Blue (dark blue) 525 Ballistic with Acai (dark purple with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. The Maker's Bag in Deep Blue (dark blue) 525 Ballistic with a Coyote (brown with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. The Maker's Bag in Deep Blue (dark blue) 525 Ballistic with a Tidal (faded blue with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. The Maker's Bag in Deep Blue (dark blue) 525 Ballistic with a Northwest Sky (light grey with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. The Maker's Bag in Deep Blue (dark blue) 525 Ballistic with a Seafoam (faded green with white grid) Halcyon interior. The Maker's Bag in Deep Blue (dark blue) 525 Ballistic with a Solaris (yellow with white grid) Halcyon interior. The Maker's Bag in Taiga (olive green with grey grid) 400 Halcyon. The Maker's Bag in Taiga (olive green with grey grid) 400 Halcyon with a Northwest Sky (light grey with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. The Maker's Bag in Night Walk The Maker's Bag in Night Walk with a Moab Halcyon interior. The Maker's Bag in Original (black with white grid) 400 Halcyon. The Maker's Bag in Original Halcyon with an Acai Halcyon interior. The Maker's Bag in Original Halcyon with an Island Halcyon interior. The Maker's Bag in Black 630 Ballistic. The Maker's Bag in Black Ballistic with a Cerise Halcyon lining. The Maker's Bag in Black 525 Ballistic with a Solaris (yellow with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. The Maker's Bag in Black Ballistic with a Wisteria Halcyon lining. The Maker's Bag in Black Ballistic with a Zest Halcyon lining. The Maker's Bag in Black 525 Ballistic with a Island (blue with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. The Maker's Bag in Black Ballistic. The Maker's Bag in Black 525 Ballistic with a Northwest Sky (light grey with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. The Maker's Bag in Burnt Orange 630 Ballistic. The Maker's Bag in Burnt Orange 525 Ballistic with a Northwest Sky (light grey with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. The Maker's Bag in Nebulous Grey (Medium grey) Ballistic. The Maker's Bag in Nebulous Grey (grey) Ballistic with Marigold (yellow) Cerylon interior. The Maker's Bag in Nebulous Grey (Medium grey) Ballistic with a Acai (dark purple with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. The Maker's Bag in Nebulous Grey (Medium grey )525 Ballistic with a Wasabi (green with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. The Maker's Bag in Nebulous Grey (Medium grey) Ballistic with a Moab (brick red with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. The Maker's Bag in Nebulous Grey (Medium grey )525 Ballistic with an Northwest Sky (grey with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. The Maker's Bag in Nebulous Grey (Medium grey )525 Ballistic with an Island (blue with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. The Maker's Bag in Nebulous Grey (Medium grey )525 Ballistic with a Solaris (yellow with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. The Maker's Bag in Nebulous Grey (Medium grey )Ballistic with a Sakura (yellow with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. The Maker's Bag in Ursa (brown-grey) 630 Ballistic. The Maker's Bag in Ursa (grey-brown) Ballistic with Seafoam (faded green with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. The Maker's Bag in Ursa (brown-grey) Ballistic with a Northwest Sky (light grey with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. The Maker's Bag in Ursa (brown-grey) 525 Ballistic with a Taiga (olive green with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. The Maker's Bag in Ursa (brown-grey) Ballistic with a Wisteria (pale purple with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. The Maker's Bag in Ursa (brown-grey) Ballistic with a Zest (orange with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. The Maker's Bag in Wilderness (forest green) 630 Ballistic. Maker's Bag in Wilderness Ballistic in Northwest Sky 200 Halcyon. The Maker's Bag in Constellation (light blue) 525 Ballistic. The Maker's Bag in Constellation (light blue) 525 Ballistic with a Northwest Sky (light grey with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. The Maker's Bag in Coyote (brown) Ballistic. The Maker's Bag in Coyote (brown) 525 Ballistic with a Northwest Sky (light grey with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. The Maker's Bag in Mars Red (brick red) Ballistic. The Maker's Bag in Mars Red (brick red) Ballistic with a Northwest Sky (light grey with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. Text: new color / photo coming soon; Image: An illustration of a pair of shears on a length of fabric
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$155.00


Color: Ursa Ballistic/Wisteria 200 Halcyon

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A messenger bag designed for the makers, the creators.

13 liters / 750 cu. in.


TLDR

A messenger bag with lots of built-in organization, designed with makers, artists, and creators in mind. Just like the Café Bags, the Maker's Bag is stylized with a distinctive asymmetrical flap.

  • Main compartment with 5 elastic-banded open-top pockets, 4 O-rings, and 1 interior zippered back pocket
  • Front zippered pocket under the front flap with 4 open-top organizational pockets in the interior, plus 1 O-ring
  • Quick-access exterior slip pocket on the back side of the bag

Want to add even more organization? Consider checking out the Maker's Bag Freudian Slip.

Full Description

The general contours of the Maker's Bag (with the exception of its exaggerated thickness) follow those of the Café Bags. To us, the Maker's Bag was a logical extension of the Café Bags, but with a volume and wider base closer to that of the Swift. Its wide bottom and piping help it to stand up on its own: that way, you can access your stuff without holding it open. That thickness also means that it's big enough that with the flap up, you can see easily into the main compartment.

Main Compartment

Under the asymmetrical flap is an open-top main compartment. The front interior wall and interior ends of the main compartment have five sewn-on organizational pockets. The three pockets on the front interior wall are made with elastic-banded open-top halcyon or Cerylon fabric. A Clear 3D Organizer Cube can fit in the center pocket of three, and a pen/pencil case can fit in either the left or right pocket. The remaining two pockets, one on each interior end, are made with a stretchy mesh fabric. These two pockets are ideal for stowing a travel mug or water bottle. The remainder of the main compartment can store the Travel Tray, a laptop (up to 13") in a Cache, a Maker's Bag Freudian Slip, a jacket, lunch, or supplies of any kind. 

The main compartment has four O-rings, two on the front and one on each end. The O-ring on the left side of the main compartment of the Maker's Bag has an included 8" Key Strap. The O-rings are here for you when you want to tether on additional organizer pouches, Cubelets, or 3D Cubes.

On the back interior wall of the main compartment is a zippered pocket that spans the width of the Maker's Bag. This pocket is an ideal place for a small laptop (up to 11") or tablet, magazine, or folded jacket or sweater.

Zippered Pocket Under Front Flap

On the exterior front side of the main compartment is a zippered pocket that spans the width of the Maker's Bag. The pocket unzips from left to right. One O-ring is thoughtfully placed to allow immediate access to a Key Strap, Organizer Pouch, and/or wallet without even fully unzipping the compartment. 

Inside the zippered pocket are four open-top organizational pockets of equal size, perfect for storing your phone, small notebook, and glasses/sunglasses case. The remainder of the pocket has room for an e-reader, book, snacks, gloves, and other larger items. 

Slanted Slip Pocket in the Back

On the back exterior side, right behind the grab handle is a slanted slip pocket that covers the entire width of the bag. This pocket is designed to store quick-access items.

What's Included

Standard Shoulder Strap

1.5" / 38 mm nylon webbing strap, includes .25" / 6mm texturized rubber pad and heavy-duty plastic snaphooks.

8" Snaphook/Snaphook Key Strap

As with most of our bags, we've included a key strap. 8" long from tip-to-tip, a snaphook on either end. Good for attaching your keys to.

A Set of Black Zipper Pulls

A set of pulls to extend, quiet, or replace your metal pulls.

Gatekeeper Hip Belt

Attach this to the unobtrusive webbing loops on the sides of the Side Hustle if you want to wear this as a sling bag or waist pac

What's Optional

Freudian Slip

The Maker's Bag Freudian Slip adds five additional pockets of organization — three zippered pockets on one side and two large open top pockets on the other. Believe it or not, the Maker's Bag can fit two Freudian Slips!

Cache

The Maker's Bag can generally fit up to a 13" laptop (we encourage you to double check your laptops' dimensions before purchasing). We have various sizes of our Cache for 13" laptops.

Under the asymmetrical flap is an open-top main compartment. The front interior wall and interior ends of the main compartment have five sewn-on organizational pockets. The three pockets on the front interior wall are made with elastic-banded open-top halcyon or Cerylon fabric. A Clear 3D Organizer Cube can fit in the center pocket of three, and a pen/pencil case can fit in either the left or right pocket. The remaining two pockets, one on each interior end, are made with a stretchy mesh fabric. These two pockets are ideal for stowing a travel mug or water bottle. The remainder of the main compartment can store the Travel Tray, a laptop (up to 13") in a Cache, a Maker's Bag Freudian Slip, a jacket, lunch, or supplies of any kind. 

The main compartment has four O-rings, two on the front and one on each end. The O-ring on the left side of the main compartment of the Maker's Bag has an included 8" Key Strap. The O-rings are here for you when you want to tether on additional organizer pouches, Cubelets, or 3D Cubes.

On the back interior wall of the main compartment is a zippered pocket that spans the width of the Maker's Bag. This pocket is an ideal place for a small laptop (up to 11") or tablet, magazine, or folded jacket or sweater.

On the exterior front side of the main compartment is a zippered pocket that spans the width of the Maker's Bag. The pocket unzips from left to right. One O-ring is thoughtfully placed to allow immediate access to a Key Strap, Organizer Pouch, and/or wallet without even fully unzipping the compartment. 

Inside the zippered pocket are four open-top organizational pockets of equal size, perfect for storing your phone, small notebook, and glasses/sunglasses case. The remainder of the pocket has room for an e-reader, book, snacks, gloves, and other larger items. 

On the back exterior side, right behind the grab handle is a slanted slip pocket that covers the entire width of the bag. This pocket is designed to store quick-access items.

Standard Shoulder Strap

1.5" / 38 mm nylon webbing strap, includes .25" / 6mm texturized rubber pad and heavy-duty plastic snaphooks.

8" Snaphook/Snaphook Key Strap

As with most of our bags, we've included a key strap. 8" long from tip-to-tip, a snaphook on either end. Good for attaching your keys to.

A Set of Black Zipper Pulls

A set of pulls to extend, quiet, or replace your metal pulls.

Gatekeeper Hip Belt

Attach this to the unobtrusive webbing loops on the sides of the Side Hustle if you want to wear this as a sling bag or waist pac

Freudian Slip

The Maker's Bag Freudian Slip adds five additional pockets of organization — three zippered pockets on one side and two large open top pockets on the other. Believe it or not, the Maker's Bag can fit two Freudian Slips!

Cache

The Maker's Bag can generally fit up to a 13" laptop (we encourage you to double check your laptops' dimensions before purchasing). We have various sizes of our Cache for 13" laptops.

Materials

Specs

Dimensions

13.6" (w) x 10" (h) x 6.9" (d) / 345 (w) x 255 (h) x 175 (d) mm

Weight

400d Halcyon®/420d nylon ripstop: 15.0 oz / 425 grams
525d Ballistic: 1 lb 2.6 oz / 530 grams

Volume

13 liters / 750 cu. in. (ASTM Standard Measure)

Total O-Rings

5 (4 in the main compartment, 1 in the front zippered pocket)

4.8
Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars
Based on 191 reviews
91%would recommend this product
191 reviews
  • Abby S.
    Verified Reviewer
    Bought For Myself
    Product Standouts High Quality Craftsmanship, Durable, Good Storage Size, Versatile, Comfortable
    1 year ago
    Bought For Myself
    Product Standouts High Quality Craftsmanship, Durable, Good Storage Size, Versatile, Comfortable
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    I take this bag everywhere.

    I got this bag over four years ago and it has held up handsomely. It has become my go-to bag to the point that I use it almost exclusively. I have used it in circumstances when most people would not think of using a messenger bag and although it has taken me a while to learn how to work with it, I wouldn’t trade it for a backpack in most any situation.

    I especially like it when I go on botanical surveys in the mountains and I always use it as my day pack. On these hikes, I find this bag is much better than a backpack. I can wear it like a backpack by sliding it around to my back and using the waist strap to keep the weight of the bag off my shoulder. But when I see a plant I need to collect or want to get a drink of water, I can easily slide it around to the front without taking it off, making it easy to access anything in my bag while I am still walking.

    One challenge I had with this bag was learning how to load it well. With all the pockets in the front, it is very tempting to use this organization by stuffing them full. The asymmetrical closure also makes it easy to slip things into the front pockets when I am in a hurry. This makes the bag unbalanced, and when I set it down, it falls over forward. To remedy this, I have learned that I have to be selective about what I put in those pockets and rely more on putting other organizers in the main compartment when I need to hold lots of little things.

  • Melanie H.
    Verified Buyer
    Bought For Myself
    Product Standouts Comfortable, Versatile, Durable, Thoughtful Design, High Quality Craftsmanship
    1 year ago
    Bought For Myself
    Product Standouts Comfortable, Versatile, Durable, Thoughtful Design, High Quality Craftsmanship
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Perfect just-bring-everything bag

    I was surprised at how large this bag is and how much it holds! It's shown below next to a TB Pilot and also holding a Yeti 26oz Rambler water bottle for size comparison. Pens shown are Sharpies, showing depth of pockets. Holds an iPad Pro 11" and letter size folders. Great for a carry-on personal item or a just-bring-everything bag for errands, road trips, everyday carry (including lunch and sweater). I have the Halcyon exterior version and it stands up well on its own while also expanding more than expected when fully packed. Comfortable strap and hangs well (not too bulky) when worn crossbody or on shoulder. Well thought-out organizational pockets.

  • Alexander E.
    Verified Buyer
    Bought For Other
    1 year ago
    Bought For Other
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    We have several..

    I got mine over a year ago, this is the one my wife bought. I colleague bought one after seeing mine. Mine is now with my son in South America because it was the only thing that met the carry on requirements for a personal item on one of the airlines. I miss mine, my wife loves hers. It the ideal in-between size shoulder bag (smaller and less awkward than the messenger bag that I am now using, not so small as to be of limited utility. I put a piece of closed cell foam in the back zipper pocket so it wouldn't loose its shape when I set it down, other than that, no modifications. I will get a new one to replace the one my child appropriated when the color I want comes back in stock.

  • Chuck
    3 years ago
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Perfect Flexible Messenger

    I've daily carried a halcyon Maker's Bag to work for about 4 years now. There are zero signs of wear or discoloration. I don't abuse bags, but I don't baby them either. Most of the time, I carry a 13" MacBook Pro, sunglasses in case, a couple notebooks, small pouches with pens, a water bottle, 1-2 books (for work), other small pouches and loose odds and ends. I'd say this is an ideal laptop bag for people who always carry more than typical laptop bags handle. Plus, I've also repurposed it for an overnight bag and it worked fine. In halcyon it is still very waterproof with no upkeep so far. I haven't had issue with water getting in the top opening, even in heavy rain. The abundance of pockets let you organize without a bunch of small pouches, or let you keep your modular pouches in "their place" in the bag. If this bag fits your use-style, I cannot recommend it enough! For my type load out, I highly recommend the absolute strap for comfort.

  • Linda S.
    Verified Reviewer
    2 years ago
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Magical endless capacity bag

    I love this bag and use it for the following:

    *Visiting my mom at her assisted living apartment (contents may include hat and fanny pack for short walk, sweater, knitting project, items to bring her)

    *Music jamming outings (contents may include yoga block to use as foot rest, notebook and pen, water bottle, outerwear, fold-up guitar stand)

    *Carry-on bag for air travel (contents may include small toiletries, knitting project, blow-up neck pillow and eye mask, snacks, water bottle, reading material, power cord). I use a few TB accessories that clip in, so I don't have to worry about them falling out.

    One of my friends calls it the "Hermione Bag" because of the seemingly endless capacity.

    I agree with some reviewers who say that some of the long/skinny compartments are hard to use. They are probably be great if you want to carry artist tools. But this is a minor criticism. Overall love the easy access, capacity, ability to set it onto the ground and not worry about getting it dirty, and compartments.

    Great bag!

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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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