Tom Bihn

[bitchstewie]

If you're reading you probably "get it" Are they worth the money and hassle of shipping?

Looking for something that can take a laptop and assorted other "stuff" either for the daily slog or the occasional longer daytrip.

[FunkyCEO]

Worth some time checking this guys videos out. Reviews most bags https://youtu.be/2SUSBNqDRlg

[bitchstewie]

Already been there It's likely one of those or a Tumi and for practicality the Bihn stuff looks much better.

[TheJimi]

My topic has arrived!

I have a 525 Ballistic Synapse 25, with the frame sheet.

I'm nerdy about bags, always have been and I've tried loads of different variations through the years.

The S25 is just *such* a joy to use. I didn't pay the shipping & customs charges because a friend collected it for me while she was in the states and brought it back for me.

Here's the thing - having used the bag (I use it daily) I'd have no problems paying the extra for shipping & customs.

There's a brand new Western Flyer currently on eBay, fyi (I'm not the seller)

Edited by TheJimi on Sunday 26th August 20:17

[Doofus]

I have an Aeronaut 45, a Western Flyer and a Pilot, as well as various packing cubes.

In the recent suitaces thread, I costed up my stuff and it comes to more than $800 (!)

I love them. They are all carry on size (for a respecably airline), yetthe Aeronaut holds a huge quantity of stuff.

Very durable, multiple carrying options and very versatile. I have Samsonite hard cases for long trips with my wife, but for me, business or leisure, the Tom Bihns are always the first choice.

As for VFM; they aren't cheap. For the casual user, there's probably other things out there at better price points, but I rate TB very highly.

[Doofus]

bhstewie said:

Looking for something that can take a laptop and assorted other "stuff" either for the daily slog or the occasional longer daytrip.

For your purposes, I don't think you need to look further than the Everyman Hideout Commuter on Kickstarter. Excellent price, and I'm working quite hard to invent a reason for buying one myself.

ETA: As the laptop gets larger, the Tom Bihn options get fewer.

[Shuvi McTupya]

I just can't get excited about things like this. Can someone tell me what the benefits are of a hold all that costs a couple of hundred quid?

I have various hold all type bags that comply with hand luggage regulations and they all hold about the same amount of stuff, have a few pockets and some zips. I don't think I spent more than £20 on one.

What are they missing?

[Doofus]

Shuvi McTupya said:

I just can't get excited about things like this. Can someone tell me what the benefits are of a hold all that costs a couple of hundred quid?

I have various hold all type bags that comply with hand luggage regulations and they all hold about the same amount of stuff, have a few pockets and some zips. I don't think I spent more than £20 on one.

What are they missing?

In reality, probably not much I like that I can buy packing cubes (which I do think are great, regardless of make) that are specifically made to fit my bag. I can also buy other pouches and pockets that, again, are specifically made to fit. It makes packing not only easy, but it means you really are making the most of the space in the bag. They do think quite hard about the little details (movable interior walls, which way the zips open and so on), and these things do make a difference, but probably not $100 worth.

All these accessories can be attached inside the bag using straps and D-rings. For instance, at airport security, I can take out my see-through pouch containing my liquids and it remains attached to the bag.

As I'm typing this, I can see how tedious it sounds But it's gadgets, and stuff to collect, and I'm a boy

[TheJimi]

Shuvi McTupya said:

I just can't get excited about things like this. Can someone tell me what the benefits are of a hold all that costs a couple of hundred quid?

I have various hold all type bags that comply with hand luggage regulations and they all hold about the same amount of stuff, have a few pockets and some zips. I don't think I spent more than £20 on one.

What are they missing?

Why buy *anything* more expensive than the cheapest version?

Edit, if can't get excited about stuff like this, why are you spending time responding?

Edited by TheJimi on Sunday 26th August 19:19

[Shuvi McTupya]

TheJimi said:

Why buy *anything* more expensive than the cheapest version?

Edit, if can't get excited about stuff like this, why are you spending time responding?

Well, excuuuse me!

I understand wanting to have nice things, I just wondered if maybe they were super strong, or were guaranteed to protect your laptop or something..

[TheJimi]

A bag from Tom Bihn or other similar high quality manufacturer, will last considerably longer than anything you can buy new for 20 quid.

Like most things in life, you get what you pay for.

[Frank7]

I had to Google Tom Bhin, I was thinking along the lines of Long Binh, Vietnam.

[Shuvi McTupya]

TheJimi said:

A bag from Tom Bihn or other similar high quality manufacturer, will last considerably longer than anything you can buy new for 20 quid.

Like most things in life, you get what you pay for.

I am sure you are right, i guess the funny thing with items like this is it probably doesn't really matter how long they last as the sort of people that spend big money on bags will want a new one well before they wear it out.

If we were just taking longevity into account , at £200 it would need to stand up to 200 years use to make it better value than my old hold all

Anyway my opinion really doesn't matter and didn't come here for a fight.

I will now excuse myself

[Richie C]

I have an Aeronaut, great bag. It's seen a lot of use travelling for both work and pleasure over the last 5 or so years, shows no signs of wear at all.

[bitchstewie]

Shuvi McTupya said:

I just can't get excited about things like this. Can someone tell me what the benefits are of a hold all that costs a couple of hundred quid?

I have various hold all type bags that comply with hand luggage regulations and they all hold about the same amount of stuff, have a few pockets and some zips. I don't think I spent more than £20 on one.

What are they missing?

Honestly I'd struggle to sell the benefits, yes they're well made but I just like that kind of thing I guess

You're right on your last point by the way, longevity is almost academic as it'll get replaced long before that becomes an issue.

Shoes, wine, fast cars, we all have our things

[anonymous-user]

I like such things too

I picked up a couple of zero Halliburton wheeled bags in tk max about 10 years ago and their resilience makes justifying any other bags difficult (but not impossible!)

I don’t have a bihn. Yet.

[bitchstewie]

JPJPJP said:

I like such things too

I picked up a couple of zero Halliburton wheeled bags in tk max about 10 years ago and their resilience makes justifying any other bags difficult (but not impossible!)

I don’t have a bihn. Yet.

Don't go on their website. I thought they just sold bags but when you look at all the other stuff they do it's a bit like crack if you're into that sort of thing!

[shtu]

Frank7 said:

I had to Google Tom Bhin, I was thinking along the lines of Long Binh, Vietnam.

Glad it wasn't just me.

[bitchstewie]

Small thing but for those who said you may be ordering from them, they ship UPS and I've been clobbered for import duty.

Not the fault of Tom Bihn so in no way a criticism of them and I knew it might happen, maybe it's normal for anything sent UPS these days.

[TheJimi]

How much was the customs charges? Honestly, if there's two taxes that really grind my gears it's IHT & customs.

Anyway, what did you go for?