Greetings and welcome to my review of Tom Bihn’s Brain Bag. A complete Tom Bihn Brain Bag Review for our users to get more in-depth information about the bag. One of the most popular and most durable bags on the market today is Tom Bihn’s Brain bag…
What level of confidence do you have in it to fulfill the demands of a daily carry backpack? Is it adaptable enough to be used in a variety of situations? Is it portable enough to carry with you wherever – to work, on weekend trips, and so on?
In order to assist you, our Tom Bihn Brain bag review attempts to dissect every component of the bag so that you can determine whether or not the bag is the best tool for the task. Continue reading to find out!
Tom Bihn Brain Bag Review:
Briggs & Riley @Work Large Cargo Backpack
Specifications:
- Manufacturer: Briggs & Riley
- Model number: KP436-4
- Weight: 3.08 pounds
This highly mobile backpack features the ultimate laptop and tablet protection plus a place for all your files in an intelligent, lightweight design. Fits most 15.6″ laptops
Tom Bihn’s goal of starting his own company began when he was ten years old and built a bag for himself in his father’s garage workshop. For more than 40 years, Tom Bihn has designed travel bags, slings, backpacks, and briefcases that have been praised by numerous customers for their durability, efficiency, and comfort.
Tom Bihn and his 47 staff design and produce all of their bags and accessories at their warehouse in Seattle, Washington, where they are headquartered. Because they are a B Corporation, its production and work ethics are in compliance with environmental regulations.
The company is a member of the 1 percent For The Planet organization, which donates one percent of its gross sales to environmental non-profits that work on problems such as sustainability and renewable energy, reforestation, and wildlife conservation.
Over the years, the brand has built a reputation for producing high-quality bags made of the highest-quality materials that are built to last.
1. Design and Quality are important Considerations
I’ll be honest with you: the Brain bag isn’t very appealing. It has a technological, almost industrial feel about it, which I really like. The outside is cluttered because of the many pockets, and there are eight different color combinations to pick from.
While its appearance will not appeal to you, the fact that it is durable and focused on functionality will. These are the selling aspects of this product. Thanks to Tom Bihn’s lifetime warranty on all of his products, you may use this bag however you want and for as long as you want.
This is the bag you should choose if you want to travel extensively or use it for heavy-duty purposes. Aside from that, it practically consumes anything you put into it. With a 36L size, you’ll appreciate the tremendous amount of room, pockets, and organizational features that this bag provides.
Overall, this is a fantastic backpack that is really well constructed, and when you add extras to it, it becomes even better.
2. Construction Materials and Techniques
First and foremost, Tom Bihn manufactures high-quality bags using only the highest-quality materials that are guaranteed to last a lifetime. To make matters even better, the hardware components used are not only long-lasting but are also produced from ecologically and socially responsible materials that have been bluesign® certified.
The outside of the bag is lined with 210D Ballistic nylon, and the bag is constructed with 525D Ballistic nylon. These materials are not only durable, but they are also resistant to tearing and scuffing, ensuring that your bag retains its cool feel over extended periods of time.
A 1050D Ballistic nylon is used for the bottom of the bag, which is strong enough to handle the rigors of large loads and regular usage as an EDC case would need. In addition, the water-resistant zippers, which are constructed of DWR, feature flaps to prevent rain from seeping in through the zippers.
Because they are made by YKK, they are smooth rolling and come with Cord Zipper Pulls to make them easier to operate. Moving on to the hardware, the buckles and associated compartments are made by Duraflex, ITW, and Woojin, among other companies.
Other features of note in the bag are the O-rings, which will be seen on a number of occasions. You may attach goods such as pouches and other accessories supplied by Tom Bihn into practically every compartment, allowing you to load more and more conveniently as the bag grows in size.
This is a large bag, measuring 36 liters, however, depending on your point of view, it might be a good thing or a disadvantage. Due to the presence of external pockets and two main expandable sections, this big bag is ideal as a business travel bag, or even as an everyday carry if you like to bring along the majority of your belongings.
In terms of branding, the bag displays the Tom Bihn quality trademark as well as the red aircraft signature and the brand’s wordmark-a logo to be proud of thanks to the Tom Bihn quality trademark.
3. Fit and Comfort are important Considerations
The rear of the bag is composed of highly cushioned closed-cell foam that is reinforced with high-quality spacer mesh to provide a high level of ventilation and comfort when traveling.
Moving on to the shoulder straps, they are comfortable and supportive, despite the fact that they are not densely cushioned. They are also robust enough to carry hefty weights. I’ll confess that the harness system on this backpack isn’t the best-made I’ve seen when compared to other bags, but it does the job.
In addition, a detachable chest strap is supplied; you can choose whether or not to use it, but it is beneficial, particularly when you’re fully laden and rushing through the airport. Even better, the chest strap can be adjusted up and down, allowing you to select the position that is most comfortable for you – higher or lower down the chest.
It is possible to remove the waist straps from the bag as well as it comes with a very nice, well-padded handle that makes carrying the bag easier. The beauty of this bag is that it is pleasant to carry on your back even when it is fully laden, and it does not seem awkward or cumbersome in any way.
When such a scenario arises, two compression straps are extremely helpful, one on each side of the body. Having two compression straps ensures that the bag stays firmly in place. There are two main storage compartments, four external pockets, and nine O-rings placed on the exterior of the bag – but who is counting? The Brain Bag is unrivaled when it comes to storage capacity.
We will be taking a look at all of them in this Tom Bihn Brain bag review. Quick-access top pocket with a snap hook for attaching your keys and keeping your sunglasses, passport, or phone close to hand is provided.
The bag is furthermore equipped with a flap covering that prevents water from seeping in whenever it rains. A couple of pens, a passport, a small notepad, a wallet, a bar of chocolate, and other items may be stored in the two large vertical front pockets that are studded with pen organizers on each side of the bag.
The left pocket is divided into two sections: an open section with mesh for tiny objects, and a zipped section with organizing compartments on the inside. You may use a snake charmer to arrange your cords and slide them in there without difficulty, with no issue at all.
A pair of lash straps are located between the vertical pockets, and they may be used to attach goods such as an umbrella, raincoat, picnic mat, or anything else you like. If you want, you can connect an umbrella or water bottle to the snap hook above the straps.
Compression straps: Having two compression straps on both sides makes it easy to tuck your yoga mat or sweatshirt away while you’re out doing your thing. There are a lot of O-rings: If you’re acquainted with Tom Bihn bags, you’ll know that they come with O-rings strategically positioned in various portions of the bag to keep everything together.
This case has nine pockets: three in the main compartment behind the camera, three more in the main compartment in front of it, one in the little pocket on top, one in the left pocket on the side, and one more in the right pocket on the side. Front main compartment: What it lacks in order here, it more than makes up for in sheer volume of storage capacity.
Clothing or large-sized packing cubes may be thrown in there since it is so spacious. It should be noted, however, that since the bag is deep, if you throw little objects in it, it may be difficult to find them afterward.
Believe me when I say that a snake charmer or a set of packing cubes would save you a lot of time and effort in your frenzied quest. In the front compartment, you have two rail loops to which you can attach a cache (if you purchase one), which lets you remove your laptop from the bag while it is still securely fastened.
The main compartment at the back of the backpack is huge as well as spacious, which means you may be able to fit your laptop (s), clothing, and/or shoes depending on the occasion. There is no false bottom to safeguard your laptop if you just slide it inside the bag with no additional protection.
Although, it is in your best interest if you choose to get a well-padded and really comfortable Freudian slip in order to keep your laptop safe from harm.
4. Add-ons by Tom Bihn
It is possible that you will need to purchase a few accessories in addition to the bag in order to have the best organization and protection for your belongings. The following are examples of what they are:
Padded hip belt: If you want to be especially comfortable, you may get a padded hip belt at an additional expense to you. Cache– Available in a variety of sizes to accommodate anything from the iPad mini to the 11-inch Macbook Air, it is well-padded to protect your equipment while also being convenient to have.
The Freudian slip is a little slip that is designed to fit inside the Brain bag. It is available in three different colors. It’s an add-on that you’ll have to purchase separately, but it has to organize slips that allow you to arrange your pens, notes, Kindle, and iPhone, as well as provide excellent protection for your laptop.
And, as a result, the issue of a lack of false bottom protection is resolved as a whole. Snake charmer: a little bag that may be used to store and organize cables or toiletry items. It can be stowed in the exterior side pocket or thrown into either of the main compartments as needed.
In conclusion, this is a well-made and solid tote bag. Depending on how you want to use it, you can easily transport computers (yes, I am aware that the word “laptops” is plural), tablets, cables, books, and pretty much anything else, even a kitchen sink!
5. Price
An extremely strong bag, the Tom Bihn brain bag is also pretty pricey, as one would anticipate given its high-end design. In addition to that, you may be required to purchase four or more accessories, each of which adds to the overall cost.
While they are not required – you may use the bag without them – it is recommended that you purchase them. When it comes to value for money, however, if you can afford them, they are the best option.
6. Warranty
I would like to point out that Tom Bihn stands by the quality of the Brain bag and gives a Lifetime Guarantee on this product. However, if your bag is damaged as a consequence of a manufacturing error, the company will replace it at no additional charge to you.
In the event of damage that is not due to the manufacturer’s negligence, Tom Bihn will be able to remedy the situation for you at an affordable price at their factory in Seattle, located in Washington state.
7. Users’ Opinions and Recommendations
Despite the fact that this is a sturdy and well-constructed backpack, it is still missing a few basics. First and foremost, the add-on attachments are distinct from the bag, and consumers would have liked it if they had been included in the bag design from the start.
Furthermore, the overall appearance and aesthetic design of this bag are below ordinary. According to my study, this is one of the characteristics of the bag that individuals are less enthusiastic about.
Furthermore, the pack does not have a fake bottom to protect your laptop (you will have to pay an additional fee for this basic choice), nor does it have a stylish external design to attract attention. I have rated the Tom Bihn Brain backpack 4.8 stars out of 5 stars because of this.
- Durable construction with high-quality materials
- Can hold a large amount of gear and supplies
- Comfortable to wear, even for extended periods of time
- Multiple pockets and compartments for organization
- Limited color options
- No dedicated laptop compartment
- Some users may find the bag too bulky or heavy
Conclusion:
If you are looking for a bag that is both durable and utilitarian, a Tom Bihn bag is a great choice. While the appearance may not be appealing, the bag’s versatility allows it to be used as a work bag as well as a travel bag due to its large capacity.
If you have the financial means, it is a sound investment that will provide you with years and years of service. As we discussed in our review of the Tom Bihn Brain bag we looked at the bag’s positive, negative, and ugly features in order to help you make an educated purchase choice.
In the meantime, if you still have a question, feel free to leave it in the comment section below. Perhaps you’ve had the pleasure of possessing a Tom Bihn bag at some point or another. Could you please tell us what your experience with it has been? Could you please let us know what you think in the comment section below? It would be great to hear your comments.
It’s functional, but not attractive, and it requires extra accessories to fully utilize.
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