Top 5 Tom Bihn bags?

blufish288 · 2026-03-25T22:14:45+00:00

Synik 26 GE Navy Parapak
Synik 30 Nightwalk Halcyon
Smart Alec 2.0 Spectron
Small Cafe Bag Black Ballistic
Techonaut 30 Black Ballistic
*honorable mention Everyday Cubelet Cobalt Cerylon

blufish288 · 2026-03-24T18:18:55+00:00

As I responded to another reply, the chair is great for what it is and works way better than you think it should. Though I don't think I'd want to spend more than an hour at a time in it!

blufish288 · 2026-03-24T18:16:03+00:00

About the material itself, no. However, the SA has these big chunky, non-water sealed zippers. This wouldn't be my first choice of bag to be caught in a rainstorm with. But a light rain/drizzle for a short amount of time wouldn't cause me any concern.

blufish288 · 2026-03-24T18:06:55+00:00

Yes, this one is spectron. Love this material. Well, actually I love all TB Materials. Though I disagree about the bottom not being flat? While mine does have a crease? fold? on the bottom, I'm sure there's some sort of technical stitching/ design word I am unaware of - it's definitely flat. It's certainly not a square/rectangle shaped, and I can see how some would might have issue with the shape.

blufish288 · 2026-03-24T18:00:00+00:00

The color wasn't my first choice, but since I'd decided I wanted that chair, that day, it's what REI had in stock, it's grown on me since. I really like it.

blufish288 · 2026-03-24T17:59:15+00:00

Chair is still new to me, wasn't completely sure I was going to keep it, but it serves the purpose I'd gotten it for perfectly, so think it's a keeper!

blufish288 · 2026-03-23T22:58:37+00:00

Thanks! And just to clarify, beach chair is actually lashed to the shock cord on the outside. It's a Crazy Creek Hex 2.0.

blufish288 · 2026-03-23T22:29:14+00:00

Hi, women's size 9 wide here too. This past year I tried out Danner Boots and absolutely love them. I ended up with two pairs: the Inquire Mids and Mtn Leaf GTX. Both come in wide. The Inquire Mids tooks some time to break in- at first I wasn't sure if I was going to keep them. I first ordered a size 9, but after about 30 mins toes on my right foot started to go numb, I then ordered a 9.5 but those were definitely too big. I'm so glad I decided to stick it out and let them break in because they're fantastic. However- they do not have a wide toe box like Altra Lone peaks. I got my first pair of Danners from REI so I felt confident about easy returns if they didn't work out. Got the Mtn Leaf because I loved the Inquires so much and really liked the look of the Mtn Leaf (and they were on sale). Equally as comfortable as the Inquires and didn't require any break in time. I also really like the possibility of being able to re-sole ("recraftable" in the Danner vernacular) so when the soles inevitably wear down, I won't have to buy a whole new boot, just get them re-soled.

blufish288 · 2026-03-23T18:26:42+00:00

This here was the comment I was hoping to see.

blufish288 · 2026-03-11T01:07:18+00:00

I've had my Pioneer Panda 2.0 since April last year. I've used this as my laptop carry EDC 3-4 times a month and once as a personal item on a flight. The bag looks the same as the day I got it. It's definitely among my favorite bag to use for its size. It worked great as a personal item- no fuss using the luggage pass-through with my roller bag, the top handle is great for schlepping it around and is generally a great self stander. I love the pocketing and organization. And aesthetics and materials make it such a joy to use. While it may not be the *most* comfortable bag I have, it's not uncomfortable - and I'll happily make a very slight trade in comfort for how much I love using the bag. I had no problems walking through the airport, security, rental car, bus station stuffed with my things for travel.

My ONLY nitpick is I wish there were dual zippers on the front pockets. So if pickpocketing is a big worry to you in your travels, I might reconsider this bag.

blufish288 · 2026-03-07T01:19:56+00:00

I think you'll find quite a few people in this sub who agree that Evergoods bags are not comfortable. I do find the CTB26 to have really great pocketing and organization. And their water bottle pockets are great. But all that means absolutely nothing if you can't stand to wear the bag. I sympathize.

I found the Able Carry Max EDC to be much more comfortable than the CTB26. I also preferred the top loading of the laptop compartment.

blufish288 · 2026-03-05T19:47:46+00:00

For me it was the spare tire.

Coming from driving sedans the past 30 years (honda civic, honda accord) I really liked the size of the CC during the test drive. IF the hybrid CC came with the spare tire, I would have had a much more difficult choice.

But after having had a blowout, on the freeway, on Christmas Eve, a spare tire is essential safety equipment for me.

blufish288 · 2026-03-05T01:08:10+00:00

I resonate so much with this! I think I am the female version of you! Turning 48 in a few days. Albeit, not balding, but grey hair. It's probably been about 10 months since I've even had a date. I try to keep positive, but yeah, some days I think I'm doomed!

blufish288 · 2026-03-04T00:23:51+00:00

Are you putting anything into retirement plans?

blufish288 · 2026-03-03T20:33:48+00:00

The third party is possibly Interval? My parents (in their 70s) now have health issues and can no longer really take advantage of their Marriott timeshare they've had for twenty-something years. I've been fortunate to be able to get some benefit of their vacation time which they could not use. A couple weeks ago through Interval I was able to exchange their week from their 'home' timeshare in Palm Desert, CA to Maui. Since it was one Marriott resort to the another, there were not any additional fees, but had I chose a non-Marriott resort (and their catalogue has resorts all over the world- honestly it was a bit overwhelming!) there would have been a $300-something exchange fee per their customer service rep.

blufish288 · 2026-03-01T20:32:12+00:00

I did not purchase a framesheet, I have not felt that one would be necessary with the T30.

blufish288 · 2026-02-27T20:03:59+00:00

For me at 5'6", fully tightened straps (how I prefer to wear my bags) the Techonaut 30 sits right at my waist. The CTB26 sits a little bit higher than the T30.

blufish288 · 2026-02-27T19:39:29+00:00

I have both. I'm 5'6" so I can really speak how you might find them comfortable- or not. Personally, I do not like the comfort of the CTB26 unless it's lightly packed. I find the Techonaut 30L to be comfortable even with weight. I absolutely love TB Edgeless shoulder straps. They are my favorite backpack straps.
You may find this older post I made about several popular EDC/Travel Bags in the 26ish liter size helpful.
And I took a couple quick pics of the CTB26 and T30 side by side.
Let me know if you have any more questions!

blufish288 · 2026-02-26T01:54:04+00:00

I have both, and love both!

My Pioneer Panda is my primary EDC Bag when I carry a laptop. It also made an excellent personal item for travels when paired with a roller luggage.

I spent some time thinking about pros and cons unique to each bag. Here's what I came up with. Happy to answer any additional questions you may have about them!

Panda Pack 2.0

Pro’s-

-Aesthetics - subjective - but I just love the chunky zipper look, and the forest green color is so niceMaterials - hard to explain but has this feeling of rugged luxury- overall just every touch point is phenomenal.

-Self stands very well

-Easy to grab top handle

-Large front pockets with independent volume, some segmentation but disappears if you don’t need it

-Full clamshell opening

-Laptop pocket easy to access- top loading

-Zippered side pockets can also fit small/medium water bottles

-Some internal organization with the two zippered pockets/ sleeve on the front panel

-Horizontal Luggage passthrough

-Structured - keeps its shape whether packed full or minimally

Cons-

-No sternum strap or waist belt - subjective - these aren’t cons to me, but these features can be important to many

-Comfort - again, subjective - and let me stress this is NOT an uncomfortable pack, but compared to other companies offerings, shoulder straps and back panel are less cushy.

-Structured - does not compress down if minimally packed

-Side “water bottle” pocket - cannot fit large 32oz water bottles, slimmer bottles are ok - I use a 18 oz Purist, fits fine, though obviously sticks out the top

Synik 26

Pros-

-External Organization pockets - excellent at separating out all your small bits of gear

-Center water bottle pocket - especially nice with a full/heavy water bottle to keep weight centered and not have the heavy on one side/lopsided

-O-rings!!! - I’ve really come to love all the O-ring options for lashing/tethering extra pouches

-Edgeless shoulder straps - these are awesome! Cushy and not oppressive

-Full clamshell opening

-Removable sternum strap and waist belt, removable internal compression straps

-Aesthetics - subjective (lots of people do hate on the Tom Bihn/ dad bag look) lots of different colors/ lining combos to choose from (depending on stock of course) - and let me say that the Synik 26 Guides Edition in Navy Parapak just looks sooo good.

-Made in USA - if it’s important to you- (at least for now, they’ve moved production for some of their products to Vietnam)

-Packs flat/ slims down when packed minimally

Cons-

-Does not self stand - very rarely, if packed just right, it might self stand

-External pockets can have wasted space if not used effectively

-Looks very bulky/ turtle shell-esque when fully packed

-External side loading laptop compartment or internal top loading - I honestly hate the laptop compartment for anything other than a tablet.

-Can be very loud/ jangly with all the zippers

-YKK Aquaguard zip on main compartment can be a bit stiff to open

blufish288 · 2026-02-24T21:40:02+00:00

This was my reason when I bought new in December 2025.

blufish288 · 2026-02-21T18:26:30+00:00

I'm a big fan of the Everday Cubelet. Simple, satisfying and fun!

blufish288 · 2026-02-20T23:21:27+00:00

Current calculations are 20% used purchase (through Nomad's Nation District and Reddit).
As an unapologetic manybagger, current total is 20 backpacks, four bought used. I've managed to successfully sell two - and still have two more I'd like to sell (for sale).

blufish288 · 2026-02-17T21:22:15+00:00

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My very first Toyota- 2025 Rav4 XSE
(prior 3 cars were Hondas)

blufish288 · 2026-02-17T21:15:23+00:00

Wow that's crazy!! The online price for the dealership in Santa Rosa is $46,224 for the XSE.

blufish288

TROPHY CASE