Gear Review: Tom Bihn Tri-Star Bag
Saturday, February 11, 2012I think I've found my Sole Mate!
Remember the time when we were still searching for the perfect partner? And we eventually did. We got our first 45L North Face Terra backpacks through R.O.X. and took those babies for a spin around Asia for 6 months. But after our homecoming, I realized how I can actually survive with much less on my back.
The moment I saw the Tri Star travel bag by Tom Bihn on Pinay on the Move's site, I was smitten! I knew I had found my perfect sole mate! You're probably thinking: "Seriously? How excited can you really get about a piece of luggage?"
Very excited as a matter of fact! I wanted him so badly I drooled on my computer screen for weeks hoping to have him as my very own. I tried joining Pinay on the Move's giveaway, but didn't get lucky that time. I just had to email them to make my wish come true. And it did.
It had been sitting on the foot of my bed for months waiting for the right trip. When I got the opportunity to travel to the US a few weeks ago, I knew it was time. Tom, as I fondly call him (in the same fashion that I call my DSLR, Gabe) was coming with me for the ultimate relationship test: 2 weeks of high speed, all over the place traveling. Here's are the 10 things I love about Tom:
1 He's very cool and stylish. I requested for the Steel Solar bag and I just love the contrast of the colors that peek through the insides. And he's beautifully hand-made with rich materials. The stitching is so perfect- he's a work of art! Sure, he's no grungy backpacker's companion. But for a few weeks of business or pleasure travel, he's The One!
2 He's eye candy. A lot of people have stopped me to ask where I got my bag. Tom is not only stylish, he's an eye catcher. He's quite a rarity in the luggage world- for his size and design, people easily take notice.
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Wrinkle proof clothing because of the straps |
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I can fit my life into this bag! |
5 He's very adaptable and versatile. You can use it as shoulder bag or backpack (with hidden straps). The backpack straps are padded and contoured and feature a removable sternum strap and an optional removable waist strap to help distribute weight and stabilize the bag to your body. And in case you get caught in unfriendly weather, the fabric is treated to be water-resistant and comes with #8 YKK splash-proof Uretek zippers to keep the weather outside where it belongs.
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Flap to protect contents and also contain water bottle |
7 Together, we rule the skies! If you're just like me who would rather have all her stuff accessible during long flights, this is the perfect bag. Tom fits perfectly in the overhead bin and even under the plane seat. Its overall dimensions are : 19″ x 13″ x 8″ / 480 x 330 x 205mm. I can grab my laptop, book, journal or long haul flight survival kit at anytime during the flight!
8 He's accessible. Both the left and right ends of the bag have padded grab handles that allow you to easily grab and pull your bag out of the overhead compartment.
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The "smartest" bag comes with a Brain Cell |
10 He can hold its own. Empty or packed, the Tri-Star it will continue to stand up on its own. The stitching and the black piping helps the bag stay in shape and upright.
No relationship is perfect. Same thing for Tom and I. Here are 3 things I still find lacking in mostmen bags.
1 He brings me down. Because of the tough material and Brain Cell, the Tri-Star tends to be on the heavy side.
2 He's a shape-shifter. Because it's rectangular, the contents need to be arranged properly to maintain the bag's shape. The material is also a bit soft which makes the back lumpy when you've been carrying it for a while or didn't pack properly.
3 He's no cheap date. Tom comes with a hefty $270 USD price tag- certainly not cheap for a travel bag. But with the labor, superior material and well-thought out design that comes with it, you can understand why!
Verdict: We're MFEO!
Tom and I are so compatible that I can overlook the 3 things I don't like so much about him. For my travel style, he's the best one-bag solution- spacious enough to fit the necessities and organized enough that I can literally live out of a suitcase! And very comfortably if I may add.
Admittedly, I’ve been through quite a few men bags since I started traveling extensively 4 years ago. Some of them have been acquired on impulse or hand me downs. And as you may know, relationships like that can never last long. Some had been exhaustively researched and deemed as investments. But somewhere along way, I've felt shortchanged when their performance turned out to be unimpressive.
No relationship is perfect. Same thing for Tom and I. Here are 3 things I still find lacking in most
1 He brings me down. Because of the tough material and Brain Cell, the Tri-Star tends to be on the heavy side.
2 He's a shape-shifter. Because it's rectangular, the contents need to be arranged properly to maintain the bag's shape. The material is also a bit soft which makes the back lumpy when you've been carrying it for a while or didn't pack properly.
3 He's no cheap date. Tom comes with a hefty $270 USD price tag- certainly not cheap for a travel bag. But with the labor, superior material and well-thought out design that comes with it, you can understand why!
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The Tom Binh Logo |
Verdict: We're MFEO!
Tom and I are so compatible that I can overlook the 3 things I don't like so much about him. For my travel style, he's the best one-bag solution- spacious enough to fit the necessities and organized enough that I can literally live out of a suitcase! And very comfortably if I may add.
This time, I've found a keeper. Could he also be The One for you?
Note: The Tri-Star Travel Bag was provided by Tom Bihn, a local company in Seattle, Washington. As always, review and opinion are my own.
Happy with her Sole Mate,
Sole Sister Lois
Happy with her Sole Mate,
Sole Sister Lois
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4 sole trails
That is one ideal sole-mate! A bit pricey, but of quality naman :D
ReplyDeleteAnd I blame you for making me in love with Aeronaut, and you brought me down. That, I believe perfectly made for me. :((
ReplyDeleteCuz can you bring home 1 for me.. it will also be easier for me to travel with this bag..
ReplyDeleteLove your review. Tom is a total ladies man. :) The only thing I wish he had was wheels!
ReplyDelete