When I moved to the Boston area and began commuting two years ago, I asked ProfHacker readers to recommend a good backpack for commuting. So many recommended Tom Bihn backpacks that I got one, and I loved it. So when I was preparing for a series of work-related trips this spring, I wanted to test out Tom Bihn’s travel bags for these 2- or 3-night trips. The company provided me with an Aeronaut, a Tri-Star, and a Pilot bag so I could test them all, along with a set of packing cubes and pouches to keep them organized (That previous line serves also as my full disclosure. I did not pay for these test bags, which I realize are relatively expensive. As such, my review will not take cost into consideration as I know readers will when weighing a purchase.). I have used the Tri-Star and Aeronaut on two trips apiece, and the Pilot more frequently (more on that below).
Tom Bihn’s travel line is specifically aimed at business travelers making relatively short trips. The Tri-Star is best suited for 2 days worth of clothing (perhaps 3 if the weather is warm), while the Aeronaut holds 3-4 days worth. Both eschew many typical carry-on trappings—in particular, neither has wheels or handles. Instead, both are carried, either as over-the-shoulder duffel bags or, using straps hidden in a zippered back compartment, as backpacks. Before testing the bags, I was very unsure how well this would work for me. I did not know whether carrying all my luggage would be comfortable at all. And, I should say, if you have physical limitations—back problems come immediately to mind as one possibility—these bags may not be for you at all. With that said, I was surprised at how well these bags worked for short trips, for a number of reasons:
- As backpacks, they are both surprisingly easy to carry, even when fully loaded with clothes and, because I’m an English professor, a few books. Certainly the bags are heavier than an everyday work pack, but carrying them felt not unlike carrying a hiking backpack. The bags are well constructed and the wide straps distribute the weight evenly, so I never felt uncomfortable. That was not necessarily true trying to use the shoulder strap—I quickly gave up on carrying the bags over my shoulder, which did hurt after only a little while.
- Because the bags have less apparatus to manage (the handle, the wheels), I find I can move more quickly through crowds on the way to the airport—which for my is typically a journey from subway to shuttle to terminal—and inside the airport, where I no longer have to navigate a trailing wheeled bag through the press. I’m sure in practice this doesn’t save all that much time, but I find I feel more mobile with my luggage on my back.
- Because the space in the bags is relatively constrained, I’ve been more economical when packing. In the past I’ve always packed far too much, and end up throwing in clothes, extra shoes, and more “just in case.” The Tom Bihn bags force more careful planning, and I find myself coming home with a suitcase full of dirty laundry that I can simply unload and wash. Again, small victories, but appreciated.
- Finally, these bags both fit so easily into every overhead compartment I’ve encountered, even on smaller commuter planes. In the past I’ve often stressed—as you do, I suppose—about whether my bag is really small enough to be a carry on. I never want to pay to check the bag, so I would bring it through security anyway, and often struggle to fit it in the compartment or have to gate check the bag. Those are, perhaps, personal anxieties you do not share, but I’ve appreciated letting go of those worries. These bags are quite compact, and even the larger Aeronaut fits easily, often squeezing into extra space between other passengers’ bags where I suspect few other full-sized carry-ons would fit.
- I continue to dig the modularity of Tom Bihn’s system. Given how compact these bags are, they do include plenty of pockets, sleeves, and compartments for all the kinds of things I typically bring with me. With an assortment of packing cubes and pouches I can separate my luggage by kind‐workout clothes in one, t-shirts in another, etc.—and quickly unpack at the hotel by moving the cubes into drawers. I wasn’t sure if I would like the extra step of using packing cubes, but I’ve found that the system helps, again, with planning what I really need and makes keeping my stuff organized while traveling much simpler.
- Tom Bihn’s bags are, to put it simply, incredibly well made. They look great, are incredibly durable, and will (I have no doubt) last a very long time. My years-old backpacks still look brand-new, and the same attention to detail is evidence in these travel bags. While I know the bags are costly, I suspect they would repay the investment, particularly for readers who find the bags fit their travel style.
I went into this test expecting to prefer the smaller Tri-Star bag, but found myself using the Aeronaut by choice once I’d thoroughly tested each bag. I found it a bit tough to fit the clothes I needed for even a 3 night trip into the Tri-Star. This may be because it was still relatively chilly during my testing trips, and I had to pack bulkier items like sweaters. I’m planning to test the Tri-Star again for a trip this coming week, now that the weather is warmer.
As you can probably tell, I’ve been a big fan of the Tom Bihn bags during this testing period. Certainly they aren’t perfect. As I wrote above, they are probably not the right choice if you have physical limitations that would make carrying luggage taxing. They’re also probably not suited for longer trips. I will be traveling internationally this summer, and I’m not sure these bags will do the trick. EDIT: Having written this, I was referred to Alexandra Guerson’s post about using the Aeronaut for a 1-month trip to Europe, which convinces me to give these bags a try during my own international trip. But for conference travel, they have been ideal, and I would highly recommend them if they fit the way you travel and your budget.
One more thing...
As a side note, I mentioned above that Tom Bihn also allowed me to test their Pilot carry-on travel bag. This bag is not for clothes, but instead for those things you would want close at hand during a flight—a laptop, perhaps one book, pens, Kindle. It’s quite compact compared even to the Smart Alec backpack I reviewed two years ago. I’ve found that I’m carrying this bag quite often during my commute itself, rather than the Smart Alec. Unless I have a lot of books to carry, the smaller Pilot works just as well for getting to campus and class, and it’s easier to carry. In addition, I feel the Pilot looks a bit more professional than a backpack. So if you’re looking for a compact commuter bag, the Pilot might be your answer.