Gym Bag

[dcphotoguy]

Your product line is very appealing. I would like to see a Tom Bihn gym bag. Something with a separate compartment for shoes. In terms of size, it should fit in a typical gym locker. I think there would be good demand for such a product. LL Bean has a nice gym bag you might be able to improve upon.

[Tom Bihn]

Great idea.

We are hoping to expand our manufacturing capacity to introduce products like you mention in early 2005.

[curious]

excellent. I've been looking for a good gym back for months and I've been sorely disappointed by the bagmakers' lack of imagination.

For a while, I used the Healthy Back Tech Bag. Good points: separate shoe compartment, lots of pockets. Weak points: shoe compartment was the base of the bag, so if I didn't have any shoes in it, it didn't sit well.

Here's what I'd like to see:
* separate shoe compartment, but the bag should be comfortable to use even if the shoe compartment is empty
* pockets for small radio, water bottle, and one or two larger pockets for miscellaneous small items.
* the bag should fit in a standard gym locker.
* and it should be comfortable to carry, not one of these behemoths that knocks against all passerby!

Can't wait to see what TB comes up with. I've had an ID bag almost since they first came out. I remember being worried that small things would fall out of the ID's big front open pocket, but it hasn't been a problem at all. I really like the small subtle touches you come up with (like the slight angling of the ID shoulder strap to make the bag lie better against the body).

Looking forward to your new creations next year!

Happy holidays!

[dcphotoguy]

Curious's criteria are good ones. I hope Tom takes on the project of making a really excellent gym bag.

[dclawyer]

Gym Bag Coming Any Time Soon?

I need a new gym bag and have been waiting since 2004. Is one on the horizon or should I look elsewhere?

[maverick]

hi dclawyer,

i think i remember darcy mention that a gym bag is planned for next year.

do you want a bag dedicated for the gym, or a bag that would carry things for the rest of your day as well as the gym?

the smart alec backpack could serve your needs for the gym and more. you can place your gym shoes in the bungee cord. your work out clothes can go inside of a packing cube. if you like to take your own toiletries to shower and get ready after your work out, you can carry them in either the 3d clear organizer cube or the clear quarter packing cube, depending on how much space your toiletries will take.

all of this will fit very comfortably inside of the smart alec, and still leave room inside of your smart alec for other things.

this video shows how the shoes fit in the bungee cord.

let me know if this sounds appealing, what else you might carry inside of the smart alec, and i can put together a video demonstrating how you might pack all of this in the smart alec.

[ratdeau]

Your product line is very appealing. I would like to see a Tom Bihn gym bag. Something with a separate compartment for shoes. In terms of size, it should fit in a typical gym locker.

Only one answer WESTERN FLYER. Perfect size and functionalities ;-)

[Darcy]

I need a new gym bag and have been waiting since 2004. Is one on the horizon or should I look elsewhere?

Tom does still plan to design a gym-specific bag. The earliest I'd guess we could see one is Spring 2010.

[dclawyer]

Trying my Aeronaut as a gym bag

While I wait for the Tom Bihn gym bag I decided I to try my Aeronaut as a gym bag and see how it does.

I would prefer a dedicated gym bag so I don't have to clean it out when I travel but I think this is worth a try. I will use one end pouch for shoes and the other for dirty clothes. The open area at one end holds my water bottle. In the main compartment I always keep bike shoes (I take spinning classes at the gym) and flip flops in a TB shoe bag for the shower and my dop kit.

Does TB make a dop kit? I haven't seen one.

I will post more after I try the Aeronaut for a while as a gym bag.

[MsMoon]

Does TB make a dop kit? I haven't seen one.

Try the kit.

[dclawyer]

Try the kit.

Thanks for the suggestion but I need one with a handle to hang from the shower when I'm at the gym.

[ex machina]

Dopp Kit

Take a look at the 3D Clear Organizer Cube. It isn't water-proof so it may not suit your in the shower need. You can get a strap for for the bag ($3) that will let you hang it. Another case to check out is the Clear Quarter Packing Cube. It has a built in loop to hang it from.

[dclawyer]

The 3D Organizer Cube is a good suggestion. I don't need it to be waterproof. I just need to hang it outside the shower at the gym.

The Aeronaut worked well this morning as a gym bag. It fit comfortably in the locker and the Absolute Shoulder Strap was comfortable. The main downside is that the main compartment zipper is stiff to open when the compartment isn't full. When I traveled with the Aeronaut the main compartment was full and it unzipped easier. I wonder if the zipper will become easier to open as the bag sees more use. But I had good places to store my water bottle, keys, shoes and dirty clothes.

[ex machina]

Glad I could help, dclawyer. Another bag that may be of interest is The Side Effect. It has a muti-functionality that may prove a boon.

As to the Aeronaut as gym bag, perhaps a foam insert would be of help? I have been contemplating making a foam insert for my Large Cafe Bag. The Large Cafe Bag while providing greater volume than my Medium Cafe Bag is more prone to a bulging bottom due to the way I pack. In using an insert to help the bag maintain shape, I would be more disciplined in my packing as I can ring the insert with pockets, vertically as well as horizontally. Sort of a 3-sided Freudian Slip for my LCB. Maybe 4 sided if I add gussets and velcro straps so I have the choice of a firm cereal box shape or a more relaxed stance that will allow the contents to more easily cause bulging should I stuff (over-stuff) the bag.

FoamOrder.Com is a place I am looking at that does custom foam cuts. Maybe for the Aeronaut a 3-sided piece (bottom and two long side walls) would fit the bill to maintain the shape of the bag, be easy on weight, yet offer added protection for the contents. I would posit that a closed cell foam would be best in that application, particularly as you may be placing wet garments in there. Firm foam, not too thick I think.

Another layout would be two wall pieces on the short sides, and 4 foam rails running from corner to corner. Still another would be a foam piece cut to the flap of the bags shape, and sewn or glued in place. Maybe even velcro'd. It would keep the flap at tension so the zipper moved more easily. Good luck.

[dclawyer]

Thanks ex machina for the suggestion. I already have a Side Effect. I think I will end up with the clear organizer or a traditional dop kit. When I leave the gym my Aeronaut is pretty full so I don't think I need the foam insert. I put my hanger and suit bag in the Aeronaut after I dress for work and that helps to fill the bag.