New Accessory Suggestion: buckle system for attaching bag to your pants' belt

[ex machina]

Hi all,
I'm new to the Tom Bihn crowd. I have a Horizontal Freudian Slip enroute as I write this. My first TB purchase. Before that even gets here I am sorting out my next purchase, which will likely be a medium cafe bag and lots of key straps and pouches. I'm a big man, (6'1'', closing on 400lbs). Using a waist strap would be like throwing an anchor line for a boat. I doubt the waist strap would be long enough anyway. What would work well for me is a 2 piece accessory: a buckle system (Warrior or seat belt) that allows me to add the female end to my belt. I always wear a belt. So why not utilize that? If I was able to just add the buckle to my own belt, say with a velcro wrap, I could then just clip the bag using a male buckle end that is attached to the bag. I see this is as more of an optional accessory that would be useful with any bag that has a waist strap. It would replace the waist strap utilizing the same fittings, preferably adjustable so one size fits most TB bags that have the waist strap option, and could be swapped out quickly if the standard strap was to be used (for the svelter set). I envision the bag side of this 2 piece system to me a strap that runs between the two waist strap connection points and has a male buckle attached at 90 degrees to the width strap. perhaps with an adjust cinch. This could also be used to tranfer some of the load from my shoulder to my belt. I like the idea of being able to keep the bag in front of me when walking in the city, and this would do the trick. I am also considering commissioning a local tailor to make this adaptation for me. Any thoughts or comments on my idea?

[ex machina]

An added thought.

I'm not sure which side would be best for the female buckle, my belt or the bag. Any ideas?

[ex machina]

Maybe even a velcro system instead of buckles? Or a carabiner? Or a kinda claw clamp, such as some key rings use, to secure to a belt loop? I like that last one a lot.

[ex machina]

Keyring type attachment to belt photo

While perusing the forum, I came across a photo of a key ring type I mentioned earlier in this thread that could be used for connecting the bag the bag to a belt loop.



The idea of attaching it to a belt loop is more of keeping the bag in place than of sharing the weight bearing load. A quick easy way to keep the bag from bouncing around, etc. Its also a nice way to keep the bag in front of you, say on a crowded city street.

[ex machina]

Just had another thought on this. A flap, or tuck pocket on the back of the bag to hide/contain the buckle/clamp when not in use would be neat.

[backpack]

I am sure Tom is working on a similar solution.

In the meantime, you could ask for a bigger waist strap.

Completely relating since I am plump and average height (5.7)


I have 2 Large and 1 Small Cafe Bag, they are great Bags but the Small looks
really small on me, I am happy because I can use it as a purse. (it has a cute color)

I think the Medium Cafe Bag could look similarly diminutive on you, a Large Cafe Bag would give you more capacity and a better scale.

But if the capacity of the Medium Cafe Bag is exactly what you need, go for it.

Below is Tom Bihn blog where you can see pictures of people carrying the bags. (you will have to scroll down to see picture of people with their Cafe Bags)

http://www.tombihn.com/blog/pictures

It is very informative, when I bought my first Cafe Bag, there was only the picture of the lady at Burning Man with her Medium Cafe Bag.


I hope this post is helpful to you

[ex machina]

Tnx backpack. Some of the photos I saw there were ones that helped inform my decision on going with the medium. But, as you point out, not a lot of large models with the bags. I think it will be ok, as I want a bag that will carry my stuff daily, not be too much like a purse (I have a mercilessly razzing family , and be roomy enough to hold extras. I want to add a shop bag down the line for when I need extra storage space on the fly.

I also have a camera coming in from Amazon so I will be posting pictures of myself with the bag, and doing a complete bag review (after an appropriate period of usage -say a month or two) with lots of photos. I found the reviews and photos others did very helpful and I would just like to add to that resource.

[backpack]

Tnx backpack. Some of the photos I saw there were ones that helped inform my decision on going with the medium. But, as you point out, not a lot of large models with the bags. I think it will be ok, as I want a bag that will carry my stuff daily, not be too much like a purse (I have a mercilessly razzing family , and be roomy enough to hold extras. I want to add a shop bag down the line for when I need extra storage space on the fly.

I also have a camera coming in from Amazon so I will be posting pictures of myself with the bag, and doing a complete bag review (after an appropriate period of usage -say a month or two) with lots of photos. I found the reviews and photos others did very helpful and I would just like to add to that resource.

The more I read your posts, the more I realized the Medium size is perfect for your needs. (Just wanted to be helpful)

[ex machina]

I out-thunk me-self :P

The more I read your posts, the more I realized the Medium size is perfect for your needs. (Just wanted to be helpful)

You were right the first time. I am returning the medium cafe for an Imago. This thread is where I went into more detail on it. Tnx Backpack for your input all the same.

*This message is more so for some future reader following my bag choice and the elements of it than letting backpack know where the conversation continued as backpack is already well established in the dialogue over there. :P

[backpack]

There are worse thing to overthink one self than the choice of a Tom Bihn bag

Loved the dialogue ex-machina