What Are Your Tom Bihn Bag Acquisition Strategies?

[ex machina]

So I am starting this thread to see what people are planning to get next. Cause lets face it: once you have one Tom Bihn bag, you will have more Tom Bihn bags. It's right up there with sex and pistachio nuts: you can't stop at one.

Now the rule of thumb for this thread is what bags are you planning to buy, and what niche will they be used to fill for you. Now of course the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry. In the Tom Bihn 'verse that means a new color combo or bag style is released and WHAM there go the plans as suddenly you have this preemptive acquisition event suddenly manifest itself. So, the unplanned acquisitions to the side (unless you plan for them as well), what are you planning to get for say your next three bags?

For myself, I have a Linen Medium Cafe Bag currently on pre-order. But in the interest of full disclosure, that was a gotta-have-that-bag event. Unplanned. Just had to have it. My next PLANNED bags are the Empire Builder and the Tristar. Depending on when funds are available, and what my travel plans at that time are like, will influence the order of acquisition. I am considering the Zephyr too, but it will likely be either the Zephyr OR the Empire Builder. It just dawned on me, that I will likely lean toward the Zephyr. Well, today anyway. (Who am I kidding; isn't it inevitable that I will eventually have both? :P )

I also want the Aeronaut, but am just not traveling enough at present to warrant bumping it up in the order. However, if the green version is released again... One thing I have learned here is if you like a color combo, buy it. It won't necessarily be around if you wait.

The Zephyr as a school textbook/class organizer, the Tristar for travel (at present mostly Florida, if at all) , and the MCB wil be a rotating EDC.

So, what's your bag plan?

[DQBunny]

My next planned bags are one of the carry-ons: The Aeronaut, Tri-Star or Western Flyer.

I'd like a bag that would hold clothes up to 5 days (since when I usually travel I can access a washing machine in that amount of time), and still give me a bit of room to bring stuff back with me -- especially if I'm going to the UK. At the same time, I'd love for it to double as an overnight bag should I need it. Along with the bag, I'd like to get some packing cubes and a 3-1-1 bag for my toiletries.

Other than that, I eventually want to get a Swift for my knitting and felt projects, and a couple of Shop Bags for groceries.

[gmanedit]

Synapse Freudian Slip. My fingers itch for an Ultrasuede Large Cafe Bag, but it may turn out that I use the Synapse exclusively on a daily basis and retire the LCB I already have, so it would be hard to justify replacing it.

[MagicTiki]

My strategy has been to not overlap functionality, because my bags are a part of my daily life and I would hate to have to choose one over the other. For those reasons I have the ID and Brain Bag now, but I am keen to add an Aeronaut and a Medium Cafe Bag to the arsenal for traveling.

The Cafe Bag is a tough sell, because my wife is not sold on the "man purse" (yet). But I shall be victorious and patient... the ultrasuede may be the winner!

I should point out, however, that I like to add accessories to enhance the arsenal from time to time. I currently have an absolute shoulder strap, organizer waller, padded pouch, snake charmer, fruedian slip, and soft cell. I have a short list of accessories to go with these when I make my next bag purchase to fill in some needs: packing cubes, more organizer pouches, and a long key strap. Oh, and my car sticker.

[gargoyle]

My dear spouse ordered me the following yesterday:

1. Steel/Solar Tri-Star.
2. Navy/Solar Synapse.
3. Absolute Shoulder Strap.

Unfortunately they are both on back order so the waiting begins!

My strategy:

Use the Tri-Star for one-bag travel. The Synapse will be used as a work/day pack. I plan on selling or giving away all my old bags of a similar size/purpose once I get the TB bags.

[ex machina]

@ DQBunny: I have the original shop bag but I would like to acquire the larger version too. I now have a bunch of Home Depot nylon bags I use for big shopping. I can usually fit a weeks shopping in one bag. They are very good for what they are. Though no padded handles, they do have a lockable top and a plastic bar system that helps the bag maintain a wide shape. I am very pleased with the purchase of them but they lack the luxury of the Tom Bihn Shop Bag.

When I am shopping and my plans are small enough to fit in the shop bag, I use that. It's such a great bag. The poron handles make a huge difference and the pockets (I usually use it inside out) are just so good when getting soda. Also, I get compliments and inquiries when I use it. Kind of like having a cute puppy. :P

I much prefer using the shop bag to other bags I have used (including the home depot ones) and I do plan to add the new larger size of the shop bag to my collection. The poron handles make a big difference. Shopping is less anxiety ridden when the bag ( I try to avoid using a cart) isn't biting into your hand. I like getting to the register, unpacking my bag, and then repacking it. They can keep the landfill clogging plastic. I am also interested in the utility tote.

On the Tristar, I think it can hold my entire current wardrobe (sans winter coat and a couple of sports jackets.) (ex machina <--- not a clothes hound.) I currently use 4 ebags packing cubes (acquisitions begun before I knew of Tom's ingenious variants) to store my wardrobe, and another 2 cubes to store an emergency spare set of clothes (read old stuff I don't wear but will use in a pinch), and a cache of spare socks. I think the Tri-Star is the best travel bag for me. So I will be getting one, but as travel doesn't seem on the agenda soon, other bags are taking precedent. I will add as accessories to my Tri-Star purchase the Shoulder Bag and Backpack Packing Cubes. I already have a Horizontal Freudian Slip. I too would like a 3-1-1 bag. The 3D Clear Organizer Cube seems just the thing. For that I will get the optional shoulder strap. I like being able to hang up my dopp kit, and I like the idea of easily hanging it on my shoulder for quick processing at the airport. I take the professional line, and I like to be as expedient as possible. I resent when others take the line but don't know how to process quickly. It's a pet peeve. :P.

@gmanedit:The Freudian Slip (Vertical version: here) is great. I have one, and it really didn't become apparent how nifty it is until I started actually using it in a bag. It makes a difference. A great accessory.

@MagicTiki: I use my bags daily too, but my bag needs change as well. When I have classes I am using more bags than when I don't. I try to set my bags to have it that I have dedicated bags for each subject, or a big enough bag for classes that fall on a night with two subjects, to carry both. I carry in my EDC cafe bag the stuff I need in every class (e.g. pencil pouch). This way I just grab that bag for study or class when I need it. Between semesters the bags lie dormant waiting. I like that when I have the need, the bags are there. I also like that they are bags I can rely on. I also have the #1 car sticker (x2), its on my Moleskin.

@gargoyle: Wow, some wife! She have a sister?

[bltkmt]

and a 3-1-1 bag for my toiletries.

What, praytell, is that?

[Nana8]

When I win the lottery...

I am ordering one of everything in each color and fabric combination! Clearly, I have no strategy just a severe addiction!

[Foggy Morn]

Strategy? Other than "oh, that's so beautiful!" (Swift in Cork) or "that's the perfect sized backpack for me" (Synapse in plum) or "what a great color combo!" (med café bag in olive and cayenne)"?

Nope, no strategy.

[gmanedit]

Pouches if they come in all-Ultrasuede.

[falconea]

What, praytell, is that?

3-1-1

3: 3 oz limit
1: 1 quart clear sealable bag
1: 1 per person.

It's the bag required for taking liquids past airport security in USA.

Also often called the "Kippie Bag" and various more derogatory terms.

Audrey

[MagicTiki]

@MagicTiki: I use my bags daily too, but my bag needs change as well. When I have classes I am using more bags than when I don't. I try to set my bags to have it that I have dedicated bags for each subject, or a big enough bag for classes that fall on a night with two subjects, to carry both. I carry in my EDC cafe bag the stuff I need in every class (e.g. pencil pouch). This way I just grab that bag for study or class when I need it. Between semesters the bags lie dormant waiting. I like that when I have the need, the bags are there. I also like that they are bags I can rely on. I also have the #1 car sticker (x2), its on my Moleskin.

Nice choice for the sticker!

I have a similar strategy. I swap often between my ID and my Brain Bag based on the daily needs, and I have all my accessories in various pouches (or on straps) so that I can make the quick change in a few minutes. Love that!

Having said that, I am finding these days that sometimes my ID is just too big for my needs (like shopping, f'rinstance, or traveling with checked bags where I just need a small carry on). I am looking VERY hard at the large cafe bag for this purpose. It's November, and my annual TB itch is returning.

On a side note, how often do we all find ourselves discovering new needs that just have to be fulfilled with that missing Tom Bihn bag? I think that's my strategy: "But Honey, I really need [insert bag name here] because I am just finding that I have to [insert need here] too many times...!"

[notmensa]

Bag dilemmas...

Hi,
Love the topic for this thread!

I'm drooling over:
- the Synapse, but can't decide between Indigo, Plum and Dyneema.
- a punch / wasabi Cafe bag, but can't decide between small and medium
- the Imago in Steel / Steel / Cayenne with Absolute strape, but can't figure out when I'd use it if I've got a Synapse and Cafe Bag
- a Side Effect in punch, though if I've already got a SCB in punch, do I need it?!
- Passport pouch, packing cube shoulder bag and shopping bag in Solar
- the yet-to-be-released diaper changing pad, which I really hope to need one day!!

So many options...!

My other constraint is the (reasonable) $55 shipping to Australia. Makes it less cost-effective to do frequent small orders.

Em.

[Bag Lady]

Now the rule of thumb for this thread is what bags are you planning to buy, and what niche will they be used to fill for you.

Ay, there's the rub, I have too many niches to fill, that's why I have so many bags! Honestly, I sometimes look at my friends wistfully as they carry their one bag day in, day out, at night, out to dinner, to the movies, to go shopping, for travel, and as they serenely step out into the world with their one bag in hand, seemingly oblivious to all the other options out there that drive me into a tizzy! Why do I feel this urge to find the right bag for each occasion? And of course, there are a lot of occasions in my life! (Justifications, justifications!)

Ok, so the next three on the list:
1. Medium Cafe Bag in Steel/Olive already on its way! along with TB wallet and Mini Cork Pouch to be used in an experimental way. I had tried out the MCB in Linen/Olive during the summer, wasn't a big fan of it, but now can't get it out of my mind. Esp. now that it's winter, the SCB just doesn't cut it in terms of capacity, what with the need to tuck in a knit hat and gloves. The Linen color while gorgeous scared me away because its light color would show dirt more (?) so I ordered the Steel, another fave color of mine, which will show beautifully with ...

2. the Western Flyer or Tri-Star in Steel/Solar for all travel needs, whether for one-night or 5- nights, whether by plane or car. I know the MCB in Cordura Steel may not be the same exact color as the Ballistic Steel, however, I think together they will look very smart.

3. Synapse in Olive/Solar. I am not in general attracted to backpacks, since they make me feel/look like a turtle but I am hypnotized by its beauty! I love the sleek tapered front and stealth-like splash proof zippers, I love how you can fit a 1L Sigg, and I like the little wing-like side pockets for my multiple pens and iPhone. Perhaps this could be my workout bag, although that seems too lowly a function for such a smartly designed bag.

Usually I get a bag to fit the niche, but sometimes when a bag calls out to me, I buy the bag and determine niche later. (Wait a minute, I think I just realized my problem!) Great thread, by the way! :-)

[ex machina]

3. Synapse in Olive/Solar. I am not in general attracted to backpacks, since they make me feel/look like a turtle but I am hypnotized by its beauty! I love the sleek tapered front and stealth-like splash proof zippers, I love how you can fit a 1L Sigg, and I like the little wing-like side pockets for my multiple pens and iPhone. Perhaps this could be my workout bag, although that seems too lowly a function for such a smartly designed bag.

Usually I get a bag to fit the niche, but sometimes when a bag calls out to me, I buy the bag and determine niche later. (Wait a minute, I think I just realized my problem!) Great thread, by the way! :-)

I too, am not a backpaker, but the Synapse in Dyneema is giving me serious pause in reconsidering such. Such a light weight well designed bag in the amazing Dyneema material is very tempting. So, I am mentally reviewing how I could use it, rethinking my aversion to backpacks, and contemplating a change in my style of bag usage.

Sometimes, in regard to Tom Bihn's lines, it feels like I am tempted to buy a cat because there is a cat food that is so well made I want to have a use for it. I haven't used a backpack in years, but here I am seriously re-evaluating my luggage usage because of a bag so well made and brilliantly conceived.

What's a body to do?