Discussion of New Colors, New Designs

[MatthewR]

400 Halcyon's definitely been on our mind a lot lately and with our supply chain issues, it creates some hard choices about what to use it in and what not to. In the end we decided not to use it in the SA.

You're right that the back panel hasn't been updated aside from the shoulder straps being Edgeless instead of Bound-Edge, the SA revision was definitely tested seriously but ended up not being used. Perhaps in the future we'll find a way to do it but this time around it didn't work out how we wanted it to so we decided to do the SA as it was originally designed aside from swapping over the straps and in our current materials.

Cristina It's likely that you'd run into the same problem with the Paramour -- the Paragon's back panel and the Paramour's are pretty much identical.

G42 The last time we made the Pilot in Night Walk was late October 2021.

[John1970]

400 Halcyon's definitely been on our mind a lot lately and with our supply chain issues, it creates some hard choices about what to use it in and what not to. In the end we decided not to use it in the SA.

You're right that the back panel hasn't been updated aside from the shoulder straps being Edgeless instead of Bound-Edge, the SA revision was definitely tested seriously but ended up not being used. Perhaps in the future we'll find a way to do it but this time around it didn't work out how we wanted it to so we decided to do the SA as it was originally designed aside from swapping over the straps and in our current materials.

Cristina It's likely that you'd run into the same problem with the Paramour -- the Paragon's back panel and the Paramour's are pretty much identical.

G42 The last time we made the Pilot in Night Walk was late October 2021.

Thanks for the explanation, Matthew. Appreciated.

[ittoujuu]

The Paramour looks right up my alley, but with it launching as pre-order only, is it meant to be a one-off run, or something that will stick around and get multiple runs in different color combinations? It has the regular label, so it's not a "Design Lab" piece, but I hadn't seen a new product launch as pre-order only before. That seems to mainly be something done for archive designs brought back for a run every couple years.

[Surrealle]

The Paramour looks right up my alley, but with it launching as pre-order only, is it meant to be a one-off run, or something that will stick around and get multiple runs in different color combinations? It has the regular label, so it's not a "Design Lab" piece, but I hadn't seen a new product launch as pre-order only before. That seems to mainly be something done for archive designs brought back for a run every couple years.

This is a great question.

On a related note, I have no issue with limited releases, but I really wish TB would do them at least twice so I can see if I like the bag before investing in more colors. The one-and-done releases of new bags are very difficult to work with as a customer, and I'm sure have led to a lot of people missing out on additional purchases/different colors they would have liked to get after they had the bag in hand.

[G42]

On a related note, I have no issue with limited releases, but I really wish TB would do them at least twice so I can see if I like the bag before investing in more colors. The one-and-done releases of new bags are very difficult to work with as a customer, and I'm sure have led to a lot of people missing out on additional purchases/different colors they would have liked to get after they had the bag in hand.

Hmmm... which new bags/pre-orders are you thinking of that haven't been repeated at least once? La Petite Derriere is the only one that I think hasn't been stocked yet, but that may be only a matter of the timing in the production schedule so far, since it's new.

The preorder FAQ lays out their thought process around this... mostly starting from here:

https://www.tombihn.com/blogs/main/p...s#howwhenstock

Regarding colour combos though - that is indeed a scramble as they specifically say in the FAQ that the first run tends to have the most combos as they see what folks like. I don't know how they get around that though, without fundamentally changing their business model... though I support it being a wish! (Not sure if I'm saying that right, but I hope you know what I mean.... must get coffee in my sleep deprived brain)


On a separate note, I don't need another Smart Alec and I inevitably end up pining for halcyon... but the Ursa/Sangria is a cool combo!

[Surrealle]

Hmmm... which new bags/pre-orders are you thinking of that haven't been repeated at least once? La Petite Derriere is the only one that I think hasn't been stocked yet, but that may be only a matter of the timing in the production schedule so far, since it's new.

The preorder FAQ lays out their though process around this... mostly starting from here:

https://www.tombihn.com/blogs/main/p...s#howwhenstock

Regarding colour combos though - that is indeed a scramble as they specifically say in the FAQ that the first run tends to have the most combos as they see what folks like. I don't know how they get around that though, without fundamentally changing their business model... though I support it being a wish! (Not sure if I'm saying that right, but I hope you know what I mean.... must get coffee in my sleep deprived brain)


On a separate note, I don't need another Smart Alec and I inevitably end up pining for halcyon... but the Ursa/Sangria is a cool combo!

Yeah, I was mainly thinking of the LPT when I specified new bags. I'm relatively new to the TB fandom so it's somewhat of a problem for me with bags coming back that were retired years ago that I didn't get a chance to purchase when they were originally available, but I guess that's a "me" problem.

Still, it would be nice to have two chances at these bags as much as possible, even if it's just a preorder or limited quantity thing. (Based on what I've seen with low-quantity restocks from cancelled preorder bags, they often do go quickly, so I don't think I'm the only one who would like a second crack at them.)

[moriond]

Does anyone remember if the Pilot restock (2x ago I think) had Night Walk? It was originally one of the items scheduled to get NW based on the NW blog post, but I don't recall seeing if it was actually available...

G42
Hi

Darcy posted pictures when the Taiga and Night Walk options for the Parental Unit preorder option became available. The preorder bags shipped in early November, which was a really busy time for me. Just before the preorder went live, they added the Navy 1050d Ballistic/Tidal color combination. That combo was sufficiently last minute that I couldn’t find it in the drop down menu at the time I placed the preorder— it was at the very bottom of the drop down menu if I recall correctly, and was one of those late mentions that you find if you continuously read the forums. I had to call in a few minutes later to change to this (yes, I know this was a preorder, but I put this in a few minutes after the ordering opened; I had the Parental Unit in the original version with the Q-AM (Quick Adjust Messenger) strap which I still believe is the superior design for shoulder strap.As another forum member recently posted, Navy 1050d or Deep Blue 525d is really beautiful paired with Tidal, and this was the first time that combo appeared. I generally prefer Acuity for separate 200d Halcyon accessories, but Tidal is better as an interior for the saturated dark blue colors.

I’ll just remind you that the pictures of the Parental Units in Night Walk 400d Halcyon and Navy 1050d Ballistic Nylon appeared, among other places, in the Pouches in PU thread in November 2021 where I showed how some Eagle Creek packing cubes could transfer between the two Parental Unit and the Pilot and where I answered you questions about the difference in the carrying and packing experience.

They’re also up among the photos in my 01-04-2022 post in the Your Photos are Needed thread where I responded to @latchford’s comments about blue Halcyon options.

HTH,

moriond

[G42]

moriond , yep, understood on the Parental Unit...I even ordered a Night Walk / Tidal as I'd never seen the bag in person, but decided that much built in organizational was not for me & sent it back. It's a lovely combo though!
I was actually asking about the Pilot and Matthew answered earlier, so all good, thanks ?

[moriond]

The Paramour looks right up my alley, but with it launching as pre-order only, is it meant to be a one-off run, or something that will stick around and get multiple runs in different color combinations? It has the regular label, so it's not a "Design Lab" piece, but I hadn't seen a new product launch as pre-order only before. That seems to mainly be something done for archive designs brought back for a run every couple years.

ittoujuu It used to be the case (pre-CoVid and supply chain disruptions) that new products were the ones that got preorders except for a few cases where they were doing what were meant to be one-time revisits of retired products. (e.g., the Little Swift Encore event near Christmas of one year). Blog posts of genuinely new products that debuted this way (like the Luminary and Guide's Pack versions pre-CoVid) described the pre-order process. What happened post-CoVid is fabric and part availability was seriously impacted, so they started making available older designs and fabrics being requested by customers in attempts to continue to satisfy needs. For example, although they had switched to using 525d Ballistic Nylon for the Cafe Bags, and moved away from 1000d Cordura, it was relatively easy to locate a wide range of color options by going back to Cordura options.

I would suggest, however, that you not simply decide that your potential Synapse or Synik be made of Boreal Ruff Stuff simply because the surface coating of 525d Ballistic Nylon more easily shows wear than 1050d Ballistic. In my opinon this would not be a good fabric choice for a bag like either the Synapse or Synik, which requires sections and compartments that flex. Cordura could work for you, but Boreal is both stiffer and more abrasive. So even though the color may appeal, I personally would never order a Synapse or Synik in this fabric even if they decided to make it available, because it would be way too abrasive on my clothing, and also not flex sufficiently for the individual compartments of the backpack. I would far rather order a Synik in Wilderness 525d Ballistic Nylon. Just my opinions YMMV (=your mileage may vary), but I've been buying Tom Bihn bags since 2004, bought (and still use) the very first Synapse that they made (when it was only the Synapse 19 size), and bought and still use the first Synapse 25 that they made. Please get somebody else's opinion (or check with customer support) before you make that decision. You can ask them to send you sample fabric swatches.

HTH

moriond

[ittoujuu]

moriond I did, actually, first discover TB after the pandemic had already begun, so I guess I came in at a weird time when things were topsy-turvy and got a weird impression of how new product launches work (including with the whole Design Lab initiative, which I still think is quite a cool idea). Good to know that a pre-order for something new is more a sign of the normal order of things returning.

My interest in Boreal Ruff Stuff is based in part on the look/color, which I find pleasing, and partially in that it seems somewhat akin to cordura, a fabric I know and like. It's unfortunate TB has sort of weaned themselves off of using cordura, because every time I see someone post pictures of one of their old cordura bags, I think, "Wow, that has aged really nicely!" (like Bartleby's Smart Alec). Now, the cordura lineup seems to mainly be hues of orange and yellow so bright I'd swear you could probably see them the dark. The abrasion issue would mainly be a problem for packs that don't have mesh back panels, but the Synapse does, so I figured it rendered any potential abrasiveness of the outer fabric moot. As far as flex, I seldom ever truly stuff a pack to capacity (and even less likely with an EDC pack compared to something for travel), so that kind of fabric malleability isn't as important to me - my current backpack I'm looking to upgrade from is 1680 ballistic, and at this point, a stiffer fabric would almost seem more normal to me than something with a lot of give. Durability is always a positive point with me, even when it comes with a bit more weight, because while I never thrash my stuff, I do tend to take a backpack wherever I go, and I like the peace of mind that comes from something that seems like it'll shrug off the incidental scrapes and bang-ups that come with life. Whether Boreal Ruff Stuff is a suitable material for a Synapse or not, I don't honestly know; I'll leave it to the TB crew's analyses to make the best call on that. But when I first saw the Zeitgeist in Boreal, I thought to myself, "Dang, that actually makes a really nice-looking pack!" and that's what first gave me the idea.

Honestly, right now my deliberations are mainly, focused on how I'd earmarked some funds in anticipation of the Road Buddy pre-order, then suddenly discovering the Paramour's impending debut and wondering whether I could (or should) get both. Sometimes, the cool things come closer together than I'm ready for!

[epeterson]

Now, the cordura lineup seems to mainly be hues of orange and yellow so bright I'd swear you could probably see them the dark.

FWIW, I think the olive cordura (medium cafe bag example) looks reeeeaaallly nice. I could never get it because I have a cat that would be drawn to it like a magnet, but I love the look.

[Ladyrixx]

FWIW, I think the olive cordura (medium cafe bag example) looks reeeeaaallly nice. I could never get it because I have a cat that would be drawn to it like a magnet, but I love the look.

I have a mcb in Alphaviolet and a lcb in Aubergine. I've had my cats sleep on them, shed on them, and leave hairballs on them. All of which has cleaned off easily. Not sure if that helps or not.

[cucumber.sandwich]

moriond I did, actually, first discover TB after the pandemic had already begun, so I guess I came in at a weird time when things were topsy-turvy and got a weird impression of how new product launches work (including with the whole Design Lab initiative, which I still think is quite a cool idea). Good to know that a pre-order for something new is more a sign of the normal order of things returning.

My interest in Boreal Ruff Stuff is based in part on the look/color, which I find pleasing, and partially in that it seems somewhat akin to cordura, a fabric I know and like. It's unfortunate TB has sort of weaned themselves off of using cordura, because every time I see someone post pictures of one of their old cordura bags, I think, "Wow, that has aged really nicely!" (like Bartleby's Smart Alec). Now, the cordura lineup seems to mainly be hues of orange and yellow so bright I'd swear you could probably see them the dark. The abrasion issue would mainly be a problem for packs that don't have mesh back panels, but the Synapse does, so I figured it rendered any potential abrasiveness of the outer fabric moot. As far as flex, I seldom ever truly stuff a pack to capacity (and even less likely with an EDC pack compared to something for travel), so that kind of fabric malleability isn't as important to me - my current backpack I'm looking to upgrade from is 1680 ballistic, and at this point, a stiffer fabric would almost seem more normal to me than something with a lot of give. Durability is always a positive point with me, even when it comes with a bit more weight, because while I never thrash my stuff, I do tend to take a backpack wherever I go, and I like the peace of mind that comes from something that seems like it'll shrug off the incidental scrapes and bang-ups that come with life. Whether Boreal Ruff Stuff is a suitable material for a Synapse or not, I don't honestly know; I'll leave it to the TB crew's analyses to make the best call on that. But when I first saw the Zeitgeist in Boreal, I thought to myself, "Dang, that actually makes a really nice-looking pack!" and that's what first gave me the idea.

Honestly, right now my deliberations are mainly, focused on how I'd earmarked some funds in anticipation of the Road Buddy pre-order, then suddenly discovering the Paramour's impending debut and wondering whether I could (or should) get both. Sometimes, the cool things come closer together than I'm ready for!

My EDC is a cordura synapse 19. I’ve had it for years and it wears amazingly well, while also looking more natural than ballistic nylon. I would love for Tom Bihn to do black cordura bags again.

[ittoujuu]

Yeah, I'd enjoy seeing TB expand the cordura offerings, especially with the apparent gap left by the halcyon mill shutting down.

I have a Goruck in brown cordura (called Java there; I think here it's known as Cocoa) and I absolutely love the way it looks. I know there's a green cordura that's fairly similar to TB's Wilderness 525 ballistic - I have a Red Oxx tote in that color - and would be very keen on seeing that picked up here as well, especially given that Wilderness seems to be a pretty popular color. My own color preferences lean toward greens/browns/blues/greys. I like black too, but every pack on the market seems to have a black color option, so I tend to save black for bags I can only get in black and let the rest be a cool color I like.

Also, glad to hear your cordura Synapse is living long (and prospering). Would totally buy a cordura synapse if the color combo was right. It just seems to age with great grace.

EDIT: Some curious sleuthing leads me to believe that TB has, in fact, done packs in the forest-green cordura color I mentioned before! It seems to have been called "Conifer" here. I found a thread that has pics of a Synapse made in it, and it looks just as nice as I would have imagined it would!

[G42]

If you haven't noticed, the TriStar colours in production have been updated.... if you haven't heard already, there's an old friend back in town