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Hello Again!/Lifestyle Change/Bag Suggestion

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    Hello Again!/Lifestyle Change/Bag Suggestion

    Hello, all!

    I was a frequent poster up until the world blew up in early 2020. For those of you who may not remember me - as you might glean from my handle - I'm a network television writer and showrunner - FORMERLY in New York City.

    My lifestyle has changed dramatically since I fled New York for America more than a year ago. As a result, so has my need for (and how I use) my beloved collection of Tom Bihn bags.

    I am no longer walking the streets of Manhattan on a daily basis, carrying stuff; I am now a "car" guy. And now that I'm also working exclusively from home, the only time I find myself needing a bag is when I'm heading to the gym or to the country club.

    Since leaving New York more than a year ago, I haven't touched my Pilot, Co-Pilot, Medium Cafe Bag, or the granddaddy of my "EDC" bags, my Ristretto.

    I'm finding that the only bags I'm reaching for now are the small ones: my Small Cafe Bag and my Sidekick. No one is more surprised than I that my Sidekick - which I really just bought as an afterthought and barely used in my New York City life - is now my primary EDC bag!

    I do, however, have two suggestions:

    1. A zipper inside the top of the Small Cafe Bag, under the flap. I love the size, shape, and look of the Small Cafe Bag, but I feel like the whole thing is a giant gaping hole. I need a bag that I can quickly strip off and toss into the car without stuff spilling out everywhere (which doesn't happen with the Sidekick, since everything is zipped up nice and tight). A zipper just inside the top, under the flap, would provide security without compromising the aesthetic, and of course could just be left open for those who don't wish to use it.

    2. Dressier materials for more formal wear. It doesn't necessarily have to be leather, but none of my bags seem to have the polish to carry off with a suit and tie.

    Hope you all are doing well, and it's great being back on the forum!​

    PS: Just took a weekend trip and used my Western Flyer. I cannot recommend the WF enough as an overnight/weekend bag!
    Last edited by NYCWriter; 03-16-2023, 06:51 PM.

    #2
    Welcome back NYCWriter
    It's great to hear that you're doing well!

    Roughly where did you end up?

    If I'm carrying cross body vs backpack, I use my Side Kicks for just what you describe. I then size up to a PCSB when I need more space and even to a DLBC if I need more than that.

    The PCSB doesn't have any organization other than the outside pocket and folks have been asking for a bag about that size with SE/SK type organization for a long time... and the good news is that TB is working on something inspired by or along those lines, so you may have an additional option soon.

    Haven't heard of any updates coming to the Cafe Bag family... TB did add the open top back pocket from those bags to the Makers Bag though.
    The whole of life is just like watching a film. Only it’s as though you always get in ten minutes after the big picture has started, and no-one will tell you the plot, so you have to work it out all yourself from the clues.
    -Terry Pratchett, Moving Pictures

    Comment


      #3
      Originally posted by G42 View Post
      Welcome back NYCWriter
      It's great to hear that you're doing well!

      Roughly where did you end up?

      If I'm carrying cross body vs backpack, I use my Side Kicks for just what you describe. I then size up to a PCSB when I need more space and even to a DLBC if I need more than that.

      The PCSB doesn't have any organization other than the outside pocket and folks have been asking for a bag about that size with SE/SK type organization for a long time... and the good news is that TB is working on something inspired by or along those lines, so you may have an additional option soon.

      Haven't heard of any updates coming to the Cafe Bag family... TB did add the open top back pocket from those bags to the Makers Bag though.
      Thank you so much.

      I ended up back home in Western Pennsylvania.

      I have several PCSBs, but I really just use them for packing; they don't have the structure or interior organization of the Side Kick.

      However, I've found the PCSB comes in handy in the summertime for packing one of my LLBean medium-weight hoodies for when I'm headed to the movies (the A/C in theaters these days can be brutal).

      I'm tossing around the idea of getting an Icon, since they zip up nice and secure ...

      Comment


        #4
        Originally posted by NYCWriter View Post

        I'm tossing around the idea of getting an Icon, since they zip up nice and secure ...
        PA is a beautiful state

        The Icon is probably not going to be made again, so if you want one, grab one of the two colours left or look for a trade or the secondary market... Most recent update below

        Hey! This thread serves as a place to discuss new colors and designs recently added to the website. It's a good place to ask if new colors are coming, comment on new colors or designs we've just added, or post anything else you can think of. Unfortunately the previous iteration of this thread is not recoverable without some



        Or see what the new PCSB with organization looks like, whenever it happens.
        Last edited by G42; 03-16-2023, 11:44 PM.
        The whole of life is just like watching a film. Only it’s as though you always get in ten minutes after the big picture has started, and no-one will tell you the plot, so you have to work it out all yourself from the clues.
        -Terry Pratchett, Moving Pictures

        Comment


          #5
          They confirmed in an Instagram post this week that the Icon is being retired. I've had one for about 18 months and it's my EDC and I really like it.

          Comment


            #6
            That's a great roundup of the Truck family BeachMom thanks for posting
            The whole of life is just like watching a film. Only it’s as though you always get in ten minutes after the big picture has started, and no-one will tell you the plot, so you have to work it out all yourself from the clues.
            -Terry Pratchett, Moving Pictures

            Comment


              #7
              Originally posted by DanielCTA View Post
              They confirmed in an Instagram post this week that the Icon is being retired. I've had one for about 18 months and it's my EDC and I really like it.
              Welcome to the Forums DanielCTA !

              What colour Icon do you have?
              The whole of life is just like watching a film. Only it’s as though you always get in ten minutes after the big picture has started, and no-one will tell you the plot, so you have to work it out all yourself from the clues.
              -Terry Pratchett, Moving Pictures

              Comment


                #8
                It's a Black Ballistic/Island zipper combo and I think it looks really sharp.

                Comment

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