Favorite TB Bag?

[phillyfan]

I have an Aeronaut, Brain Bag, and recently ordered the Tristar and Empire Builder. I also bought my wife the large cafe bag several months ago which she loves. While I love them all, I have to say my favorite is the Brain Bag. It is the perfect backpack. Lots of organization (especially with a Freudian Slip) and it can easily shrink down in size with the side compression straps. It is the perfect bag for me - great for work and play.

[Radio bug]

I love my Aeronaut and Brain Bag. Although they both are my travel companions on any trip, my favorite overall is the Brain Bag. It accompanies me just about everywhere and is versatile enough to carry as much or as little as I need on a daily basis.

[Tlacltme]

Hmm, I appreciate hearing more about the Brain Bag. Radio bug and phillfan, how long have you guys been using the Brain Bag? Do you typically carry a laptop in it most days?

[phillyfan]

Tlacltme - I just love my Brain Bag. I've been using it everyday for 6 months and it still looks as new as when I pulled it out of the box. I probably carry my labtop in it about 20% of the time (in a vertical braincell). The best part about that is that the brain cell comes right out, still protecting my labtop even when it is not in the bag. It was my biggest complaint with other labtop backpacks - if I didn't have my labtop with me, I still would have the extra weight and room that the padding takes up for a labtop. Not the case with my Brain Bag. The two main compartments can be cavernous when needed, but the compression straps can shrink everything down when I don't need the space. The 3 other zippered pockets on the front are well thought out and the middle straps firmly hold my umbrella in place. The most amazing thing about it is that it always seems to fit that one extra thing that I need. Every other bag that I have had always seemed like it could not fit that one extra thing I needed. I honestly cannot imagine ever getting another backpack unless it was another TB bag. The quality is unrivaled and I've spent more money backpacks than I care to admit.

[misterN]

Tlacltme - I just love my Brain Bag. I've been using it everyday for 6 months and it still looks as new as when I pulled it out of the box. I probably carry my labtop in it about 20% of the time (in a vertical braincell). The best part about that is that the brain cell comes right out, still protecting my labtop even when it is not in the bag. It was my biggest complaint with other labtop backpacks - if I didn't have my labtop with me, I still would have the extra weight and room that the padding takes up for a labtop. Not the case with my Brain Bag. The two main compartments can be cavernous when needed, but the compression straps can shrink everything down when I don't need the space. The 3 other zippered pockets on the front are well thought out and the middle straps firmly hold my umbrella in place. The most amazing thing about it is that it always seems to fit that one extra thing that I need. Every other bag that I have had always seemed like it could not fit that one extra thing I needed. I honestly cannot imagine ever getting another backpack unless it was another TB bag. The quality is unrivaled and I've spent more money backpacks than I care to admit.

I cannot possibly agree more with you on this. Simply stated: They are the best bags made. There really is not anything else to say. Tom Bihn ruined all other bags for me.

[Tlacltme]

That's a really good point, phillyfan, about being able to take the laptop out and its compartment too, to reuse space. The front pockets look so smart- at least, online they do! Could you fit a standard size plastic water bottles in the two side/front compartments? My son complains about his backpack being too small, so the Brain Bag may be in his future.

[phillyfan]

I always have a standard sized plastic water bottle in the front mesh pocket. I've not tried to put one in the zipper pockets, but I think it would fit if you didn't put much else in the zipper pocket. If he is looking for a big bag, the Brain Bag is definitely the way to go. I can pack a lot more in it than I care to lug around on a daily basis.

[larryb]

My choice for EDC is a toss up between the Brain Bag and the Synapse (depending on what I need to carry). For travel...hands down, the Aeronaut.

[Jenne]

My very first TB was my Imago, and it's still one of my favorites. I also love the Cadet, the Aeronaut, and the Tri-Star. Oh, who am I kidding? I love all of my TB bags! My poor Western Flyer is the most neglected, though. Sometimes I can pack for a weekend in my Imago, but other times, I love the extra space in the Tri-Star or Aeronaut.

[SusanA]

For me it is pretty much whichever one I am using at the moment.

+1 here!

At present the Imago and Little Swift are the bags I'm using most often; the Imago for work during the week and the Little Swift on weekends.