All hail the new Aeronaut

[dsg29]

My new "crimson" (more on the quotes in a minute) Aeronaut arrived at my office while I was out this week, so I'm seeing it for the first time this morning. It is SO much better looking than the pictures can convey. The lines are gorgeous. People around my office are oohing and aahing over it, and I've been preaching the Gospel of Tombihn to all of them, and displaying all my tombihn goodies As it happens, I have my SmartAlec, the new Aeronaut, the Snake Charmer and the Freudian Slip (which I got with the Aeronaut) all in one happy little cluster at my desk. I feel like a manufacturer's rep!

The Aeronaut is a flat-out triumph, and exactly what I was hoping for when the discussion was taking place here in the forum about what it should contain. The zip-away backpack straps are really ingenous, as is the strap and zipper placement. I love the curved lines and "openmouthedness" of the zippers. Everyone is admiring a different feature of the Aeronaut. I can't wait to stuff it to the gills and head back on the road.

The only quibble I have heard about both my Aeronaut and Smart Alec, I must admit, is both exceedingly picky and also dead-on accurate: the color is most definitely not "crimson". It's red. Scarlet, if you will. Having Harvard nearby (and they're a client of mine) means I see far more crimson than most. The color purists around here agree. The color that Tombihn uses is terrific. Don't lose the color, as I would be bereft. Just rename it what is really is: red, or perhaps scarlet.

I'm expecting that a couple of my colleagues will be converting soon to the Church of the Most Holy Aeronaut.

[Darcy]

I find myself just staring at the Aeronaut amazed by how handsome of a bag it is. That sounds silly but it's true! It's such a good-looking bag.

What are some other words that would describe the red we use more accurately than Crimson? Coming up with the names of colors is always fun. My favorite name for a color we used was 'U.N. Blue'.

[dsg29]

I find myself just staring at the Aeronaut amazed by how handsome of a bag it is. That sounds silly but it's true! It's such a good-looking bag.

What are some other words that would describe the red we use more accurately than Crimson? Coming up with the names of colors is always fun. My favorite name for a color we used was 'U.N. Blue'.

Yep, it is a great looking bag.

Nominees?

-Red Sox Red (hey, I'm from Boston, whaddya want?)
-Fire Engine
-Cherry Dip

[l3gray]

candy apple?
irreverent biopsy?
burnt red?
vermillion?
cinnamon?
carnelian?

I envy you all your Aeronaut. :/ I'm going to get one eventually, it's next on the list for me after the ID.

I feel like such an addict. *laugh*

[eristick]

Uh, let's just stick with "scarlet."

Speaking of...hey, Darcy. It's May. [ahem] Isn't there something you'd like to tell some of us? You know, those of us possessed of a smaller build?
/nag

[inkblot78]

The Aeronaut has inspired my summer trip.

I'm a teacher, and this summer, after summer school, I'm going to pack my Aeronaut and just go. I have a month, an Aeronaut with stuff in it, a Nikon D200, a D70, and a Powerbook which will go in my big Brain Bag or Super Ego).

Two Tom Bihn Bags.

One Month

Who know where

I am very excited.

[Darcy]

Very cool!

Will we get to see pictures of this trip?

[eristick]

Ooh, I just booked my summer vacation to Montreal. I will happily share pictures of my Aeronaut in use...if only I could receive it in time to hop on that plane on July 18. Hint.

[dsg29]

It's that good

I started this thread, but I hadn't been able to report on using the Aeronaut on the road. I've returned from my second 3 or 4 day trip with only the SmartAlec and Aeronaut, and I could not be happier.

I can report that the Aeronaut won't fit in the overhead compartment of those puddle-jumper planes (the 18 or so passenger turboprop dealies), but they fit just fine under a seat, and they also DO fit great in the overhead of USAir's excessively cramped 737's. You know, the ones that are just buses that go faster....

The Aeronaut's lines have a funny sweep to them that's hard to describe accurately, but whatever it is, it makes them look streamlined and absolutely sleeker than anything else of the same size. I was noticing all the carryon bags near mine on my way back to Boston this afternoon, and saw a lot of the bulky black Travelpros, overly decorated backpacks, and a ton of boxy wheelies. In my bag snobbery, I found myself thinking "my bag's cooler-looking and probably better made than all of yours!".

[swissfondu]

black edition

I'd love a crimson version because I think it is the most chic color, but I chose black due to its more inconspicuous nature. I had it shipped to Switzerland which added about USD 90.- (ouch) to the item price (airmail, customs, taxes). Tom, any plans to sell locally in Switzerland?

I'm travelling to Geneva by train with my son for a weekend. We packed all the necessary summer clothing, toilet bag, bathing suits, shoes, books, games and my 12" Powerbook together with the Snake Charmer. While the fully packed bag is now heavy, the bag fits comfortably on my back and is a real pleasure to carry as a backpack.

I appreciate the various handels which enable the bag to be gripped easily from any side, and the zipped pocket on one side which allows for impromptu storage and retrieval of smaller items.

The bag makes me feel special, somehow privileged. Just like the powerbook. Maybe this is an effect of Tom Bihns "reality distorsion field". I'd describe Tom Bihn as the "Jonathan Ives" of bags if asked.

My wife travelled with "my" bag to Stuttgart for a weekend and was full of praise (which made me feel justified for having paid so much money for a rather small but perfect bag).

Next I'll try to live two weeks out of one bag when I go to the beach near Venice, Italy, in August. This time I'll bring back pictures with my Aeronaut and will post them here.

[eristick]

I just returned from a ten-day trip to Montreal -- I posted in Customer Pictures.

[Zephyrnoid]

I had it shipped to Switzerland which added about USD 90.- (ouch) to the item price (airmail, customs, taxes). Tom, any plans to sell locally in Switzerland?

Ouch Indeed. I would have brought you one if I'd known. TB should be distributed in Europe- Airport shops especially. Who knows..some day soon ?

[eighty]

Hi everyone - is the Aeronaut (duffel) style better for travelling than a backpack? I'm in need of luggage. I've carried back packs for school and camping, but never on extended airplane trips. The pure sexiness of the aeronaut is almost enough to win me over, regardless of reason.

[dsg29]

Yes!!

I absolutely think that the Aeronaut is far superior to a backpack for trips on planes. For short trips, my combination of choice is a SmartAlec for my laptop and business-related documentation, wallet, sunglasses and reading material, and then the Aeronaut for clothing, shoes, jacket, toiletries, etc.

I have never, EVER found a backpack that could hold a candle to the Aeronaut for how it looks, works and feels.

[eristick]

Hi everyone - is the Aeronaut (duffel) style better for travelling than a backpack? I'm in need of luggage. I've carried back packs for school and camping, but never on extended airplane trips. The pure sexiness of the aeronaut is almost enough to win me over, regardless of reason.

Over in customer pictures, I also posted a description of the clothes I brought, and showed how I got 'em into the packing cubes, which are custom fit for the Aeronaut.