My new Tom Bihn Large Cafe Bag arrived Monday. Just in time for me to try it out on a quick day trip. I figured the Large Cafe Bag would be great for those occasions when taking a laptop wasn’t necessary.
I had gone around and around on possible colors, then came across one I thought was going to be a hit: Steel/Olive. So, the verdict? This is one awesome looking bag. It has Q-U-A-L-I-T-Y written all over it. So does the Absolute Shoulder Strap, which I ordered as an upgrade. Together, they make for a fantastic carry solution.
Magazine (whatever just came in the mail as I’m heading out the door)
Compact digital camera (with case)
Sony NC-60 Noise Canceling headphones (also in rigid case)
Airline seat belt extension
Keystrap with my keys
Medium Clear Organizer – cables, spare earphones for the BlackBerry and iPhone
Small Padded Organizer – BlackBerry 8830
Small Clear Organizer – A couple of Larabars, a pack of gum, and a miniature box of raisins.
Mini Clear Organizer – I keep my airport lounge card, frequent flyer cards, a few stamps in it. I will also put my parking pass and a few small receipts in it.
In the Zippered compartment:
My wallet
Money clip
Watch and bracelet when I’m about to go through security screening.
An extra key strap is attached to one of the o-rings, and I keep a spare small clear organizer pouch attached to it.
I also keep an empty 1-quart Ziploc bag.
This first trip with the Large Cafe Bag would include several connections, so a spare set of underwear and socks was also placed in the zippered compartment (this caused only slight bulging. The bag upholds it's shape very well).
Rear slash pocket:
Boarding passes
Car rental and hotel confirmations
any other need-to-have-readily-handy docs.
All that, and easily room for more, like a small Kleen Kanteen, travel umbrella, gloves and knit cap. Carry is comfortable, whether by top handle, or Absolute Shoulder Strap. Boarding and disembarking aircraft, particularly the smaller Regional aircraft is very easy. The Large Cafe Bag fits neatly under all airline seats.
Last edited by KarlJ; 02-27-2009, 06:31 PM.
Reason: fixed link to photos
In this thread, post a list or pictures of What You Carry in your Large Cafe Bag. We will add your packing list to the Large Cafe Bag page to help give other people a better idea of what the bag can hold.
Charger for same (about the size of a cell phone charger)
Cybook Gen 3 E-book reader in case (a little smaller than a Kindle in a case)
Vera Bradley Wristlet (which I use as a wallet/purse; it's about the same size as the TB Small Organizer Pouch) containing money, cards, chapstick, tiny nail file, hanky. This has a strap that hooks to the O-ring or hooks to another ring on the wristlet to make a purse, or hooks to itself to be a wrist strap.
Another pouch, about the same size, for electronic doodads; I think I'll be upgrading to a TB Medium Organizer Pouch, which will fit with no problem
Keys and compass on strap
Small umbrella depending on weather
In the front zipper pocket:
Train pass
Electronic key fob on a lanyard (for entrance to office elevator and door)
Waist straps when not in use! (I have the Q-AM strap so I have at least one of them on there most of the time)
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