Some first impressions of the Paradigm and Zeitgeist

[bchaplin]

Disclaimer: I received these bags from Tom Bihn in exchange for my feedback.


This isn't a full review, just some first impressions of these lovely mini-backpacks. I had to study them for a bit before I realized that they were very similar in size if you look at the main section of the Paradigm. Of course, there are differences, such as the zipper on the Paradigm (525 Black Ballistic/Coyote) not unzipping as far as the one on the Zeitgeist (Red Blend/Dawn).





The Zeitgeist, showing the flat front pocket, and weather flap over the main zipper. I think this bag is so darn cute! My EDC is the Paragon, so I'm sort of drawn to this due to the very similar form factor.




and the Paradigm with the 3D pocket (which is practically like a mini-mini-backpack in itself). I think the Paradigm would be the more practical of the two for anyone who had a water bottle they carried frequently, or even for someone who wanted the extra space and quick-access that the two-compartment system affords. I personally like the rain flap on the Zeitgeist, but the more 'open' zipper here makes it feel a little easier to get things in and out.





and then there is the Moon label on the Zeitgeist:




and the blackout label, which I think is only on the black-exterior colorways of the Paradigm. (The other colors have the 'red airplane' tag.) I wouldn't make the choice based on the labels, just showing off the different aesthetics.

[latchford]

Is the divider in the front pocket of the Paradigm sewn at the bottom or are there gaps between the compartments, akin to the divider in the Luminary main compartment?

Are the new Contour shoulder straps similar to the older Bound straps?

[bchaplin]

Is the divider in the front pocket of the Paradigm sewn at the bottom or are there gaps between the compartments, akin to the divider in the Luminary main compartment?

I hadn't taken a good look until you asked the question, but it seems like they are sewn in! Probably a good thing so that small items don't move from the compartment they are placed into.

Are the new Contour shoulder straps similar to the older Bound straps?

As for the straps I don't want to say anything that's incorrect, as I've always had a hard time keeping the terms straight. They're nice and soft, but with very minimal padding. Something between the Daylight Backpack (current ones, which I understand might be replaced with these going forward), and the Paragon. But more on the light side.

[latchford]

I hadn't taken a good look until you asked the question, but it seems like they are sewn in! Probably a good thing so that small items don't move from the compartment they are placed into.

That's awesome! Wouldn't want the small items I intend to put in there shift between the compartments. Thanks for checking :)

[drs0043]

I think this bag is so darn cute!

I agree--it is so adorable!

[G42]

Is the divider in the front pocket of the Paradigm sewn at the bottom or are there gaps between the compartments, akin to the divider in the Luminary main compartment?

Are the new Contour shoulder straps similar to the older Bound straps?

To build on what bchaplin said, these Contour straps are a new version of straps entirely. They have more padding than basic webbing straps, but much less than Bound or Edgeless straps (which makes sense, these tiny packs will never have a lot of weight unless you commonly carry gold bricks around). The edge that is closest to your neck does have the binding tape, but not the other side.

So in my head it's: webbing - Contour - Bound - Edgeless; in terms of most basic to most padded.

Hope that helps

ETA: the Luminary had straps that were similar to the cush of the Edgeless but a wee bit different and to my knowledge that exact version is only on the Luminary, though I could be wrong

[latchford]

So in my head it's: webbing - Contour - Bound - Edgeless; in terms of most basic to most padded.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts! That's my thinking too.

I do wish I owned some gold bricks lol. Jokes aside, my main concern is that if they're thinner than the Bound straps, they may be uncomfortable for me even with minimal weight. My EDC load is pretty minimal but I carry a filled water bottle everywhere with me because I live in a place with hell weather 24/7/365 - just the water adds a fair bit of weight. Even with a fairly light load, the Bound straps start digging into my shoulders after just a short while.

I think you're right about the Luminary straps, according to the specs, they're Edgeless EV50 5/16" / 8mm shoulder straps (EVAZOTE® OEKO-TEX®foam), while those on the Synapse, Synik, Paragon etc are Edgeless EV50 1/2” / 12mm shoulder straps (EVAZOTE® OEKO-TEX®foam).

[bchaplin]

While I think the two compartment design of the Paradigm with the dedicated water bottle is more practical, the Zeitgeist (ZG) calls to me! I'm not sure if I can add much to the reviews already posted! Nevertheless, here are a few notes.

The Zeitgeist (6.7 liters, 12.8" high) is much smaller than the Daylight Backpack (16.5 liters, 17.3" high") or Paragon (19.8 liters, 17.9" high). Here's a view of the ZG's main compartment. The zipper opens most of the way, though it is not a clamshell. As the product pages and others have mentioned, the 'tech pocket' is good for up to 11" iPad Pro or smaller, notebooks, Kindles, etc. Even the 11" Macbook Air! But in general, it's not sized for computers.


Ghost Whale pouches (such as the Small, Mini or Super Mini) fit well in the inside pocket. This would also be a good place for snack bars.


One pet peeve I had with the DLBP was that you had to unzip the front pocket all or most of the way to get to whatever was attached to the o-ring.


But on the ZG; voila! Since this is where I think some people would place a train pass that they need quick access to, that's a huge plus!


Here is a large Snake Charmer at the bottom of the ZG's main compartment. An HLT-2 or -1, or 3D Organizer Cube also goes great in that spot. Or perhaps a light jacket, PPE items, or a water bottle.


And on top of that, an Everyday Cubelet. There is room for more around the sides, or in front or back; sturbridge's picnic set-up and nsh's "minimalist packing challenge" show how much this bag can hold.


Cons: I like everything about this particular colorway, but there are other combos where the stripes would be an impediment to choosing it. The hunter green and red ones, for instance, don't appeal to me, though the Coyote is nice. Obviously, that's a personal opinion. Beyond that, I don't have much to suggest in terms of tweaks.

Pros: This is very comfy to wear and looks sharp. It has just the right amount of organization without being too much. It seems like an all-around great bag for touring, a fair, a flea market, shopping, or whatever; any situation where one wants to be hands-free but not have a full-size backpack.

I think that this bag would work in any of the currently offered fabrics, since it is so small that it won't be lumpy in Halcyon or heavy in Ballistic. The Red Blend Cordura :rolleyes:, though! I'm not usually a fan of red but this shade is amazing.

[sturbridge]

Its funny to me that I was initially "I don't know about that" on the Zeitgeist, but just in a couple of days, I've really come to appreciate it. I was turned off by the retro look, so I got mine in a low contrast combo (black halcyon with black trim) and that allowed me to focus on the functionality. I'm already a modular packer: I have various kits for different environments, activities and weather so its easy to go between the ZG and the Paradigm depending on how much I need to carry or be prepared for. My "purse" is a 3d cube with a loop handle and that's easy to go back and forth between the bags, but I also decided to make my life easier to keep some duplication. So I have water bottles in both, and emergency gear in both that doesn't get swapped out. Less to forget or think about. Most days my day is defined and its the ZG. Other days where I don't know exactly what to expect or will be away for a long time, its the Paradigm.

[hamiltee]

bchaplin Would you please post a photo of the large snake charmer in the back section of the Paradigm? I have a large SC in my DLBP and want to know how the SC fits in these two new bags. Thanks!

[bchaplin]

hamiltee : I don't know if I'll still have power after Henri barrels through, but the quick answer is that the back compartment of the Paradigm and the main compartment of the Zeitgeist seem to be similar in size. The large Snake Charmer I have, lightly filled, is fine in either one (the photo above shows it in the Zeitgeist). Though if the Snake Charmer was very full, it would be a tighter fit; I just added a few socks to each side in my example. I notice that the SC was not included on the Tom Bihn post about organizing these mini-bags, although they give examples of other things that will fit.

[hamiltee]

bchaplin Thanks for the description. Be safe as Henri passes.

[Grandcache]

Last minute question… Does the small or medium cafe bag Freudian slip fit in the Paradigm or the Zeitgeist? :-)

[Cristina]

According to the blog, they both do, which has pushed me to buy both. Never really understood the need for FSs before now!

https://www.tombihn.com/blogs/main/zp-organization

Last minute question… Does the small or medium cafe bag Freudian slip fit in the Paradigm or the Zeitgeist? :-)

[Grandcache]

Awesome!
Thanks Christina!