Chicagoan Reviews New for Winter 2022 Accessories

[Chicagoan]

That's very cool organicfarmer - I hope you do get to go on some trips soon!

The Cadet is one of the few TB bags I don't have because I'm not quite sure how I'd use it. Partly because I think of the Cadet as being harder to carry bottles in vs the dedicated space in the Pilot and 2D packing overall... But you're pointing out some interesting features, so that's good food for thought. The space in the Pilot is broken up more but I'd probably pack similar to how PaulT00 did in his post

The Cadet is one of the few bags I just couldn't make work for myself.

It lays flat against the hip, and doesn't conform to the wearer's body - not great for crowded places or narrow walkways.

The front compartments couldn't fit all of my smaller items and built-in organization was my main reason for buying the bag. I wish there were more larger pockets and less smaller ones.

It leaves me wishing for some sort of additional division of internal storage, like the zip-away mesh dividers on the Luminaries, but that would betray the whole point of a bag designed primarily for carrying a computer and documents.

I've yet to find an EDC bag that works better than the CP - it's got a lot of larger compartments and pockets, and while it's probably too small for the majority of laptop computers, it can fit just about anything else you throw at it.

[G42]

That's very cool organicfarmer - I hope you do get to go on some trips soon!

The Cadet is one of the few TB bags I don't have because I'm not quite sure how I'd use it. Partly because I think of the Cadet as being harder to carry bottles in vs the dedicated space in the Pilot and 2D packing overall... But you're pointing out some interesting features, so that's good food for thought. The space in the Pilot is broken up more but I'd probably pack similar to how PaulT00 did in his post

[organicfarmer]

organicfarmer I'd love to see photos of your Cadet travel pack out sometime.

I would love to see them too because that means I am traveling for extended time again! This winter appears I will have some travel opportunities and will be able to get some travel packing pictures. In the meantime, this is how I have used my cadet in road travel (in conjunction with a yeoman or Paragon as I don't need to be a volume or packing conscious):

Main compartment: large Aeronaut Packing Cube, 18oz Stainless insulated bottle, Surface laptop
Front pocket, in pencil pockets: Pens, Highlighter, Scissors, Toothbrush with cap, USB drives, Toothpaste tube, deodorant, tape, razor, shaving brush, shaving soap
Front pocket, in "3D" space of the pocket: Small OP with miscellaneous (bandaids, clips, antacids, razor blade, something I can't remember)

The Cadet vs Pilot debate for me was the cadet offered one large compartment with many uses and was wide enough for a packing cube (I can long term travel with 1 Large Aeronaut packing cube of clothes and what I am wearing). The thin front, organized pocket of the Cadet was more than I need though it is slim and unobtrusive. The challenge with the Pilot I had was needing to pick the constrained side pocket dimensions and the space of the water bottle pocket if not carrying a water bottle. All that space also reduced the Pilot main compartment's depth and making slimmer packing. (Maybe a western flyer or tristar packing cubes would help ease the thinner packing. So, I look forward to air travel with the Cadet if I two-bag fly. I also recognize the Cadet could exceed some airline personal item size dimensions. The other thing that crosses my mind for risk mitigation is a Cadet looks to be a laptop bag and may attract laptop thieves for that reason. idk. The Cadet is over padded for a travel bag and weighs a little more.

[G42]

organicfarmer I'd love to see photos of your Cadet travel pack out sometime.

[Chicagoan]

organicfarmer You caught me pre-caffeination this morning so I'm not even going to attempt the neatly-quoted style of your point-for-point response and will instead hammer this out with the hope that by time it's finished my wife is ready to head out for Starbucks. And on that note!

Most reusable travel size containers have at least one component that will fail over time. Usually, it's the folded plastic hinge they use on "snap cap" style lids.

I think the only thing on those Cadence capsules that would fail with long term use is the rubber gasket (no matter what those will dry rot with time) but that's simply a part you could probably find a replacement for, and it doesn't render the entire product unusable.

Yeah, they're hefty lads, especially compared to those GoTubbs (I used them myself before switching to Nalgene jars and now these Cadence Capsules). But their convenience and durability far outweighs their weight.

Certain things I use don't have a solid equivalent, like the gel and spray I use for my hair. I like the capsules because I can still use my liquid toiletries and those are a lot easier to finish completely than those weird soap pieces you get toward the end of a bar's life.

Those toothpaste tabs still give you fresh breath! You just don't come away from brushing smelling like you fell face-first into a chewing gum factory.

Walking into LUSH as a 30-something male always feels like walking into a department store the day before a major holiday trying to shop for a spouse - you get about the same treatment. It's entertaining.

One last thing about the VPC - it is GREAT for tall, skinny toiletry items (like spray deodorant or hair spray) that need to be stored upright to prevent spilling or leakage.

I would LOVE it if TB also made a Vertical Clear 3DOC so I could finally have a portrait style organizer for TSA liquid allowances.

I wanted to like the Cadet, but I couldn't get it to work for me. The size of the smaller pockets inside the front compartment weren't compatible with the items I typically carry. My hope buying that bag was I could store most my things in the front and leave the back mostly empty as a catch-all for items like store purchases and parcels. Ironically I was able to accomplish the same goal with the Cambiata (EDC goes into all the small pockets and the main volume stays empty until needed).

I also like the weave and color of the 525 Coyote more than the 1050. It's got this rich copper hue that pairs super well with the Sangria red lining and when you snap on some red zipper pulls it makes for one handsome bag.

Alright! Coffee time. I'll check back later after consuming my zoom juice.

[organicfarmer]

The small, reusable travel containers are called "Capsules" and made by a company called "Cadence."

That is a well designed item. Much larger and heavier for similar volumes than the small GoTubbs, but the Capsules are waterproof, twist on tight with gasket, drop damage resistant, and have those integrated magnets and labels. I have personally went liquid free when I have flown pre-covid, but doesn't mean I will not buying a couple of these.

I use toothpaste tablets from LUSH Cosmetics. They're all honestly pretty good, and I really like them because most aren't a sharp, cool peppermint flavor - the one I'm currently using is called "Boom" and made with activated charcoal! Some might taste a little weird for folks used to mint, but if you're like me and trying to avoid mint, they're perfect.

I have used the minty versions of tooth tabs and mouth rinse tabs from LUSH Cosmetics (That is the only time in my life I could be found intentionally going into a cosmetics store). I liked their compact size and utility. Work great for that purpose in my just-in-case pouch.

but if you're like me and trying to avoid mint, they're perfect.

Thanks for letting me know we could not be friends lol.

A 100g canister of fuel typically yields ABOUT 24 boils. So some quick math.
Safely filled, a 700mL cookpot can fit 500mL (or half a liter) comfortably.

That is a lot more than I expected. I see those in REI catalog or magazines and think to myself "those can't possibly do more than 2-3 cups of coffee before they are empty." And I have tried googling that answer before and results were vague.

If I had to choose one, which and why? Tough decision……….
I'd say both. The EC make a better standalone bag, and the VPC makes a better packing cube, but never would I want to only choose one, and have something really great at one task, but second-best at another.

That is the correct TB answer, "Buy All The Bags." I had a EC/TC and tried to use it as my travel "everything I might need so I don't have to dig through my bag" pouch. For my preference, it was more than I needed so a small clear organizer pouch was sufficient for my passport and documents and another small OP had my flight needs (mints, antiacids, tylenol, eye mask, ear plugs, hand wipes, face wipes). My lesson was just because I buy all the bags doesn't mean I need to bring as many as I can for every trip. So I will be buying a VPC to hold my small OP's and probably buy another EC due to the new colors and when I look how much TB stuff I bought in the last 5 years I can think myself how I could spend those dollars instead and be sitting up front in first class for a flight. The comfort of first class is but a passing memory and bags built for life are always there.

Your last picture showing the front pocket with water bottle holder of the Stowaway with its foldaway water bottle holder capabilities makes me realize how that would be a great spinoff of the Pilot/ Co-Pilot bags. I have used a pilot for in-flight bag when I had a trip with a checked bag. It saved me when I missed a flight and only had its contents of a change of clothes and personal items and laptop. The reason I moved to the Cadet was the slim organized pockets versus the Pilot's water bottle pocket splitting the front and making an empty Pilot be "not slim" due to the 3D nature of the water bottle pocket. I like the Cadet's large main compartment that gives me options.

[Chicagoan]

@ Chicagoan, great post.

The vertical packing cubelet's use as a packing cube for clothes is a good concept. I use a Eagle Creek (made before the transfer of owners) mini or slim packing cube that is about the size of the side effect. Maybe TB may make a larger size or a small packing cube for the same utility across several bags.

The toothpaste, body wash, etc hexagon shaped containers. What brand are they and are they waterproof or tight fitting? Do they interlock together? I use Humangear GoTubb's small size (appear similar size to those containers). I use 3 of them and air travel I would tape them in a stack to be compact and not wonder off to the abyss of the bag. I hadn't thought of using one for toothpaste before your post, I have been using the tube from a Toob toothbrush even in risk of crushed with used loosely.

In the 5th picture of the cookpot stuff sack laid out, how many cups of water/coffee can be heated to hot/boiling with fuel supply of that little gas bottle?

And a TB question for good measure to stay on topic. Vertical Packing Cubelet or Everyday/Travel Cubelet, both can serve the same utility, one has pockets and slightly larger. If you could only pick one for all your uses and style, VPC or EC?

Lot to unpack here, but happy to have a go at it!

The VPC can fit either: 1 tee and one pair each of crew socks and boxer briefs OR 4 pairs of boxer briefs OR 4 pairs of crew socks.

I think TB was smart to name it something familiar and suggest a use right in the name of the product.

For me, the VPC is a great packing organizer - sure, you could toss a shoulder strap on it and use it as a makeshift micro crossbody, but I like the fact it's simple, light, and doesn't have any more features than you need or want to carry.

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The small, reusable travel containers are called "Capsules" and made by a company called "Cadence."

Yes, they are waterproof - they screw tight and seal shut with the help of a rubber gasket inside the lid.

No, they don't interlock, BUT they do have built-in magnets which attract capsules to another.

The lid has a removeable, magnet-attached "tile" labeled with whatever it is you keep stored inside (choose from stock labels or create your own text for a small fee). Nice, because you can buy more tiles than you own capsules and switch the labels out when you change the contents.

The jars have a wide opening and scooped bottom, so they're easy to refill and use.

More than anything, since I own them, I no longer have to try and find travel size equivalents for the items I use at home, which are expensive and wasteful when I can find them, so this is definitely one of those "cry once, buy once" types of products.

I liked them enough I actually bought the 7-day set to use as a pillbox, which is nice, because I can break off as many days as I'm traveling and leave the rest at home.

---

I use toothpaste tablets from LUSH Cosmetics. They're all honestly pretty good, and I really like them because most aren't a sharp, cool peppermint flavor - the one I'm currently using is called "Boom" and made with activated charcoal! Some might taste a little weird for folks used to mint, but if you're like me and trying to avoid mint, they're perfect.

Super easy to portion out a couple for each day of a trip, and you only carry as much as you need (plus they don't count against the 3.4-ounce and quart-size TSA liquid allowance!).

---

A 100g canister of fuel typically yields ABOUT 24 boils. So some quick math.

Safely filled, a 700mL cookpot can fit 500mL (or half a liter) comfortably.

Which is about 16 ounces, or two 8-ounce cups of instant coffee (1 VIA packet per cup).

48 cups of coffee, by that math.

But if the wind has anything to do with it, and my stove isn't that efficient, probably less.

I'm not generally a "glass half empty" kind of guy, but I am a "canister half empty" guy, and almost always carry a backup second canister, so I'm not deprived of that sweet, hot bean juice while I'm out voluntarily freezing my butt off on a winter hike.

---

Tough question, my friend! The EC and VPC are similar, but they're not quite the same.

Because I have no self-control when it comes to anything Coyote Halcyon, my impulse spending habit is your gain, and I actually own both the EC and VPC, so I've got some pictures to show how they compare when placed side by side.







The EC holds 1.5L and measures 5.7” (w) x 7.3” (h) x 3” (d)

while the VPC holds 1.25L and measures 5.3" (w) x 7.7" (h) x 3.2" (d)

The VPC weighs 1.8 ounces, and the EC weighs 3.4 ounces (including the shoulder strap).

Both have O-Rings to attach a shoulder strap (the EC comes stock with one included), and the EC adds the interior pocket, pen pocket, and zippered front slash pocket with an additional O-Ring (and included key strap).

Both comfortably fit one t-shirt, and one pair each of socks and underwear, so yes, both could be used as a packing cube!



If I had to choose one, which and why? Tough decision.

I would choose both. Yeah, yeah. It sounds like a cop-out. But hear me out: I actually use the EC from time to time as a super minimal, crossbody EDC. It fits the usual stuff: keys, wallet, phone, pen, pocketknife, camera, lip balm, sunglasses pocket comb, and my smartphone, no problem. And sometimes I'll even pack it into a larger bag so I can "one bag" the airport after I've passed through security, and use it as a town bag at the destination.

They don't make it anymore, but just to keep pushing the idea of a minimal overnight bag, I wanted to see if you could fit both the EC and VPC into a Stowaway, and they both easily slip straight into the main compartment with plenty of room to spare.



Packing cubes are a bit of a one-trick pony. These cubelets aren't.

Since they stand on end, they not only take up less space on the bottom of the bag, but it also means you can leave them unzipped and use them to create internal organization in bags that don't have it, or have enough of it.

I'd say both. The EC make a better standalone bag, and the VPC makes a better packing cube, but never would I want to only choose one, and have something really great at one task, but second-best at another.

[organicfarmer]

@ Chicagoan, great post.

The vertical packing cubelet's use as a packing cube for clothes is a good concept. I use a Eagle Creek (made before the transfer of owners) mini or slim packing cube that is about the size of the side effect. Maybe TB may make a larger size or a small packing cube for the same utility across several bags.

The toothpaste, body wash, etc hexagon shaped containers. What brand are they and are they waterproof or tight fitting? Do they interlock together? I use Humangear GoTubb's small size (appear similar size to those containers). I use 3 of them and air travel I would tape them in a stack to be compact and not wonder off to the abyss of the bag. I hadn't thought of using one for toothpaste before your post, I have been using the tube from a Toob toothbrush even in risk of crushed with used loosely.

In the 5th picture of the cookpot stuff sack laid out, how many cups of water/coffee can be heated to hot/boiling with fuel supply of that little gas bottle?

And a TB question for good measure to stay on topic. Vertical Packing Cubelet or Everyday/Travel Cubelet, both can serve the same utility, one has pockets and slightly larger. If you could only pick one for all your uses and style, VPC or EC?

[Chicagoan]

There are three new accessories (you can buy right now!) that also deserve a few nice words, so here's a little bit about the three items that came in the mail as a surprise but didn't take very long at all for me to find a good use for.

They all easily fit together (when packed full) into the Addax 31 with loads of room to spare. I would almost contend most folks could get away with the 26L size if you weren't tall or had a large laptop, because other than that, the 31L swallowed anything and everything I would logically take on a dayhike, and asked for dessert when I was done packing it.

1.) Small Grab Bag (Montana)



This is the smaller version of the existing Grab Bag, which is proof we can even get excited about scrap fabric (which is what these are made from).

It's got two carrying handles on the outside, one grab loop at each end of the zipper [to help with opening and closing], and two shoulder strap attachment points.

(And if you couldn't tell by the high-res pet hair, I share an apartment with three lovable - and very furry - cats, who all seem to love Tom Bihn bags as much as I do.)





There are two 2 O-Rings inside the bag, if those are things you like and use (I rarely use them, but folks who turn this into a micro shoulder/crossbody bag might clip their keys or an organizer pouch to them).

This is also proof that sometimes, making a second version of an existing product, but making it smaller or larger, opens it up to a whole new audience.

I honestly had no idea what to do with the damn thing when it came in the mail.
They told me they would send a bag, and well, I saw the backpack, so the other stuff was a bonus, but they were all things both new to the product line, and new to me (I didn't own either the full size Grab Bag, or the All Fabric Aeronaut Laundry Stuff Sack).

What did I know? The color combination is friggin' sweet. I'm such a sucker for 1980's retro-inspired color blocking that the custom-made backpack I use for backpacking is (big surprise) ALSO KHAKI AND TEAL. Truthfully, they should make a Coyote/Viridian version of every bag in their product line, because it just exudes this Sonoran Desert vibe that I can use on nights like tonight when it's currently (checking smartphone weather app) 9 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT WITH THE WIND CHILL.

It didn't take too long for me to find a good use for the Small Grab Bag, especially after quickly figuring out that that Addax would work really well as a day hiking bag.

It fits my 700mL titanium cookset PERFECTLY, with enough room below and around it to fit all the things I need to make backcountry coffee.



What's inside?

My cookpot stuff sack, which holds the pot, lid, canister fuel, and stove (in its own sack). A collapsible silicone cup (doesn't burn your hands off like titanium the same temperature as boiling water does). A spoon. Instant and pour-over coffees. A matchbook and mini lighter to start the stove. My pocketknife, which makes opening packages a little easier, especially with cold hands. And a small microfiber towel to help wipe things down dry after some simple dishwashing.



Small accessory stuff sacks and organizer pouches are GREAT for hikers and campers because they allow you to consolidate like items together, so that when someone asks to borrow your lighter, all you have to do is dig out the bag with the coffee stuff in it, and you know it's in there, instead of rifling through an entire backpack of loose items.

It's a simple design and I like it most because it's just enough room to fit all my coffee paraphernalia without leaving enough spare room for everything to rattle around each time I take a step hiking.

2.) Travel Laundry Stuff Sack (Mesh, Aeronaut 30, Cobalt 210 Cerylon)



The new, half-mesh travel laundry stuff sack is almost exactly the same size as the generic stuff sack I use to store my spare hiking clothes: rain jacket, rain pants, rain mitts, ankle gaiters, warm hat, warm gloves, sun hat, bug head net, quick drying towel, spare, underwear, spare socks, and a spare synthetic shirt.





What's super cool is since the Tom Bihn stuff sack is double-sided, I can toss my dirty socks or shirt on the opposite side after grabbing the clean ones, or if I want to keep something separate for easier access (like a bug head net) I can just stash it on the opposite side of everything else.



I used to just carry all those things in a solid fabric stuff sack, but it really helps being able to see all the items without having to empty the sack, and it's a really great organizational solution for keeping my spare hiking clothes organized in a way that not only consolidates them, but makes them easy to identify and grab. Trust me, when it start to rain and you're out in the wilderness, you don't want to waste time figuring out where you kept your raincoat.

It fits nicely in the bottom of most of my favorite packs, like the Addax, Smart Alec, or even the Cambiata.

It's already a stock feature, but using different color cordage for each side is a smart feature and an easy way to differentiate between the two halves.

It also occured to me - if you already own a Travel Tray, and you know how to convert the tray into a stuff sack, you will be able to roll down the top of the Addax backpack pretty easily. What the heck does this have to do with the laundry stuff sack? It's a stuff sack. With a cinch cord closure. So once you loosen the sack, you can roll the opening back down over itself if you want to get at the contents without spilling them all over the place (super useful when you're outside and dealing with wet and/or dirty ground).





3.) Vertical Packing Cubelet (Coyote 200 Halcyon)

Take the landscape-oriented 3D Organizer Cube, and instead of an opening on the long side, place it on the short side to give the pouch a portrait orientation.

That's the new VPC.



They did call it a Cubelet, and that makes sense to me, because it feels more like a stripped-down EC than a beefed-up 3DOC.

I still like one forum member's suggestion to rename it the "Rectanglet," but for now, I'll just call it the VPC from here on out.

The whole point of them making this organizer was the orientation. It stores a lot vertically while occupying a very minimal footprint at the bottom of your bag. The brick-like shape also means it stacks and packs neatly - they fit well next to another, and on top of another well.

There are 2 O-rings on the outside for a minimal shoulder strap or wrist strap, as well as 1 O-ring inside the pouch - but I don't tend to use either.



Like I mentioned briefly in my review of the Addax, I'm an advocate for the "cordless" method of interior organization, and these cubes are pretty ideally sized for slipping into the built-in pockets of bags like the Addax (or even my beloved Co-Pilot).

The vertical packing cubelet is great for power banks (I always carry not one, but three) as well as their charging cords and wall plug. This nests alongside my camera bag inside the inside bottom mesh pocket of the Addax.

I really like the vertical packing cubelet because it's a great internal organizer for tall bags with narrow bottoms (like most backpacks), whose orientation is great because it occupies less space at the bottom of the bag, and it's deep enough you can leave it unzipped.

For me, the portrait orientation makes these organizers a lot more useful than the classic landscape orientation of the original 3DOC - my next ask would be for them to make a Vertical Clear 3DOC so I could finally store my liquid travel size toiletries upright (my spray deodorant and hair spray are too tall for the current Clear 3DOC and things I have to store upright to prevent spills or leakage).

I did a test pack and learned two things:

1.) A fully-packed Vertical Packing Cubelet fits about damn perfectly in either the front left or right compartments on the Co-Pilot (and therefore should be an even easier fit into the same compartments on the Pilot). It also fits nicely into the main compartment of the Co-Pilot and will occupy about half the open space in front of the 2 pockets sewn into the back of that compartment (meaning you can probably fit 2 VPCs into the main compartment of the CP because, bag math).









2.) And it's also just the right side to fit exactly 1 t-shirt, 1 pair of socks, and 1 pair of underwear - the bare minimum change of clothes, if you wear pants, shoes, and a jacket (etc.) multiple days.





So, if you can also pack a fairly minimal toiletry kit, these cubes can potentially turn the Pilot and Co-Pilot into overnight bags!

It also works just the same for bags like the Cambiata, too. I was able to fit both a VPC (filled with a change of shirt, socks and underwear) and a STT (filled with an overnight's-worth of toiletries) at the bottom of the Cambiata with loads of room to spare. Those two things don't even fill up the bottom of the bag!









Nice to see TB supporting smaller bags with packing cubes again, even if it's a secondary use for a product like this one - I miss the days when you could almost buy coordinating cubes (Pilot, NFTD, Stowaway, etc.) but this solves that problem.

Hope the words and pictures were helpful for those of you considering the items for yourself or for gifting to someone else during the holiday season.

For now, I'm going to enjoy a heaping serving of crow for dinner because, for all the frustrated things I said about the Cambiata on the forums, I've had a Scrooge-on-Christmas-morning mood change about the bag, and I'll be damned saying it, but I love it and I've already carried it to work every day for the past week.

So, off to enjoy my delicious crow!

Om nom nom. Etc.