TOM BIHN: haven’t met the person, however love his company! Learn the inspiring story about how the corporate acquired its begin.
In search of the right backpack for “minimal” (one keep it up bag solely) worldwide journey took analysis. The final time I did this sort of journey was a long time in the past as a school scholar overseas.
Issues have modified. Supplies are as powerful or harder, however lighter. Folks carry various things now – telephones, tablets, laptops, chargers, cords, and many others.
After selecting Tom Bihn, a Seattle firm that designs gear primarily based on private information and consumer suggestions, orders material, cuts it, and sews it on website, I ordered the Synik 30(Liter). In case you don’t know, like I didn’t, backpacks are sized in Liters.
They’ve a loyal following, which I joined after ordering a backpack with the fallacious inside material. While you order your bag, you select from a number of exterior and inside material weights and colours. I used to be going for the lightest bag doable with powerful exterior material that will disguise dust, and a lightweight coloured inside material that will make it simpler to search out issues.
I contacted the corporate, advised them it was fully my fault, however may I presumably return the bag and re-order? The mixture I wished was not in inventory, however they managed to search out me one and ship it out instantly, with out cost, earlier than I’d returned the unique!
To prime that off, they provided to ship a brand new backpack they have been within the means of designing, the Techonaut 30(Liter), to my daughter for this journey. It was solely obtainable for Pre-Order at that time and eagerly anticipated, so it was a giant deal. They requested solely that she give trustworthy suggestions on the bag. She even acquired to decide on the materials and colours. The kicker was getting it to her earlier than our departure date. I used to be just a little involved, so provided to pay expedited transport to make certain she’d have it in time. Subsequent factor I knew, they’d shipped it 2 Day Air! It made it simply in time!
Tom Bihn backpacks and kit aren’t low cost, however you get greater than you pay for, for my part. It’s not nearly glorious materials at numerous weights/toughness, it’s about issues like prime of the road, YKK waterproof zippers sized for straightforward dealing with. These zippers are just a little tougher to open and shut due to the rubberized backing. I preferred that as a result of – waterproof if it rains. However that additionally means they’re tougher for pickpockets to slide open.
I simply carried the Synik 30 round for 2 weeks to, throughout, and again from Croatia. I’m speaking a number of flights, hanging out in airports, a resort when a flight was cancelled, 5 AirB&Bs in 5 completely different cities, ubers, taxis, taxi boats, and ferries. The factor seems and works like new! The identical is true for the Techonaut 30 Audrey carried.
As a result of they’re always promoting out, backpacks & equipment are listed as “In Inventory” or “In Manufacturing”. They put up Restock dates and instances, and imagine me, persons are ready to hit these Add to Basket/Checkout Now buttons as quickly as restocked gadgets go reside!
PACKING A BACKPACK
To Dice or To not Dice
Packing cubes have been round a very long time. You should use them in normal suitcases, totes, backpacks, no matter. Those that use them love them and wouldn’t pack some other means.
Tom Bihn backpacks are constructed with compression straps, “O” rings, pockets, and many others., so cubes aren’t obligatory, however slightly a further possibility.
I picked up a wide range of shapes & sizes by two manufacturers – REI and Eagle Creek. All of them are “compression cubes”. Meaning there’s two units of zippers. Pack the dice, zip it up, after which shut the compression zipper, taking the dice right down to about half the dimensions. Consider it or not, the suitable journey garments don’t wrinkle, even below this stress.
My three cubes have been used for; 1) underwear & socks, 2) capris & slacks, and three) tops.
One dice I didn’t suppose I wanted, however WILL be including for the following journey is a Clear/Soiled dice. They often have a versatile/moveable heart divider. Some are rectangular, some are stuff baggage. As you employ your garments, transfer them to the sealed “soiled” aspect of the dice.
Rely me a packing dice convert!
Equipment
After procuring round for a brand new smaller, lighter toiletry bag, I ended up getting a Tom Bihn Standard Spiff Kit in Island 210 Ballistic. Different manufacturers are inexpensive, however they only can’t compete in terms of building high quality and life expectancy. It held all the pieces I wanted for a 2 week journey and match completely contained in the very prime of the backpack.
Lastly, simply so everybody is aware of, I might have written in regards to the Tom Bihn firm and their merchandise with or with out the Techonaut given to Audrey, an avid outdoors-woman, for subject testing. I’m that impressed with the corporate, their philosophy, and the oldsters that work there.
Supply: carolinaepicurean.com
