Comments on: First Take: Tom Bihn Western Flyer bag http://www.practicalhacks.com/2009/03/23/first-take-tom-bihn-western-flyer-bag/ Gadgets, gear, and greatness for people on the go Sat, 11 Feb 2012 22:48:43 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Kevin http://www.practicalhacks.com/2009/03/23/first-take-tom-bihn-western-flyer-bag/comment-page-1/#comment-6917 Kevin Sat, 14 Jan 2012 16:20:19 +0000 http://www.practicalhacks.com/?p=5035#comment-6917 Ray, My is crimson, and it's held up very well in terms of not showing dirt. Keep in mind, however, that I'm probably not the typical user - I have so many bags, few of them see rigorous use. Ray,

My is crimson, and it’s held up very well in terms of not showing dirt. Keep in mind, however, that I’m probably not the typical user – I have so many bags, few of them see rigorous use.

]]> By: Eric http://www.practicalhacks.com/2009/03/23/first-take-tom-bihn-western-flyer-bag/comment-page-1/#comment-6900 Eric Fri, 13 Jan 2012 22:50:56 +0000 http://www.practicalhacks.com/?p=5035#comment-6900 Other observations about the TriStar: I really like the arrangement of compartments front to back. At first I used my Eagle Creek 18" PackIt in the back compartment, but I found that using some modified bundle-wrapping and the internal straps keeps things almost as nice and saves some weight. The front 3 pockets could use a re-design in my opinion. All three pockets go down to the bottom of the bag, but this make everything sort of pile up down there. I personally would prefer the pockets not be quite so deep, so my stuff is distributed a little better vertically. But that's a bit of a nit-pick. I carry a laptop, magazines, and an iPad in the center along with my chargers and such in a small packing cube. I find that the bag works well this way, but sometimes I wish it had a bit of padding on the bottom! I use a Cache sleeve to protect my laptop, but if I have a lot to take I'll leave that at home and stick a T-shirt in the bottom of the bag for padding (every ounce counts!). Other observations about the TriStar: I really like the arrangement of compartments front to back. At first I used my Eagle Creek 18″ PackIt in the back compartment, but I found that using some modified bundle-wrapping and the internal straps keeps things almost as nice and saves some weight.

The front 3 pockets could use a re-design in my opinion. All three pockets go down to the bottom of the bag, but this make everything sort of pile up down there. I personally would prefer the pockets not be quite so deep, so my stuff is distributed a little better vertically. But that’s a bit of a nit-pick.

I carry a laptop, magazines, and an iPad in the center along with my chargers and such in a small packing cube. I find that the bag works well this way, but sometimes I wish it had a bit of padding on the bottom! I use a Cache sleeve to protect my laptop, but if I have a lot to take I’ll leave that at home and stick a T-shirt in the bottom of the bag for padding (every ounce counts!).

]]> By: Eric http://www.practicalhacks.com/2009/03/23/first-take-tom-bihn-western-flyer-bag/comment-page-1/#comment-6899 Eric Fri, 13 Jan 2012 22:44:13 +0000 http://www.practicalhacks.com/?p=5035#comment-6899 I have a red (crimson) Aeronaut, and yes it does get dirty easily. My TriStar is gray (steel?). I have traveled for business with it nearly every week for the past year, and it still looks like new. I also prefer the yellow interior, it makes a nice contrast and easy to see when a pocket gets left open by accident. I have a red (crimson) Aeronaut, and yes it does get dirty easily. My TriStar is gray (steel?). I have traveled for business with it nearly every week for the past year, and it still looks like new. I also prefer the yellow interior, it makes a nice contrast and easy to see when a pocket gets left open by accident.

]]> By: Ray http://www.practicalhacks.com/2009/03/23/first-take-tom-bihn-western-flyer-bag/comment-page-1/#comment-6898 Ray Fri, 13 Jan 2012 22:27:45 +0000 http://www.practicalhacks.com/?p=5035#comment-6898 Been thinking the same, Eric..I really like the red one if only because I already have too many black bags, however one reviewer (gadgeteer) regrets his color choice as his has been a dirt magnet. Have you had similar problems - I think you have the red one too, right, Kevin? I can imagine that if needed, with the watertight zippers one can just clean the ballistic nylon exterior with a soapy sponge and wipe the inside dry as needed. Any similar long term observations re the Tristar (or components like the tristar specific packing cubes)? Been thinking the same, Eric..I really like the red one if only because I already have too many black bags, however one reviewer (gadgeteer) regrets his color choice as his has been a dirt magnet. Have you had similar problems – I think you have the red one too, right, Kevin? I can imagine that if needed, with the watertight zippers one can just clean the ballistic nylon exterior with a soapy sponge and wipe the inside dry as needed. Any similar long term observations re the Tristar (or components like the tristar specific packing cubes)?

]]> By: Eric http://www.practicalhacks.com/2009/03/23/first-take-tom-bihn-western-flyer-bag/comment-page-1/#comment-6897 Eric Fri, 13 Jan 2012 21:34:42 +0000 http://www.practicalhacks.com/?p=5035#comment-6897 I would give the Tri-star a try. It's smaller than the airboss. I like it because it will also fit under an airline seat. I would give the Tri-star a try. It’s smaller than the airboss. I like it because it will also fit under an airline seat.

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