Comments on: First take: Tom Bihn Tri-Star

By: Kevin

Kevin — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 22:45:24 +0000

Alvin,

I’d check the dimensions carefully, as well as read user comments about the Tri-Star on the Bihn Forum. Finally, I think the Tri-Star has been reviewed a couple of times at OBOW. A little extra research should help allay your fears.

By: Alvin G.

Alvin G. — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 22:00:13 +0000

thanks for the reply Kevin..
I was just concerned because the Airboss and Aeronaut looked so much bigger than the Tri Star..
at 270.00, plus strap…its a costly mistake that I cant afford..

By: Kevin

Kevin — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 21:57:23 +0000

I don’t think you can go wrong with the Tri-Star. It’s one of those bags that is damn near perfect, particularly for the type of travel you do.

By: Alvin G.

Alvin G. — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 19:23:14 +0000

I was torn between the Red Oxx Arboss and the Tom Bihn Aeronaut. The lack of shoulder straps on the Airboss pushed me towards the Aeronaut…but now after seeing the Tri Star.. i cant choose!
any suggestions from the owners of both out there?
I will be traveling for business..mostly for 5 days, no suits, button downs, khakis and maybe a pair of jeans…
I have a laptop, and a kindle..cell phone, chargers etc..

any thoughts?

By: Michael W.

Michael W. — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 00:02:53 +0000

“There’s nothing more frustrating when you’re running late and find yourself unzipping half-a-dozen compartments, looking for that one thing’ you need quickly.”

I can see your point, but I prefer that my seat-side bag, with all its small items, have SOME degree of built-in organization. Otherwise I end up using small ditty bags, cubes, and pouches to provide it myself. Yes it’s possible to forget where I tucked something away, but over time I’ve gotten used to putting things in the same places and with like-items.

My favorite “self-organizing” bag is the Gator from Red Oxx, which has the most useful combination of pouches, slots, and panels I have found to date. It rocks – unfortunately it is a little on the heavy side, due more to stiff, thick foam on 3 sides than on its basic materials choices.

For my actual carry-on luggage I don’t need much “built-in” organization, just an easy location for “security transit pull-out items” like my 3-1-1 bag/medical liquids plus netbook. But if the bag is light enough, I don’t care if it has some extra slots/panels – they can be useful for stowing a light jacket or sweater for possible seat use on a cold-flight or for airport use on an enforced decampment at the airport.

In this category, I like the light, ultra cheap (as in inexpensive) Outdoor Products Essentials Carryon (referred to as the OPEC in articles on this site) and the Rick Steves convertible backpack in its “original,” simpler version. Since neither has much structure on its own, I add structure by wrapping my clothes in the excellent Eagle Creek Pack It 18 – it adds a little weight, but the functionality increase (both interior organization and stiffening the bag) is worth it.

All this having been said, I have to say I like WHAT I SEE about the Bihn CoPilot a lot but at $110 am wary about ordering it blindly. At 11 ounces for a 600 cubic inch flight bag (shoulder bag) in the all Dyneema fabric, it makes me drool. The problem is, I can tell in 5 minutes of handling whether a bag will work for me, but strictly mail ordering puts me at risk for dissatisfaction.