Tom Bihn is a highly-regarded travel bag, laptop bag, backpack and tote brand that focuses on design that will last for many years. This is exactly what we’ve found, in using their backpacks for travel, both long- and short-term. Tom Bihn is a creative company that makes unique products with heavy-duty zippers, perfect stitching and great materials.

The company is best known for their production process, which focuses on skilled bag-making, design experience and never sacrificing quality. Tom Bihn is not a massive company — it’s more like a family-owned business that expanded and became regarded for creativity and bag design.

You’ll have to see for yourself, if you’re looking for a special travel bag!

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My experience with Tom Bihn

I started using Tom Bihn bags in 2018, when I bought my Synapse 25 backpack. I was looking for a durable back for travel that would last forever. Tom Bihn was the brand I chose!

Ever since, it’s been one of my go-to companies for quality bags and accessories. I’m always glad to try out their new releases, from larger travel backpacks, to their special products like sling bags for parents.

Man wearing DUER jeans and a tom bihn synapse backpack.

Where to buy Tom Bihn products

The best place to buy Tom Bihn products is online at the Tom Bihn website. You can learn a lot about all the bags on the website, and their site does a great job of explaining full sets of details on the descriptions, materials and specs, reviews, Q&A and photos and videos for any given bag, backpack, tote or hip pack.

Impressively, Tom Bihn products aren’t sold on other sites like REI, Backcountry or other outdoors and travel retailers. The brand is very direct-to-consumer and they do a good job of keeping their unique products available only at their website, where all the products are authentic. I don’t know many other brands that do this.

Does Tom Bihn offer a Lifetime Guarantee?

Yes! They’ll fix any defects with the bag’s construction. If you left your bag outside and a squirrel made a nest inside, they will fix it, but it will cost you a reasonable fee to bring it back to normal.

I actually found a hole in my Synapse bag around the bottom compartment. I didn’t intentionally puncture a hole in that pocket. however, it did happen to form after keeping my tripod in one of the bottom pockets. Tom Bihn reached out and repaired the hole for free! The process was really quick and easy.

Since buying the bag several years ago, there haven’t been any issues. It virtually looks new!

What types of products does Tom Bihn sell?

The Tom Bihn brand sells a lot of different gear that’s good for travel of everyday use.

Tom Bihn may be best known for their backpacks and laptop bags, but they also make high-quality tote bags, “hip packs,” cross-body bags and organization accessories like packing cubes, toiletries bags, tech pouches for keeping inside other Tom Bihn bags and wallets.

In terms of the Tom Bihn bags I’ve tried, I’ve tried backpacks and travel bags like convertible duffles in a variety of sizes. My Synapse backpack is 25 liters, perfect for a shopping trip or day out. My Techonaut backpack is 45 liters, and I have used it for weekend trips away, or I pack it as my toddler’s luggage when we take a trip.

What are some of the benefits of Tom Bihn?

The standout benefit of Tom Bihn goods is the quality, by far. The company is very transparent about their materials, production and staff. They even have an entire glossary of their materials on the website for you to view, if you were wondering about them.

All the Tom Bihn products are made in their Seattle factory, so they’re proudly made in the USA.

There’s also their customer service. If you find something wrong with your bag, they ask that you get in touch with their staff right away through the website or by calling, to get your issue fixed.

Man wearing a tom bihn synapse backpack walking through a crowd.

Where do Tom Bihn fall short?

Tom Bihn falls short in the “maybe these bags aren’t for everyone” category. Their demographic is people who value utility, quality and long-lasting bags. The Tom Bihn product line is not for someone who wants a sleek or fancy travel bag.

The “look” of the bags is certainly not for everyone. I would not call Tom Bihn products fashionable. Tom Bihn has a following of people who are really enthusiastic about the brand, the quality of the products and the features of the products. The products are not stylish–for example, Becca isn’t really into them for day bags. She’ll use Tom Bihn dufffels or backpacks as luggage when we travel.

Where does Tom Bihn ship from?

Tom Bihn products ship from their Seattle HQ location! It’s cool that they ship from within the US, rather than internationally, so this speeds things up for us as the consumers.

How to wash Tom Bihn bags?

This is a good question with a specific answer. Tom Bihn products should be hand-washed, rather than tossed around your washing machine. The recommendation is to spot clean the Tom Bihn bag or accessory with some dish soap and let it soak, and let it dry. You can also disinfect Tom Bihn products with rubbing alcohol.

If you want to give your Tom Bihn bag a bath, you can do that too, in your bathtub. They just recommend not using your washer or going to your dry cleaner.

What is the Tom Bihn return policy?

To return a Tom Bihn bag, it must be returned within 60 days of purchase. It also has to be in new condition, meaning you can’t return any Tom Bihn item that has been used or has tags off.

It is preferable to send back any Tom Bihn products in their original box with original packaging. So, if you think you may be having some doubts about what you bought from Tom Bihn, keep that box with the packing material in your closet so that your refund can be easy peasy.