THE GUIDES PACK - A REVIEW

Sporting an outdoors aesthetic, the Guide's Pack differs from most other Tom Bihn bags while maintaining the quality craftsmanship and functionality inherent in all their products. It's got a classic hiker feel with a practical, modern design. So, if you're in the market for a hiking bag, day pack, cross country trek gear or anything inbetween, keep reading and we'll walk through everything this new pack has to offer and find out just who it'll fit on best. 

My wife and I live in Japan and, with the exception of my mother's letters, we don't get much mail. So as you can imagine, I was even more beside my self than usual when the much anticipated Tom Bihn package arrived at my door.

Cardboard has never looked so pretty

Like usual, I wanted to review the pack the minute I got it, right there in my living room.

But I didn't, and over the last two months I've traveled across Japan with it on my back.
It's accompanied me on a tour of 4 of the largest cities in the country, hiked the mountains surrounding the prefecture I live in, and I've periodically used it as my day pack and for getaway weekends with my wife.

The New Diggs...

The first thing I noticed upon unpacking it was the brand new material the packs constructed of. 420d HT Parapack fabric -that's 420 denier High Tenacity 6.6 nylon. Literally the stuff Parachuters used. Now, I'm all for going into in-depth material reviews but Tom Bihn himself does a pretty good job covering everything (and more) you'd want to know about the fabric. You can check it out HERE.

Facing the morning sun, the Guide's Pack in Olive.

What do I think of it? 
Well, it put off a much brighter and reflective sheen than I was expecting. Keep in mind this is a synthetic material -so don't expect some cotton or cotton blend type of cloth. It's lighter then the 1020d the company offers for most their products but do not fear - there's no gain in vulnerability. It's still as strong as anything else they offer. Before seeing the bag in person I was expecting something with less of a shiny surface and more of a canvas-esqu feel. Depending on what lighting your in, the pack can fool you to thinking it's either one.

"In addition to our 420d HT nylon Classic Parapack simply being a beautiful, densely woven, tough-as-nails fabric, its smooth surface entirely lacks an affinity for pet hair, lint, sweater fuzz, and snow. "

-Tom Bihn 

The Back Bone

Besides sporting all new material the Guide's Pack steps into hiking territory with the inclusion of an internal frame. A removable internal frame actually...

With a 1" wide stay of aluminum running down the middle, the black polyethylene frame sheet fins slide neatly into 6 slips on the inside of the pack. Designed to make carrying a fully loaded hiking pack less of a burden, the internal frame helps with weight distribution and keeps the back of the pack  in line with your spine. 

The frame also keeps the bag from caving in. If you'd like your pack to always maintain its shape then keep it in. But if you're like me, you'll use the frame on hikes and keep it frameless the rest of the time. I love being able to toss my backpacks around, stuff it in my closet or throw them in the trunk. With the frame out, it feels more like an everyday carry sort of bag. And I love that I have the option to do both. 

With the frame in. 

With the frame taken out. 

ALSO: Notice the dramatic difference in the color of the packs as the light settings change. They should have called it the Chameleon.

ACCESSORIES

It wouldn't be a Tom Bihn product if there weren't any optional accessories. The Guide's pack has a couple different options for you. The "Lead's Pocket" and "Side Pockets".  Let's look at a Side pocket first.

You have the option of choosing either a right or left side pocket. These pockets are essentially open pouches that could easily hold two 16oz bottles of water and a pair of gloves. In the picture, I have a 16oz Thermos and, as you can see, there's plenty of room to spare. There's also an "o-ring" inside, incase you want to strap in your keys or some organizational pouches.


Pockets attach via a clipping system that is no doubt secure but a bit annoying to get on and off.


NOTE: My pack and all the accessories came with red and tan colored tie strings. You have the option of where and which color ties you want to connect with your zippers.

Speaking of zippers, both side accessories feature #8YKK zippers and a zipper flap covering the zipper.

With the side pocket placed on my right side, it's easily accessible to grab whatever I need. 

Here on the left side of the Guide's pack is the "Lead's Pocket". For a guy who is kind of obsessed with organization and compartmentalization, I have to say I adore having this addition to the pack. 

The Lead's Pocket

First off, both the "Side Pockets" and the "Leads Pocket" have a sort of 'secret' zippered section on the underside of the pocket. Inside the hidden slip you'll find a small section for your wallet, keys, Cell phone or whatever. There's even an "O-Ring" inside.

Again, this little hidden gem is on both pockets available. 

Pulling back the flaps reveal #8 YKK zippers. 

Inside the Lead's Pocket you'll find a variety of ways to store and place all your hiking and day-outing needs. Pens, pencils, knives, memory cards, city guides, bus tickets, flashlights, wallets, lighters, cell phones, batteries, cords and cables, whatever you might need to bring along... it'll take it.

There's even a way for you to attach waist straps to the Lead's Pocket that'll enable you to carry it around like a fanny pack. ...Or a satchel, if fanny packs aren't your thing.

Back to the Pack!

The Guide's Pack without the optional side pockets (above)

Hiking Mt. Tsukuba in Ibaraki Japan

The top flap of the pack allows for further storage, but before we go into that let me take a moment to complement the accessory strap holders. In my opinion, the diamond shaped leathery-looking strap holders are what really make the feel of this pack complete. I love it. It really gives off that old-school back packer, hitch hiking across the country, sleeping under bridges vibe. Ok, that might be over the top, but seriously, if it was a softer material I'd be sewing patches all over this thing.

Nylon webbing fastened under synthetic felt. 

The top flap that covers the main compartment of the bag also features a rather large storage section. Like the side pockets, the top flap features O-Rings inside the storage area and the zippers are covered by flaps to give some added protection from the elements.
The top flap is held secure via two buckles that can be tightened as desired.


There's easily enough space to fit a light rain jacket or sweater inside.

Flip the top flap over and hey! Guess what! More organization options! The top slip fits my iPhone 5 perfectly while the one below gives a bit more space.  Of course there's O-Rings too.

Two mesh pockets provide easy access to your electronic goodies. Or some Snickers. 

Just underneath the top flap is a grab loop to help with packing.

This is a ruck sack which means you'll be accessing all the contents of the bag via a draw string.  Like all Tom Bihn products, the draw string and cord lock don't seem like they'll ever wear out and I can hike assured that all my crap will stay put and (probably) bug free.

The inside of the pack is quite simple -nothing special. Just one large unobstructed open compartment ready to be cram packed.

With a higher chance of being drug along and worn down, the bottom of the pack features a tougher 1050d ballistic nylon. With two accessory straps on the bottom and an ice-axe loop, you have the ability to carry along your sleeping bag, (yoga?) mat, tripod or whatever.  If you'd rather not attach them to the bottom of the pack then you could strap it to the top.

The back of the pack features a quarter of an inch of closed cell foam padding covered with some type of special breathable mesh. The shoulder straps are second to none. Seriously, I've used all sorts of shoulder straps... from the Redoxx fluffy felt to the Patagonia pillow pads, and the shoulder straps on this pack (and all other Bihn bags) are my preferred choice.

The pack comes with a removable 1" waist strap.
Now, here's where I want to give some constructive criticism of the pack.
This bag has everything I want in a hiking pack. Quality material, internal frame, options for external storage and organization, comfortable shoulder strap and... a 1-inch waist strap?
If a waist strap is going to give any real relief then it's got to provide more coverage then an inch of your hip.
Now, I know I'm being a little difficult here because the thing is, if the bag featured big 'ol fat padded waist straps then it would have instantly lost any and all appeal to the casual backpacker (like myself). While extremely practical for hiking, padded waist straps would be an annoyance to the every day carry routine.
However, I have to say that big 'ol fat padded wast straps are, in fact, practical, and it's a bummer that the pack can't boast the benefits of such. It's the only thing I find lacking...

So here's my idea...

I've noticed that at the bottom of the pack you have the option of placing your 1" waist strap on one of two hoops.

The 1" waist strap, connected to the lower hoop. 

Perhaps this is already in the works, but I don't see why Tom Bihn couldn't make a padded, heavier-duty waist strap accessory. I think the two hoops could serve as a dual support system for a more serious waist strap that'd be of use to anyone wanting to go on extended hikes or would appreciate a bit more weight distribution.  I've drawn up a rough draft of what it could look like below.

"So where can we put an 'O-Ring' on it...?"  

Anyway, back to the review.

 Who is this Pack for?

The Guide's Pack is a rare breed of outdoor backpacks that caters to a few different crowds. For those who are looking for a dedicated hiking pack and want to stay away from mass produced name brand products, then the Guide's Pack could be a good fit for you. It's got everything a general purpose hiker/outdoorsman (or woman) would want but isn't so intimidating that us non-Everest'ers would be too afraid to use it. 

There's a charming, old school vibe about it that really makes it an attractive pack. For those who are looking for something to easily stuff your weekend belongings in for a quick getaway, I can imagine the Guide's Pack serving you well for many years to come. 

So to both the avid outdoor enthusiast and the casual backpacker, I highly recommend the Guide's Pack. With the large carrying capacity, its ability to remove the internal frame and to add and take away all the accessories, you have one pretty flexible pack that also happens to look really cool. 

The Guide's Pack

Cons

• for a pack largely geared towards outdoor excursions, there needs to be a more useful waist strap. 
• parachute sold separately 

Pros

• awesome aesthetics 
• fantastic quality and craftsmanship 
• plenty of organization and expansion options
• comes in a variety of colors
• made in the USA

Let me know what you think of the Guide's Pack Review. I'd love to hear your comments or questions. Thanks for reading. 

The Man Purse

When we officially decided to move to Japan I found myself concerned with a series of new issues.

"I don't know the language. How will I survive!?"

"Exactly what, and to whom, will I be teaching?"

"Man of Steel doesn't come out till mid August there!"

"Is Chick-filla a globalized franchise?"

And finally, the topic of today's post:

"What item will I practically and fashionably store all of my everyday crap in?"

If this post was a Seinfeld episode it'd be called "The Man Purse" because to some of you, this is a blog post about nothing -but to me, this is about my absolute favorite EDC bag.

"What's the deal with those Carry-on's?"

EDC?

Every Day Carry. If you didn't know that simple acronym then more than likely you're not a bag enthusiast like myself and the millions of others suffering from OCD- obsessive carrying disorder.

5 months ago I was looking for the perfect bag, and after much Internet research, review reading and company comparisons, I placed an order for Tom Bihn's messenger bag briefcase hybrid, the Co-Pilot.





Completely happy with my purchase, I wanted to review it the moment I got it; however, I've waited a few months to review it in hopes of a more honest evaluation than one of those "unboxing" videos that people seem to love.

"It feels slightly heavier than the last one..." 

When I was looking for my perfect bag I had two things in mind.


First, I always like having an assortment of different nick-knacks and so organization and compartments were a must.


Second, I wanted a bag big enough to carry my iPad and maybe a few books but small enough to carry anywhere without being a hassle.

The Co-Pilot is that bag. 

I've now had my Co-Pilot at my side for just over 4 months now and in that short time span I've used it practically everyday and taken it everywhere. It's innards are usually comprised of the following:

• iPad, 
• stationary
• pens and pencils
• Hanko
• iPhone 5
• water bottle or mini umbrella. 
• money pouch 
• wallet / I.D. 
• schedule/planner
• keys 
• small health related pouch (Tylenol, inhalent, chaptick)
• passport
• Swiss knife 
• compass 
• Occasionally, my mirrorless camera system, lens and charger. 

My Review

In short, I love this bag. As desired, it has enough compartments and organization options for me to always know where somethings at, and it is small enough for me to throw over my shoulder and carry along in any situation.

Aesthetically, it's a very versatile bag. Being an English teacher at an elementary school, most of the time (in the summer season at least) I'm in slacks and a polo. The Co-Pilot has no problem fitting in. 

When I need to be more dressed up and ready for a meeting at my City's Board of Education... fine. The Co-Pilot has an appearance that works well with a suit and tie that doesn't try and draw attention to itself.

Quality

The bag is made with the strongest materials. 1050 Denier Ballistic Nylon means the bag will be way more resilient towards the typical ware and tare bags are put through.






I've had mine for 4 months now and I can't find any suggestions the fabric is giving out, torn or cut. It's solid stuff.

I might have sat it in some gum on the street once. 

The inside of the bag is lined with Japanese Ripstop material. It's strong, light-weight and offers a larger variety of colors. I ordered the black/wasabi edition.

The zippers are #8 YKK Aquaguard water-repellent coil zippers. As the name suggests, these bad boys give this bag an added advantage of dryness during the rainy season. The bag comes with medal pulls attached, or you could cut those off and replace them with provided cord zip pulls. Cutting off the metal pulls sounds way too permanent for me so I opted to put both on.




As you'd expect, I've noticed a bit of ware on the zippers.

Design

One great design feature is that, unlike most bags, there is a dedicated place to store a drink right in the center of the bag. This way, you're not constantly having to counteract the awkward weight a drink might give you if it were located at the ends of the bag. You might have also noticed a small hole in the bottom of the bag in a picture above. No worries, it's there to allow wet umbrellas or sweating water bottles to drain out. Very cool.

It's also the perfect size for my lens case.

In every compartment on the bag there are dedicated "O-Rings" for you to attach whatever you desire. The guys over at Tom Bihn have a plethora of accessories like storage pouches, lights, straps, smaller bags, etc, for you to add on should you have the desire.

I did

The front section is divided into three separate compartments. The two on the outside are same in shape but the left side features a place to store pens and pencils (or whatever), and the right side has a dedicated smartphone slip.
In the picture above you'll see I keep a pen, mechanical pencil, highlighter, portable screwdriver, my personal Hanko and keys - attached with Bihn's 16 inch key strap. I also purchased a mini clear organizer pouch which holds my USB's and SD cards. Lastly, it's always a good idea to keep a few meds and my inhaler with me just incase.



The opposite compartment is the same size only with a place for your precious touchable electronic device.

The dedicated smartphone slip is lined with ultra-suede so you don't have to worry about scratches.



One of my only complaints is that using the O-Ring in this pocket gets in the way if you plan on using the smartphone slip too. Generally, I just keep my iPhone, coin pouch and headphones in this side.

In Japan, any currency under 1,000 yen is a coin. So if you want to buy something under $10 you have to pillage through your (absolutely necessary) coin pouch. So, I always have my phone and my money right in the same place so it's never a hassle and I'm not keeping up any checkout lines.

Always, always have your money ready.

Probably the most delightful surprise about the bag was how easy it allows me to ride my bike and have fast and easy access to my phone. Everyday, on my way to and from school, I'll have my headphones in, connected to my iPhone, and I can either listen to a playlist or make some Skype calls. You wouldn't think much of it but having a pocket solely for your phone puts my mind at ease as I'm bumping on and off sidewalks and roads.

The largest compartment is accessible through two zippers that extend a quarter of the way down the back of the bag.

The main compartment also includes two large pockets to offer further compartmentalization.

This easily fits my iPad and I can even manage to squeeze in an 8.5 x 11 folder if I wanted. Albeit it's a close fit and you're likely going to have some of the corners of your paper chewed up a bit. If the bag was only an inch longer it would be much more suited for carrying documents. What's worse is that in Japan the common paper sizes are considerably bigger than what we have in the states.
So, if you are planning on doing business in Japan, business that requires you to transport documents, I suggest using one of the Co-Pilot's big brothers. I've read in forums rumors of a "Pilot" that's in the works. Supposedly a reincarnation of this bag but in a larger, perhaps Japan-friendly form. If that ever comes to light I will probably kick and moan till I end up buying it. Till then, I'm content with folding.



On the back side there's an open top pocket which can fit a small book or magazine. The bottom actually zips open in case you want to slide the handles of some rollable luggage through it to keep it secure.

On top of the bag there's a padded PORON foam handle located directly in the middle of the bag. I don't know what PORON is but it sounds very special and makes for a comfortable grip. 

Even with nothing in it, the Co-Pilot won't lose it's shape. 

*Empty

*Full

The Shoulder Strap

No matter how perfect any bag may be, if you have an uncomfortable or weak shoulder strap then all is lost. What's the point of spending X dollars on some fantastic bag that will ultimately ware you out? 

Obviously, I'm an advocate of this bag. But, I'm an even bigger advocate of Tom Bihn's Absolute Shoulder Strap. The bag comes with a strap that looks like your average acceptable shoulder strap ...OR you can shell out an extra $20 and get this baby. 

The Absolute is literally the most comfortable way to carry your gear and the best reviewed shoulder strap I could find online. Bag or no bag, go and buy this thing to replace whatever neck-pinching, shoulder-grinder you have. 

The strap features an ergonomically curved neoprene pad that is soft on one side and non-slip on the other. The pad is curved slightly to fit the shape of your shoulder and it's non-slip side works like a charm. 

The material it's made from allows the padded part to stretch and distribute much of the unpleasant weight that would otherwise be gnawing at your neck and arms. For the longest time I was a huge fan of RedOxx' "claw" strap but this beat it hands down.

Just google "best shoulder straps" and see what happens. 

The Absolute joins the Co-Pilot via it's "matte black snap hooks" and the bags D-rings. The snap hooks feature a lovely USA symbol just in case you forgot where it was made.

Something I've come to appreciate about this bag is that it's quiet. Most other bags with great hardware seem to clank around. The D-Rings on the bag are NOT metal but rather some type of strong plastic or something. The result is that you don't have to listen to clinks and clanks all day as you shuffle about.

A Me Ri Ka!

The Co-Pilot

Con's

• It's not the most ideal bag to carry documents in, especially if you live in Japan where the paper size is abnormally large. 
• Limited padding. 

Pro's

• Highest quality craftsmanship. 
• Plenty of organization options. 
• Small yet efficiently compacted. 
• At $110 you get a bag that is made to last. 
• Aesthetically pleasing. 
• Variety of colors to choose from. 
• American made. 
• Great customer support.