The Context: I got my Pop Tote second-hand on Instagram a couple of weeks ago, and have been using it as my work bag ever since. If I had bought it new, I would have got Black or Aubergine- I'm not completely sold on Mars Red. I keep hoping it will be a brighter, clearer red, as it often looks in pictures, but it is definitely a brick red. However, the Pop Tote is fabulous and I absolutely love it!It holds everything I need for teaching around campus, and it fits better in my bike panniers than my old messenger-style Moop bag did, since it is a more vertical orientation. I carry in it everyday the following items:
Here you can see some details of the side pockets- they are an identical construction. There is a small space between the bag and the outer pocket. One side holds my Rick Steves travel umbrella (10 oz; dimensions: 1 ¾" x 2" x 10 ½" when closed) and the other is where I slip my phone. I tried putting my water bottle and coffee thermos in there, but the pocket gets narrower as it goes down, so it doesn't really work for either. I just put them inside with everything else (they are both leakproof construction). One zippered pocket holds a travel pack of tissues and a box of gum, and the other holds my pens and an 8" key strap for my keys. I want to get a 16" one to make it easier to keep the straps on my shoulders and unlock doors, but it can also be done with the 8" strap. The top of the Pop Tote can be snapped to the sides, as it is in the first few photos, or unsnapped and zipped up. I generally keep it snapped open, but it rained a ton last week and I was very glad to have the zipper closure. I put my phone on the inside and I have also thrown in a cardigan or light jacket as the afternoons have heated up, and I've never felt the bag was over capacity. The padded handles keep it comfy, even with a ton of weight inside.
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It's been a long time since I've gotten a package from Tom Bihn, so today was ridiculously exciting. I got a Western Flyer to use as a minimal travel bag; a Pop Tote ordered second hand from Instagram; 2 ghost whale pouches; a travel pillow (tiny blue bag); another small Double Organizer Pouch; and Iberian zipper pulls and key strap. I'll be doing individual posts for the different objects as I use them day to day.
Use: Camera bag Context: My son uses his travel cubelet as a camera bag, and still has room for a few other items, too. Accessories: 8” Keystrap Snaphook/O-ring in Black; Small Clear Organizer Pouch in Steel; Cord Pulls with plastic ends in black Contents:
Use: Mini travel purse for road stops. Context: A place for everything I needed when we stopped on the road, including when I would take the dog out at the hotel. – I always kept the hotel key in the front pocket at hand and away from my phone. There is some repetition here with the travel tray, because those pocket items always stay in my travel cubelet for when I take it on walks or errands around town. Accessories: Clear Organizer Wallet in Linen; 8" Snaphook/ Snaphook Key Strap in Black; 8" Snaphook/O-Ring in Ultraviolet; Cord Zipper Pulls with Plastic Ends in Ultraviolet Contents: Front Pocket
Use: I put in all the things I wanted to have nearby while I was riding in the passenger seat and a couple of things that just ended up there. Context: Two 10-hour days in the car from Minnesota to Maine. Then, shorter trips to Vermont and Boston over the course of two weeks. Contents:
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AuthorI'm a big fan of Tom Bihn bags, and I love to see how others use theirs, especially when I'm considering which bag to get next. I've created this site to share how I use mine in hopes that it will be helpful to others wondering which bag(s) will serve their needs best. Please comment and let me know how you use your Tom Bihn bags! ArchivesCategories
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