May 7, 2018

New Luminary Backpacks Are In The Works

11 comments
New Luminary Backpacks Are In The Works


Tom sews one of the new Luminary prototypes in his design studio.

Tom has made a couple of design updates to the original Luminary. Most notably, he's made the right side pocket large enough to fit phablets such as the iPhone Plus and the HTC U Ultra; the left side pocket is a bit bigger too (wider actually) than the first iteration of the Luminary. The asymmetrical height of the pockets makes the main compartment zipper extend further down one side than the other, which we think looks kinda cool. Yet Tom was able to nudge things around so that the new Luminary's main compartment zipper still opens just as wide as the older version – about 44 cm or 17.4”.

Concurrent with the redesign of the Luminary was the development of a new, larger Luminary—the Luminary 14. Its shoulder straps and over-all height are intended to better fit taller and/or broader folks, and its padded back compartment can fit up to a 13” laptop. The Luminary 14 can hold noticeably more than the original Luminary (henceforth to be known as the Luminary 10), yet is still quite a modest sized pack. (For those paying close attention: we re-measured the volume of the original Luminary when we were measuring this new size, and the original came in at a perfect 10 liters. Both were measured using our new volume measurement protocol, so we feel very confident abut these numbers — more on that some other time....).

Both the Luminary 10 and Luminary 14 are in the final stages of their creation: pattern adjustments are being made and Tom is working with Lisa, Fong, and Nik to ensure both bags are efficiently manufacturable. We expect the new Luminaries will be available for order sometime soon-ish (emphasis on the ish).

To sign up to be notified when the new Luminary 10 is available, visit the Luminary 10 page.

To be notified when the Luminary 14 is available for order, subscribe to our general mailing list or to our blog posts (that sign-up box is on the right). 


Various Luminary prototypes on Tom's drafting table.

11 comments

Jeff - November 19, 2019

Good news for fans of the Luminary but us early adopters should be able to get a discount!

Lynette - November 19, 2019

I finally after a month of research I have figured out this bag will be the best for me and well… now I have to wait for production. Good things come to those who wait, Right? I’m actually excited for the changes. Any chance you’ll also be making a FREUDIAN SLIP to fit as well? I would really love one of those!
Thank you for such amazing products! P.s.. this won’t be my first Tom Bihn purchase.

TB Crew - November 19, 2019

@Eveleen Henry That’s useful feedback, Eveleen — thanks.

Eveleen Henry - November 19, 2019

I am so glad to hear of pending modifications to the Luminary. I have now used this bas on two 3-week trips to Europe where it served as my sole carryon and my daypack. I have found the size of the side pockets frustratingly unhandy. A package of Kleenex, lip balm, and small sunscreen OR a glasses case. A slight exaggeration but point made. On the plus side: I was able to fit rain pants, light shoes, wallet, sunglasses case, keys, 3-1-1 bag, etc, a small water bottle, and my iPad mini (in the back pockets). So the modifications sound like this will become a near perfect pack.

Eveleen Henry - November 19, 2019

So glad to hear about pending modifications to the Luminary. (I never provide comments but was tempted with this product.).

I have now used the Luminary on two 3-week trips to Europe where it served as my sole carryon and my daypack. I have found the size of the side pockets frustratingly unhandy. A packet of Kleenex, lip balm and small sunscreen OR glasses case. A slight exaggeration but point made. On the plus side: I was able to fit rain pants, light shoes, wallet , sunglasses case, keys, 3-1-1 bag, and a host of smaller items and small water bottle, plus iPad mini (in back compartment). So the modifications sound like this will become a perfect bag.

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