Name: Brain Bag
Brand: TOM BIHN
Price: 245.0 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.9 (147 reviews)

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Description
Materials & Specs
Reviews & Q+A
Recommended Accessories
Sewn in Seattle

TLDR

The Brain Bag debuted in 1996 and its design has stood the test of time. The ultimate on-your-back student or business organizer, the Brain Bag is our Slant-6 of backpacks: it will surprise you with its utility, versatility, and longevity. Long after lesser bags have frayed their seams, blown their zippers, and popped their straps, the Brain Bag will continue to be your faithful companion.

Full Description

Two Main Compartments

In both of the main compartments (on the back panel of each) are two unobtrusive webbing loops (that we call "rail loops") to which you can secure the optional Cache. Many of us will appreciate this functionality on a daily basis: the rail system can be a convenient and quick way to remove one's laptop from the bag.

Three External Pockets

On the front of the Brain Bag are four external pockets. The small top pocket is perfect for a wallet and cell phone and has an inside snaphooks for keys. The two vertical pockets are large enough for water bottles or even a small thermos; inside both of these pockets are pen/pencil organizers. The left pocket has an outside flat mesh pocket for brochures, plane tickets, or even a small U-lock bike lock. Between the pockets are two lash straps for an umbrella or a raincoat, and above these straps is a heavy-duty snaphook so you can attach a water bottle, coffee mug, or what-have-you.

Side Compression Straps

Side compression straps compress the Brain Bag when it is not full and stabilize the load; you can also tuck a raincoat, hoodie, or yoga mat under these straps.

Breathable Back Panel

The back is made of Spacer mesh and is padded with 3/8", high quality, closed-cell foam. This combination of mesh and smooth nylon is designed to provide maximum breathability while still being gentle on your clothing.

Edgeless Shoulder Straps

Conformity is overrated — except, perhaps, when it comes to shoulder straps. The edgelessness of the Brain Bag shoulder straps allows them to more softly conform to your shoulder — we find that this increases comfort. Yet the straps aren't too soft: the 1/2" thick EVAZOTE® OEKO-TEX® certified foam means the strap is robust enough to carry a heavy load.

What's Included?

1x 8-inch Black Webbing Snaphook/Snaphook Key Strap

A Key Strap is a strip of webbing with plastic snaphooks on the end. The 8” Key Strap in Black that’s included in most of our larger bags is, for many, the gateway to a world of organization via Key Straps and Organizer Pouches. All the members of the Key Strap family are intended to make locating things in your bag easier and more instinctive. Pulling out a small item or pouch tethered to a strap is easier than rooting around aimlessly in the depths of your pack; you can also rest assured that anything hooked to a strap is much less likely to fall out or otherwise be left behind. You can find more Key Strap colors and varieties on the Key Strap page.

A Set of Black Zipper Pulls

Some folks prefer metal zipper pulls. Others prefer cord pulls. So, what to do about that? We think the best solution (in most cases) is to offer metal pulls and include a starter pack of Cord Pulls with most bags.

1x Sternum Strap Assembly

An adjustable and removable sternum strap with leave-no-trace hardware: if you don't like or don't use your sternum strap, remove it and leave (almost) nothing behind.

1x Gatekeeper Waist Strap

A simple webbing waist strap that can offer extra stability when running to catch a bus, plane, or train. It can also add a small measure of support for a heavy load (for a truly supportive hip belt experience, please see the optional 1.5" Padded Hip Belt.) Also features leave-no-trace hardware.

What's Optional?

1.5" Padded Hip Belt

The 1.5" Padded Hip Belt allows you to carry some of the weight of a loaded pack on your hips rather than just your shoulders.

Cache

Want to carry one (or two!) laptops? Get the Cache sized for your device and use the loops at the top of each main compartment to attach your Cache when you need it and remove it when you don't.

In both of the main compartments (on the back panel of each) are two unobtrusive webbing loops (that we call "rail loops") to which you can secure the optional Cache. Many of us will appreciate this functionality on a daily basis: the rail system can be a convenient and quick way to remove one's laptop from the bag.

On the front of the Brain Bag are four external pockets. The small top pocket is perfect for a wallet and cell phone and has an inside snaphooks for keys. The two vertical pockets are large enough for water bottles or even a small thermos; inside both of these pockets are pen/pencil organizers. The left pocket has an outside flat mesh pocket for brochures, plane tickets, or even a small U-lock bike lock. Between the pockets are two lash straps for an umbrella or a raincoat, and above these straps is a heavy-duty snaphook so you can attach a water bottle, coffee mug, or what-have-you.

Side compression straps compress the Brain Bag when it is not full and stabilize the load; you can also tuck a raincoat, hoodie, or yoga mat under these straps.

The back is made of Spacer mesh and is padded with 3/8", high quality, closed-cell foam. This combination of mesh and smooth nylon is designed to provide maximum breathability while still being gentle on your clothing.

Conformity is overrated — except, perhaps, when it comes to shoulder straps. The edgelessness of the Brain Bag shoulder straps allows them to more softly conform to your shoulder — we find that this increases comfort. Yet the straps aren't too soft: the 1/2" thick EVAZOTE® OEKO-TEX® certified foam means the strap is robust enough to carry a heavy load.

1x 8-inch Black Webbing Snaphook/Snaphook Key Strap

A Key Strap is a strip of webbing with plastic snaphooks on the end. The 8” Key Strap in Black that’s included in most of our larger bags is, for many, the gateway to a world of organization via Key Straps and Organizer Pouches. All the members of the Key Strap family are intended to make locating things in your bag easier and more instinctive. Pulling out a small item or pouch tethered to a strap is easier than rooting around aimlessly in the depths of your pack; you can also rest assured that anything hooked to a strap is much less likely to fall out or otherwise be left behind. You can find more Key Strap colors and varieties on the Key Strap page.

A Set of Black Zipper Pulls

Some folks prefer metal zipper pulls. Others prefer cord pulls. So, what to do about that? We think the best solution (in most cases) is to offer metal pulls and include a starter pack of Cord Pulls with most bags.

1x Sternum Strap Assembly

An adjustable and removable sternum strap with leave-no-trace hardware: if you don't like or don't use your sternum strap, remove it and leave (almost) nothing behind.

1x Gatekeeper Waist Strap

A simple webbing waist strap that can offer extra stability when running to catch a bus, plane, or train. It can also add a small measure of support for a heavy load (for a truly supportive hip belt experience, please see the optional 1.5" Padded Hip Belt.) Also features leave-no-trace hardware.

1.5" Padded Hip Belt

The 1.5" Padded Hip Belt allows you to carry some of the weight of a loaded pack on your hips rather than just your shoulders.

Cache

Want to carry one (or two!) laptops? Get the Cache sized for your device and use the loops at the top of each main compartment to attach your Cache when you need it and remove it when you don't.

Materials

Straps

Edgeless EV50 1/2" / 12mm shoulder straps (EVAZOTE® OEKO-TEX® foam)

Grab Handle

PORON® foam handle

Components

Duraflex®, Nexus, and Woojin buckles and related components

Zippers

#10 YKK coil zippers on main compartments
#8 YKK coil zippers on pockets

Specs

Dimensions

14" (w) x 18.1" (h) x 9.1" (d) / 355 (w) x 460 (h) x 230 (d) mm

Weight

Ballistic Nylon: 2 lb 13.5 oz / 1290 grams

Volume

36 liters / 2200 cu. in. (ASTM Standard Measure)

Straps

.5" / 12 mm padded and contoured shoulder straps with .75" / 20 mm removable sternum strap

Total O-Rings

9

(3 in the back main compartment
3 in the front main compartment
1 in the top small pocket
1 in left side pocket
1 in right side pocket)

4.9

Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars

Based on 147 reviews

95%would recommend this product

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147 reviews

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Justin Z.
Verified Buyer
Bought For Myself
Product Standouts High Quality Craftsmanship, Durable, Good Storage Size, Easily Adjustable
2 hours ago
Bought For Myself
Product Standouts High Quality Craftsmanship, Durable, Good Storage Size, Easily Adjustable
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Simply the best
I'm a writer so I carry a lot of stuff to work: laptop and iPad, each in their own Cache; chargers and cables in the Snake Charmer; Apple pen, pencils, extra cash and credit cards in the Double Organizer Pouch; plus whatever books, notebooks I need for the day; eyeglasses in their case, fountain pen, iPhone, etc. etc.. The Brain Bag swallows them all and makes it comfortable to carry. My only (very minor) gripe is the water bottle straps could be better on the back, but if you carry a smaller bottle you're fine. Had a recent house fire and got a new Brain Bag for myself, and another for each of my sons, who love theirs as well. Old faithful.
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Erika O.
Verified Buyer
Bought For Myself
Product Standouts Thoughtful Design, Comfortable, Good Storage Size, Durable
Yesterday
Bought For Myself
Product Standouts Thoughtful Design, Comfortable, Good Storage Size, Durable
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Even better than the original
I've had one of the original Brain Bags for years, and it has traveled all around the US and Europe with me. It works great for both an everyday bag (just cinch it tight) as well as a more heavily packed bag. I've used it to carry multiple laptops and also with packing cubes to great success. My biggest issue was the lack of contrasting lining that allowed things to get lost in the bottom of the bag. I have many Tom Bihn bags, and the contrasting lining is one of the things I love best. So when I saw they were now releasing the Brain Bag with contrasting lining, I was really excited. This bag works well for everything I used the previous bag for, and the lining works great to help me find things. Additionally, the updated shoulder straps are even more comfortable than the old ones and the better waterproofing are both super useful when I am walking across campus (I am an adjunct professor.)
I would totally recommend the Brain Bag for anyone who needs a lot of space but don't want or need to spend the extra money for one of the other styles of TB backpacks. They are very durable—there is literally nothing wrong with the one I bought so many years ago, I just wanted that new lining. There's also plenty of room to include multiple Caches for whatever technology you want to bring along, and also whatever smaller bags you want to bring along. (I have two Caches for my laptop and iPad, a Freudian Slip, and an Everyday Cublet in mine. The Everyday Cublet with my Ghost Whale pouch…
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Jennifer P.
Verified Buyer
Bought For Other
Product Standouts Thoughtful Design, High Quality Craftsmanship, High Quality Finishings, Durable, Good Storage Size
1 week ago
Bought For Other
Product Standouts Thoughtful Design, High Quality Craftsmanship, High Quality Finishings, Durable, Good Storage Size
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Second one!
I first bought the Brain Bag after a long period of research to find a good bag for my middle-schooler. I thought it would be too big, but we tried it and it has been the greatest bag for school/music/trips/seasonal clothes/technology/you-name-it and it has held up now for 3 years of daily, vigorous use from middle school through 2 years high school and there are zero issues. This is one tough, versatile bag. So I bought another one to have in wait for when we might eventually need to replace the current Brain Bag. Because we don’t ever want to be without a Brain Bag. (It’s large but everything makes sense on it, and the compression straps transform it from a monster bag to a relatively streamlined one.)
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ANNA V.
Verified Buyer
Bought For Gift
Product Standouts Durable, Easily Adjustable, Great Gift, Sewn in USA, High Quality Craftsmanship
2 weeks ago
Bought For Gift
Product Standouts Durable, Easily Adjustable, Great Gift, Sewn in USA, High Quality Craftsmanship
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Awesome
This bag is awesome! It's very well thought out with lots of pockets and storage places. The hooks inside make sure you don't lose your keys or anything that you may want attached to it . It's a versatile bag you could use for school or day hikes that can be customized however you needed to be. I own multiple other size and different bags which I am in love with and decided it was time to pass on the love. It was a present and the recipient loves it and uses it all the time. Another bag well done!
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Robert C.
Verified Reviewer
Bought For Myself
Product Standouts Thoughtful Design, Comfortable, High Quality Craftsmanship, High Quality Finishings, Durable
2 weeks ago
Bought For Myself
Product Standouts Thoughtful Design, Comfortable, High Quality Craftsmanship, High Quality Finishings, Durable
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
24 years later, still looks virtually new!
I bought the brain bag in 2001. 24 years later after nearly daily use, it still looks practically new. I sent it back to Tom Bihn for a repair only once about 12 years ago and that was because I shut a car door on the buckle of the hip belt. While with them, they also replaced the back panel that showed some wear after twelve years use of rubbing against my lower back / belt. Now, another 12 years later of near daily use, the fabric has no rips or snags nor shows any signs of wear at all. It's an amazingly well made bag that I fully anticipate will last me another 24 years. The bag is huge, but still works great as a carryon for flights. I routinely go on 3 day business trips and it's the only bag I need.
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Sewn in Seattle

Our bags are designed and sewn right here in Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.

That allows us to be control freaks in the best way possible; we have direct control and oversight of the quality of our materials, our products, and the jobs and working environment that we help create. It also offers us a unique spontaneity: when we have an idea for a new product or accessory, we can design it, figure out how to build it, add it to our website and be ready to ship it out our front door all within just a few weeks. How cool is that?

Intrigued? You can find out more about the unusual way we do business on our Company Philosophy page.

THE BIHN Guarantee

Everything you buy from us here at TOM BIHN is satisfaction guaranteed. We’ve been in business since 1972 and we stand behind what we make.

If something goes wrong and it's our fault, we'll fix it for free. Repairs due to normal wear and tear or due to other things that are not our fault will be performed, when possible, at a reasonable charge right here in our Seattle factory where your bag was made. Defects in materials or workmanship are uncommon and almost always evident while the product is still new. Keep in mind that bags and packs are often subject to extreme wear in everyday use: do not expect them to last forever. Only true love lasts forever! You can expect a TOM BIHN product to give years and years of hard service.

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TLDR