TLDR
A medium, yet versatile everyday crossbody shoulder bag that can also be used as a sling bag, waist pack, or organizer pouch.
- Main compartment with lots of organization: 7 open-top interior pockets of varying sizes
- 4 O-rings inside to tether extra organizer pouches and/or Key Straps
- Two exterior pockets, front and back, one zippered and one open-top
- Wear it crossbody with our 1.5" Shoulder Strap (included) or as a sling bag / waistpack with a 1" Waist Strap (optional)
Want a smaller version of the Side Hustle? Check out the Side Kick. Want an even smaller version? Check out the Side Effect.
Full Description
Main Compartment
The main compartment of the Side Hustle opens with two zipper sliders, making it convenient for left or right-handed folks. It also allows you to choose where the sliders end up when the bag is closed. This compartment can fit a medium water bottle, an iPad Pro 11", or even an ultralight rain shell or down vest stuffed into itself or in a Travel Stuff Sack.
On the front interior side of the main compartment are two large open-top pockets. They are sized to fit your phone, wallet, notebook, or even a pair of sunglasses inside an eyeglasses case.
On the back interior side of the main compartment is one large open-top organizational pocket that spans the width of the Side Hustle. You can fit 7" - 8" tablets, including the iPad Mini in our size 8A Cache.
In front of this large organizational pocket are four additional smaller pockets. The two on one end can fit items like granola bars, hand cream, or sunscreen. The two on the other end can each fit a pen or pencil.
All interior pockets are made with our super tough 200d Halcyon or 210d Cerylon fabric.
Four O-rings, two on the back side and two on the front side of the interior main compartment, allow you to trick out your organization even further: attach Ghost Whale Organizer Pouches, Mystery Organizer Pouches, and/or any of our Key Strap variants to keep essentials handy and tethered safely.
Two Exterior Pockets
The exterior of the Side Kick has a straight zippered pocket that spans the full width of the bag and is designed to fit your passport, notebook, tablet, or anything relatively flat. Inside the zippered pocket is one O-ring with a clipped 8" Key Strap. We consider this the front side of the bag, but you can always flip the bag around and make it the back side if you prefer.
On the other exterior side, there is an open-topped back pocket, for when you need to quickly put something away and deal with it later.
Ways to Carry the Side Hustle
Shoulder/Crossbody Bag
On either side of the Side Hustle are horizontal webbing loops to which you can attach the adjustable 1.5" Shoulder Strap (included), made from nylon webbing and with plastic clips (but no pad). When you're not wearing the Side Hustle, you can use the 1.5" Shoulder Strap to hang it on a coat hook or from a doorknob.
Waist Pack or Sling Bag
Also on the sides of the bag are unobtrusive webbing loops to which you can attach an optional 1" Gatekeeper Waist Strap, using our ubiquitous Gatekeeper clips. Wear the Side Hustle around your waist or hips, and you've got a sweet waist pack. Wear it crossbody with the bag on your back, and you've got a mini sling bag. Either way, it's great for cycling, hiking, or any situation where you need your hands completely free.
Use as an Organizer Pouch
Clip one side of any of our Key Strap variants to the Side Hustle and then clip the other side to an O-ring inside one of our larger bags. That way, the Side Hustle stays tethered to your bag.
What's Included
1.5" Shoulder Strap
This one is a little different than most of our other shoulder straps, but not by much. No pad or grip, just a plain shoulder strap the width of our Standard shoulder strap.
8" Snaphook/Snaphook Key Strap
As with most of our bags, we've included a key strap. 8" long from tip-to-tip, a snaphook on either end. Good for attaching your keys to.
A Set of Black Zipper Pulls
A set of pulls to extend or replace your metal pulls.
What's Optional
Gatekeeper Hip Belt
If you want to wear this as a sling, this is the thing. Attaches to either the front or back of the Side Hustle much like our Side Effect and Side Kick. You could also use it for a hip belt, but it will be pretty tall and wide to wear as a hip pack.
The main compartment of the Side Hustle opens with two zipper sliders, making it convenient for left or right-handed folks. It also allows you to choose where the sliders end up when the bag is closed. This compartment can fit a medium water bottle, an iPad Pro 11", or even an ultralight rain shell or down vest stuffed into itself or in a Travel Stuff Sack.
On the front interior side of the main compartment are two large open-top pockets. They are sized to fit your phone, wallet, notebook, or even a pair of sunglasses inside an eyeglasses case.
On the back interior side of the main compartment is one large open-top organizational pocket that spans the width of the Side Hustle. You can fit 7" - 8" tablets, including the iPad Mini in our size 8A Cache.
In front of this large organizational pocket are four additional smaller pockets. The two on one end can fit items like granola bars, hand cream, or sunscreen. The two on the other end can each fit a pen or pencil.
All interior pockets are made with our super tough 200d Halcyon or 210d Cerylon fabric.
Four O-rings, two on the back side and two on the front side of the interior main compartment, allow you to trick out your organization even further: attach Ghost Whale Organizer Pouches, Mystery Organizer Pouches, and/or any of our Key Strap variants to keep essentials handy and tethered safely.
The exterior of the Side Kick has a straight zippered pocket that spans the full width of the bag and is designed to fit your passport, notebook, tablet, or anything relatively flat. Inside the zippered pocket is one O-ring with a clipped 8" Key Strap. We consider this the front side of the bag, but you can always flip the bag around and make it the back side if you prefer.
On the other exterior side, there is an open-topped back pocket, for when you need to quickly put something away and deal with it later.
Shoulder/Crossbody Bag
On either side of the Side Hustle are horizontal webbing loops to which you can attach the adjustable 1.5" Shoulder Strap (included), made from nylon webbing and with plastic clips (but no pad). When you're not wearing the Side Hustle, you can use the 1.5" Shoulder Strap to hang it on a coat hook or from a doorknob.
Waist Pack or Sling Bag
Also on the sides of the bag are unobtrusive webbing loops to which you can attach an optional 1" Gatekeeper Waist Strap, using our ubiquitous Gatekeeper clips. Wear the Side Hustle around your waist or hips, and you've got a sweet waist pack. Wear it crossbody with the bag on your back, and you've got a mini sling bag. Either way, it's great for cycling, hiking, or any situation where you need your hands completely free.
Use as an Organizer Pouch
Clip one side of any of our Key Strap variants to the Side Hustle and then clip the other side to an O-ring inside one of our larger bags. That way, the Side Hustle stays tethered to your bag.
1.5" Shoulder Strap
This one is a little different than most of our other shoulder straps, but not by much. No pad or grip, just a plain shoulder strap the width of our Standard shoulder strap.
8" Snaphook/Snaphook Key Strap
As with most of our bags, we've included a key strap. 8" long from tip-to-tip, a snaphook on either end. Good for attaching your keys to.
A Set of Black Zipper Pulls
A set of pulls to extend or replace your metal pulls.
Gatekeeper Hip Belt
If you want to wear this as a sling, this is the thing. Attaches to either the front or back of the Side Hustle much like our Side Effect and Side Kick. You could also use it for a hip belt, but it will be pretty tall and wide to wear as a hip pack.
Still Have Questions?
- emailus@tombihn.com
- Call 1-800-729-9607
- Ask in our Forums
Materials
Exterior Fabric
Interior Fabrics
bluesign® and OEKO-TEX® certified 200 denier Halcyon/nylon ripstop
— or —
bluesign® certified 210 denier Cerylon 6,6 Ripstop nylon
Zippers
Specs
- Kevin W.Verified BuyerBought For MyselfProduct Standouts Thoughtful Design, Comfortable, High Quality Craftsmanship, Compact, Versatile13 hours agoBought For MyselfProduct Standouts Thoughtful Design, Comfortable, High Quality Craftsmanship, Compact, VersatileRated 5 out of 5 starsPractically perfect EDC bag
I waffled on this bag a bit, but finally went for it and happy I did. I picked this bag up mostly for short outings, and also as a “smaller bag in a larger bag” sort of thing. It’s been working out great.
This bag is a great size with pretty robust organization. It can carry a pretty impressive amount of stuff while maintaining a relatively low profile.
There are only a couple things I wished were a touch different. 1) Main compartment just a tad deeper. Once you have items in the organizational pockets, the main compartment practically disappears unless you stuff the bag. And if you stuff it, it makes it a little hard to get the items back into their pockets. 2) An extra o-ring in the front pocket. It’s a great pocket for the flat mystery pouches, would love to have had an extra o-ring in there to have one on either side.
These wishes don’t detract from the bag, though. It’s a well-built, versatile bag. And the colorway (Ursa / Persimmon) is awesome. Definitely one of my favorite bags from TB to date.
Was this helpful? - Sharon M.Verified BuyerBought For MyselfProduct Standouts High Quality Craftsmanship, Sewn in USA, High Quality Finishings, Compact, Durable4 days agoBought For MyselfProduct Standouts High Quality Craftsmanship, Sewn in USA, High Quality Finishings, Compact, DurableRated 5 out of 5 starsGreat bag
Love it’s made in USA
Was this helpful? - Jeanine F.Verified BuyerBought For MyselfProduct Standouts Thoughtful Design, High Quality Craftsmanship, Sewn in USA, Durable1 week agoBought For MyselfProduct Standouts Thoughtful Design, High Quality Craftsmanship, Sewn in USA, DurableRated 4 out of 5 starsSolid choice
This bag is the perfect size I've been waiting for, big enough to carry a water bottle and a book or knitting project along with typical purse items like wallet, keys, etc., yet small enough to still read as a handbag and not a tote. I would prefer a little more structure as it can get a bit floppy, but I recognize that there is a balance between keeping it light and giving it structure. All told, I'm happy with the purchase.
Was this helpful? - AshleyVerified BuyerBought For MyselfProduct Standouts Comfortable, High Quality Craftsmanship, Good Storage Size, Compact1 week agoBought For MyselfProduct Standouts Comfortable, High Quality Craftsmanship, Good Storage Size, CompactRated 5 out of 5 starsPerfect bag for me!
I wanted something to take to a film festival and on other trips so that I could cary everything I needed when I'd be away from my hotel for most of the day. This bag is great for that and as a personal item when flying.
I like that it's not stiff and is just comfortable to carry. And it holds more than I'd expected with several internal pockets. I'm really glad that I bought it.
Was this helpful? - Jennifer P.Verified BuyerBought For GiftProduct Standouts Comfortable, Thoughtful Design, Good Storage Size, Versatile, Great Gift2 weeks agoBought For GiftProduct Standouts Comfortable, Thoughtful Design, Good Storage Size, Versatile, Great GiftRated 5 out of 5 starsSo nice I bought it thrice.
The side hustle is a great, unisex bad for travel, professional creative work, and errands. I have one, for errands/travel, my teen uses one to transport a kit of audio gear for theater tech work, and my husband has one (in “sound guy black” ) for travel and as a satchel for errands. It’s big enough to carry significant items/loads but stays flat and manageable, and looks minimalist and cool. We are all super happy with it.
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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.