TLDR
The Tri-Star is a three-way carry travel bag designed with the super organized, minimalist business traveler in mind. It is part of our main carry-on travel bag options along with the Western Flyer, Aeronaut, and Techonaut.
- 3 main compartments of equal size and 9 O-rings
- 4 exterior pockets in the front panel
- Carry as a briefcase, backpack, or shoulder bag
- Personal item carry-on friendly for most airlines
Full Description
Three Main Compartments
The Tri-Star has three main compartments of equal size. The front compartment has 2 O-rings and a vertical divider that zips out of the way if it's not wanted. We recommend storing your clothes in a Tri-Star Packing Cube which is designed to fit in these compartments. Either half of the divided front compartment can fit a pair of shoes in a Packing Cube Shoulder Bag.
With room for most sizes of our Cache laptop sleeve, the center compartment of the Tri-Star provides a secure and protected place for your laptop. Simply attach the Cache onto the two unobtrusive webbing loops and you're good to go. If you want to store a notebook, pens, and/or a small tablet, the Freudian Slip is a great organizational addition to the Tri-Star. There are also 2 O-rings in this compartment.
The back compartment is full of open space and is ready to accept a Large Tri-Star Packing Cube, a Small and a Medium Tri-Star Packing Cube, or your clothes just on their own. It also features two compression/tie-down straps to help keep your clothing in place and wrinkle-free. They're an alternative to the Packing Cubes. The compression/tie-down straps are removable (via Gatekeepers) so if you don't want or need to use them, you can leave them behind.
4 Front Exterior Organizational Pockets
On the left are three horizontal zippered pockets with an O-ring in each. One of the O-rings includes an 8" Key Strap, which is useful for tethering and keeping track of your keys or your AirPods. On the other O-ring, you can attach our Mystery Organizer Pouches or Ghost Whale Organizer Pouches. The top zippered pocket spans the full height of the bag and the bottom pocket goes about halfway.
On the right is a curved zippered pocket that is useful for storing a boarding pass when unzipped partially. Unzip it entirely, it's an expandable water bottle pocket. The bellows that make the pocket expandable can be snapped up so your water bottle doesn't fall out, or unsnapped to allow greater access to the pocket.
Ways to Carry the Tri-Star
Backpack
Want to carry the Tri-Star like a backpack? Untuck the hideaway backpack straps (same as those on our Aeronaut and Western Flyer) from the back compartment and snap on the bottom of the straps. They're our Edgeless Shoulder Straps and feature a 3/4" removable sternum strap and an optional (not included with this bag) 1" removable gatekeeper waist strap. Both the sternum and waist straps are simple webbing straps designed to help distribute weight and stabilize the bag to your body.
Shoulder Bag
The attachment points for an optional shoulder strap are offset on the Tri-Star to provide the best balance and comfort, should you carry the bag with a shoulder strap. We recommend using the Absolute Shoulder Strap with the Tri-Star if comfort is your primary concern. You also have the option of using any shoulder strap you already have that attaches to D-rings.
Briefcase
Two comfortable, padded handles made from PORON® foam sit directly above the center of gravity for maximum comfort, stability, and balance.
What's Included
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
Absolute Shoulder Strap
If you plan to carry the Tri-Star as a shoulder bag, the Absolute Shoulder Strap is the only strap you'll ever need.
Tri-Star Packing Cube
We recommend organizing your clothes and shoes in a Tri-Star Packing Cube. Cinch it down with the included tie-down straps for extra security.
Packing Cube Shoulder Bag
You can also store your shoes in a Packing Cube Shoulder Bag and store it on either half of the divided compartment. The Packing Cube Shoulder Bag will fit up to a size 12 in men's.
Freudian Slip
Love organizing and want even more pockets? The Tri-Star/Western Flyer Freudian Slip adds an additional eleven organizational pockets to your bag. One side of the Freudian Slip has two folder pockets that can fit folders/papers horizontally or vertically. The other side has two flat zippered pockets, four pen slots, two pockets sized for your wallet or phone, and a credit card slot.
Cache
The Tri-Star can accommodate a wide range of devices. If you want a little bit of extra padding for your laptop, we recommend adding a Cache.
The Tri-Star has three main compartments of equal size. The front compartment has 2 O-rings and a vertical divider that zips out of the way if it's not wanted. We recommend storing your clothes in a Tri-Star Packing Cube which is designed to fit in these compartments. Either half of the divided front compartment can fit a pair of shoes in a Packing Cube Shoulder Bag.
With room for most sizes of our Cache laptop sleeve, the center compartment of the Tri-Star provides a secure and protected place for your laptop. Simply attach the Cache onto the two unobtrusive webbing loops and you're good to go. If you want to store a notebook, pens, and/or a small tablet, the Freudian Slip is a great organizational addition to the Tri-Star. There are also 2 O-rings in this compartment.
The back compartment is full of open space and is ready to accept a Large Tri-Star Packing Cube, a Small and a Medium Tri-Star Packing Cube, or your clothes just on their own. It also features two compression/tie-down straps to help keep your clothing in place and wrinkle-free. They're an alternative to the Packing Cubes. The compression/tie-down straps are removable (via Gatekeepers) so if you don't want or need to use them, you can leave them behind.
On the left are three horizontal zippered pockets with an O-ring in each. One of the O-rings includes an 8" Key Strap, which is useful for tethering and keeping track of your keys or your AirPods. On the other O-ring, you can attach our Mystery Organizer Pouches or Ghost Whale Organizer Pouches. The top zippered pocket spans the full height of the bag and the bottom pocket goes about halfway.
On the right is a curved zippered pocket that is useful for storing a boarding pass when unzipped partially. Unzip it entirely, it's an expandable water bottle pocket. The bellows that make the pocket expandable can be snapped up so your water bottle doesn't fall out, or unsnapped to allow greater access to the pocket.
Backpack
Want to carry the Tri-Star like a backpack? Untuck the hideaway backpack straps (same as those on our Aeronaut and Western Flyer) from the back compartment and snap on the bottom of the straps. They're our Edgeless Shoulder Straps and feature a 3/4" removable sternum strap and an optional (not included with this bag) 1" removable gatekeeper waist strap. Both the sternum and waist straps are simple webbing straps designed to help distribute weight and stabilize the bag to your body.
Shoulder Bag
The attachment points for an optional shoulder strap are offset on the Tri-Star to provide the best balance and comfort, should you carry the bag with a shoulder strap. We recommend using the Absolute Shoulder Strap with the Tri-Star if comfort is your primary concern. You also have the option of using any shoulder strap you already have that attaches to D-rings.
Briefcase
Two comfortable, padded handles made from PORON® foam sit directly above the center of gravity for maximum comfort, stability, and balance.
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.
Absolute Shoulder Strap
If you plan to carry the Tri-Star as a shoulder bag, the Absolute Shoulder Strap is the only strap you'll ever need.
Tri-Star Packing Cube
We recommend organizing your clothes and shoes in a Tri-Star Packing Cube. Cinch it down with the included tie-down straps for extra security.
Packing Cube Shoulder Bag
You can also store your shoes in a Packing Cube Shoulder Bag and store it on either half of the divided compartment. The Packing Cube Shoulder Bag will fit up to a size 12 in men's.
Freudian Slip
Love organizing and want even more pockets? The Tri-Star/Western Flyer Freudian Slip adds an additional eleven organizational pockets to your bag. One side of the Freudian Slip has two folder pockets that can fit folders/papers horizontally or vertically. The other side has two flat zippered pockets, four pen slots, two pockets sized for your wallet or phone, and a credit card slot.
Cache
The Tri-Star can accommodate a wide range of devices. If you want a little bit of extra padding for your laptop, we recommend adding a Cache.
Still Have Questions?
- emailus@tombihn.com
- Call 1-800-729-9607
- Ask in our Forums
Materials
Exterior Fabrics
U.S. high tenacity 1050 denier ballistic nylon
— or —
bluesign® certified 630 denier High-Tenacity 2x2 Ballistic nylon
Interior Fabrics
bluesign® and OEKO-TEX® certified 200 denier Halcyon®/nylon ripstop
Zippers
#10 YKK Racquet-Coil water-repellent coil zipper on main compartments
#8 YKK Racquet-Coil water-repellent coil zippers on all other pockets
Shoulder Straps
Edgeless EV50 1/2” / 12mm shoulder straps (EVAZOTE® OEKO-TEX® foam)
Handle
PORON® foam handle
Other Components
Tough Duraflex®, Nexus, and Woojin buckles and related components
Specs
Dimensions
18.9" (w) x 13" (h) x 8.1" (d) / 480 (w) x 330 (h) x 205 (d) mm
Weight
1050d high tenacity ballistic nylon: 3 lb 6 oz / 1525 grams
525d high tenacity ballistic nylon: 3 lb 2.5 oz / 1433 grams
400d Halcyon®/420d nylon ripstop: 2 lb 12 oz / 1255 grams
Volume
33 Liters / 2000 cu. in. (ASTM Standard Measure)
Total O-Rings
10 (2 in the front main compartment, 2 in the center main compartment, 3 in the back main compartment, 1 in the top front zippered pocket, 1 in the middle front zippered pocket, 1 in the bottom front zippered pocket)
- Edward M.Verified BuyerBought For Myself1 month agoBought For MyselfRated 5 out of 5 starsTri-Star bag is fantastic!
I used my Tri-Star on a recent business/personal trip. The organization is well thought out and the comfort of using the strap or the backpack setup is perfect. Love this bag, and is a welcome addition to my Synapse 25 (6 years) and Synapse 19 (12 years). Backpacks. Tom BIHN is the best! Durable, super organized, ultra convenient , and always stylish!
Was this helpful? - Jonathan C.Verified BuyerBought For MyselfProduct Standouts High Quality Craftsmanship, Thoughtful Design, Sewn in USA, Durable1 month agoBought For MyselfProduct Standouts High Quality Craftsmanship, Thoughtful Design, Sewn in USA, DurableRated 5 out of 5 starsGreat Bag!!!
Perfect for airline travel. Awesome design!
Was this helpful? - Sean D.Verified BuyerBought For MyselfProduct Standouts High Quality Craftsmanship, Versatile3 months agoBought For MyselfProduct Standouts High Quality Craftsmanship, VersatileRated 5 out of 5 starsExcellent
It is perfect and well produced. Well worth the cost.
Was this helpful? - Christopher L.Verified BuyerBought For MyselfProduct Standouts Thoughtful Design, High Quality Craftsmanship, Good Storage Size, Versatile4 months agoBought For MyselfProduct Standouts Thoughtful Design, High Quality Craftsmanship, Good Storage Size, VersatileRated 4 out of 5 starsLove it!
This is a perfect bag for 2-4 days of business travel. I can carry my laptop, a folded suit and shoes, some other clothes and items to last me a few days. Its capacity is greater than a backpack but maybe just a little less than a carry-on roller bag. It just barely fits under the seat on a plane, so I don't have to worry too much if overhead storage fills up. It has just enough compartments to keep things well organized without there being too many that I forget where I put things.
I love that I can carry it using the handles, shoulder strap, or backpack straps. The *only* thing I wish it had was a way to attach it to the handle of a roller bag when I use both.
I love the bag and look forward to using it for years to come!
Was this helpful? - Gary S.Verified ReviewerBought For MyselfProduct Standouts Thoughtful Design, Durable, Unique, High Quality Craftsmanship, High Quality Finishings4 months agoBought For MyselfProduct Standouts Thoughtful Design, Durable, Unique, High Quality Craftsmanship, High Quality FinishingsRated 5 out of 5 starsLong term user
Purchased my Tri-Star in 2013; it's still going strong and is my go to bag for one bag overseas and domestic travel. Top quality materials and craftsmanship. Well worth the dollars ( and import duty to the UK).
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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.