Name: Brain Bag
Brand: TOM BIHN
Availability: OutOfStock
Rating: 4.9 (139 reviews)

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Description
Materials & Specs
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USA Sewn

TLDR

If you need a large backpack for everyday carry, the Brain Bag is the one for you. You'll be blown away by not only its size, but also its utility, versatility, and longevity.

Full Description

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.

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 139 reviews

94%would recommend this product

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139 reviews

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Justin B.
Verified Buyer
Bought For Myself
Product Standouts Comfortable, High Quality Craftsmanship, High Quality Finishings
1 month ago
Bought For Myself
Product Standouts Comfortable, High Quality Craftsmanship, High Quality Finishings
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Ultimate experience
Best bag I have ever owned. Durable and comfortable even with heavy loads. Love the material and zipper quality. Easy to stay organized while working on the road in Western Canada.
Was this helpful?
Allie A.
Verified Buyer
Bought For Myself
Product Standouts Thoughtful Design, High Quality Craftsmanship, Good Storage Size, Easily Adjustable, Versatile
1 month ago
Bought For Myself
Product Standouts Thoughtful Design, High Quality Craftsmanship, Good Storage Size, Easily Adjustable, Versatile
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Compression straps really save the day
Picked up the brain bag as my partner has run through several backpacks for carting his stuff to and from work over the years and has very picky requirements for a replacement. The Brain Bag checked off all these requirements easily with it's reinforced top handle, hip belt and sternum strap in addition to the large functional pockets. I got one for myself as well and was a little worried about the size because I am quite short (5'1") and the bag is quite tall. However, it hasn't been an issue due to the compression straps. Being able to cinch it down when it's not full is a game changer!
I only wish the brain bag version of the Freudian slip and the 1.5 inch padded hip belts were currently available/in stock because I think adding these will make it the perfect backpack.
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Matt P.
Verified Buyer
Bought For Myself
Product Standouts Thoughtful Design, Comfortable, Sewn in USA, High Quality Craftsmanship, Durable
1 month ago
Bought For Myself
Product Standouts Thoughtful Design, Comfortable, Sewn in USA, High Quality Craftsmanship, Durable
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Love this bag
Great bag. Been using my super ego for 10 years. Decided I wanted to switch over to a backpack and it’s been a joy. I’m also really happy the cache I bought with the super ego (the biggest one at the time) fits wonderfully too! This is my third bag from Tom Bihn. My lineup now includes the super ego, the medium cafe bag and now the brain bag. Thank you!
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earl d.
Verified Buyer
Bought For Myself
Product Standouts High Quality Craftsmanship, Thoughtful Design, Easily Adjustable, Good Storage Size, Sewn in USA
1 month ago
Bought For Myself
Product Standouts High Quality Craftsmanship, Thoughtful Design, Easily Adjustable, Good Storage Size, Sewn in USA
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Fits everything.... And even more!
The quality of this bag is amazing! Every stitch, every seam... Perfection. I use this as my "personal item" when flying. I need to be able to fit my 16" laptop, extra screen and tablet. This all fits in the back compartment. The middle compartment fits my headphones, my work headphones, my headphone Amp, my battery bank, and other things that fit around. The top pocket fits all my cables and adapters and power supply, the left anr right front pockets fit my Hotspot, mouse, pens, ear buds and anyrhing else.... The cinch straps keep everything tight so it doesn't shift around. This bag looks awesome too. My only complaint... Is when packed, it is heavy.. But with all this, it would be! Love this bag!
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Gina R.
Verified Buyer
Bought For Gift
Product Standouts Thoughtful Design, Comfortable, High Quality Craftsmanship, Sewn in USA, High Quality Finishings
2 months ago
Bought For Gift
Product Standouts Thoughtful Design, Comfortable, High Quality Craftsmanship, Sewn in USA, High Quality Finishings
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Perfect Backpack for school
This backpack is perfect for my high schooler. Fits laptop, books, notebooks, lunchbox, and water bottle with room to spare. Love that the water bottle holder is on the outside of the bag.
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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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