I Love My Ugly New Travel Backpack
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As a longtime listener of the wellness podcastPoog, I was excited when Jaqueline Novak and Kate Berlantrecently revealed their favorite travel gearto the Strategist. The two comedians are on the road constantly, and it turns out that they opt for Tom Bihn’s 45-liter Aeronaut backpacks rather than the sleeker hard luggage you might expect. Novak calls theverypractical-looking Aeronaut her “ultimate touring bag”; Berlant refers to it as her “absolute ride-or-die travel companion.”
I’ve heard a lot of similar praise for Tom Bihn around the internet in recent years, especially on packing-nerd forums like theOne Bag sub-Reddit. Our tech writer Jordan McMahon is also afan of the Seattle-based brand. An ultra-utilitarian backpack beloved by red-carpet-walking alt comedians and very online Redditors alike? It was time to call in a test unit and find out what all the fuss is about.
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You can pack it any way you want
Almost every luggage brand offers a carry-on-size travel backpack like the Aeronaut these days. These are usually around 30-to-45 liters in capacity and are designed to be used in place of a similarly sized wheeled suitcase. OurBest in Class carry-on backpack, the Cotopaxi Allpa, literally unzips down the middle to reveal two symmetrical suitcase-style compartments.
The Aeronaut rejects the clamshell concept completely. It unzips in a U-shape around the top like a duffel bag, but it also has two generous separate compartments on either end for quarantining items like shoes or dirty laundry — though you can also choose to remove the dividers in order to create one large packing zone.
As Novak explains, while clamshell backpacks can be intuitive to pack, it’s “incredibly difficult to pull items out once the bag is zipped up.” The sideways access of the Aeronaut instead “allows you to reach inside easily, like a briefcase.” This can make life a lot easier at TSA.
On the exterior you’ll find two additional quick-access pockets for small items like your wallet, keys, passport, or even amini water bottle. A padded sleeve at the back has enough space for a laptop and can also be used to tuck the two backpack straps out of the way when you’re not using them. (Tom Bihn also makes a more business-trip-ready version of this bag, theTechonaut, with a suspended laptop compartment.)
I’ll note that the Aeronaut lacks a luggage pass-through sleeve, but it’s too big to use as apersonal itemanyway. If you do want to attach the Aeronaut to your rolling suitcase, you can pick up Tom Bihn’suniversal luggage strap, one of the many accessories the brand offers (but more on that below).
And carry it any way you want
The Aeronaut can be hauled around in three different ways: as a backpack (with padded straps that can be tucked away when not in use), as a shoulder bag (by clipping on a longer optional padded strap), or as a duffel (with the two shorter permanently attached strap handles). These multiple methods of carry make it suitable for weekend trips, daily gym sessions, and even three-week international adventures. It’s far fromultralight, but it’s not nearly so heavy as bags I’ve tried from brands like Tortuga or even Peak Design. And the construction issolid,with not a reinforced stitch out of place.
Grab handles — a highlyunderrated feature that too many travel backpacks and suitcases lack — on either end of the bag make it easy to remove from tight spaces like overhead compartments or the space underneath bus, plane, and train seats.
The customization options are endless
Tom Bihn is known for its nifty pouches and accessories, many of which are compatible with the Aeronaut. Inside the bag are numerous loops and rings to clip smaller pouches onto, and the brand makes packing cubes specifically sized for the bag (which itself comes in 30-liter and 45-liter capacities).
My favorite Aeronaut customization option is also the silliest. Tom Bihn’s rubbery Pull du Jour loop pulls can be added to the metal zippers on any of its bags. These make them easier to grab, and, more important, the bold colors allow you to completely customize what your luggage looks like.
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And it’s not …thatugly
Speaking of aesthetics: I will admit that I had avoided Tom Bihn’s bags until now because I found them visually unappealing. Yet the more I look at my homely Aeronaut, the more I like it. Sort of like a Jansport backpack, it has a neutral aughts-college-student look that goes with nothing and therefore everything.
Berlant apparently shared my reservations at first, but Novak had the perfect advice, which I’ve also now taken on board: “I told her it was her responsibility to transcend the backpack. If a utilitarian bag can remove your sexuality, you’ve got to do more to up the sexuality.”
More carry-on backpacks we like
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