I’ve been in search of a new laptop backpack and have decided that I want to go with a Tom Bihn backpack, and while looking at their product pages I’m just not seeing any sort of “Made in America” tags on any of their products. Am I just not looking close enough, looking at bad angles, or do they just not put a tag on their stuff?

From their FAQ:

Don't know about tags, but they say all of their stuff is made in the US.


https://www.tombihn.com/pages/contact-us/#faq2

Yeah I knew about that, it’s just really weird that they don’t have the tags. I’m just hoping that it’s not a left wing ‘anti-USA’ reason since they are located in the Northwest. If it turns out that’s why they don’t include the tags then I guess I’ll have to move on with my search....maybe it was best to just keep my mouth shut?

quote:

Originally posted by Largefarva:
Yeah I knew about that, it’s just really weird that they don’t have the tags. I’m just hoping that it’s not a left wing ‘anti-USA’ reason since they are located in the Northwest. If it turns out that’s why they don’t include the tags then I guess I’ll have to move on with my search....maybe it was best to just keep my mouth shut?

I've never heard of them before, but here's another video showing some of their labels and they proclaim 'proudly made in the USA'
https://www.tombihn.com/blogs/main/labels-1975-2017

I had never heard of them before seeing their name pop up on the Made in USA products thread recently created here. Going through that thread I was looking for backpack makers and they were mentioned a couple times, so I started checking them out along with a few others that came up here in other threads as well. After reading tons of reviews and watching a metric shitload of video reviews on different bags they make it seems like everyone who has one like it. Overwhelmingly positive reviews. So I narrowed it down to them for manufacturer, and further narrowed it down to the particular backpack I want to get. They seem bulletproof and don’t scream tactical, which is what I was looking for in a bag that I carry to work.

They may not post close up photos of tags, especially when they have a section of their webpage that definitively states that all their products are made in the USA.

I guess maybe it could be a preference thing. If I were a retailer, I don't know that I would think to post photos of tags when I was already making it clear that my products were made in the USA.

I understand what you’re saying, and you’re most likely right. I just find it weird that they don’t have something on their products indicating as such...especially these days when most goods are produced in China. Just about any other USA made bags I looked at had the American flag tag sewn along a seam and prominently displayed it on their product pages. I’m sure I’m just nitpicking, but it would be nice to see on something that I’m about to spend $300 on.

You might take a look at Nut Sack. Proudly made in USA and have the tag. I have 2 and both are great. Plus the name is kind of funny..

Tom Bihn backpacks are awesome. Pricey but awesome.

I have had one for years. Brain bag is the model. It looks as good and functions as well as the day that I purchased it.

If you are willing to spend the money Tom Bihn is well worth it.

FWIW, this is from their site.

https://www.tombihn.com/pages/made-in-seattle

I never heard of them until I read this here. Looked over their stuff, doesn't look particularly pricy to me for non-Chicom.

I bought a Tom Bihn backpack about 10 years ago when my employer moved downtown and I had to start taking public transit to work. I think it's the Brain Bag model. The black color has faded just a bit but otherwise it's as good as new.

Bought a Brain Bag in 2012
Still looks great.
I am sad they no longer sell the BrainCell. Which was a very stout laptop sleeve that integrates into the bag .

Largefarva - I have 2 Tom Bihn bags, one if the discontinued model called the Empire Builder, and the Large Cafe bag. Both of them have a small tag saying that the bags were built in Seattle. I got my bage a few years bags, dont know if the newer bags still have the tags.

I have two Bihn bags. Both have made in USA tags and the Tom Bihn Logo on the outside has Made in USA on it as well. They are a few years old.

Quality stuff and one of their claims to fame is the Made in USA.

Yeah that video linked yesterday briefly showed those tags. I’ve also done some digging around on their forums and Facebook group and have seen that they used to have those tags but have since changed their tags and no longer say Made in USA. Preferably I’d like to see a stand alone tag with the flag on it like everywhere else that displays the fact they make their products here.

I created a thread on their forums asking about this, and a moderator there has linked a few posts from a while back and one of those posts was the owner of the company explaining why he started at one point displaying Made in the USA on his tags stating he was tired of seeing Made in China everywhere so it was his way to get back. It was from ten years ago....but at least he felt that way back then and I’m hoping he feels the same way now. Just can’t be sure...living in the Pacific Northwest with the rest of the commies.

Like I mentioned already, I’m sure I’m just nitpicking and making a mountain out of a molehill. I went ahead and placed the order for the backpack, and it should ship sometime next week. I’m looking forward to checking it out.

Having visited the Tom Bihn factory and buying my bag there it was cool to see where it was made... It is a more expensive way to buy it since I played with different accessories to see how they would fit and ended up with really cool accessories.

I am really happy with my Tom Bihn bags and accessories and use them whenever I go to the office or on a trip.