---
url: "https://onebag.travel/carryon/i3dfh43ew9/tom-bihn-brain-bag/"
title: "Tom Bihn Brain Bag Details - One Bag Travel"
description: "Reviews, airline compatibility, and specifications of the Tom Bihn Brain Bag carry-on travel backpack."
source: "https://onebag.travel/carryon/i3dfh43ew9/tom-bihn-brain-bag/"
---
1.  [Home](https://onebag.travel/)
2.  [Carry-On Travel Backpacks](https://onebag.travel/carryons/)
3.  Tom Bihn Brain Bag

# Tom Bihn Brain Bag

by [Tom Bihn](https://onebag.travel/carryons/?brands=Tom Bihn)

Capacity 36 L

Weight 1.3 kg 3 lbs

Dimensions 46×36×23 cm 18.1×14×9.1 in

Airline fit 66 % of airlines

![Front facing view of the Tom Bihn Brain Bag](https://res.cloudinary.com/obt/image/upload/c_fill,w_400/v1601123264/carryons/tombrainbag_ts952i.webp)

**Deeper stats**



<table class="table table-sm table-borderless" id="carryon-details-table"><tbody><tr><td><span class="underline" title="Litres of capacity per unit of pack weight — higher means you carry more for less.">Capacity-to-weight</span></td><td><span class="metric-value">27.7 L/kg</span> <span class="imperial-value">12 L/lb</span></td><td><span class="badge badge-success">High</span></td></tr><tr><td><span class="underline" title="Total interior volume implied by the outer dimensions.">Cubic space</span></td><td><span class="metric-value">38.1 L</span> <span class="imperial-value">2306 in³</span></td><td></td></tr><tr><td><span class="underline" title="Gap between the bag's outer volume and its rated capacity — lower packs more efficiently.">Rated vs. shell</span></td><td><span class="metric-value">2 L</span><span class="imperial-value">2 L</span></td><td><span class="badge badge-success">Low</span></td></tr></tbody></table>

**Airline Compatibility**

✈️ 66% (125/189)

This bag is within the published carry-on limit of 66% of the 189 airlines that publish one.

[Link to Manufacturer](https://www.tombihn.com/products/brain-bag?variant=31808802848831)

## Our verdict

### Reasons to buy

-   The harness system is truly comfortable.
-   Have 2 large internal pockets.
-   The front panel setup is truly functional.

### Things to consider

-   The water bottle pocket isn't elastic so some might not fit the pack.
-   Larger compartments do not offer much organization.
-   Doesn't include dedicated laptop compartment but has loops for Tom Bihn Laptop Caches.

## What reviewers said

-   "I have used this bag for everything, work travel, vacations, gym bag. I have loaded this bag to its limits. After 10 years of use, it still holds up. The materials and zippers are top-notch. All the zippers still operate just like the day I go it. I will probably get another 10 years out of this bag."
-   "The Brain Bag is a very big bag. And that's what I needed since I often carry a large (17 inch) screen laptop, cables as well as a cooling pad - in addition to books and papers. So it can pretty much carry everything including the kitchen sink! But the beauty of it is it's incredibly comfortable to wear - on your back it never feels ungainly or unwieldy. The compression straps are particularly helpful in this regard. It stands up well when placed on the floor and on your back it coheres into a very solid mass -big and easy to carry. It's become an indispensable part of my collection."

## Reviews from around the web

**Tom Bihn Brain Bag Review**
[packhacker.com](https://packhacker.com/travel-gear/tom-bihn/brain-bag/#:~:text=They%20feel%20robust%20in%20the,which%20helps%20mitigate%20this%20issue.)

> The bag feels like a tank when in use—two big main compartments paired with three external pockets with various organization options feels like the right mix

**Review: Tom Bihn Brain Bag**
[www.wired.com](https://www.wired.com/review/review-tom-bihn-brain-bag/)

> If you buy this bag, you'll have it for the rest of your life and it will do exactly what you need it to do. If you, reader, were my friend and needed a travel bag, and I knew you cared more about function than fashion, I would tell you to buy this one. I can't speak any more highly of it than that.

**Tom Bihn Brain Bag Comprehensive Review**
[alldayruckoff.com](https://alldayruckoff.com/reviews/rucks/tom-bihn-brain-bag-review/)

> If you can handle how it looks then this could be a great option for you. It’s incredibly versatile, perfectly sewn, and relatively inexpensive for the size.

## Features

<table class="table table-sm  table-borderless" id="carryon-details-table"><tbody><tr><td colspan="2" class="border-bottom"><strong>Storage</strong></td></tr><tr><td><span class="underline" title="Does this carry-on travel backpack have a way to compress the contents to make them smaller?">Compression</span></td><td>4</td></tr><tr><td><span class="underline" title="If this carry-on expands, how much does it expand by?">Expanded Capacity</span></td><td><span>None</span></td></tr><tr><td><span class="underline" title="The type of opening does this carry-on travel backpack have in degrees.">Opening</span></td><td>TopZip</td></tr><tr><td><span class="underline" title="Does this carry-on travel backpack have a dedicated passport holder?">Passport</span></td><td>Top</td></tr><tr><td><span class="underline" title="Does this carry-on travel backpack have a pass-through opening so you can reach the main compartments without fully opening the bag?">Passthrough</span></td><td>No</td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" class="border-bottom"><strong>Carry</strong></td></tr><tr><td><span class="underline" title="Does this have backpack straps?">Backpack</span></td><td>Yes</td></tr><tr><td><span class="underline" title="Does this carry-on travel backpack have a belt that goes around your hip to help support the weight of the bag?">Hip Belt</span></td><td>Removable</td></tr><tr><td><span class="underline" title="Does this carry-on travel backpack have a strap that goes around your upper chest so help support the weight of the bag?">Sternum Strap</span></td><td>Removable</td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" class="border-bottom"><strong>Inside</strong></td></tr><tr><td><span class="underline" title="What size laptop sleeve can this carry-on travel backpack fit?">Laptop</span></td><td>No</td></tr><tr><td><span class="underline" title="The number of main compartments this bag has.  Side and small compartments don't count.">Main Compartments</span></td><td>6</td></tr><tr><td><span class="underline" title="Does the main compartment of the carry-on travel backpack have features which help you organize?">Organizer</span></td><td>Yes</td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" class="border-bottom"><strong>Outside</strong></td></tr><tr><td><span class="underline" title="Does the backpack have a hardshell component to protect your packed items?">Hard Shell</span></td><td>No</td></tr><tr><td><span class="underline" title="Does this carry on have a rain-fly to protect it from the weather?">Rain-fly</span></td><td>No</td></tr><tr><td><span class="underline" title="The number of bottle holders this bag has">Water Bottle Holder</span></td><td>1 (side)</td></tr><tr><td><span class="underline" title="Is this carry-on travel backpack made with water resistant material?">Water Resistant</span></td><td>Yes</td></tr><tr><td colspan="2"><span class="underline" title="What type of material is this carry-on travel backpack made of?"><strong>Material:</strong></span><br>525 Ballistic Nylon</td></tr></tbody></table>

## Fits the carry-on limits of 125 airlines

Adria Airways Aegean Airlines Aer Lingus Aeroflot Aeromexico Air Asia Air Astana Air Canada Air Caraibes Air Europa Air Koryo Air Macau Air New Zealand Air Nostrum Air Tahiti Nui Air Wisconsin AirAsiaX Alaska Airlines All Nipon Airways Allegiant Air American Airlines ANA Atlas Global Austrian Avianca Azerbaijan Airlines Azul Airlines Azul Linhas Bahamasair Bangkok Airways Biman Bangladesh British Airways Brussels Airlines Cambodia Angkor Air Caribbean Airlines Cathay Pacific Cebu Pacific China Airlines China Southern CommutAir Conviasa Copa Airlines Croatia Air Cubana de Aviacion Czech Airlines Delta Airlines Dragonair EL AL Ethiopian Airlines Etihad Airways Eurowings EVA Air Fiji Airways Finnair Flair Air Frontier Airlines Garuda Indonesia Gol Linhas Aereas Hainan Airlines Hawaiian Airlines Hong Kong Airlines Iberia Interjet Iran Air Iran Aseman Air Island Air Japan Airlines Jet2 jetBlue Airways Jetstar Airways Jetstar Asia Korean Air Kulula Kuwait Air LOT Polish Lufthansa Mahan Air Malaysia Airlines Mango Mesa Airlines Middle East Airlines Monarch Airlines Norwegian Oman Air Onur Air Peach PenAir Philippine Airlines Porter Airlines Qantas Airways Qatar Airways Ravn Alaska Republic Airways Royal Air Morocco Royal Jordanian SAS Scandinavian Saudi Arabian Airlines Scoot Sichuan Airlines SilkAir Silver Airways Singapore Airlines Skywest, Inc. South African Airways Southwest Airlines SpiceJet Spirit Airlines SriLankan Airlines Sun Country Swiss Int'l Air Lines TAAG Angola TAM Airlines Thai Airways Tiger Airways Trans States Travel Service Airlines Turkish Airlines United Airlines Ural Airlines Uzbekistan Air Vietnam Airlines Virgin America Virgin Atlantic WestJet WOW Airlines

## Similar backpacks

Travel backpacks with comparable features and capacity.

[![Matador SEG28 Backpack carry-on backpack](https://res.cloudinary.com/obt/image/upload/c_fill,w_360/v1788990382/carryons/matador-seg28-backpack-p9kpxe6xqm.webp)](https://onebag.travel/carryon/p9kpxe6xqm/matador-seg28-backpack/)

[Matador SEG28 Backpack](https://onebag.travel/carryon/p9kpxe6xqm/matador-seg28-backpack/) [Matador](https://onebag.travel/brand/matador/)

28L 1kg 40% fit

**50%** match **8L** diff [Compare →](https://onebag.travel/compare/i3dfh43ew9/tom-bihn-brain-bag/p9kpxe6xqm/matador-seg28-backpack/)

[![Matador Beast28 Packable Backpack carry-on backpack](https://res.cloudinary.com/obt/image/upload/c_fill,w_360/v1601600260/carryons/matadog_bkbdww.webp)](https://onebag.travel/carryon/j1xe5qjdcy/matador-beast28-packable-backpack/)

[Matador Beast28 Packable Backpack](https://onebag.travel/carryon/j1xe5qjdcy/matador-beast28-packable-backpack/) [Matador](https://onebag.travel/brand/matador/)

28L 0.7kg 47% fit

**50%** match **8L** diff [Compare →](https://onebag.travel/compare/i3dfh43ew9/tom-bihn-brain-bag/j1xe5qjdcy/matador-beast28-packable-backpack/)

[![Osprey Transporter Carryon 44 carry-on backpack](https://res.cloudinary.com/obt/image/upload/c_fill,w_360/v1788990420/carryons/osprey-transporter-carryon-44-ezo9frgw66.webp)](https://onebag.travel/carryon/ezo9frgw66/osprey-transporter-carryon-44/)

[Osprey Transporter Carryon 44](https://onebag.travel/carryon/ezo9frgw66/osprey-transporter-carryon-44/) [Osprey](https://onebag.travel/brand/osprey/)

22L 0.9kg 75% fit

**50%** match **14L** diff [Compare →](https://onebag.travel/compare/i3dfh43ew9/tom-bihn-brain-bag/ezo9frgw66/osprey-transporter-carryon-44/)

[![Tom Bihn Synapse 19 carry-on backpack](https://res.cloudinary.com/obt/image/upload/c_fill,w_360/carryons/uwtawghajoe4uwr4xhoy)](https://onebag.travel/carryon/cP4fciNY/tom-bihn-synapse-19/)

[Tom Bihn Synapse 19](https://onebag.travel/carryon/cP4fciNY/tom-bihn-synapse-19/) [Tom Bihn](https://onebag.travel/brand/tom-bihn/)

19L 0.7kg 95% fit

**50%** match **17L** diff [Compare →](https://onebag.travel/compare/i3dfh43ew9/tom-bihn-brain-bag/cP4fciNY/tom-bihn-synapse-19/)

[![KS Ultralight Tao carry-on backpack](https://res.cloudinary.com/obt/image/upload/c_fill,w_360/v1601079762/carryons/tao_klvueq.webp)](https://onebag.travel/carryon/985cttn4v5/ks-ultralight-tao/)

[KS Ultralight Tao](https://onebag.travel/carryon/985cttn4v5/ks-ultralight-tao/) [KS Ultralight Gear](https://onebag.travel/brand/ks-ultralight-gear/)

35L 0.3kg 1% fit

**45%** match **1L** diff [Compare →](https://onebag.travel/compare/i3dfh43ew9/tom-bihn-brain-bag/985cttn4v5/ks-ultralight-tao/)

[![Arcido Akra carry-on backpack](https://res.cloudinary.com/obt/image/upload/c_fill,w_360/v1600812593/carryons/arcidoakra_lxcqen.webp)](https://onebag.travel/carryon/rpeaazu3h9/arcido-akra/)

[Arcido Akra](https://onebag.travel/carryon/rpeaazu3h9/arcido-akra/) [Arcido](https://onebag.travel/brand/arcido/)

35L 1.3kg 86% fit

**45%** match **1L** diff [Compare →](https://onebag.travel/compare/i3dfh43ew9/tom-bihn-brain-bag/rpeaazu3h9/arcido-akra/)

[![HEIMPLANET Travel Pack 34 carry-on backpack](https://res.cloudinary.com/obt/image/upload/c_fill,w_360/v1625718497/carryons/HEIMPLANET_Transit_Line_Travel_Pack_34_o6x4ct.webp)](https://onebag.travel/carryon/6a96x8yzl9/heimplanet-travel-pack-34/)

[HEIMPLANET Travel Pack 34](https://onebag.travel/carryon/6a96x8yzl9/heimplanet-travel-pack-34/) [Heimplanet](https://onebag.travel/brand/heimplanet/)

34L 1.7kg 88% fit

**45%** match **2L** diff [Compare →](https://onebag.travel/compare/i3dfh43ew9/tom-bihn-brain-bag/6a96x8yzl9/heimplanet-travel-pack-34/)

[![Deuter Freerider Pro 34+ carry-on backpack](https://res.cloudinary.com/obt/image/upload/c_fill,w_360/v1621833009/carryons/Deuter_Freerider_Pro_34_juipzv.webp)](https://onebag.travel/carryon/09zglx7x4h/deuter-freerider-pro-34/)

[Deuter Freerider Pro 34+](https://onebag.travel/carryon/09zglx7x4h/deuter-freerider-pro-34/) [Deuter](https://onebag.travel/brand/deuter/)

34L 1.28kg 16% fit

**45%** match **2L** diff [Compare →](https://onebag.travel/compare/i3dfh43ew9/tom-bihn-brain-bag/09zglx7x4h/deuter-freerider-pro-34/)

[![haize project Clamshell 38 carry-on backpack](https://res.cloudinary.com/obt/image/upload/c_fill,w_360/v1788990372/carryons/haize-project-clamshell-38-spl5g7bkyn.webp)](https://onebag.travel/carryon/spl5g7bkyn/haize-project-clamshell-38/)

[haize project Clamshell 38](https://onebag.travel/carryon/spl5g7bkyn/haize-project-clamshell-38/) [haize project](https://onebag.travel/brand/haize-project/)

38L 1.6kg 86% fit

**45%** match **2L** diff [Compare →](https://onebag.travel/compare/i3dfh43ew9/tom-bihn-brain-bag/spl5g7bkyn/haize-project-clamshell-38/)

[![Osprey Nebula carry-on backpack](https://res.cloudinary.com/obt/image/upload/c_fill,w_360/v1601224005/carryons/ospreynebula_amojoe.webp)](https://onebag.travel/carryon/088zn2v6l3/osprey-nebula/)

[Osprey Nebula](https://onebag.travel/carryon/088zn2v6l3/osprey-nebula/) [Osprey](https://onebag.travel/brand/osprey/)

34L 1kg 13% fit

**45%** match **2L** diff [Compare →](https://onebag.travel/compare/i3dfh43ew9/tom-bihn-brain-bag/088zn2v6l3/osprey-nebula/)

[![Aer Travel Pack 2 carry-on backpack](https://res.cloudinary.com/obt/image/upload/c_fill,w_360/v1601603666/carryons/aertravelpack2_f23hfy.webp)](https://onebag.travel/carryon/g0rrmfoh4g/aer-travel-pack-2/)

[Aer Travel Pack 2](https://onebag.travel/carryon/g0rrmfoh4g/aer-travel-pack-2/) [Aer](https://onebag.travel/brand/aer/)

33L 1.7kg 69% fit

**45%** match **3L** diff [Compare →](https://onebag.travel/compare/i3dfh43ew9/tom-bihn-brain-bag/g0rrmfoh4g/aer-travel-pack-2/)

[![Osprey Nebula 32 carry-on backpack](https://res.cloudinary.com/obt/image/upload/c_fill,w_360/v1788990492/carryons/osprey-nebula-32-0tetq72hrx.webp)](https://onebag.travel/carryon/0tetq72hrx/osprey-nebula-32/)

[Osprey Nebula 32](https://onebag.travel/carryon/0tetq72hrx/osprey-nebula-32/) [Osprey](https://onebag.travel/brand/osprey/)

32L 1kg 13% fit

**45%** match **4L** diff [Compare →](https://onebag.travel/compare/i3dfh43ew9/tom-bihn-brain-bag/0tetq72hrx/osprey-nebula-32/)

[![Deuter Freerider Pro 32+ SL carry-on backpack](https://res.cloudinary.com/obt/image/upload/c_fill,w_360/v1621832423/carryons/Deuter_Freerider_Pro_32_SL_btq8um.webp)](https://onebag.travel/carryon/qokuxxro4v/deuter-freerider-pro-32-sl/)

[Deuter Freerider Pro 32+ SL](https://onebag.travel/carryon/qokuxxro4v/deuter-freerider-pro-32-sl/) [Deuter](https://onebag.travel/brand/deuter/)

32L 1.26kg 46% fit

**45%** match **4L** diff [Compare →](https://onebag.travel/compare/i3dfh43ew9/tom-bihn-brain-bag/qokuxxro4v/deuter-freerider-pro-32-sl/)

[![Lowe Alpine Escape Flight Pro 40L Cabin Pack carry-on backpack](https://res.cloudinary.com/obt/image/upload/c_fill,w_360/v1788990379/carryons/lowe-alpine-escape-flight-pro-40l-cabin-pack-l1939624rq.webp)](https://onebag.travel/carryon/l1939624rq/lowe-alpine-escape-flight-pro-40l-cabin-pack/)

[Lowe Alpine Escape Flight Pro 40L Cabin Pack](https://onebag.travel/carryon/l1939624rq/lowe-alpine-escape-flight-pro-40l-cabin-pack/) [Lowe Alpine](https://onebag.travel/brand/lowe-alpine/)

40L 1.4kg 38% fit

**45%** match **4L** diff [Compare →](https://onebag.travel/compare/i3dfh43ew9/tom-bihn-brain-bag/l1939624rq/lowe-alpine-escape-flight-pro-40l-cabin-pack/)

No photo yet

[REI Co-op Trail 40](https://onebag.travel/carryon/yshyt43faw/rei-co-op-trail-40/) [REI Co-op](https://onebag.travel/brand/rei-co-op/)

40L 1.2kg 47% fit

**45%** match **4L** diff [Compare →](https://onebag.travel/compare/i3dfh43ew9/tom-bihn-brain-bag/yshyt43faw/rei-co-op-trail-40/)

[![Deuter Gigant carry-on backpack](https://res.cloudinary.com/obt/image/upload/c_fill,w_360/v1621566065/carryons/Deuter_Gigant_qws6rg.webp)](https://onebag.travel/carryon/ewignxe0ru/deuter-gigant/)

[Deuter Gigant](https://onebag.travel/carryon/ewignxe0ru/deuter-gigant/) [Deuter](https://onebag.travel/brand/deuter/)

32L 1.1kg 72% fit

**45%** match **4L** diff [Compare →](https://onebag.travel/compare/i3dfh43ew9/tom-bihn-brain-bag/ewignxe0ru/deuter-gigant/)

[![Osprey Skarab 30 carry-on backpack](https://res.cloudinary.com/obt/image/upload/c_fill,w_360/v1788990419/carryons/osprey-skarab-30-147wj27snm.webp)](https://onebag.travel/carryon/147wj27snm/osprey-skarab-30/)

[Osprey Skarab 30](https://onebag.travel/carryon/147wj27snm/osprey-skarab-30/) [Osprey](https://onebag.travel/brand/osprey/)

30L 0.9kg 39% fit

**45%** match **6L** diff [Compare →](https://onebag.travel/compare/i3dfh43ew9/tom-bihn-brain-bag/147wj27snm/osprey-skarab-30/)

[![Boundary Supply Prima carry-on backpack](https://res.cloudinary.com/obt/image/upload/c_fill,w_360/v1600731473/carryons/boundarysupplyprima_aldknt.webp)](https://onebag.travel/carryon/dm0uuxdv6q/boundary-supply-prima/)

[Boundary Supply Prima](https://onebag.travel/carryon/dm0uuxdv6q/boundary-supply-prima/) [Boundary Supply](https://onebag.travel/brand/boundary-supply/)

30L 1.9kg 88% fit

**45%** match **6L** diff [Compare →](https://onebag.travel/compare/i3dfh43ew9/tom-bihn-brain-bag/dm0uuxdv6q/boundary-supply-prima/)

[![Mystery Ranch Blitz 30 carry-on backpack](https://res.cloudinary.com/obt/image/upload/c_fill,w_360/v1788990486/carryons/mystery-ranch-blitz-30-5rbmku7rqw.webp)](https://onebag.travel/carryon/5rbmku7rqw/mystery-ranch-blitz-30/)

[Mystery Ranch Blitz 30](https://onebag.travel/carryon/5rbmku7rqw/mystery-ranch-blitz-30/) [Mystery Ranch](https://onebag.travel/brand/mystery-ranch/)

30L 1.7kg 1% fit

**45%** match **6L** diff [Compare →](https://onebag.travel/compare/i3dfh43ew9/tom-bihn-brain-bag/5rbmku7rqw/mystery-ranch-blitz-30/)

[![Deuter Giga carry-on backpack](https://res.cloudinary.com/obt/image/upload/c_fill,w_360/v1621563322/carryons/Deuter_Giga_pdpoxy.webp)](https://onebag.travel/carryon/sgzxfxwlkr/deuter-giga/)

[Deuter Giga](https://onebag.travel/carryon/sgzxfxwlkr/deuter-giga/) [Deuter](https://onebag.travel/brand/deuter/)

28L 1kg 92% fit

**45%** match **8L** diff [Compare →](https://onebag.travel/compare/i3dfh43ew9/tom-bihn-brain-bag/sgzxfxwlkr/deuter-giga/)