It’s here!
My order of Tom Bihn’s Small Cafe and vertical Soft Cell for my new second hand macbook. And it comes with a free sticker too!
Because my sister shipped it for me, I only had to pay US$8 for shipping. She sent it to me after repacking it out of the box into a envelope for US$14.65.
If I had opted for the huge shipping box that Tom Bihn would’ve sent it in, it would’ve cost me anywhere between US$45 and $55. So I owe my sister a treat.
Re-packing the stuff was fine, but I don’t know what sort of padded envelopes the US makes these days. What happened to good ol’ bubble wrap?
The envelope was torn and all sorts of fluff came out, sticking all over, even inside of the Soft Cell, due to the nature of its fabric. The Cafe bag was relatively clean.
Note how SingPost puts a disclaimer there in blue, “received in this condition”. How would we know, really?
Okay, I don’t like the colour of the Soft Cell’s anemic silver. I would’ve preferred black. But it was all they had at that time.
You must be wondering why I had to buy the Soft Cell all the way from the US of A when they have plenty of similar looking products in Singapore. Well, firstly, those are anywhere from S$39 – 59, made in China, mostly in horizontal orientation for briefcases, made of a fabric that balls up into little knots over time. Horrid. In contrast, the Soft Cell is US$30, made in the USA, made in both horizontal and vertical orientation (for backpacks), made of Cordura, which I much prefer.
Most importantly, ALL the options I’ve seen in Singapore come with a zip. This uses Velcro. And this makes all the difference. With a zip, it takes longer to take it out of your bag.
- Open your main bag.
- Take out laptop pouch.
- Unzip laptop pouch.
- Take out laptop.
- Put laptop pouch in the bag or somewhere else.
- Put main bag somewhere.
With Velcro, the process is much simplified and quicker.
- Open your main bag.
- Open laptop pouch.
- Take out laptop.
- Put main bag (with laptop pouch still inside) somewhere.
Only two steps you say? Well, if you’re in a rush, people are waiting for you, those two steps shave off many embarrassing seconds. And don’t forget there’s also putting the laptop back in.
The Cafe bag is a purchase I made because I wanted a bag that would hold wallet and book to read. That is, I’m going out without any intention of adding to my load. All this time, I’ve been taking out my backpack, which sometimes is ridiculously empty save for the book swimming around in there.
The hardest part about the Cafe bag is finding one of the right size. I chose a small (US$50), even though, I’m sure I’d have use for a Medium (US$50). The Large (US$60) fits my Macbook.
The second hardest part of the choice are the many colours! I chose the Olive/Cayenne which is not bad. But the Cayenne pictured on the website is more orangey. In real life, it is more red, than orange.
The inside features the main compartment, three pen compartments and a larger compartment that could fit a wide cell phone like the iPhone, I guess. (I will have to borrow my friend’s iPhone to verify this.)
What I really like are the provided keychain loop, and also, the second o-ring on the other side that could accommodate another. What I don’t like is that these are made of plastic, and that Tom Bihn label which is in a too-prominent position. Also, I wish the mobile phone and pen slots were placed a little higher up in the bag.
The problem with bags in this shape is everything goes to the bottom, so you get a thin top and a heavy bottom that looks very unflattering. Placing those slots a little higher up helps to even this out.
Okay, it can fit a book.
Indeed, it can fit a book and my rangefinder camera.
And doesn’t look too obese. But add a fat wallet in the front zip compartment and you start running into trouble. So I don’t suggest anything other than a thin pop out lens camera in there with a book.
And here is the aforementioned zip compartment under the flap.
I like the zip compartment. I really dislike the seams of the mobile phone and pen compartments showing on the other side. Would it be so hard to add another layer of fabric? Even though the cayenne fabric has been treated with a water resistant layer, the stitching there renders this useless. Water will seep along the edges. But I guess a company in Seattle doesn’t know about our torrential monsoon rains.
All Tom Bihn products are made in the USA. This I like very much. I know cost of labour is higher there and am willing to pay for it, provided the quality is good. In this case, it is.
Many other bag manufacturers charge the same price for the similar products made in Vietnam and China. I have no problems using cheaper labour to save costs and so poor people also have jobs, even though their work conditions may not be that desirable, but otherwise, what could they be doing or earning? But I do have a problem when these cheaper costs do not filter down to the person who buys it. Or, if the prices remain high, then there should be no excuse to use cheap labour.
All in all, the finishing and quality of stitching is good. I generally like these items. It’s hard to find a nice bag, even in person.
But, I’m not blown away. Perhaps all those people waxing lyrical about Tom Bihn products have raised my expectations too high.
Conclusion: Vertical Soft Cell 6 of 10. Well made, but meant for a thicker laptop. I can fit in three or four magazines in there with my macbook. The equivalent from STM (Australia) for my old ibook was much much much better. Small Cafe 7 of 10. Workmanship: Good. Design: Above average.
Would I buy again: Quite possible. However, based on the current lineup, other than the other sizes of the Cafe Bag, and possibly the Aeronaut, it would have to be no.