Carry Guides

The Minimalist's Guide to Packing an Overnight Bag

How do some people fit everything in a single bag? Packing light: it sounds simple until you're actually standing in front of your closet. Suddenly, "just one night away" starts looking like three outfits, two pairs of shoes, your entire bathroom counter,...
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The BIHN Bulletin

Guides, gear insights, and stories for carrying well.


  • A group photo of TOM BIHN crew outside of their factory, enjoying ice cream in front of an ice cream truck.

    2021

    Our first group photo in two years! Outside the Seattle factory having some ice cream.

  • Nik and Irma at the Seattle factory discussing a marker. There's a rainbow flag and an American flag in the background.

    2020

    We designed, made, and donated over 200,000 reusable cloth face masks.  We were also proud to play a small role in cloth mask material studies conducted by the National Institute of Standards and...

  • Mike, Nik, and Matt discussing shipping procedures and logistics.

    2019

    We implemented various new systems and procedures to support continued, sustainable, and quality growth, including our Pre-Production Batch (PPB) procedure for each new design. Mike, Nik, and Matt discussing shipping procedures and...

  • A person holding a beaver transfer bag with a mountain beaver inside.

    2019

    We worked with wildlife biologists to create our first pro bono design to support wildlife: the Beaver Transfer Bag. Amanda Keasberry of Cascade Forest Conservancy carrying a transported beaver in the bag.

  • A group photo of the TOM BIHN crew and the Seven Star Women's Crew

    2019

    Seven Star Women's Kung Fu came by to teach all of us the basics of self-defense. On the blog: "Top Three Things We Learned in Self-Defense Class"

  • Person carrying an Olive Guide's Pack on a hike; there's a double rainbow in the background!

    2018

    We were proud to become operationally carbon neutral.  We're not separate from the environment. We are part of the environment. We're literally all in this together.  

  • This is us at our holiday party! Note the guest of honor in the photo: June Johnson, TOM BIHN Production Manager Emeritus.

    2018

    Launched our pre-order system, debuted 10 new designs, and made several adjustments to existing designs based on customer feedback. A busy year, as usual! This is us at our holiday party! Note...

  • Sau Ling, Zhong, Mike, and Kat. Everyone's waving and smiling and there's huge stacks of shipping boxes behind them.

    2017

    We worked together to ship the most bags ever. It was crazy busy and (mostly) crazy fun. Group photo taken just before everyone left for the day.  

  • A group photo of the TOM BIHN crew inside the factory, along with Ichiro the dog.

    2016

    Our 2016 Holiday crew photo. That's our legendary canine friend Ichiro. He spent many days at the factory over the years.

  • Nik, Lisa, Fong, and Ben: everyone's holding tools like they're about to demolish the old showroom!

    2015

    We designed and built our new Factory Showroom at our Seattle headquarters.    Nik, Lisa, Fong, and Ben getting ready to do some demo.

  • Purchased by Tom in 1980, this Consew 206RB is still in use at the factory today. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

    2014

    Purchased by Tom in 1980, this Consew 206RB is still in use at the factory today. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.  Today, Tao uses this Consew to do three-fold bias binding.