The Minimalist's Guide to Packing an Overnight Bag

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.

  • Tom at work in his garage/workshop, 1982. He was making cases for bowed psalteries — who woulda thunk it?

    1982

    Tom at work in his garage/workshop, 1982. He was making cases for bowed psalteries — who woulda thunk it?

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  • Tom's grandfather's table in the tent that Tom lived in in the Santa Cruz mountains.

    1981

    When Tom was 13, he and his grandfather built a table for cutting fabric. When Tom was 20, he lived in a tent in the Santa Cruz mountains for a couple of...

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  • Tierra del Fuego, 1977. Tom was dropping out of high school, so the obvious thing to do was for he and his dad to take off for South America. Yes, that's a "60/40" mountain parka, made by Tom.

    1977

    Tierra del Fuego, 1977. Tom was dropping out of high school, so the obvious thing to do was for he and his dad to take off for South America. Yes, that's a "60/40"...

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  • Tom on a solo backpacking trip in the back country of Yosemite, 1977. The pack hiding behind him was built by Tom for a classic Kelty external frame called the Massif.

    1977

    Tom on a solo backpacking trip in the back country of Yosemite, 1977. The pack hiding behind him was built by Tom for a classic Kelty external frame called the Massif.

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  • First TOM BIHN woven logo label. Artwork derived from The American Boys Handybook, from Tom's grandmother Bess.

    1975

    First TOM BIHN woven logo label. Artwork derived from The American Boys Handybook, from Tom's grandmother Bess.

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  • Tom hiking on a foggy beach back in 1974.

    1974

    Hiking the West Coast Trail on Vancouver Island, Canada, 1974. Tom carried a pack, a sleeping bag and rain gear he'd designed and made himself.

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  • A business card of Tom's from 1972 (yes, when he was 12) advertising his custom-made down jackets.

    1972

    In the early 1970s, Tom made custom made down-filled jackets and sold them to friends, family and teachers at school. Some folks still have those jackets!

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  • The very first "TOM BIHN" label, sewn in a couple of dozen down jackets in the early 1970s.

    1972

    The very first "TOM BIHN" label, sewn in a couple of dozen down jackets in the early 1970s.

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  • A person holding open a yellow leather handbag

    1970

    A purse made by Tom's mother Bobbie, who was the first person to inspire and mentor Tom in his own efforts making bags and gear. Barbara (Bobbie) Bihn's initials in one of...

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  • Tom (center), seems always to have had a thing for bags. Flanked here by the other Brothers Bihn, Dan (right) and Greg (left). Tom's father Michael flew for PanAm. Departing for the East Coast, circa 1965.

    1965

    Tom (center), seems always to have had a thing for bags. Flanked here by the other Brothers Bihn, Dan (right) and Greg (left). Tom's father Michael flew for PanAm. Departing for the...

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