Tom Bihn bags and accessories collecting has been a COVID pastime this year for future travel, not for work use. The gently used Brain Bag I bought from someone in the FB group was supposed to be for a NZ AU trip in May which didn't happen. It still hasn't been outside the house. I like that it has two compartments and side cinch straps, unlike the Synapses and Syniks, for lighter than full 36L loads.

I also recently acquired a lightly used Luminary 15 for $50. It's small, but I like the look of it with no zippers on the front. Not sure what I'll use it for, when I've got two Maker's bags, multiple Cafe bags, and an Icon to use as purses, but I couldn't pass on a $140 backpack for such a great price.

My previous backpacks were Timbuk2. I bought the Amnesia 28L from Newegg for $20 and solely traveled with it for a decade, then splurged on Cyber Monday 2018 for the $38 32L Command backpack. Sooo, it was a big deal for me to spend on the new Shadow Guide 33. I traveled with it last week using stuff sacks as packing cubes. That was fine, but next time, I'll use compression cubes to slim the profile and bulk down. I'm new to top loading bags and need to figure out how best to make it work for me.

My history with Tom Bihn goes back to the mid-90s, having carried medium Cafes as purses. His one and only retail store was where both sides of my family US roots stem. It feels good to be back and even more invested because of the quality, customer service, and company ethos. Just yesterday, I received an email reply regarding the V4 flannel face masks not working for me. I didn't request a refund in my email, but they were ready to give me my money back. Instead, they sent me complimentary V2s which I was prepared to pay for. Are any other mask makers making them with neck lanyards?