TOM BIHN Bixi Review

The TOM BIHN Bixi is a 32-liter backpack that feels like an outlier within the brand’s catalog. While TOM BIHN has built a reputation for highly organized bags, the Bixi takes a pared-down approach. It’s cleaner on the outside, with fewer compartments built in, yet it retains the company’s ecosystem of O-rings and attachment points that let you customize your loadout with pouches and cubes. This philosophy makes it a flexible pack for those who already own TOM BIHN accessories or prefer building their own system. However, it may strike others as under-designed compared to the company’s more complex offerings.

In testing, the Bixi handled both everyday use and a four-day trip without issue. Its 32-liter capacity proved more than enough for clothing, tech, and toiletries, while the harness system kept loads comfortable even during long days. At the same time, the bag’s size and lack of ventilation mean it isn’t the most effortless daily driver, especially for smaller frames or hot-weather environments. Still, the Bixi balances travel and everyday functionality, all while delivering the durability and thoughtful detailing we know from the brand.

External Components

The Bixi’s exterior is constructed with a 630D High-Tenacity 2×2 Ballistic nylon and lined with 200D Halcyon/nylon ripstop, which are bluesign®-approved. This combination gives the bag a rugged yet approachable feel, durable enough to withstand travel abuse without becoming overly heavy. Ballistic nylon has been a signature pick for the brand for as long as we can remember, and here it provides a dense, abrasion-resistant shell that resists scuffs and fraying. Inside, the ripstop reinforcement prevents snags from spreading, offering peace of mind when packing sharp-cornered accessories.

Zippers are YKK RC water-resistant types, chosen for their smooth action and resistance to wear. Meanwhile, hardware comes from reliable brands like Duraflex, Nexus, and Woojin, so there are no weak points from the buckles or clips, either. For added security, the main zippers are lockable, which is a small but appreciated feature when we’re traveling.

Visually, the bag is one of TOM BIHN’s more understated designs. Branding is limited to a small centered logo, and the silhouette is streamlined compared to the company’s more tactical-looking packs. Lines, normally crisscrossing among TOM BIHN’s other offerings, are also noticeably kept to a tasteful minimum. Colorways are limited at launch, though TOM BIHN usually expands options over time.

Functionally, the bag offers a stretchy side water bottle pocket that grips bottles securely without making them difficult to remove. A 21-ounce Hydro Flask fit snugly, while a slimmer 30-ounce bottle also worked thanks to its tapered shape. Wider bottles may be more challenging, but the pocket has just enough give to adapt to most standard travel bottles. A reinforced gear loop sits below the logo to attach a bike light, carabiner, or other quick-grab items.

Two carry handles—one on top and one on the side—are padded and easy to grab when moving through crowded spaces or lifting the bag into an overhead bin. Below, a luggage pass-through allows you to secure the Bixi to rolling luggage. Its dual-orientation design, which supports horizontal and vertical attachment, sets it apart. This flexibility is rare and makes a noticeable difference when traveling with a suitcase.

The shoulder straps are about half an inch thick, padded with soft foam, and finished with an edgeless design that prevents them from digging into your neck or shoulders. The back panel mirrors this philosophy with its closed-cell foam and a mix of mesh and pack-cloth fabric, creating a cushioned surface that flexes with your back. Extra harness features include a sternum strap on a sliding rail system, which is easy to adjust up or down, and a removable hip belt that attaches via gatekeeper clips.

Overall, the Bixi’s harness system, on paper, should deliver the kind of cushioned, malleable comfort TOM BIHN bags are known for. Everything will feel familiar if you’re already a fan of their harness systems. So, how does it actually feel once you’re wearing it?

Fit Notes

The shoulder straps feel more pliable than the stiff ones we often find on travel backpacks, allowing them to mold more easily to your body. This gives the bag a softer, more natural fit, though it does mean they don’t provide the same degree of load-bearing support as thicker, more structured straps. The cushioned back panel, meanwhile, makes for a comfortable ride, though it sacrifices ventilation. Sweat buildup is noticeable on hot days, and extended wear in warm climates may leave the back panel feeling sticky. Another quirk is that the bag can feel like it pulls slightly backward when fully loaded, a side effect of the softer structure and the absence of load lifters.

The sternum strap does an excellent job of keeping the shoulder straps stable, while the hip belt provides modest support for heavier loads. That said, the hip belt is minimalist, and we’ve mostly kept it packed away unless we’re carrying weight for long stretches.

Inside The Backpack

Up front, the organization compartment is surprisingly deep and versatile. It includes two slip pockets (one flat, one with depth), two pen slots, and a movable key leash, which you can attach to one of the four O-rings inside. The flat pocket fits a passport or slim wallet, while the deeper pocket can hold a phone or pouch. Smaller items tend to sink without organizers, but the O-ring system makes it easy to clip in TOM BIHN’s modular accessories. Behind this sits a long, flat pocket that spans much of the bag’s height—ideal for tablets or documents, though, again, smaller items fall to the bottom.

As an aside, the O-rings provide anchor points for customization. This ecosystem is one of TOM BIHN’s defining features, allowing you to attach pouches, key straps, or other accessories in ways that suit your packing style. For those who already own TOM BIHN gear, the Bixi becomes a flexible hub that adapts to whatever you need it to be. For those who don’t, the system may require a small investment in accessories to reach its full potential.

The laptop compartment accommodates devices up to 16 inches, including the MacBook Pro, and includes a built-in padded sleeve elevated off the bottom of the bag by about an inch or so. This false bottom design adds critical protection against drops, keeping your device safe when setting the bag down. The mesh padding provides additional cushioning while preventing overheating.

The main compartment is a bucket-style space with tie-down straps. For a four-day trip, it swallowed a toiletry kit, travel shoes in a separate pouch, sleepwear, pants, and multiple tops without issue. Two mesh zippered pockets on the inside front panel offer extra separation. The lower one works well for socks or underwear, while the larger upper pocket is better for bulkier items. Because the main compartment lacks dividers, the bag works best with cubes and pouches to prevent gear from shifting.

Behind the two mesh pockets is an even bigger and deeper pocket. It is where you’d presumably put dress shirts and other clothing items you’d want to keep wrinkle-free. We don’t travel often with those, so we didn’t get much use out of this pocket. It’s too deep for the smaller gear we had instead, and they tend to sink way too deep for our liking.

The Bixi’s 32-liter capacity lands it in the sweet spot between travel and everyday carry. It’s spacious enough to fit four to five days of clothing, toiletries, and accessories, with room to spare for bulkier items like shoes or a sweater. With strategic packing and a minimalist wardrobe, it can stretch to a weeklong trip. On the flip side, it can feel oversized for everyday use, particularly on smaller frames, though those who regularly carry gym gear or multiple devices may find it works.

When traveling, the Bixi feels streamlined yet adaptable. The lockable zippers, luggage pass-through, and simple layout make it easy to move through airports or train stations without fumbling. Its main limitation lies in ventilation and balance, as extended wear in hot climates or while carrying heavy loads can be less comfortable. Still, as a travel pack that doubles as a large everyday bag, it delivers versatility and durability in equal measure.