TOM BIHN Tri-Star Review

The TOM BIHN Tri-Star is a 33-liter travel bag that doesn’t shy away from being exactly what it is: structured, utilitarian, and unapologetically compartmentalized. Built with the brand’s signature attention to detail and premium materials, it offers a layout that makes sense for travelers wanting to keep their items segmented, secure, and easy to access on the go. Over two weeks of testing, the Tri-Star showed us its strengths and quirks, reinforcing TOM BIHN’s reputation for high-quality gear while revealing where it falls short.

Those already familiar with TOM BIHN will know that the brand has a devoted following thanks to its U.S.-made craftsmanship (sewn in Seattle, as they say themselves), modular ecosystem of pouches, and gear designed to last a lifetime. The Tri-Star fits neatly into that lineage, offering a design that’s particularly well-suited for business travel, organized packing, and multi-purpose trips that require keeping work and personal items separate. But for travelers who prefer simplicity—just tossing everything into a single cavity and hitting the road—the Tri-Star’s structure may feel limiting at best, and add-on-thirsty at worst.

External Components

The exterior of the Tri-Star is where TOM BIHN’s craftsmanship shines. Constructed from 1050D high tenacity ballistic nylon, it has a dense, tough feel that resists abrasions, scuffs, and travel’s inevitable wear and tear. This fabric has long been a staple in TOM BIHN’s lineup, and it feels overbuilt in the best way possible. You won’t worry about it catching on a sharp corner or fraying after a few trips. Pair that with YKK zippers and hardware components from Duraflex, Nexus, and Woojin, and you’ve got a reliable bag right out of the box.

Style-wise, the Tri-Star embraces a utilitarian aesthetic. Its appearance is defined less by flashy details and more by its functional pocket layout. That gives it the infamous “dad bag” look that TOM BIHN bags are sometimes known for—clean, practical, and slightly heritage. It’s not a bag that screams modern minimalism, yet it appeals to those who prefer function-first gear over trendier options. It’s not grown on us over two weeks of testing, but don’t let our subjective taste taint your rose-colored glasses.

The YKK zippers are lockable, adding an element of security if you’re flying or moving through crowded areas. However, they can jingle a bit, especially when you’re walking, unless you attach the included zipper rubber-tip pulls. TOM BIHN does include those pulls (officially called Pull Du Jour), and weaving them through is an easy way to dampen the noise if it bothers you. They’re a subtle but consistent staple inclusion with a lot of TOM BIHN’s gear, which we appreciate since we get quite peeved by jangly zippers.

You’ll find carry handles located on multiple sides of the bag. These handles are slightly cushioned and very comfortable to grab, even when moving the bag in and out of overhead bins or car trunks. They’re not bulky but have just enough cushion to make carrying easier. Having handles on the top, bottom, and sides also gives you versatility in maneuvering the bag in tight spaces.

At the front, you’ll find a dedicated bottle pocket, though its functionality is a bit mixed. Slim bottles or smaller flasks fit fine, but larger bottles—like a 21 oz Hydro Flask—can be a struggle, particularly if the neighboring compartment is full. On the opposite side, you’ll find a three-pocket organization panel, with pockets of varying depths that overlap in shared space. This is great for items like tablets, e-readers, power banks, or smaller daily essentials, but the cascading layout means that loading one pocket can reduce the usability of the others. It rewards thoughtful packing but can be less forgiving if you’re rushing (which we usually are).

The Tri-Star offers three main carry modes, each with its own strengths. First are the dual top handles, which are slim but cushioned with PORON foam. Unlike many bags that use one thick duffle strap across the top, the Tri-Star’s two-handle design makes it easier to grab, balance, and even slip over your arm into the crook of your elbow. This carry method is surprisingly comfortable for shorter commutes, like from the car to the office or into a hotel.

Also present are backpack straps that tuck away neatly when not in use. They’re cushy enough to be serviceable, but they’re still on the thinner side, so the bag can feel weighty under a fully packed load. The sternum strap helps stabilize the fit, but those with a small to medium torso may find it pulls back slightly, making long walks less comfortable. This is compounded by the design: whatever you place in the back compartment effectively becomes the back panel, so comfort depends on how flat or bulky those items are.

Next is shoulder carry, which requires adding a strap. The Tri-Star doesn’t include one out of the box, but TOM BIHN’s Absolute Shoulder Strap is a worthwhile add-on if you frequently plan to carry it this way. It distributes weight more effectively than a generic strap and adds a bit of ergonomic cushioning. The beauty of this method is convenience: it’s faster to sling over one shoulder than unpack the backpack straps, and for medium loads, it’s comfortable enough for extended wear. The downside is that all the weight sits on one shoulder, which can get tiring if the bag is heavy—not to mention it’s another thing to pay for.

Fit Notes

Carrying the TOM BIHN Tri-Star feels solid and capable, though it definitely leans more toward structured travel than casual commuting. The top handles are comfortable and easy to grab when moving through airports or lifting the bag into overhead bins. In backpack mode, the straps are adequately padded and easy to deploy, but they feel a little thin under heavier loads, which can make longer treks less comfortable. For short transfers between terminals or hotels, though, they get the job done without feeling too awkward. If you have it or are willing to shell out extra, adding the Absolute Shoulder Strap is a quality-of-life improvement to avoid dealing with backpack straps every time, but it’s not a necessity.

The multiple carry modes make it versatile, but this isn’t a bag that “disappears” on your back during long hauls. The Tri-Star shines most when you’re moving deliberately, not rushing from gate to gate.

Inside The Messenger Bag

The interior is where the Tri-Star’s structured design really takes hold. With three main compartments, each serving a different purpose, the bag encourages organized packing rather than simply dumping items inside.

The front compartment opens clamshell-style, with a divider you can unzip to create a single larger space. This section is especially handy for shoes, toiletries, or other bulky items you want separated. A men’s size 12 shoe fits comfortably, leaving room for something like a toiletry kit or packing cube on the other side. The divider makes it easy to keep clean and dirty items apart, and built-in O-rings allow you to clip in TOM BIHN pouches for further organization. This design mirrors the smaller TOM BIHN Tri-Star 21L, but the 33L format gives you much more flexibility.

The center compartment is more open but comes with its own limitations. It’s ideal for a laptop in TOM BIHN’s Cache sleeve or another slim case, and there’s room for a tech pouch or organizer like the Freudian Slip. However, because the front and back compartments compress into this middle section, space can feel tight once the bag is fully loaded. That means you’ll need to prioritize what goes here—larger items in the outer sections and slimmer gear in the center.

The back compartment is the largest and most clothing-friendly. It opens flat, making it perfect for packing cubes or folded clothing. Tie-down straps keep everything in place, though they’re removable if you prefer a more open layout. With two medium packing cubes, we comfortably fit about a week’s worth of clothing, stretching to two weeks with a capsule-style wardrobe. This compartment is where the Tri-Star feels most like a true travel bag, as it’s well-suited for clothing, extra shoes, or bulkier essentials.

The side organization panel deserves another mention. Its three overlapping pockets vary in depth: the top pocket is roomy enough for a tablet, the middle for an e-reader or smaller items, and the bottom for daily carry like a wallet, charger, or headphones. The design is practical, but items in one pocket can push into the space of the others, making access less fluid. It works best when you dedicate each pocket to slim, flat items.

Overall, the Tri-Star’s interior is much less about flexibility and more about structured efficiency. Those who frequently get sent on business trips come to mind, and we think the Tri-Star’s tailored for those travelers. It specializes in short but important trips that require flat but varied items. It excels when paired with TOM BIHN’s modular pouches and packing cubes, preventing gear from shifting and making the most of its segmented compartments. Travelers who already own TOM BIHN accessories will find it seamless to integrate them here. But if you like tossing items in without thinking (hey, we’ve all been there), the Tri-Star’s rigid ways might frustrate you.