Last week I attended the International Startup Festival and really needed something that would allow me to carry my iPad 2 with the Logitech Keyboard case, my camera, plenty of business cards and other miscellaneous stuff without adding too much weight. As luck would have it I had just received the Ristretto bag from TOM BIHN.
Just 312 grams (11 oz) the TOM BIHN Ristretto is a beauty to behold made with durable 1000 denier Olive Cordura and lined with 500 denier Cordura in Cayenne..nice contrast..It feels like it will take a lot of abuse despite its light weight.
This stylish vertical messenger bag has an interior padded compartment lined with super-soft brushed nylon..it fit my iPad 2 with the Logitech Keyboard case like a glove and provided lots of protection. The front part of the main compartment has plenty of room for important documents.
In front of the main compartment there is a zippered pocket that can be used for those items that you need to be secure such as a wallet or passport. There are also four organizer pockets..two sized for pens, pencils or my iPad Stylus and another two to accommodate your smartphone or iPod. There are several o-rings, one comes with an 8″ key strap I used another to attach the optional Clear Organizer Pouch ($8.00) with a business card for identification.
All of this is covered by an asymmetrical flap that closes with the distinctive TOM BIHN off-set buckle that gives it that je ne sais quoi look. On the back there is a slanted open top pocket perfect for the daily paper or a magazine.
My Ristretto came equipped with the optional Absolute Shoulder Strap ($20.00) that Tom Bihn claims is the best shoulder strap available..it is certainly the best one I have ever used..even loaded with my stuff the TOM BIHN Ristretto felt like nothing on my shoulder all day. The Ristretto also comes with a removable waist strap perfect for bringing it along on a bike ride.
Those of you who have known me for a while know I am a bag junkie..I have tried dozens of different bags over the years and I must tell you I am really impressed with the TOM BIHN product. It is stylish, durable, versatile and above all lightweight…what more could I ask for in a bag? If you buy one of these you will not be sorry.
The TOM BIHN Ristretto bag for iPad/iPad2 is $110..about average for a top of the line bag and as far as I am concerned worth every penny for this stylish bag. It is available on line at the TOM BIHN store. It comes in eight cool colour combinations and shipping to Canada is $30 including Brokerage.
About Bob Benedetti
Former RCAF fighter pilot, retired TV Reporter, Producer, Executive Producer at CTV Montreal and past Mayor of Beaconsfield.
Bob writes about Personal Technology and Car Tech daily at http://hometechmtl.com.
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