Adept Roll-Top Backpack

Another solid hit from Tom Bihn

I'm an over-20-year user of Tom Bihn bags, being a staunch one-bag traveler, even across the pond, for anything under 2 weeks. I've tried other bags, but there just isn't another company that makes such high quality, well-designed, all around useful and TOUGH bags. When this bag was announced, I ordered it the day it dropped, because I needed a new Everday Commute bag. I was using a Synapse 25, but because I bike and carry clothes, lunch and more, it was getting a little tight. Believe it or not, the Adept feels bigger, even though the specs say it's roughly the same capacity. It's the roll-top that opens up the space, and the design that makes it seem long and lean. It's my first bag made with the 420 Spectron; all before have been the ballistic material, but now the Spectron is my new favorite. It feels lighter, and it's SO tough, and it slips into a pannier with a greater ease. Tom Bihn Bags excel with the little features, and this one is no different: the pockets on the very front of the bag layer beautifully, and it feels like you can store more without that part of the bag bulging out. The zipper opening to the main compartment is genius; you can load through the top and get quick access to anything at the bottom of that pile. The long side pocket holds an insane amount, and the expandible water bottle pocket should finally quiet all those folks who think it's what a travel bag HAS to have. I don't feel that way about any bag, but it's great for this bag as a commuter; it can hold a big HydroFlask plus another smaller bottle. Also LOVE the tiny, out of the way pocket on the back, for keys and wallet. And like my Synik Guide Pack, the laptop compartment can hold all kinds of stuff and, somehow, still doesn't feel like it affects the shape of the bag. My one small complaint/note may have to do with my own stature, rather than the construction of the bag: when the bag is full, the chest strap seems to be up way higher than other TB bags. It's not like that when I cinch the backpack straps tightly, but if I just throw on the full bag and fasten the strap, it's close to the chin. Now, that may be because I have a short torso— I'm 5'5"- but it's not the case with my other TB bags. It's not even remotely a deal-breaker, and it's only when the bag is full, but maybe that can be looked at by the designers. I usually use either a 1st-gen Smart Alec (26L) or a 30L Synic Guide pack for my travels, but I'm seriously considering using the Adept on an upcoming week-long trip to London. The Smart Alec *seems* to hold anything I acquire on my trip with ease, and I'm guessing the Adept might be even better at that. And it's specs may classify it as a Personal Item for European airlines that are WAY more strict about bag dimensions than their American counterparts (and usually charge you for a Carry-on but not a Personal Item). All told, a great new bag from Tom Bihn.

Finally a digging-free roll-top!

I bought the Adept because I hate roll-tops (bear with me for a second). Being quite a short person (5’1 or 5’2 depending on the day and hairstyle) with roll-tops I always have to kind of almost climb into the top opening to get to anything on the bottom. It’s just ridiculous! But they are useful and I very much like that they kind of grow with the stuff you put into them. So when José decided to put that U-shaped opening on the Adept I really think there was a lucky horseshoe involved ;) I love this opening! It makes it sooo easy to pack and unpack the backpack. It’s almost like these tiny elf doors people put on their walls - secretive and whimsical! I love it! And Sapphire is by far my favorite TB color yet - it glows! My wish for the future: a smaller version of the Adapt. This model feels more like 30l to me, I love that for travel and now I really wish there was a truly EDC version with something like 15-17l. Just one more thing about sizing: as I’ve mentioned above I am quite short in hight but I am curvy so a lot of backpacks are too tall and sit on my behind instead of laying flat against my back. The Adapt fits perfectly and lays flat against my back just like the Synapse 19. The dimensions seem taller but the length from the top part of the shoulder strap to the bottom is just about 41-42cm which should fit a lot of people and backs.

innovative and excellent

This is a great one-of-a-kind backpack: The u-shaped zipper-flap that opens into the main compartment is great. Through that opening I can stack things up bottom-to-top, and access them quickly later. The snaps on the roll-top work well. Once the strap is pulled down over the top, the bag is securely (doubly) closed. Because it's a roll-top, I can fill it to the top and even, for instance, for groceries, leave the top open. The tall thin pocket on the side holds my REI Nalgene water bottle, my carbon collapsible REI trekking poles or my umbrella. I always need a fast and secure place to put things, e.g., for my wallet and passport when going through airport security. The little pocket over the water-bottle pocked is great for that. Love the color and the sophisticated pattern and texture of the Saphire Spectron material. It is comfortable to carry even when heavily loaded. I am likely to use the water-bottle pocket for other things, e.g., sunglasses, hat, gloves, etc. I have not needed load-lifters for my other Tom Bihn bags, and wonder whether I will need them here. [You folks have asked me to review this less than a month after I bought it, and so I am doing so, though I have tried it out only a couple of times and have not yet had an opportunity to travel with it.]