Back in January I blogged that the Tom Bihn folks offered to send me some sample products to try. I was in the market for a laptop bag in particular, so I asked to try both their Checkpoint flyer and Empire Builder bags.
I fell in love with the Checkpoint flyer, I’ve been using it as my primary bag ever since, and it’s logged a ton of miles.
What then to do with the Empire Builder? It’s a very nice bag. But I don’t need it. I thought about making it an every day bag while using the Checkpoint flyer TSA friendly bag for travel. But I don’t like switching, and I’m perfectly happy with the Checkpoint flyer for every day use.
It’s a $170 retail bag, and that’s just for the base bag. And I want it to get good use. By a real traveler. So I’m going to give it away!


The bag has been their mainstay laptop bag for a decade, it’s really sturdy, with plenty of pockets and nooks and crannies for electronics, phones, tickets, pens, etc.

You can attach an organizer pouch, which they sent me an I’m including a couple. I’m also throwing in some packing cubes.

The main compartment has 3 removable hard plastic file dividers.
It’s also where the Brain Cell laptop case goes, for keeping a laptop safe inside. Since they prepared the bag for me, and I use a pretty small laptop (I work off a Lenovo x200s), it’s a Size 5 Horizontal Brain Cell:
interior dimensions of approximately 11.3 × 9.3 × 1.4 inches
The piece retails for $60. But if you have a larger laptop, you might prefer to purchase one separately.
Note that the brain cell itself is detachable from the bag and can be carried separately, it has its own handles.

The back of bag has a slot to slip over a rollaboard carryon’s handle. The slot zips shut so that it can also be used for papers.
Here’s one rub: the bag has no shoulder strap. See, Tom Bihn bags don’t come with shoulder straps included. They sent me one of their “Absolute Shoulder Straps” with both bags, and I’m using it with the Checkpoint flyer. You can either cannibalize a shoulder strap from your current bag, or buy one of their special $30 straps.
All-in this is a $260 bag. Rather than the signature bright Tom Bihn colors, I asked for it black-on-black. I do try to strike a more professional look, and don’t like to draw nearly so much attention to myself when I travel. I’d probably be carrying it myself every day, if I hadn’t already settled on the Checkpoint flyer. So I’m giving it away.
Here’s how the giveaway will work.
There are two ways to enter:
- Leave a comment on this blog. One comment entry per person. I will choose one comment at random. If your comment is selected, I will search for duplicate entries, to ensure only one entry per person.
- Follow me on Twitter. I will choose one Twitter follower at random.
Enter by 12:00pm Eastern time on Friday, April 23. And then at random I will select between either the commenter on this post, or the Twitter follower.
In total that means you have two separate chances to enter. I will email or Twitter Direct Message the ultimate winner for their address, and I will cover the shipping of the bag.
There is only one prize, I will interpret all rules as necessary and such interpretation is final. This is a giveaway, I’m coming out of pocket for the shipping even, I just want to see this bag used and enjoyed rather than sitting in my closet. So hopefully everyone will take this ‘sweepstakes’ in the spirit in which it’s intended.
If you do have questions, though, please do not post them as comments. Because I might miss them. And because you can only enter once with a comment, a second or third question would disqualify you. Hah! So instead just send me an email.
And remember, leave a comment here to enter and follow @garyleff for another change to win!
nice bag
I’m looking for a new bag and this looks great. I’m in!
Green!
What a nice gesture – you’re the best!
You da man!
Count me in dude
Thanks, Gary, for the chance to win!
Quite a bag. I refrained from your other offers, but this one is enticing.
Right on!
Very cool bag. Thank you for the chance; all of us appreciate it!
Sweet! Great looking bag!
Great contest Gary! Generous of you!
I’d like it.
This would be great for my travels between home and school!
Thanks for the contest!
Cool can definitely make use of this for my domestics!
Sure could use a new one. The one I have now is nearing its useful life.
thanks for the chance to win!
Looks very decent and I am sure it will look great on my shoulder.
That looks like an awesome bag!
This bag would look great carrying all my stuff!
I’d like the bag!
That looks like a great bag. If my luck gets me this bag it will definitely be put to good use. Thanks for the opportunity.
Could use a new laptop bag…
Thanks for the giveaway. I really like the blog.
Free!
Pick me!
Looks like a great bag! Thanks for doing this!
Oooo. I wanted comment 23 too! Also, thanks for another great giveaway Gary.
Thank you.
Thanks for offering the bag and even paying for shipping Gary!
Got my fingers crossed!
It’ll be great to have this bag. Thanks for the great offers.
Would love the bag!
this bag has the best craftmanship I’ve ever seen.
Like to try this out too! 😉
enter me, please.
Looks great! Thanks for doing this!
Thanks Gary for another cool contest.
Would love the bag…thanks Gary!
Yay — i could use a good bag.
Off to Thailand again in a couple of weeks and would love to take the bag along. Funny how a mistake rate years ago at Le Meridien has made me look at Le Meridien first when I’m traveling to Asia.
well here’s another go.
Giving this a shot
Wow! That looks like a great bag to me!
Thanks for the opportunity!
Been in the market for a new bag. Free is the right price for me! Thanks, Gary
Thanks Gary!
Nice looking bag!
Carry on flyer!
right on!
thanks for your generous offer, Gary!
Count me in!
I think this is a great bag to try. I’m in.
Thanks Gary! Nice bag!
Please count me in!
ooh, just got a new laptop, so that would be perfect!
Oh, me please! I have a serious travel-bag obsession, and this one looks great. Thanks!
Pick me!
Me, please!
Great job as usual Gary
thanks again for another awesome giveaway
Wow, the third Adam in the draw. Thanks for trying to find a good home for that bag!
Wow thanks!
I’ve worked my way through a lot of bags in the last five years as I tend to be pretty rough on them. Would love to see if this bag could stand up to my treatment.
I’m in!
This would really come in hand for my new job
count me in!
This bag would be great for dad! I’m in!
thanks
Pick me! Thanks for the great give-away!
Great looking bag
my laptop will thank you!
Nice bag.
I would love to try out the bag. 🙂
Thanks for the opportunity!
Tom Binh .. for the win! 🙂
This looks like a pretty good bag. As a generous guy, I’d probably be willing to evenly swap it with the person who won the trip to the Gold Coast.
I feel spoilt, great reviews of your current travels and the opportunity to win a decent bag!
So I enjoy your blog anyway, but all these giveaways are fun!
Looks like a great bag!
Pick me:) I could use a new bag. nice site by the way!
Daddy needs a new pair of shoes! (Though a new bag wouldn’t hurt either) 😉
pick me
Cool bag — a light-traveling guy like me could use it.
Looks like a great bag.
Thanks!
I love these giveaways. I’m in!
Great Blog & Great Bag
I guess you kept the Checkpoint Flyer, huh? 🙂
Would’ve been great for my trip to LAX today!
Me me me
Looks like a great bag!
Ready to put it to use!
Looks nice – I’d love it!
That’s a nice bag!
Sure, why not….
please count me in … i’ve been using a larger bag which encourages me to carry too much junk around …
I hope I win
Looks nice; I’m in.
The case looks great!
I’d love the bag!
Thanks for doing this!
Thank you!
Woot! Bags!
Looking for that perfect bag! pick me!
I would love to win this bag. Like John said, thanks for doing this!
I hear and obey.
If it means anything, Gary, I really need a new bag.
Whoa!
Thanks for the giveaway!
Thanks for the chance to win!
What a generous offer! Love your blog.
Thanks, Gary.
Great blog, been a fan for 5+ years.
Would love to have this bag. Boo-yah.
Could use it. Here’s hoping!
So it’s high time I left a comment on this ‘excellent) blog I have been following for several months now
“Make me the winner….” 🙂
great looking bag, I’d use it!
Love you blog and love the bag
You’re an everyday read. Thanks for offering the bag!
another great giveaway!
Hope I win!
I’m in. Easy as 1-2-3.
The bag looks great and would nice companion on my road trips!
Nice giveaway!
I would love the bag!
Gary – very nice of you to offer – been thinking that the Shaun Jackson Design bag I have might need a rest.
Thanks for the opportunity!
I’m in
Thanks!
Looks like a nice bag that would serve the traveler well.
Desperately in need of a new laptop bag. Would love to win one; have the choice made for me. Thanks Gary.
Thanks. Nice bag. Hope I win
great give-away
Great giveaway. Gary when do you have time to work? thanks fot your efferts.
Also looking for a new laptop bag here.
Would love a bag like that. Thanks for the opportunity!
thanks, Gary!
Gary
Would love this bag! I am currently using a Samsonite Black Label Opto – except that the TSA has destroyed it with their dang converyor/shredder!
thanks!
Nice Bag!
It’s a nice looking bag and would fit my laptop perfectly! Thanks!
I could definitely use a new bag, mine is going the way of the buffalo.
Very nice!
I’d givie it a good trying out.
In need of a new high quality bag
Perfect wedding gift for the newly bi-coastal couple – 😉
Nice Bag! I have found it hard to find things like this in the past, so if you have any more bags or equipment which suits your needs well, please let us know.
Thanks.
Gary,
Thanks for your generosity, not only in your giveaways but especially in your travel advice.
Randal
Super. Yes, it does look like a nice bag.
Looks like it would hold an iPad nicely! Count me in….
These giveaways are great, Gary!
Yes please!
I really need this!!
Thank you!
Sounds like a great bag! 🙂
Sounds like a great bag that I would enjoy using! 🙂
nice looking bag!
Thanks for hosting all these awesome giveaways!
Thanks for the offer
After having traveled 220 flights a year for several years I could use one of these!
Looks like a great bag, count me in, too.
I enjoy your blog and appreciate the effort you put into it.
ken
Nice bag – would love to win it. Thanks
Thanks for giving it away
Thanks for running these contests!
I can always use another bag.
pick me
Thanks for sharing your travel wisdom!
Very cool bag – hope I win!
Love the blog, and the bag- would be great to win. Contest pushed me over to finally register for twitter…
Nice Bag
mucho awesome!
That’s a very nice bag!
a new laptop bag from tom bihn
i’d dearly desire to win
and yet in this post
i’m raising a toast
to those who, like me, say “i’m in!”
I LOVE Tom Binh Bags!
I’m diggin’ that bag.
Looks good!
Love your adventures and website. Bag looks pretty nice too.
hello~
Looks like a great bag. I’d love one. 🙂
Awesome giveaway!
This is awesome that you keep giving away such great items. Feel free to give me the look.
What a great blog!
I want it
great bag
great contest
I need a new bag! Hope I win!
Thanks Gary
Seems like a nice bag.
Pick me!
i’m in!
I need one of these bags! I’m so tired of mine 🙂
good luck all
Nice bag! Thanks for the contest!
I’d love to win this!
same here need a new bag wish i would win it ! anyway good luck to evry1 out there !
nice giveawaY!
Thanks for another awesome giveaway on your blog.
I love Tom Bihn bags.
Been to Tom Bihn’s Seattle office and visited the man himself. Very kind, and top notch stuff. A bit out of my budget sadly, so winning the giveaway would be all kinds of awesome.
Ok, I will play
I have been looking for a good bag, and until know I wasn’t really sure which one to pick, even if I don’t win, Thanks for the heads up.
Send it along please
Looks like it will give my Briggs and Riley a run for its money.
GREAT BAG!!
Looks terrific!
i would love this bag!
Looks like a nice bag — very generous of you!
sure
Thanks for the chance!
Please sign me up!
Looks like a great bag!
Been looking awhile at the checkpoint flyer.
would love the bag!
very nice promos today! Nice bag too!
Thanks for making yet another offer…
Thanks!
Thank you for a chance to win such a great bag. It looks like it will come in handy!
Free stuff is always appreciated
Thanks for the giveaway!
Thanks for the contest…count me in.
Thanks for the contest.
Enjoy reading your blog, Gary.
Love, love, love the bag – thanks for the contest!
I live on the route of Amtrak’s Empire Builder during the summer, named for James Hill that was a big influence in the founding and promotion of Glacier National Park in Montana. It is also Glacier’s 100th anniversary this summer and best of all no volcanic ash!
Pick Me!
JudyJFLA
Love the bag. Please give it to me!!!
I know how great the Tom Binh bags are and appreciate the chance to win another one.
Pick me! I really need to get a new bag….
crossing my fingers…
You should pick me! I love bags.
Thanks, Gary!
New bag would be yay
Very generous of you, and I need a new bag!
Spiffy!
Sweet bag; I hope to give it the good use it deserves!
Yes, Please 🙂
Gary is the man
The bag is mine!
Good luck to me!
Hope I get it!
I would love to get one.
Thanks for picking my name!
Seems like a nice laptop bag!
Bihn Bags are the best.
Hope to win.
thanks!
I need a new bag for my new MacBook Pro!
I think it’s time for a new briefcase.
I’ve been itching to get a hands on with a Tom Bihn bag unfortunately the shop wasn’t open the last time I was in Seattle area and no stores stock them… I guess I need to win contests or make friends with some bag hounds!
Thanks for all you recent offers!!
Thanks Gary – could use a new laptop bag!
I’ll give it a shot. Thanks.
Hope I win!! 😀
looks like a great bag
Ooh, I love Tom Bihn. Pick me! Pick me!
I would give it a caring home with as much travel as I can afford.
I want to enter this contest too!
I would love a new bag, as well. Thanks for running all of your contests. They are not a reason to read, but a nice perk.
Fingers crossed
Thanks – you are too cool.
Need a replacement bag.
I love the bag and mine broke recently.
Winner, winner, chicken dinner.
Thanks, Gary.
Yes, please! Thanks for the promo!!
Fingers crossed. Thanks, Gary!
Thanks for the contest
Nice bag. It’ll match my shoes perfectly.
The bag will come very handy… Wishing me luck…
I really liked your review. I would like to give it a spin as well.
Cool, hope I win.
Thanks for the chance!
I promise that if I do win the bag, I will buy a new laptop the same day. Cheers ! the bag looks great
Found this blog while looking for new ways to earn extra miles besides e-Miles and e-Rewards. What a beautiful bag! Consider me entered in this contest – and consider me a new faithful reader, too. This blog looks tremendously helpful.
Only 273 people so far who want the bag? 🙂
This is a great offer!
Love Tom Bihn bags. Wonderful designs made in the USA.
In need for a new travel bag! Come on, lucky #279. Thanks, Gary!
The bag looks fabulous! 🙂
Very cool!
Love it!
My trusty travel bag is fraying – this one would be a dream to own!
Thanks for doing this Gary!
Nice!
Hat is tossed into the ring… Thanks!
Nice…I Like…
please enter me in the laptop case contest.
thanks!
patrick
Thanks!
Thanks for you generosity
This will be great for my hubby.
Very generous of you and good to see tht in the blog.
Thanks for all that you give away
Would love it
Cool prize!
Enjoy your column. Thanks a bunch!
Great way of getting rid of it, and hope I won 🙂
In desperate need of a new laptop bag, thanks for the offer!! 🙂
Thank you for the contest and a great blog.
This looks like a great laptop bag! Would love to use it!
Review more travel products, I like the aftermath
Thanks for the contest. I looked at their bags, but they were pricey. I got the shoulder strap to replace an old broken one, and it works well. So the full matching bag would be cool.
That is what I am looking for!
commenting
This is the Unique range of Laptop bags, i had not seen these kinds of bag very unique and very decent all…
Unique Kind of a bags for Diffrent kinds of a Personalities..
I’ll so greatfull to you if i get one of them. plz give this laptop bag i am so needy my laptop i hav no bag my laptop gets hitted by children of my house and gets scratches due to dust particals
i realy need a new laptop the one i have is about 5 years old