Okay Geek Farm
Tom Bihn Ristretto bag for iPad review
Ricardo Trejo
We’ve reviewed a number of different bags and carrying solutions in the past year or so but you might be seeing a lot more as of late. Coming to you today, however, is Tom Bihn’s Ristretto bag made specifically for iPad (all generations).
Features
- Vertical Messenger bag
- Built speficially to house iPad (any gen)
- Hosts padded iPad compartment
- Exterior lined with U.S. 1050 denier ballistic nylon
- Weight: 1lb. and 2 oz.
Our Impression
When we got our first chance to touch and feel a bag from the Tom Bihn line we knew this just wasn’t any run of the mill messenger you could get at your local department store. The first thing we noticed was how durable its exterior was, which we’re told is made out of U.S. 1050 denier ballistic nylon, the same sort of material used on airmen of World War II. Albeit not enough to stop bullets, it is able to withstand the forces of nature, like wind, rain, or even snow.
Design
The Ristretto is suited with a sling designed flap that comes over the top asymmetrically and attaches itself to a buckle directly in the front. Underneath that flap, when the buckle is undone, is a main compartment that houses the padded area for an iPad, as well as a smaller zipper-shut area that can be used to stow away pens, wallets, or even an iPhone, if you would be so daring.
On the bottom rear of the bag is a removeable waist strap that can be adjusted to your size when you have the bag over your shoulder. I’ve seen this design before on backpacks before but never on a small messenger bag, something that didn’t need to be there but was included for convenience for when you need that added security, especially when you’re riding on any sort of motorcycle or two-wheeled vehicle.
Atop of the rear is also a handle if you don’t feel like actually wearing the bag, and it’s made out of a durable Poron® foam. On the backside is a neatly fitted, thin open-top pocket designed to carry papers, magazines, and that sort of thing — not a whole lot of space for anything besides something paper thin.
Storage
Under the flap on the front are the two compartments we mentioned on the outset; the small bottom one is about half the size of the bag vertically and is closed together by dual zippers. The inside lining is made out of Dyneema/nylon ripstop fabric, which just happens to made out in the land of the rising sun, Japan — and is also given a very stylish checker pattern with colors depending on which style bag you choose (they come in 6 colors).
Inside the zippered compart are three areas to store pens, a power supply, or your phone — they can really be used for anything but the pockets themselves aren’t that big. For instance, when testing the bag I couldn’t even fit my backpocket sized moleskin notebook in the larger sized pocket, so I threw in my 3DS in there instead.
The only issue that stems from this bag in general comes from storing too many items within this smaller pocket. I’ll explain in a second.
The larger main compartment is where your iPad is meant and designed to be stowed away. There are actually two areas in this section, the first is the padded interior and flap that’s made out of open-cell foam and then laminated with a durable 4 Ply Taslan® on the outside. Once your iPad is fitted in there you can replace the flap back to its original spot and cover over the top portion of iPad that way it’s safe and secure — although there is no velcro to keep that flap from coming undone. The rear of that main compartment is also lined and padded with 1/4” closed cell foam making your iPad secure from all directions.
The iPad we threw in this area didn’t feel like it would be going anywhere, but we were a little worried about the rear padding since it really doesn’t feel like there’s anything keeping it from smashing up against something while in transit. To illustrate, if you faced your iPad toward the rear of the bag then you’d have the glass screen hitting up against your back while your walked, which isn’t that bad but I still thought it should be addressed.
On the other side of the main compartment is where you could place a book, magazine, folder, or any other sort of vertically sized item which will have its back resting against the padding of the iPad.
On the sides of this compartent are also three O-rings meant to attach a set of keys to.
Comfort
Already fitted onto the Ristretto is the standard shoulder strap which has a very comfortable 1 - 1/2” wide nylon webbing strap that also hosts a pretty awesome wide foam pad that is meant to rest on your shoulder so it doesn’t slip while you’re wearing it. I was actually quite pleased with the included pad since most bags I’ve tried in the past that have these pads are just not made correctly or are constructed out of the cheapest of materials. This one, however, is as comfy as it gets. And with the added waist strap to ensure the Ristretto stays safe and sound, it’s definitely one of the most comfortable bags that gives you peace of mind when carrying a $400+ piece of Apple hardware around.
As an option, Tom Bihn offers the Absolute Shoulder Strap for an additional $30, if you would be so bold. What’s the upside on that? Well, unlike the standard shoulder strap in which its hooks are made partly of plastic and metal, the Absolute is all-metal, as well as being designed to help carrying heavier loads. We didn’t get a chance to try it but I thought it was worth mentioning, although the standard strap is no slouch.
Going back to the issue we had with the smaller compartment, if you already have an iPad fitted inside the bag then your space for throwing items into the zippered area is going to be limited. The reason is for this is that bag isn’t given too much space to be expanded frontwards or backwards. It’s meant mostly to house vertical objects, again like notebooks, pens, and the occasional book. But if you were to put in a couple paperbacks in there then you’d see exactly what would happen — you’d get a big bulge that would not only look bad but be pushing up against the iPad within the bag itself.
Overall
If you’re in the market for something that’s not too big and just the right size for towing around your iPad, and a limited number of smaller personal items (notebook, charger, headphones, etc.), then there’s not a whole lot that can wrong by going the Ristretto bag for iPad by Tom Bihn route.
The only issue for some is the asking price of $125 bucks for a simple iPad bag, but then again some people have been able to cut out laptops entirely and stick exclusively to their iPad for most of their work, which you could say this bag is perfect for those types. Of if you’re simply just a freak about your iPad and want to give it the best of care then don’t overlook this bag. Keep in mind, however, the issue with overloading the bag with too many items can make for an uncomfortable experience as well as an eye sore.
Pro’s
- Very comfortable
- Durable and minimal design
- Adjustable waist strap and padded iPad compartment
Con’s
- Can be too snug if fitted with too much stuff
Where to buy
TomBihn — MSRP: $125.00
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