Tom Bihn Fans - Anyone have the Rogue Sacoche?

I’m thinking our local RS group needs a roadtrip over to Seattle! It’s amazing how fun it is to pick & choose at the Tom Bihn store at the Bellevue Mall. ; ). Walked out with the perfect little case for my sketching supplies in July. It does help to see items in person, but the one you’re asking about gets excellent reviews!

Pam, you made me take a look. Nice size.

Several reviews mentioned it squeaks when you walk.

I have the Rogue Sacoche. I pack it in our backpack that we take for the day when we leave the hotel when we are traveling. If my husband and I split up, I take the RS, and he keeps the backpack. Yes, it is very packable. It is also very unstructured. By that I mean that if I put a full water bottle in it, it makes the bottom sag. Not a deal breaker, but just something to be aware of. I like that it packs down so small and doesn't take up much room in the backpack. I don't like wearing a crossbody all day, so I don't use it all the time. When I have used it, I only put some essentials in it such as kleenex, lip balm, maybe some paper tickets if needed, a very small water bottle, and a tiny bag of medicine. I haven't noticed it squeaking when I walk. Note that the strap is thin, so if you had it really weighed down, that might not feel great on your shoulder. Overall, I love it for the purpose I use it for since it packs down so small.

This looks like that could a replacement for the bag I currently use—the icon. Although the Rogues Sacoche is a little smaller.

https://www.tombihn.com/products/icon?variant=31270249758783

One of my complaints about the icon is the placement of that main zipper. It’s awkward not being at the top of the bag. And it’s the same zipper placement for the Rogues Sacoche.

Have you seen the side kick?

https://www.tombihn.com/collections/shoulder-bags/products/side-kick?variant=45229243859133

I also have this one and it is great for organization but a little too small for me. So, it just stays at home.

We have SO many TB bags. I took the Rogue Sachoche to France in MAY for a 2 week trip incl a river cruise to Normandy. I did use the straps to 'strap' things like my travel wallet, cubelet, etc in. It was ok and I liked it a lot at the time and thought I had found my new travel purse. I do NOT remember it making a noise. I did change out the strap to a nice thicker SoRetro Strap. My husband loves his CoPilot and uses it as his day bag on all trips we take for many years. We both travel with a Synapse25 OR Techonaut also. And, of course, the TravelTray

BUT - I recently bought the Bellroy Laneway Crescent bag in both the 2.5L & the 7L and it will absolutely become my new travel purse. I've used it everyday since it arrived and I LOVE it & I own SO MANY purses. I'm always on the 'hunt' for the best travel purse & I have finally found it.

I do like the Rogue, but it won't hold much if you need an umbrella, water bottle, etc.

Ah, Pam……this is how it starts. The entry drug is the travel tray which turns out to be so great, you just know you need more! I don’t have the Rogue S, I have downsized my travel purse to their Side Kick and really love it. For me carrying something so light has made me happy to give up the extra room in most travel bags. It’s so light I can forget I’m wearing it. I thought I would only carry it for travel but have been using it at home as well.

When you say you are waiting for the Everyday Cubelets, do you mean the crossbody purse or the little packing organizer with practically the same name? I do have one of their cubelets, it’s about 5” x 5” and I put my ‘just in case’ heart rhythm meds in it. I used to tote them in a ziplock bag but I figured it was worth putting them in something cute and makes me happy to look at. In fact I’ve just ordered another one and another purse of the same model in a different fabric. I do love using the key strap to anchor that Cubelet with my pills to an interior o ring to keep them in my personal item (also a TB item).

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Hi Pam…I have both lol! I’ll bring them to the next meeting! I like each for different purposes, and really, they’re so lightweight that you can take both for different parts of your trip. I’ll agree with slbdaisy about the fact that it’s unstructured…I haven’t had a water bottle in mine, but while I’m not a fan of many multiple compartments, I do miss having at least two. And my cubelet is the smallest size..I’ve used it traveling, and good for a very small day bag…but honestly, I use it more for dog walking (holds Lucca’s treats)!
Edited to add…Jean, I’m on board for a Tom Bihn field trip!

Oh wow! Post a question then go attack the bathroom floor and my reward is a great reaponse!

@Jean!!! insert laughing my head off emoji here. Great idea!

@jeanm - I did see some of those reviews and some complaints about the zipper. Thanks for mentioning, though.

@slbdaisy - thanks for your experience. I am actually one who does not carry a water ottle unless I’m hiking or doing a long walk. I wondered if the thin strap wound dig in. My everyday bag for home is an ORI/Roka and it has a pretty thick webbing strap but the bag is too heavy for vacation. I like the packability of this one.

@Carrie - The Icon is very nice looking. Too bad they stopped making it! I have looked at the Side Kick but don’t like any of the colors right now.

@ChinaLake - Thanks for your experience with the RS. Those SoRetro straps are really great looking but it looks like a long shipping time. Will consider what to do about a strap if I go forward. I see Bellroy has a Sacoche style too. Good weight on it as well. I wasn’t familiar with that company so will go down that rabbit hole later, lol!! Thanks!

@ Lynda…yes! That is it exactly! It’s the Everyday Cubelet that I am looking at. I want the crossbody in the blue-purple. That sounds like an awesome use for the cube…yes it should make you happy to look at it! Which purse, which colors for it and the cube? (Insert eyeroll emoji)!

https://www.tombihn.com/products/travel-cubelet

@Cathy! Of course you have it! I wish I’d seen it before our last meet up! Laughing about using it for the dog treat bag!

Ok I’m going to share something that was my experience with a purse the 5.7” x 7.3” Everyday C size. When I first thought I really wanted to downsize my bag I was still debating if I’d be happy. I ended up ordering a $10 cheap Amazon purse the exact size and giving it an extended test drive and while everything I wanted to carry fit, I realized I didn’t like the vertical shape that meant the opening was on the short end. I was always having to push stuff on top away to get to stuff that settled to the bottom. Once I figured out that my pared down carry items fit the space just fine, I wanted the purse to be horizontal if you know what I mean. The Side Effect is a little bit bigger, 9” x 5.5” (1.7 L vs 1.5 L). The zipper opens the purse up and everything is visible and right there to grab. So I pass that along.

My SE purse is in Cloud, a color no longer made, a light gray. I’m getting one in Black and one in Aubergine and another baby Cubelet in Wisteria. They are winding their way from WA to TX as we speak. The other thing I’ve learned is if you want to order something don’t wait, they sell out of things quickly!

"The other thing I’ve learned is if you want to order something don’t wait, they sell out of things quickly!"

@Lynda - Good to know! I'm not in love with any of the current colors of the Rogue Sacoche but I like one of them.

AND...funny you prefer the horizontal orientation. On a small bag I prefer a vertical. I have a 5X7 that I use for my "wear on the plane" bag with my passport/CCs/DCs in it along with some Kleenex and a few meds. I am fine in that situation with the limitation. I also like that size if it's a very rainy day and I want something I can zip up under my rain jacket.

I also used that size for a visit to the Borghese which has a bag size restriction. So, of course...yes,...ALWAYS buy a bag based on whether you could go in to the Borghese with it whether you plan a Rome visit or not, hahha.

Pam -- I also have the Everyday Cubelet - it is too small for me as a purse - but works great as my 'airport bag.' I put my phone, wallet, & passport in it and it makes things SO EASY going through check in, TSA, immigration & passport control.

As far as the SoRetro straps, they are fab, but she is way behind - you can find similar ones on Amazon. They are a game changer. Bellroy makes GREAT bags. We love Tom Bihn, but Bellroy is my fav travel purse.

Thanks, Pam! I like the shape of the Rogue Sacoche. I wish it came in black. I know, I'm boring.

Trotter -
it does come in black - mine is black - give it a bit and check back - the colors change often.

Thanks ChinaLake. Good to know!

Darn. Now I'm stopping catching up on the forum to go look at the Tom Bihn site again.

Have you seen the side kick? I also have this one and it is great for organization but a little too small for me. So, it just stays at home.

Carrie, I feel the same way. I bought a Side Kick a few years ago, used it a few times, but it just doesn't hold enough at 3L for me.

Pam, as you know, I've been intrigued by the Rogue Sacoche also, and like that is has 4.4L capacity. I actually like the orange color—I have a cubelet in that same color and love it!

I wondered if the thin strap would dig in.

If you don't like the strap, you might consider buying a TB Standard Shoulder strap. I did that when I bought the Medium Cafe Bag 15 years ago, and was so happy I did. I think it's changed a bit since then, but the Standard strap has a pad and should cushion the bag against your shoulder when you're walking. And you can always change it up with another bag if you don't need the extra cushioning. It makes a big difference.

ETA: This is the strap that it comes with: 1" Shoulder Strap

OR it just occurred to me that you could buy something like this strap I found on Amazon for under $8 and just use it with the strap the Sacoche comes with (which I think is either the same or similar to the Standard Strap; i.e., 1 inch wide). It's a lot cheaper and you could leave it off when you're just out for short trips. Just a thought. :-)

I have no thoughts on this bag, but the name cracks me up !

I use the packing cube shoulder bag. Everyday cubet, jacket, water bottle, umbrella if needed all fit inside. I try and keep weight I’d cross body bag as light as possible as the aging back objects to too much weight. I have medium cafe bag I use everyday for work. If it came in a lighter weight fabric it would be perfect.

I do carry with a backpack, cubet easily fits in backpack. Packing cube inside carryon and use for day tours once I arrive.

The packing cube is 6.5 liter compared to the Rogue at 4.4 liter and side hustle at 5.8 liter

Oh wow...let me get caught up! I really appreciate all the comments!

@ChinaLake - Yes, that is exactly what I want it for. I have a bag a similar size I got at TJMaxx. Black. Basic. Fairly boring. I wanted some pizzaz, hahaha or is that pizazz?

@Trotter - HAHAHA!! Oh gosh, black is my default and I am trying to get away from it. I've got the Sacoche in some kind of gray in my shopping cart but really I want it in a color that is not made, hahaha!

@KatieCam - I am an apprentice enabler. Hope you find something of interest!

@Mardee - Jean and I were talking yesterday about your thread on AI capsule wardrobes. She said her mistake was not saying she was a "Winter" color palette. I, too, am winter and I'd imagine you are an Autumn which might be why you like orange! I just remembered I have a padded Optech shoulder strap which is where I think TB used to get their straps manufactured a long time ago (not sure if that is still the case). It might be a bit too bulky for the Everyday Cubelet but I can try it. The add-on bag pad looks good as well so maybe I will look at my padded strap and see if the pad is removable.

@Kim - Sacoche just mean bag or pouch right?

@raschwary - Thanks for the information and welcome to the forum! I hope you'll stick around!

@pam - yes! I just find the idea of calling it “rogue” and going to the trouble of giving it a French name amusing, cute !

@Kim - They do have some fun names for items. My favorite is a "Freudian Slip" - their organizational insert for some of their packs and bags.

BTW...thanks for all the input! I decided to go ahead and order the Rogue Sacoche without waiting for the Everyday Cubelet in the color I want. I travel the end of September and will want to use the Sacoche as my regular purse around home for a couple of weeks to see how it loads.

So...final order with carbon neutral shipping arriving in 2-8 days which includes Labor Day weekend:

Rogue Sacoche in Northwest Sky - https://www.tombihn.com/collections/shoulder-bags/products/rogue?view=v2&variant=43079149748413#reviews

Cubelet in Cerise - https://www.tombihn.com/collections/all-organizational-bags/products/cubelet?variant=44849292443837

8" keystrap is out of stock but I have a number of Seattle Sports Dry doc coiled tethers that I can use to connect the cubelet to the Sacoche for pickpocket protection.