Tom Bihn Small Travel Tray

Interesting! I already have two so really don't need another one, but I do like the green. Although my two are in bright orange and yellow, which works well for me as I don't lose them. :-) Here's a link to the colors! https://www.tombihn.com/products/small-travel-tray?variant=44711870103741

I do NOT NOT NOT need that hot pink one....sigh. I have it in Island and love the color but Hot Pink would be a great eye catcher for not being left behind!

I also recommend adding a carabiner to the drawstring loop. I wound up being able to hang it using the carabiner from a bedside lamp on a couple of occasions freeing up some bedside table space.

I’ve used the large tray on several trips, and it’s here in Trani, Italy now….glancing at it now as I rest my feet. : ). Mine is my signature “fun” color - orange, too! My bike, my kayak & my Tom Bihn tray are orange. I needed the larger one to hold my money belt, phone and the assorted sizes of lodging keys at night.

Every time I’m back in the Seattle area, I like to stop in at the Tom Bihn store in Bellevue and the Cotopaxi store….just to browse.

Thanks to Mardee I’ve become a TB aficionado. I love my small travel tray. I have it in a more subtle blue and definitely don’t need another one, sigh. I did buy them for daughter and granddaughters for Christmas. They are really handy when you travel and end up in a myriad of hotels. Keep all your s confined and in one spot and never worry about something sliding off the edge. IMO there’s definitely value in something that makes you smile when you use it.

Khansen, you are now officially counted as a RS enabler! :) I just bought my first one, too, in the pink color! So cute! I’ve been looking at these since reading abt them on here, but they were always sold out. Thanks for the heads up!

I could never match the enablerness of the folks here.

I kept going back and forth between the hot pink and bright blue. But who could resist hot pink? I'd really like the lavender color. Maybe for my next TB purchase. Looking at the stuff sacks and double sided laundry stuff sack too. I think I'd get more use out of the single stuff sacks than the double.

But Sea to Summit has stuff sacks too for less weight. Just not as many colors. Saw a bunch in an REI store and was surprised that everything was more camo colors considering they are geared toward camping and hiking. You'd think bright colors that stand out would be better in case you got lost and needed to be found.

Posted by Jean

Every time I’m back in the Seattle area, I like to stop in at the Tom
Bihn store in Bellevue and the Cotopaxi store….just to browse.

"Just to browse" huh?

The only thing that would save me from buying one of each of everything is the price.

Nice stuff, well thought out, but $$$.

Every time I’m back in the Seattle area, I like to stop in at the Tom
Bihn store in Bellevue and the Cotopaxi store….just to browse.

"Just to browse huh?

Exactly what I thought! Hmmmm, l have only used the small sized TB Small Tray traveling, somehow the larger size sort of loses things in the bottom when I don't have a light on by bed, but the larger size is nice at home.

Nice stuff, well thought out, but $$$.

khansen, their stuff is pricey, but I honestly don't mind paying it as I know that their goods are made right there at their factory in Seattle, and not shipped from China or other places. So I am willing to pay a premium for that. And it's good quality, too. I still have TB items that are 15+ years old that I continue to use and are in good shape.

As my mom used to say, "I don't know whatever possessed me" to click on this thread, but I did. Something that I've never heard of before, I now must have (say what?!) I do have some questions: do they fit well in a suitcase? Do they collapse? Are they soft-sided? Could I get by with just the small one for Burt's Bees lip balm, small tube of hand cream, cell phone and a packet of tissues? TIA.

“* As my mom used to say, "I don't know whatever possessed me" to click on this thread, but I did.*”

Hahaha…seee? This is how being enabled starts. You dip a toe into a thread. You go to a website. Before long you, too, have a TB Small travel tray in hot pink or bright blue!

“do they fit well in a suitcase?”

Yes

“Do they collapse?”

Yes, sort of.

“Are they soft-sided?”

Yes. There is a rim of stiffer fabric about halfway down but it’s still flexible.

“Could I get by with just the small one for Burt's Bees lip balm, small tube of hand cream, cell phone and a packet of tissues?”

Yes, for sure. I have chapstick, packet of tissues, phone, charger cords, adapter, a power bank, small memo pad and pen, a few cough drops. It’s bigger than you might think.

“TIA”

You are very welcome. Are you seduced yet, lol! By the way, Mardee was my enabler on this product although I’d looked at them for years.

I was watching a short video from Captain Steeeve this week (a United pilot). He was recommending people always have a ball cap at their bedside when traveling so all their important stuff is in one place in case of a late night fire alarm. I’m not a ball cap wearer but this functions the same way!

Editing to add: Found the video clip to the Captain Steeeve short.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjdxLRyDLHY

Ok. I have Pam and Mardee's posts to be on the lookout to avoid, now. Just ordered the Zest 200 Halcyon small tray! Thanks for all the info, Pam. I just hope this isn't an example of Chasing the Dragon.

@Lindy...you realize this is part of the initiation rites....hahahaha!!! The Zest color will be easy to see in your hotel room! That's Jean's favorite!

I've been using one of these collapsable travel trays for years, and they're invaluable on trips when you want ONE place to look for wallet, tickets, room key, coins, phone ... especially if you're taking a 'movable feast' type of tour (like Rick's), waking up in a different hotel and new surroundings every couple of days. Folds up to nothing, easily stored in a backpack, and first thing out of the bag when getting into the hotel room. Mine's a boring grey, 'Northwest Sky' in TomBihn-speak, purchased after seeing a review here on the forum in early-2010's.

”..,especially if you're taking a 'movable feast' type of tour (like Rick's), waking up in a different hotel and new surroundings every couple of days.”

Matt, that’s a great title to describe it! That’s the reason I purchased mine a few years back. I have 12 room changes on this 3-week independent trip, by choice. It becomes more essential to be organized & quick for this type of travel to make sense.

Lindy, this may sound nerdy, but I cut out the dimensions of the two sizes of travel trays with paper & made the two versions out of paper & some scotch tape. These paper patterns helped me see the capacity & which size I wanted to order. Mine is the larger one and it collapses down to an inch high in my suitcase. (I remove the money belt, phone & room key in the morning.). The amount it will collapse depends on what you store in it & the compared diameter of the tray.

Okay, true confessions- LOL!

I did want to buy something in the Tom Bihn store two times when I stopped. But I just couldn’t find anything I needed.

I did buy two of the Cotopaxi packing cubes, ignoring the word need.because the fun colors lured me into a want - must have been the mesmerizing colors! One of them came along on this trip, and the colors make me smile - reason enough! : )

Like Jean, I also have a diy version. I took a brightly colored sturdy plastic bag and fold down the sides. I'm sure the real tray is better but this works for me.

Jean, "nerdy" means brilliant. I should have thought of your method when making my decision. Btw, isn't "want" the new "need"?!
I explained to my husband what the Tom Bihn Travel Tray is and tried to reason with him ("reason", the new word for "manipulate") into wanting the large one so that later on, he probably wouldn't want it and I would then have both. . ., but he was having none of it).

Matt, do you think you could bring yours to the next meeting? I would love to see it in person before deciding if I need it or not. ;-)

Budget alternatives:
Mountainsmith makes (used to make) a folding fabric dog food bowl for hiking.
I saw a post about using the lid off a peanut butter container.
A “Tupperware” type plastic dish.
Expensive option: RedOxx valet tray.
Amazon options for valet trays.
I have given my husband the expensive ones as gifts. Because he uses the RedOxx one all the time at home, I bought him the large Tom Bihn one with a TB 3-D clear pouch for TSA toiletries. I justified the RedOxx and TB options as supporting USA jobs.

Geez you guys, consider me influenced. Or enabled. Orange small coming soon.

Hey Andrea, sure thing. In fact you're welcome to borrow it for your next trip (ours isn't until next September).

“I saw a post about using the lid off a peanut butter container.”

I attempted to use the plastic lid of a Folgers coffee can. It was OK for X marks the spot but just wasn’t functional. The P-nut butter container lid might work marginally better but it still doesn’t have the higher sides of the Bihn tray (which isn’t really a “tray” in my judgement ) or the ability to pull the sides up to contain everything.

Posted by Sun-Baked in Florida

Budget alternatives:

I've seen similar designs to the Tom Bihn on Etsy. One had pockets around the inner wall which looked good for keeping your glasses from getting scratched. I don't remember if it was cheaper or not.

After I receive mine I'm thinking of tacking a length of elastic around the inner wall to create 3 or 4 bands to hold things upright. Will have to see how sturdy it is. Standing up a cell phone on one side would probably make it fall over.

My initial plan for it is a place to dump the stuff accumulated in pockets at the end of the day, keys, room key, chapstick, watch, etc. so it all stays in one place.

I have Pam and Mardee's posts to be on the lookout to avoid, now

Ha ha, watch it, Lindy, or I'll start posting about about Roka bags again!!!

By the way, as long as I have your attention, another TB product I love is the little Cubelet, which is great for holding tech cords. It's the perfect size to keep them all rolled up, as they stay untangled in there. You can add a key strap to it if you like, but I don't bother.

Thanks, Matt!

I like the 3 d all fabric organizer, it’s about double the size of the cute little Cubelet. I use it for my lightening and usb c chargers and their cords plus Fitbit charger and AirPods. I used to use a ziplock 1 gallon which of course is perfectly fine. But, thanks to creeping Tom Bihn addiction it ended up in my shopping cart and I really do smile every time I use it. Even the Northwest Sky gray is bright and pretty.

https://www.tombihn.com/products/3d-organizer-cube-fabric-mesh?variant=44593621106877I

Khansen,
You are super organized to want to add slots to your TB travel tray.
I consider it a knick-knack dump. Emphasize "dump."

Pam,
I agree about needing a rim of some sort. "Tupperware" type containers are still worth consideration along with Mountainsmith dog food bowl - if still available. While I have a TB tray, I don't need the cinch bag feature. Just something easy-to-see bright and a shallow bowl like thing.

Dare I mention that as we're (almost) all flying to Europe from afar, and/or spending money to stay wonderful places... ahem we can plausibly afford a travel tray if it helps us stay sane whilst on the road?? So I'm not giving up my small TB travel tray for a peanut butter lid...

Pam, thanks for explaining how you use the carabiner! I also recommend adding a carabiner to the drawstring loop. I wound up being able to hang it using the carabiner from a bedside lamp on a couple of occasions freeing up some bedside table space.

Sandancisco is a wonderful trip sales enabler! ; ). Now what do I need ?

Posted by Jean

Sandancisco is a wonderful trip sales enabler! ; ). Now what do I need
?

One of each of everything!

Posted by Sun-Baked in Florida

Khansen, You are super organized to want to add slots to your TB
travel tray. I consider it a knick-knack dump. Emphasize "dump."

Yes, definitely a "dump" spot for whatever has been accumulated in pockets, etc. I'm just thinking about ways to keep things you might want to protect like glasses from getting damaged in the melee. I usually dump the pockets on the desk and keep my cell (alarm clock) and glasses on the bedside stand. But not all hotels are set up to make that so easy. And you still have two locations to pick up when packing.

Ohhh a reason for a second Travel Tray!!! Thanks!

Hey Khansen,
Get a large TB tub. Or, padded RedOxx valet tray in great colors! USA made and great for glasses and cell phone. Packs flat. Then, get a TB expensive 3-D clear cube for TSA liquids. Some trim color options.

Lyndash, that 3-D organizer does look pretty sweet. And I’ve been pretty good lately. Maybe I need to indulge. ;-)

I’m looking at the contents of my tray right now since I’m in Matera, Italy & waiting 30 minutes to get up and make coffee. I bought the large size & it’s worked well for all of the locations in the past 3-4 years where I’ve stayed. If there’s an emergency, I could walk out the door and have all of the essentials. For safety, always have your room key in it, too, in case you must get back into your room during a fire because all exits are blocked.

I’m just wondering if the desire for more organized slots in the smaller tray is because things feel more crammed into it. I can look inside my tray and see most of my items with minimal digging.

Money belt
Reading glass with the cheap fabric protector that comes with them.
Eye mask
Tiny paper pad & pen
Very small flashlight
Watch & earrings worn that day
And Room Key (although my little B&B type rooms are using more keypads now.

Just to add more options, I found this organizer that I have really enjoyed using during my last two trips. I like the fact I can pack and then detach my 3-1-1 items and the snap them back into place for when I hang up the unit. It has a lot of room to separate things. Every area is not totally see through, but it worked well for me. Of course I bought the pink color which led me to buying the pink TB small tray you all suggested :)

https://trippedtravelgear.com/products/toiletry-set?variant=47386013958381

They have a Mother’s Day sale on right now, with this and their packing cubes. They have some interesting travel stuff on their site… very tempting! Lol

I've been using the TB travel trays (name annoys me as it's not a tray, LOL) since Covid. I used to have home made ones, but they were thicker so finally bought TB. I have a blue small bag and an orange large bag. At home, I use the small one all the time for my eye drops, etc. at my bedside and then just dropped into my bureau in the morning. On my Camino the small blue one had my foot care in it, so its purpose varies. On my April trip I used the large orange one only, to corral all my sleep items. My small purse and key goes elsewhere with my shoes. Sleep related items go in the large 'tray': sleep mask, eye drops, morning rx, phone, earrings, fan/flashlight, kindle if not next to it on the stand...often the tray sits on the floor next to the bed. Everything loose is together next to or in that bag. Scoop it up, grab my purse on my shoes, throw on my shoes, pointed in the right direction, and go. It helps not to leave loose items behind or to be fishing for them scattered around my suitcase. I will say the kindle does not fit well, at least with my case on it, as it makes it bulky and less squishy..

For us pennypinchers, let me just mention that a better alternative than a plastic lid from a jar or a small tupperware container is the plastic tray from your microwave dinner -- especially the ones that have two wells, one bigger than the other.

Advantages: free, weightless, higher sides than a lid, disposable, doubles as a stiffener in your convertible carryon, holds everything that goes in your pockets plus your watch, jewelry...

Disadvantages: Cleaning staff might think it is trash. Most of these trays are black, so fashionable but more forgettable/missable.

The Marie Callander's or Stouffers trays work fine.

Even lighter: unfold your bandana or hankie on the bedside table and put your things on it.

Another thought occurs to me --- the plastic mesh oval baskets that come in 4-packs at the dollar store for holding hot dogs or french fries (on a waxpaper sheet) would also work, and the free version of them that your strawberries or cerise tomatoes comes in too.

Wray,
Let’s call it a TB tub or TB bucket.
Avirosemail, budget ideas are fun - good work.

20 years ago I owned two hostess? Trays.... one was a gift w a matching tea towel. A fabric square tray.... w a stiffener about 6 by 6 inches, then four sides w a little bit of stiffness in them, and a tie on each corner. If untied, it stores flat in your suitcase (or kitchen drawer?). To use, you tie the 4 corners. I used it about a year, and then donated it.

OP, Posted by Jean -Sandancisco is a wonderful trip sales enabler! ; ). Now what do I need?
One of each of everything!

Oh nooooo now I'm a 'trip sales enabler'?? A non-Forum friend asked me recently, how my 'Travel addicted friends are doing??' HA. (BTW, That's anyone on this thread.) OK, caught by my own Trip Sales, after serious debate, I'm buying a second small one, sigh, for trips. Because one now lives on night stand in CA and can't be moved without fear of misplaced home items... (My excuse is when you travel often, you should have back ups of everything so you're not rummaging around on departure day looking for things, they're never unpacked.)

No ... buy the large one! It’s not that large. Eventually, there will be a medium one - just joking.

Posted by Sandancisco

(My excuse is when you travel often, you should
have back ups of everything so you're not rummaging around on
departure day looking for things, they're never unpacked.)

I've done this with a few things. I think I heard it from someone here. I have phone charging cords, plugs, even a phone mount that stay packed and ready to go. And the phone mount is Barbie pink! No accidentally leaving it in a rental.

Posted by Sun-Baked in Florida

No ... buy the large one! It’s not that large. Eventually, there will
be a medium one - just joking.

I went back and forth between small and large. Decided on the small somewhat based on color selection. Figured after I use it awhile, TB will have refreshed their stock of colors in large.

Medium might be a good design decision.