Quick answer

If you need a hands-free bag for daily errands and light travel, choose the TOM BIHN Side Kick. If you prefer a larger, open carry-all that can handle gym gear or weekend trips, the Old School Carry All is the better fit. Your choice comes down to carrying style and capacity.

When you’re heading out for errands or a short trip, the right carry-all can make the difference between a smooth day and a frustrating one. TOM BIHN offers two popular options: the Side Kick crossbody bag and the Old School Carry All duffel. Both are built for everyday use, but they serve different purposes.

In this comparison, we’ll look at their sizes, carrying styles, and organizational features to help you decide which one fits your routine. We’ll also point out trade-offs so you can choose with confidence.

Carrying style: crossbody vs duffel

The Side Kick is a crossbody bag, worn across your body with a strap. This keeps your hands free and your belongings close, which is ideal for crowded streets, public transit, or any situation where you need quick access without taking the bag off.

The Old School Carry All is a duffel-style bag, carried by hand or over the shoulder. It offers a more traditional, open layout that’s easy to pack and unpack, but it requires one hand to hold or a shoulder to balance. This matters if you’re also carrying a coffee, a phone, or a child’s hand.

  • Consider how you’ll be carrying the bag most often: hands-free or hand-carry.

Capacity and organization

The Side Kick has a 6-liter capacity, which is enough for a tablet, phone, wallet, keys, and a few small extras. Its multiple interior and exterior pockets help keep items organized and accessible, so you won’t be digging to the bottom for your keys.

The Old School Carry All, with its larger duffel design, offers more room for bulkier items like a change of clothes, a small towel, or a packed lunch. It doesn’t have the same pocket structure as the Side Kick, so you’ll need to use pouches or packing cubes to keep smaller items sorted.

  • If you like pockets, the Side Kick wins. If you prefer open space, the Old School Carry All is more flexible.

Travel and everyday use

For travel, the Side Kick works well as a personal item or day bag. You can keep your passport, boarding pass, and phone within reach, and it slips under a seat easily. It’s also lightweight, so it won’t add much weight to your carry.

The Old School Carry All is better for short trips where you need a bit more capacity, like an overnight or a gym session. It’s less structured, so it can compress or expand slightly depending on what you pack, but it may not protect fragile items as well without extra padding.

  • Think about whether you’ll be carrying it on a plane, train, or in a car—this affects how much structure you need.

Trade-offs to consider

  • Side Kick: small but organized: With 6L capacity and multiple pockets, it’s great for keeping small items sorted, but it won’t hold bulky gear. Choose the Side Kick if you value organization over capacity.
  • Old School Carry All: roomy but less structured: Offers more space for clothes or gym gear, but you’ll need to add your own pouches to keep things tidy. Choose the Old School Carry All if you need extra room and don’t mind using organizers.
  • Carrying comfort: Crossbody distributes weight evenly; duffel can feel heavier on one side if packed unevenly. Think about how long you’ll be carrying the bag and what feels comfortable.

Product facts and why they matter

  • https://tombihne.shop/products/tom-bihn-side-hustle-medium-crossbody-bag-6l-260531TOM BIHN Side Hustle, Medium Crossbody Bag, 6L: Customers say this crossbody bag is perfectly sized for everyday carry and travel, fitting essentials like tablets, phones, wallets, and keys with room to spare. Many reviews mention excellent organization with multiple interior and exterior pockets that keep items accessible and well-arranged. The Side Hustle (similar to the Side Kick) shows how a 6L crossbody can handle daily essentials while keeping you organized—useful if you prefer a hands-free option.
  • TOM BIHN Truck, 3-Compartment, Large Multipurpose Tote Bag, 25L: The TOM BIHN Truck is a large multipurpose tote bag with a 25-liter capacity and three compartments, designed for versatile everyday carry. While the Truck is a tote, it demonstrates how larger TOM BIHN bags offer more compartments for organization—relevant if you’re comparing capacity and structure in a carry-all.

Which bag fits you?

Best for

  • The Side Kick is best for people who want a hands-free bag for daily errands, commuting, or as a travel personal item.
  • The Old School Carry All is best for those who need a larger, open bag for gym sessions, overnights, or carrying bulkier items.

Not for

  • The Side Kick is not for you if you need to carry a change of clothes or a laptop larger than a tablet.
  • The Old School Carry All is not for you if you prefer lots of built-in pockets and quick access to small items.

Both the TOM BIHN Side Kick and Old School Carry All are solid choices, but they solve different problems. Match the bag to your carrying style and what you need to bring along, and you’ll have a dependable companion for errands and travel.