Tom Bihn Cadet vs Tom Bihn Side Effect
Tom Bihn Cadet ($200) vs Tom Bihn Side Effect ($70) — side-by-side specs, weight, pros and cons to help you pick the right briefcase.
Spec-by-spec
| Spec | Tom Bihn Cadet | Tom Bihn Side Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $200 | $70 |
| Weight | 710g | 195g |
| Material | Ballistic nylon | Ballistic nylon |
| Weight | 710g (Tom Bihn published) | 195g (Tom Bihn published) |
Pros & Cons
Tom Bihn Cadet
- Padded for a 16 inch laptop with quick-access pockets
- Luggage pass-through sleeve and personal-item size
- Made in Seattle
- $200 for a briefcase
- Heavier than a slim sleeve-and-sling setup
Tom Bihn Side Effect
- Works as a bag or an organizer
- Five O-rings for tethering small items
- Under $75
- Only 1.7 liters
- Hip belt is sold separately
Tom Bihn Side Effect is the better value at $70. Both are part of our curated briefcase index — tap through to check current pricing.
More Briefcase comparisons
Alpaka Flight Sling vs Alpaka Elements Tote ProAlpaka Flight Sling vs Alpaka Zip ProAlpaka Flight Sling vs Alpaka Elements Tech Case Mini (X-Pac RX36)Alpaka Flight Sling vs Alpaka Metro Sling V2 — Horse EditionAlpaka Flight Sling vs Alpaka Momentum SlingAlpaka Flight Sling vs Alpaka Momentum Backpack