Gear Review: Tom Bihn Travel Tray

I don’t know about you, but I have left things in the nightstand drawer of many hotels. Coins, Pens, even transit passes. Somehow they seem to get lost among the phone books and Gideon Light Reader.

The top of the night stand isn’t any better. Glasses, cell phone, flashlight (I’ve stayed in a few hotels where we lost power in the middle of the night so I like to be prepared), and the like clutter the entire surface.

I’ve thought about using travel trays but they seemed too bulky, too heavy and were good for just one thing. And everyone here knows I like items to do double duty.

Earlier this week, Tom Bihn introduced a new Travel Tray that not only weighs less than two ounces but collapses down to practically nothing.

Made of Japanese Dyneema Ripstop Nylon., the travel tray measure 8”/200mm in diameter and 4.5”/115mm high.

I’ve been using the travel tray at home and it has been keeping my night stand looking much neater.

If you watch the video below, you’ll see another great feature is the drawstring closure should  you want to grab items for a quick getaway.

I was allowed to check out the product webpage and video prior to its launch last Monday. It quickly struck me that there was another use for this item. When I go to the airport and have to go through security, everything has to come off and go into a small tray easily accessible to roving hands—wallet, keys, change, Beretta, cellphone, notepad, pens, etc.

But with the Travel Tray, I can put all these items into it, seal it with the drawstring, and put it all in my carry-on. Then once through security, rather than fumbling to put everything back on me  while both holding up the line as well as adding to the possibility of leaving something behind, I just have to grab my bag and shoes and go to my gate. Once comfortably seated at the gate, I can then remove the Travel Tray from my carry-on and replace those items onto my person.

This item has been added to my packing list. It’s just too versatile and too lite to leave at home.

There are lots of other uses:  TV/DVR/TV Guide holder, hobby parts holder,  portable candy dish, party hat, and more. It would probably make a great stocking stuffer for anyone into travel or organization.

The Tom Bihn Travel Tray available in four colors and I suggest getting one that doesn’t match the lining of your bag. Made in the USA.  $22

 

Tom Bihn supplied the Travel Tray for review as well as the photos and video.

Comments

[Scott]

I've got a RedOxx valet/tray that I found too bulky to carry around. I replaced it with a folding plate I got on clearance at EMS... here's the mfg website:
http://www.orikaso.com/

unfolds to nothing, but does a good job of keeping track of stuff when I empty my pockets. And if needed, I've got a dinner plate :-)

[Jose]

Beretta? With your passion for lightness, I would expect you to prefer the Glock.

[Frank@OBOW]

I was wondering if anyone would notice. :)

[Dianne W]

Get a bright-colored one, easier to find in your hotel room. I've used a flat black tray (with snap corners) for years but plan to buy the TB tray due to the colors.