Tom Bihn Synapse 25

by Tom Bihn
Capacity 25 L
Weight 0.8 kg 1.8 lbs
Dimensions 51×35×24 cm 20×13.4×9.1 in
Airline fit 92 % of airlines
Front facing view of the Tom Bihn Synapse 25
Deeper stats
Capacity-to-weight 31.3 L/kg 13.9 L/lb High
Cubic space 42.8 L 2439 in³
Rated vs. shell 17 L17 L High
Airline Compatibility

✈️ 92% (182/199)

This bag can be used as a carry on in 92% of airlines.

Link to Manufacturer

Our thoughts

The Synapse is on the small side with only a 25L capacity but should do well on shorter and warmer trips. The warmer the weather, the smaller the clothes can be. People generally don't pack big clothes during the summer months.

One feature that some people overlook is that the Synapse 25 has a lot of O-rings all over the place which makes customizing for more adventurous travel easy. With extra O-rings, you can easily clip on water bottles or other things you want to keep handy but don't want to be loose inside your pockets. I always throw copies of travel documents inside a plastic bag and attach that to an O-ring.

Internal Frame

The Tom Bihn Synapse 25 has a removable internal frame which will keep the bag much more sturdy. I like the inner frame because it gives you the option of a nice and soft quicky bag for quick trips or a rigid frame for when you need to maximize space.

My biggest question about the internal frame is if it feels comfortable on your back. Remember when you were a kid with heavy backpacks with a billion books? I remember the backpack I had was always loose and floppy, but it was always comfortable. Some of the more rigid packs are uncomfortable.

I've only worn the Tom Bihn for short periods of time, so I'm not quite sure what the verdict is.

Reasons to buy

  • The overall organization is top notch and truly functional.
  • The interior fabric is of great quality.
  • Highly durable materials are used in creating this bag plus it comes with a great warranty.

Things to consider

  • The divider pocket can get in the way considering the main compartment is already small.
  • Can be quite hard to slide things out when the bag is fully packed.
  • Quite expensive but it's an excellent backpack.

Reviews from around the web

Tom Bihn Synapse 25 Review
packhacker.com
For a bag with a bunch of internal organization, it’s hard to beat.
Tom Bihn Synapse Review
www.gearhacker.com
There is no doubt that the build, material, and organization quality is world class. The exterior organization is great, and with some added Tom Bihn accessories, this pack can really be used for any activity—indoor or outdoor.

Features

Storage
Compression N
Expanded Capacity None
Opening Other
Passport front
Passthrough N
Carry
Backpack S
Hip Belt R
Sternum Strap R
Inside
Laptop 15
Main Compartments 6
Organizer Y
Outside
Hard Shell False
Rain-fly N
Water Bottle Holder
Water Resistant Y
Material:
200 denier Halcyon/nylon ripstop fabric lining 400 denier nylon lower back

Fits the carry-on limits of 182 airlines

Adria Airways Aegean Airlines Aer Lingus Aeroflot Aerolineas Argentinas Aeromexico Aeropostal Alas de Venezuela Air Asia Air Astana Air Baltic Air Berlin (Closed) Air Canada Air Caraibes Air China Air Europa Air France Air India Air Koryo Air Macau Air Malta Air Mauritius Air New Zealand Air Niugini Air Nostrum Air Serbia Air Seychelles Air Tahiti Air Tahiti Nui Air Transat AirAsiaX Aircalin Alitalia All Nipon Airways ANA Asiana Airlines ATA Airlines Atlas Global Austrian Avianca Azerbaijan Airlines Azul Airlines Azul Linhas Bahamasair Bangkok Airways Belavia Biman Bangladesh Blue Air Boliviana de Aviacion British Airways Brussels Airlines Bulgaria Air Cambodia Angkor Air Cape Air Caribbean Airlines Cathay Pacific Cayman Airways Cebu Pacific China Airlines China Eastern China Southern Conviasa Copa Airlines Croatia Air Cubana de Aviacion Czech Airlines Dragonair easyJet EL AL Emirates Airlines Enter Air Ethiopian Airlines Etihad Airways Eurowings EVA Air Fiji Airways Finnair Flair Air flybe Frontier Airlines Gol Linhas Aereas Gulf Air Hainan Airlines Hong Kong Airlines Iberia Icelandair Indigo InselAir Interjet Iran Air Iran Aseman Air Island Air Japan Airlines Jet Airways Jet2 Jetstar Airways Jetstar Asia Juneyao Airlines Kenya Airways KLM Korean Air Kulula Kuwait Air LATAM LC Perú Linea Aerea Amaszonas Lion Air Group LOT Polish Lufthansa Luxair Mahan Air Malaysia Airlines Mango Meridiana Fly Middle East Airlines Monarch Airlines Nordwind Airlines Norwegian Oman Air Onur Air Pakistan International Peach Pegasus Airlines PenAir Philippine Airlines Porter Airlines Qantas Airways Qatar Airways Regional Express Royal Air Morocco Royal Brunei Airlines Royal Jordanian Ryanair S7 SAS Scandinavian Saudi Arabian Airlines Scoot Shandong Airlines Shenzhen Airlines Sichuan Airlines SilkAir Silver Airways Singapore Airlines Sky Airlines Skywest, Inc. South African Airways Southwest Airlines SpiceJet Spirit Airlines Spring Airlines SriLankan Airlines Sun Country Sun Express Swiss Int'l Air Lines TAAG Angola TAM Airlines TAP Air Portugal TAROM Thai Airways Thomson Airways Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190) Tianjin Airlines (E145) Tiger Airways Travel Service Airlines Turkish Airlines Turkmenistan Airlines Ukraine International Ural Airlines uTair Airlines Uzbekistan Air Vietnam Airlines VIM Airlines (Closed) Virgin America Virgin Atlantic Virgin Australia Vivaaerobus VivaColombia Volaris Volotea WestJet Wizz Air WOW Airlines Xiamen

Packed in a Tom Bihn Synapse 25

Packing List for a 5 Day Trade Show
📆 5 days
📜 40 items
Carry-On Travel Backpack:
Tom Bihn Synapse 25
Packing List for 4 Months through Mexico and Central America
📆 120 days
🌎 Mexico, Central America
📜 35 items
Carry-On Travel Backpack:
Tom Bihn Synapse 25

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