Ortlieb Commuter Daypack High Visibility vs. Tom Bihn Synapse 19
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Ortlieb Commuter Daypack High Visibility
| Capacity | 21 L |
| Weight | 0.86 kg |
| Dimensions | 50×30×15.5 cm |
| Airline fit | 92% |
| Price | $250 |
Feature by feature
| Ortlieb Commuter Daypack High Visibility | Feature | Tom Bihn Synapse 19 |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 2 | Opening | 0 |
| N | Passport | front |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | removable |
| removable | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | N |
| 1 | Main Compartments | 6 |
| Y | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| N | Water Bottle Holder | 1, front |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| PS50CX | 200 denier Halcyon/nylon ripstop fabric lining 400 denier nylon lower back |
Tom Bihn Synapse 19
| Capacity | 19 L |
| Weight | 0.7 kg |
| Dimensions | 41×29×20 cm |
| Airline fit | 95% |
| Price | $240 |
Key differences between the Ortlieb Commuter Daypack High Visibility and Tom Bihn Synapse 19
- Opening: Rolltop on the Ortlieb Commuter Daypack High Visibility; Other on the Tom Bihn Synapse 19.
- Passport pocket: No on the Ortlieb Commuter Daypack High Visibility; Front on the Tom Bihn Synapse 19.
- Laptop sleeve: 15in on the Ortlieb Commuter Daypack High Visibility; No on the Tom Bihn Synapse 19.
- Main compartments: 1 on the Ortlieb Commuter Daypack High Visibility; 6 on the Tom Bihn Synapse 19.
- Water bottle pockets: No on the Ortlieb Commuter Daypack High Visibility; 1, front on the Tom Bihn Synapse 19.
Both have: backpack straps, hip belt, sternum strap, built-in organizer, water resistant.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 173 accept both. 0 accept only the Ortlieb Commuter Daypack High Visibility, and 7 accept only the Tom Bihn Synapse 19.
Only the Tom Bihn Synapse 19 fits
Air Tahiti, American Eagle, easyJet, Gulf Air, Ravn Alaska, Regional Express, Virgin Australia.
Ortlieb Commuter Daypack High Visibility vs. Tom Bihn Synapse 19: which should you pack?
The Ortlieb Commuter Daypack High Visibility carries 2L more than the Tom Bihn Synapse 19 (21L vs. 19L), while the Tom Bihn Synapse 19 is the lighter pack at 0.7kg (vs. 0.86kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Tom Bihn Synapse 19 fits 95% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Ortlieb Commuter Daypack High Visibility; if you want to travel lighter, the Tom Bihn Synapse 19 is the better call.