Ortlieb Commuter Daypack High Visibility vs. Tom Bihn Synapse 25
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 25 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 15in |
| 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 25
| Capacity | 25 L |
| Weight | 0.8 kg |
| Dimensions | 51×34×23 cm |
| Airline fit | 71% |
| Price | $250 |
Key differences between the Ortlieb Commuter Daypack High Visibility and Tom Bihn Synapse 25
- Opening: Rolltop on the Ortlieb Commuter Daypack High Visibility; Other on the Tom Bihn Synapse 25.
- Passport pocket: No on the Ortlieb Commuter Daypack High Visibility; Front on the Tom Bihn Synapse 25.
- Main compartments: 1 on the Ortlieb Commuter Daypack High Visibility; 6 on the Tom Bihn Synapse 25.
- Water bottle pockets: No on the Ortlieb Commuter Daypack High Visibility; 1, front on the Tom Bihn Synapse 25.
Both have: backpack straps, hip belt, sternum strap, laptop sleeve, 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. 134 accept both. 39 accept only the Ortlieb Commuter Daypack High Visibility, and 0 accept only the Tom Bihn Synapse 25.
Only the Ortlieb Commuter Daypack High Visibility fits
Air Baltic, Air China, Air Malta, Air Niugini, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Belavia, Blue Air, Bulgaria Air, China Eastern, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, Etihad Airways, flybe, Icelandair, InselAir, Juneyao Airlines, Liat Airlines, Luxair, Meridiana Fly, Nordwind Airlines, Pakistan International, Qatar Airways, Royal Brunei Airlines, Ryanair, S7, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Sun Express, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), TUI, Ukraine International, VIM Airlines (Closed), Volotea, Xiamen.
Ortlieb Commuter Daypack High Visibility vs. Tom Bihn Synapse 25: which should you pack?
The Tom Bihn Synapse 25 carries 4L more than the Ortlieb Commuter Daypack High Visibility (21L vs. 25L), while the Tom Bihn Synapse 25 is the lighter pack at 0.8kg (vs. 0.86kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Ortlieb Commuter Daypack High Visibility fits 92% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Tom Bihn Synapse 25; if you want to travel lighter, the Tom Bihn Synapse 25 is the better call.