KS Ultralight Tao vs. Tom Bihn Synapse 19

Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.

KS Ultralight Tao

Front facing view of the KS Ultralight Tao
Capacity35 L
Weight0.3 kg
Dimensions71×30×18 cm
Airline fit1%
Price$150

Feature by feature

KS Ultralight TaoFeatureTom Bihn Synapse 19
Storage
N Compression N
None Expanded Capacity None
0 Opening 0
top Passport front
N Passthrough N
Carry
Y Backpack Y
removable Hip Belt removable
removable Sternum Strap removable
Inside
N Laptop N
2 Main Compartments 6
N Organizer Y
Outside
× Hard Shell ×
N Rain-fly N
N Water Bottle Holder 1, front
Y Water Resistant Y
Material
X-pac VX 07YKK "waterproof zip"200 denier Halcyon/nylon ripstop fabric lining 400 denier nylon lower back

Tom Bihn Synapse 19

Front facing view of the Tom Bihn Synapse 19
Capacity19 L
Weight0.7 kg
Dimensions41×29×20 cm
Airline fit95%
Price$240

Key differences between the KS Ultralight Tao and Tom Bihn Synapse 19

Both have: backpack straps, hip belt, sternum strap, water resistant.

Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on

We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 2 accept both. 0 accept only the KS Ultralight Tao, and 178 accept only the Tom Bihn Synapse 19.

Only the Tom Bihn Synapse 19 fits

Adria Airways, Aegean Airlines, Aer Lingus, Aeroflot, Aerolineas Argentinas, Aeromexico, Air Asia, Air Astana, Air Baltic, 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 Wisconsin, AirAsiaX, Alaska Airlines, All Nipon Airways, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, American Eagle, ANA, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Atlas Global, Austrian, Avianca , Azerbaijan Airlines, Azul Linhas, Bahamasair, Bangkok Airways, Belavia, Biman Bangladesh, Blue Air, Boliviana de Aviacion, British Airways, Brussels Airlines, Bulgaria Air, Cambodia Angkor Air, Caribbean Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Cayman Airways, Cebu Pacific, China Airlines, China Eastern, China Southern, CommutAir, Conviasa, Copa Airlines, Croatia Air, Cubana de Aviacion, Czech Airlines, Delta Airlines, Dragonair, easyJet, EL AL, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, Eurowings, EVA Air, Fiji Airways, Finnair, Flair Air, flybe, Frontier Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, Gol Linhas Aereas, Gulf Air, Hainan Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Iberia, Icelandair, Indigo, InselAir, Interjet, Iran Air, Iran Aseman Air, Island Air, Japan Airlines, Jet Airways, Jet2, jetBlue Airways, Jetstar Airways, Jetstar Asia, Juneyao Airlines, Kenya Airways, KLM, Korean Air, Kulula, Kuwait Air, LATAM , Liat Airlines, LOT Polish, Lufthansa, Luxair, Mahan Air, Malaysia Airlines, Mango, Meridiana Fly, Mesa Airlines, Middle East Airlines, Monarch Airlines, Nordwind Airlines, Norwegian, Oman Air, Onur Air, Pakistan International, Peach, PenAir, Philippine Airlines, Porter Airlines, Qantas Airways, Qatar Airways, Ravn Alaska, Regional Express, Republic Airways, 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, SriLankan Airlines, Sun Country, Sun Express, Swiss Int'l Air Lines, TAAG Angola, TAM Airlines, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Thai Airways, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), Tiger Airways, Trans States, Travel Service Airlines, TUI, Turkish Airlines, Ukraine International, United Airlines, Ural Airlines, Uzbekistan Air, Vietnam Airlines, VIM Airlines (Closed), Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Australia, Volotea, WestJet, WOW Airlines, Xiamen.

KS Ultralight Tao vs. Tom Bihn Synapse 19: which should you pack?

The KS Ultralight Tao carries 16L more than the Tom Bihn Synapse 19 (35L vs. 19L), while the KS Ultralight Tao is the lighter pack at 0.3kg (vs. 0.7kg). 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 KS Ultralight Tao; if you want to travel lighter, the KS Ultralight Tao is the better call.