Tom Bihn Synapse 25 vs. Tortuga Setout Divide
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Tom Bihn Synapse 25
| Capacity | 25 L |
| Weight | 0.8 kg |
| Dimensions | 51×34×23 cm |
| Airline fit | 71% |
| Price | $250 |
Feature by feature
| Tom Bihn Synapse 25 | Feature | Tortuga Setout Divide |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | Y |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 0 |
| front | Passport | front |
| N | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | hideable |
| removable | Hip Belt | removable |
| removable | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 15in |
| 6 | Main Compartments | 4 |
| Y | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 1, front | Water Bottle Holder | N |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 200 denier Halcyon/nylon ripstop fabric lining 400 denier nylon lower back | 900D heathered polyester |
Tortuga Setout Divide
| Capacity | 26 L |
| Weight | 1.7 kg |
| Dimensions | 51×34×16 cm |
| Airline fit | 89% |
| Price | $209 |
Key differences between the Tom Bihn Synapse 25 and Tortuga Setout Divide
- Compression straps: No on the Tom Bihn Synapse 25; Yes on the Tortuga Setout Divide.
- Luggage passthrough: No on the Tom Bihn Synapse 25; Yes on the Tortuga Setout Divide.
- Backpack straps: Yes on the Tom Bihn Synapse 25; Hideable on the Tortuga Setout Divide.
- Main compartments: 6 on the Tom Bihn Synapse 25; 4 on the Tortuga Setout Divide.
- Water bottle pockets: 1, front on the Tom Bihn Synapse 25; No on the Tortuga Setout Divide.
Both have: passport pocket, 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. 0 accept only the Tom Bihn Synapse 25, and 35 accept only the Tortuga Setout Divide.
Only the Tortuga Setout Divide fits
Air Baltic, Air China, Air Malta, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Blue Air, Bulgaria Air, China Eastern, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, flybe, Icelandair, InselAir, Juneyao Airlines, Liat Airlines, Luxair, Meridiana Fly, Nordwind Airlines, Pakistan International, 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.
Tom Bihn Synapse 25 vs. Tortuga Setout Divide: which should you pack?
The Tortuga Setout Divide carries 1L more than the Tom Bihn Synapse 25 (25L vs. 26L), while the Tom Bihn Synapse 25 is the lighter pack at 0.8kg (vs. 1.7kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Tortuga Setout Divide fits 89% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Tortuga Setout Divide; if you want to travel lighter, the Tom Bihn Synapse 25 is the better call.