Tom Bihn Synapse 25 vs. 5.11 Rush 12 2.0
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 | 5.11 Rush 12 2.0 |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | 2 |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 1 |
| front | Passport | front, side |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | optional |
| removable | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 15in |
| 6 | Main Compartments | 6 |
| 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 | 1050D nylon (MultiCam® 1000D nylon) |
Key differences between the Tom Bihn Synapse 25 and 5.11 Rush 12 2.0
- Compression straps: No on the Tom Bihn Synapse 25; 2 on the 5.11 Rush 12 2.0.
- Opening: Other on the Tom Bihn Synapse 25; Clamshell on the 5.11 Rush 12 2.0.
- Passport pocket: Front on the Tom Bihn Synapse 25; Front, side on the 5.11 Rush 12 2.0.
- Hip belt: Removable on the Tom Bihn Synapse 25; Optional on the 5.11 Rush 12 2.0.
- Water bottle pockets: 1, front on the Tom Bihn Synapse 25; No on the 5.11 Rush 12 2.0.
Both have: backpack straps, 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 45 accept only the 5.11 Rush 12 2.0.
Only the 5.11 Rush 12 2.0 fits
Air Baltic, Air China, Air Malta, Air Niugini, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, American Eagle, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Belavia, Blue Air, Bulgaria Air, China Eastern, easyJet, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, Etihad Airways, flybe, Great Lakes Airlines, Icelandair, InselAir, Juneyao Airlines, Liat Airlines, Luxair, Meridiana Fly, Nordwind Airlines, Pakistan International, Qatar Airways, Ravn Alaska, Regional Express, 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), Virgin Australia, Volotea, Xiamen.
Tom Bihn Synapse 25 vs. 5.11 Rush 12 2.0: which should you pack?
The Tom Bihn Synapse 25 carries 1L more than the 5.11 Rush 12 2.0 (25L vs. 24L), while the Tom Bihn Synapse 25 is the lighter pack at 0.8kg (vs. 1.4kg). For carry-on flexibility, the 5.11 Rush 12 2.0 fits 95% 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.