Tom Bihn Synapse 25 vs. Osprey Flapjill
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 | Osprey Flapjill |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 0 |
| front | Passport | side |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | |
| removable | Hip Belt | removable |
| removable | Sternum Strap | |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 15in |
| 6 | Main Compartments | 3 |
| Y | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 1, front | Water Bottle Holder | |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 200 denier Halcyon/nylon ripstop fabric lining 400 denier nylon lower back | 600D Polyspun |
Osprey Flapjill
| Capacity | 19 L |
| Weight | 0.9 kg |
| Dimensions | 46×34×23 cm |
| Airline fit | 74% |
| Price | $110 |
Key differences between the Tom Bihn Synapse 25 and Osprey Flapjill
- Passport pocket: Front on the Tom Bihn Synapse 25; Side on the Osprey Flapjill.
- Main compartments: 6 on the Tom Bihn Synapse 25; 3 on the Osprey Flapjill.
Both have: hip belt, 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 5 accept only the Osprey Flapjill.
Only the Osprey Flapjill fits
Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Ravn Alaska, Regional Express, Virgin Australia.
Tom Bihn Synapse 25 vs. Osprey Flapjill: which should you pack?
The Tom Bihn Synapse 25 carries 6L more than the Osprey Flapjill (25L vs. 19L), while the Tom Bihn Synapse 25 is the lighter pack at 0.8kg (vs. 0.9kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Osprey Flapjill fits 74% 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.