Tom Bihn Synapse 25 vs. Matador SEG42 Travel Pack
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 | Matador SEG42 Travel Pack |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 0 |
| front | Passport | Y |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | removable |
| removable | Hip Belt | N |
| 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 | 840D nylon outer high wear panels, PU waterproofing 420D nylon outer low wear panels, UTS waterproofing 100D Robic® Dynatec weave interior liners/dividers, UTS waterproofing 210D bonded nylon thread, bartack reinforced construction |
Matador SEG42 Travel Pack
| Capacity | 42 L |
| Weight | 1.1 kg |
| Dimensions | 56×31×28 cm |
| Airline fit | 13% |
| Price | $210 |
Key differences between the Tom Bihn Synapse 25 and Matador SEG42 Travel Pack
- Passport pocket: Front on the Tom Bihn Synapse 25; Yes on the Matador SEG42 Travel Pack.
- Backpack straps: Yes on the Tom Bihn Synapse 25; Removable on the Matador SEG42 Travel Pack.
- Hip belt: Removable on the Tom Bihn Synapse 25; No on the Matador SEG42 Travel Pack.
- Water bottle pockets: 1, front on the Tom Bihn Synapse 25; No on the Matador SEG42 Travel Pack.
Both have: 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. 25 accept both. 109 accept only the Tom Bihn Synapse 25, and 0 accept only the Matador SEG42 Travel Pack.
Only the Tom Bihn Synapse 25 fits
Aegean Airlines, Aer Lingus, Aeroflot, Aerolineas Argentinas, Aeromexico, Air Asia, Air Astana, Air Canada, Air Caraibes, Air France, Air India, Air Macau, Air Mauritius, Air Nostrum, Air Wisconsin, AirAsiaX, Alaska Airlines, All Nipon Airways, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, ANA, Atlas Global, Austrian, Avianca , Azerbaijan Airlines, Bahamasair, Bangkok Airways, Biman Bangladesh, Boliviana de Aviacion, British Airways, Brussels Airlines, Cambodia Angkor Air, Caribbean Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Cayman Airways, Cebu Pacific, China Airlines, CommutAir, Conviasa, Copa Airlines, Croatia Air, Czech Airlines, Delta Airlines, Dragonair, EL AL, Ethiopian Airlines, Eurowings, EVA Air, Fiji Airways, Finnair, Flair Air, Frontier Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, Gol Linhas Aereas, Hawaiian Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Iberia, Indigo, Interjet, Iran Air, Iran Aseman Air, Japan Airlines, Jet Airways, Jet2, jetBlue Airways, Jetstar Airways, Jetstar Asia, Kenya Airways, KLM, Kulula, Kuwait Air, LATAM , LOT Polish, Lufthansa, Mahan Air, Malaysia Airlines, Mango, Mesa Airlines, Middle East Airlines, Monarch Airlines, Norwegian, Oman Air, Onur Air, Peach, PenAir, Porter Airlines, Qantas Airways, Republic Airways, Royal Jordanian, SAS Scandinavian, Scoot, Sky Airlines, Skywest, Inc., South African Airways, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, SriLankan Airlines, Swiss Int'l Air Lines, Thai Airways, Tiger Airways, Trans States, Travel Service Airlines, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, Uzbekistan Air, Vietnam Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, WestJet, WOW Airlines.
Tom Bihn Synapse 25 vs. Matador SEG42 Travel Pack: which should you pack?
The Matador SEG42 Travel Pack carries 17L more than the Tom Bihn Synapse 25 (25L vs. 42L), while the Tom Bihn Synapse 25 is the lighter pack at 0.8kg (vs. 1.1kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Tom Bihn Synapse 25 fits 71% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Matador SEG42 Travel Pack; if you want to travel lighter, the Tom Bihn Synapse 25 is the better call.