Synpase 25 Questions

[GoGators]

My wife has officially highjacked my Co-Pilot so now I need a new bag. I am eyeballing a new Synapes 25 backpack - mainly for personal travel, carry on, etc., but we have a baby due soon and I think a larger backpack would be helpful and could double as a diaper bag for dad if need be. (anybody have thoughts on this?)

But my main question is whether or not the bag looks too "strappy". I know that may sound odd, but see in pics below:



I believe the sternum strap and waist straps are removable - can anyone please post pics of the bag with these removed? I have a pet peeve against excess straps and these pics make me wonder a little bit. Are any pictures available that show the "bare minimum" straps on the bag? Any and all feedback is appreciated!

Thanks.

[maverick]

hi GoGators!

indeed, the waist and sternum straps may be removed. this is true not just for the synapse 25, but any tom bihn backpack design.

i don't have the synapse 25, but here's a picture of my original synaspe sans sternum/waist straps.

[fancypanda]

There is also a brief review here with a few photos: First Look: Tom Bihn Synapse 25 | Loaded PocketzLoaded Pocketz

Though you can't see much of the straps in detail, but it doesn't look 'strappy'.

[GoGators]

Thanks guys, this helps!

[drbobguy]

With the waist/sternum straps removed Tom Bihn bags look just like any other bag (there's only a small loop where they attach, and it's hardly noticeable).

The real problem is all the loose ends of nylon straps hanging out.

There was a discussion on edcforums.com about this (see here).

Two "keepers" were discussed that wrap up the extra/unused portion of the nylon webbing straps you aren't using.

The first was this "web dominator":





The second were these plain elastic loops:

[Pocketz]

Hi there. Just wanted to let you know that we're working on the full review of the Synapse 25 now that we've carried it for a few weeks. I should have it posted on Loadedpocketz this weekend. Stay tuned.

If you have any other questions in the meantime, post them here or better yet in the comments section of the article that fancypanda provided the link on and I'll be glad to help.

[Pocketz]

With the waist/sternum straps removed Tom Bihn bags look just like any other bag (there's only a small loop where they attach, and it's hardly noticeable).

The real problem is all the loose ends of nylon straps hanging out.

There was a discussion on edcforums.com about this (see here).

Two "keepers" were discussed that wrap up the extra/unused portion of the nylon webbing straps you aren't using.

The first was this "web dominator":


The second were these plain elastic loops:

The Web Dominators are great on straps that don't need to adjusted that often or to attach hydration hoses or other items to straps that don't have an attachment point. In the case of Tom Bihn packs, I don't feel like that really applies. Shoulder straps and sternum straps have to adjusted for length depending on what the user is wearing or the loadout. And Tom provides a clip to attach a hydration hose to the strap.

So, I tend to favor the elastic loops on my Tom Bihn packs. A cheap solution that works pretty well in practice. Just my two cents. Your mileage may vary.

[kolepard]

I find that using double sided Velcro cut to a length appropriate to strap width also works well for strap management. You can buy a big roll pretty inexpensively that is useful for other cables, etc.

[makua]

Newbie on the forum - Trying to decide between a Synapse 19 or 25........ Going on a trip to Europe in a week, need to carry things for the flight, day sightseeing, macbook air 13". Would like to stay with smaller but wondering if I will regret not getting the 25 (don't want a bulky bag). Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

[Badger]

Newbie on the forum - Trying to decide between a Synapse 19 or 25........ Going on a trip to Europe in a week, need to carry things for the flight, day sightseeing, macbook air 13". Would like to stay with smaller but wondering if I will regret not getting the 25 (don't want a bulky bag). Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

For just a daypack, the 19 is probably fine. On a normal day, I carry a 15" unibody MBP, books, cables, the various "foods" I have for "lunch," a water bottle, and a few extras. The 19 would swallow the MBA quite easily, and would work well for a jacket, guidebook, and other traveling detritus and you won't have more bag than you need.

[Yam]

A note on the straps - I rolled up the ends of the loose straps, added some velcro cable ties, and wrapped the rolls with the cable ties around the not-loose part of the strap. See here:



Still adjustable and somewhat cleaner. It's nice because the sternum strap is helpful when biking, and I don't want to have to take it off/put it on every time.

Edit: It's helpful if you wrap the cable tie around a partial roll, then roll the strap around the cable tie once, and then wrap the velcro around the whole roll and the not-loose strap part. Keeps it from sliding around :)