What Goes Into A TOM BIHN Backpack?
-
Synapse 19 -
Synapse 25
This is a carousel with slides that contain product key features. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate.
Synapse 25 Key Features
Everything in its Place
Five external pockets keep your essentials organized and your sanity intact — no rummaging required.
Snap to It
Designed for modular minds — these built-in loops let you securely attach a Cache laptop sleeve or accessories, keeping your tech in place and your bag clutter-free.
Your Shoulders Will Thank You
Engineered for all-day comfort, our edgeless, cushioned shoulder straps conform to your shoulders and adjust to fit a wide range of body types with built-in strap keepers to tame any loose ends.
Half the Zip, All the Access
The half-zip main compartment lets you pack what you need, how you want it. A low-profile banded pocket keeps your essentials on standby, so you can move fast without losing track.
Clip It and Forget It
9 internal O-rings to tether your essentials. Keep the little stuff where you need it. No spelunking required.
Everything in its Place
Five external pockets keep your essentials organized and your sanity intact — no rummaging required.
Snap to It
Designed for modular minds — these built-in loops let you securely attach a Cache laptop sleeve or accessories, keeping your tech in place and your bag clutter-free.
Your Shoulders Will Thank You
Engineered for all-day comfort, our edgeless, cushioned shoulder straps conform to your shoulders and adjust to fit a wide range of body types with built-in strap keepers to tame any loose ends.
Half the Zip, All the Access
The half-zip main compartment lets you pack what you need, how you want it. A low-profile banded pocket keeps your essentials on standby, so you can move fast without losing track.
Clip It and Forget It
9 internal O-rings to tether your essentials. Keep the little stuff where you need it. No spelunking required.
This is a carousel with multiple slides. Swipe, use keyboard L/R arrows, or click the arrow buttons to navigate.
Tour the Details, Inside & Out
Take a closer look at the features that define how our bags perform.
-
5 Exterior Pockets
External pockets for maximum storage.
Grab Handle
Easy access grab handle for more ways to carry.
Gear Loops
Built for the outdoors and doubles as an extra handle.
Half-Zip Main Compartment
Half-zip main compartment lets you pack intuitively.
Centered Water Bottle Pocket
32oz water bottle pocket is centered for balance.
Description
This is a carousel with multiple slides. Swipe, use keyboard L/R arrows, or click the arrow buttons to navigate.
Tour the Details, Inside & Out
Take a closer look at the features that define how our bags perform.
-
5 Exterior Pockets
External pockets for maximum storage.
Grab Handle
Easy access grab handle for more ways to carry.
Gear Loops
Built for the outdoors and doubles as an extra handle.
Half-Zip Main Compartment
Half-zip main compartment lets you pack intuitively.
Centered Water Bottle Pocket
32oz water bottle pocket is centered for balance.
This is a carousel with slides that contain product key features. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate.
Synapse 25 Key Features
Everything in its Place
Five external pockets keep your essentials organized and your sanity intact — no rummaging required.
Snap to It
Designed for modular minds — these built-in loops let you securely attach a Cache laptop sleeve or accessories, keeping your tech in place and your bag clutter-free.
Your Shoulders Will Thank You
Engineered for all-day comfort, our edgeless, cushioned shoulder straps conform to your shoulders and adjust to fit a wide range of body types with built-in strap keepers to tame any loose ends.
Half the Zip, All the Access
The half-zip main compartment lets you pack what you need, how you want it. A low-profile banded pocket keeps your essentials on standby, so you can move fast without losing track.
Clip It and Forget It
9 internal O-rings to tether your essentials. Keep the little stuff where you need it. No spelunking required.
Everything in its Place
Five external pockets keep your essentials organized and your sanity intact — no rummaging required.
Snap to It
Designed for modular minds — these built-in loops let you securely attach a Cache laptop sleeve or accessories, keeping your tech in place and your bag clutter-free.
Your Shoulders Will Thank You
Engineered for all-day comfort, our edgeless, cushioned shoulder straps conform to your shoulders and adjust to fit a wide range of body types with built-in strap keepers to tame any loose ends.
Half the Zip, All the Access
The half-zip main compartment lets you pack what you need, how you want it. A low-profile banded pocket keeps your essentials on standby, so you can move fast without losing track.
Clip It and Forget It
9 internal O-rings to tether your essentials. Keep the little stuff where you need it. No spelunking required.
Reviews
Total 5 star reviews: 386 Total 4 star reviews: 23 Total 3 star reviews: 5 Total 2 star reviews: 3 Total 1 star reviews: 2
Reviews Summary
Generated by AI from 100 most recent customer reviews
Last updated 2 weeks ago
Customers say this backpack is exceptionally well-made with outstanding durability, with many reporting years or even decades of daily use without wear. Users praise the thoughtful organization system, particularly the external pockets that keep items accessible without crowding the main compartment. The center water bottle pocket receives frequent praise for maintaining balance and weight distribution. Many reviews mention the bag's surprising capacity despite its compact appearance, easily accommodating laptops, books, clothing, and travel essentials. Comfort is consistently highlighted, with users noting excellent padding and strap design. Most find it perfect for daily carry, travel, and work use, though a few mention it feels larger than expected for everyday use.
Slide 1 selected
419 reviews
- NNoahVerified BuyerReviewingSynapse 25I recommend this productBought For MyselfProduct Standouts Thoughtful Design, Comfortable, High Quality Craftsmanship, Made in USA, High Quality FinishingsRated 5 out of 5 stars3 years agoYou may have a Tom Bihn addiction if...
You may have a Tom Bihn addiction if, when cars pass you by, you tell your friends the colors using words like Solaris, Acuity, Cloud, and Northwest Sky. I was using a Synapse 19, but like a game of Jenga, I added one to many items, and sadly the stack came crashing down. In this case, I ran out of room (picture tear running down my face). These Tom Bihn bags are the greatest. The Bugatti of backpacks. Switching bags was easy due to the design, as everything from the 19 went into the 25, with room left over. I am actually not adding much else (maybe a few small items). I just needed slightly more room. I have never purchased more items in my life with the word "packable" in them so they easily fit in my bag. These bags will change your life. It takes time to get the perfect setup. Years. From key straps you'll find you're wearing as a necklace and bracelet, to a travel tray you'll wear as a hat, to organizer pouches. The list goes on. Pretty soon, you're ending relationships and the only thing you care about is your backpack which you tell everyone is "fire". Buy one now. You will never be the same. You can read about most of what I carry in my S19 review. If you have any questions, you can find me in the mental institution. I'm the one with my arms around a Synapse bag, up every day at 7 a.m, checking the website for an internal frame.
- SSSteven S.Verified BuyerReviewingSynapse 25I recommend this productBought For MyselfProduct Standouts Thoughtful Design, Comfortable, High Quality Craftsmanship, High Quality Finishings, DurableRated 5 out of 5 stars3 years agoMy every day bag of choice
Easily holds everything I need for a day (15 inch laptop, miscellaneous chargers, water bottle, odd and ends, documents, extra shirt or sweater)
Straps are the most comfortable I’ve used, even among other high end brands. They didn’t cheap out on anything, nylon and lining material are top notch (I have 525d and 200d halcyon). Zippers, hardware, and webbing are all top notch. Sewing is reinforced at stress points and back padding and mesh material are breathable. I did not notice heat building up on my back even when during a strenuous activity.
Highly recommended. It’s more expensive because more thought and care went into the design, material choices, and manufacture of the product. It’s the last bag you’re likely to need for a decade or more.
- BBlisscosityReviewingSynapse 25I recommend this productRated 5 out of 5 stars5 years agoThe last backpack.
This is THE ONE. This is it. My search is over.
Except: what's my favorite color combo???
More research needed!
This is my work EDC and has been for three years. I love the pocket arrangement. It is epic. Build quality: forever.
Have used for travel, but it wasn't my favorite bag for that, since I am so not a minimalist. Use it for day trips. Love the halcyon and Guide's Edition the best.
I prefer using it without the frame sheet, but just started carrying a laptop and more work stuff, so am doing further research.
Tried the Synik 30 and did not like the shoulder strap placement, clamshell, heavier weight, but DO like the new water bottle arrangement, which gives more space to the side pockets.
Thanks, Tom & crew, for giving me this great bag in my life. I LOVE IT! Oh, and thanks to Chase Reeves, for sending me here.
- JCJennette C.Verified BuyerReviewingSynapse 25I recommend this productBought For MyselfProduct Standouts Thoughtful Design, Comfortable, High Quality Craftsmanship, Durable, Good Storage SizeRated 5 out of 5 stars7 months agoLove This Bag
I purchased this bag to use as my personal item on flights. It not only holds everything I need, but it is super comfortable to wear and fits under the airplane seat perfectly. I’ve definitely caught the Tom Bihn fever!
- CCalebReviewingSynapse 25I recommend this productBought For MyselfProduct Standouts Durable, Good Storage Size, Easily Adjustable, VersatileRated 5 out of 5 stars3 years agoUse as Onebag, not EDC!
I've had this bag since about 2016. They market it as an EDC bag, and that is exactly what I did with it nearly every day for most activities throughout that time, but I bought it to use as a travel Onebag, and that's also what I've done with it for every single trip I've been on for these last 6 years.
Personally I believe these 40L "standard" long trip bags to be absurdly massive. Reviewers, bagmakers, marketers, all pitching bags even bigger than this one as "only good for weekend trips." Madness.
This bag has come with me on 2 week trips in Japan and France. It was my bag for a trip that started in Autumnal cold London and finished with me riding a motorcycle west to east from the French Riviera to warm Italy. It's been motorcycled across Japan, Taiwan, and the entire West Coast of the USA. It's been dragged on bus, train, car, and scooter. I've stored it in overhead compartments and under a flight seat in front of me. I've never had trouble with it being my single bag on even the cheapest of European flights. I've lived out of it for a month and a half in a feverish trip across every ecosystem the continental USA offers, finishing in Taiwan.
On top of that, I bicycled, motorcycled, bused, and trained with it to work every nearly every single day over the past 6 years in San Francisco and Taipei. Gym clothes, work gear, tupperwared lunch, after work hacking hardware for meetups, all inside with no issues. It's survived curry tupperware exploding inside of it more…
Quality Designs Since 1972
Designed with obsessive attention to detail, we pride ourselves in offering bags in unmatched quality and durability—whether you're commuting, traveling, or navigating daily life. Built to endure, made to move with you.
The BIHN Guarantee
We stand behind every bag we make. If it’s our fault, we’ll fix it—no questions asked. For everything else, we offer honest repairs in our Seattle factory.