Synapse 19

$245

Ready to Ship

Synapse 19 is the ultimate minimalist everyday backpack — smaller, sleek, and built for effortless organization on the go.

Color & Material

Exterior Color:
Aubergine

Interior Color:
Wisteria

Exterior Material:
Ballistic

Interior Material:
200 Halcyon

Aubergine Ballistic/Wisteria 200 Halcyon

Black Ballistic/Northwest Sky 200 Halcyon

Burnt Orange Ballistic/Sangria 210 Cerylon

Black 420 Spectron/Northwest Sky 200 Halcyon

Made in Seattle

Carry-on Friendly

Lifetime Guarantee

Description

The Synapse 19 is the smallest in the Synapse lineup, offering a more compact and streamlined carry than the Synapse 25. It’s perfect for minimalist everyday use, with just enough space for your essentials — all while delivering the smart organization, comfort, and durability that define the Synapse series.

Thoughtful main compartment design: Perfect for storing large, flat items and includes a banded open-top pocket that is spacious enough for a pair of sandals.

Stay organized on the go: Five exterior pockets with room to spare — including one just for your 32 oz water bottle.

Pack it your way: Cache loops to attach a 13" laptop and additional O-rings for extra organization in the main compartment.

Breathable back panel: Provides maximum airflow while still being gentle on clothing.

Support when you need it: Edgeless shoulder straps that softly conform to your shoulders and adjust easily — featuring sewn-in strap keepers to keep things tidy.

Travel-friendly design: Webbing loop on exterior bottom that serves as an extra grab handle — can easily pull Synapse from under the seat or the overhead compartment.

Exterior
bluesign® certified 630d High-Tenacity 2x2 Ballistic nylon

Interior
bluesign® and OEKO-TEX® certified 200d Halcyon / ripstop nylon

Upper Back
Spacer Mesh

Lower Back
bluesign® certified 210 denier High-Tenacity 2x2 Ballistic nylon

Back
Closed-cell foam

Straps
Edgeless EV50 1/2” / 12mm shoulder straps (EVAZOTE® OEKO-TEX®foam)

Zippers
1x #10 YKK Racquet-Coil water-repellent zipper with metal slider (main compartment)
5 #8 YKK Racquet-Coil water-repellent zippers with metal sliders (all other exterior zippers)

Synapse 19 Key Features

Thoughtful Pockets, Minimal Fuss

5 external pockets keep you organized without adding bulk — each thoughtfully placed for balance & function.

lifestyle visible^^An open top view of the Synapse 25, Island blue interior

Organized Interior, Tech-Ready

The main compartment offers space for flat items, an open-top pocket for everyday essentials, Cache loops to secure up to a 13"-16" laptop, and O-rings for added organization.

lifestyle visible^^A close shot of a person wearing the Synapse 25.

Edgeless Straps, Increased Comfort

Edgeless, cushioned shoulder straps softly conform to your shoulders and adjust to fit a wide range of body types, providing all-day comfort with built-in keepers to tame any loose ends.

Person standing in downtown Seattle wearing a Nebulous Grey Synapse 25.

Perfect for Everyday Carry and Travel

The ideal blend of everyday function and travel-ready design — compact for daily carry, spacious enough for travel, and fits under most airline seats.

Person walking in the snow in Seattle, carrying a Synapse 25 in Black.

Bottom Loop, Built for More

Doubles as a handy grab handle — perfect for pulling the Synapse from under seats or overhead bins.

Thoughtful Pockets, Minimal Fuss

5 external pockets keep you organized without adding bulk — each thoughtfully placed for balance & function.

Organized Interior, Tech-Ready

The main compartment offers space for flat items, an open-top pocket for everyday essentials, Cache loops to secure up to a 13"-16" laptop, and O-rings for added organization.

Edgeless Straps, Increased Comfort

Edgeless, cushioned shoulder straps softly conform to your shoulders and adjust to fit a wide range of body types, providing all-day comfort with built-in keepers to tame any loose ends.

Perfect for Everyday Carry and Travel

The ideal blend of everyday function and travel-ready design — compact for daily carry, spacious enough for travel, and fits under most airline seats.

Bottom Loop, Built for More

Doubles as a handy grab handle — perfect for pulling the Synapse from under seats or overhead bins.

Thoughtful Pockets, Minimal Fuss

5 external pockets keep you organized without adding bulk — each thoughtfully placed for balance & function.

Organized Interior, Tech-Ready

The main compartment offers space for flat items, an open-top pocket for everyday essentials, Cache loops to secure up to a 13"-16" laptop, and O-rings for added organization.

Edgeless Straps, Increased Comfort

Edgeless, cushioned shoulder straps softly conform to your shoulders and adjust to fit a wide range of body types, providing all-day comfort with built-in keepers to tame any loose ends.

Perfect for Everyday Carry and Travel

The ideal blend of everyday function and travel-ready design — compact for daily carry, spacious enough for travel, and fits under most airline seats.

Bottom Loop, Built for More

Doubles as a handy grab handle — perfect for pulling the Synapse from under seats or overhead bins.

Reviews

4.9

Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars

Based on 313 reviews

Total 5 star reviews: 285 Total 4 star reviews: 26 Total 3 star reviews: 1 Total 2 star reviews: 0 Total 1 star reviews: 1

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313 reviews

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ST
Sam T.
Verified Buyer
Bought For Myself
Product Standouts Compact, Unique, Thoughtful Design, High Quality Finishings
8 hours ago
Bought For Myself
Product Standouts Compact, Unique, Thoughtful Design, High Quality Finishings
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Fantastic edc
Great bag for every day carry. I love the external organisation and how I can allocate pockets to different things without cross contamination eg - medicines, hand sanitizer hand cream tissues in a side pocket and reusable cutlery and napkins in another. The central water bottle is probably my favourite thing about this bag. It balances beautifully and I fit my 32oz Nalgene without and issues (I like to have a full water bottle with me) . The bottom pocket holds my first aid supplies. I’m a disability support worker so I like to have a prepared bag for work with all the essential things at my finger tips.
Only thing I’d say is the bag tends to bend a bit at the back and can get very hot very quickly when wearing it. I don’t put much in the middle section and it’s a win that it only opens half way. I usually carry a raincoat or a light lunch in the middle. I love that there is no laptop section. I don’t need it and love that it’s not there. I don’t use the internal pocket - I just ignore it really and it kinda disappears when I have a couple things in the bag.
The sternum strap I use all the time. Not because of weight distribution but because the straps seem to want to fall off my shoulders. It annoyed me at first but I just use the strap and kinda forget that I probably look a little silly - but everything else just works so well.
I think I’d love to buy the bigger version but the straps seem to be the exact same so that kinda puts me off. I love this bag tho. It’s just a…
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DS
David S.
Verified Buyer
Bought For Myself
2 days ago
Bought For Myself
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Solid design with great improvements.
Replaced my old Synapse 19 (which lasted many years) - the improvements (e.g., stronger and larger zippers) are great. I expect to have this backpack for many years to come.
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AG
Alyssa G.
Verified Buyer
Bought For Myself
Product Standouts Thoughtful Design, High Quality Craftsmanship, Comfortable, Good Storage Size, Compact
2 days ago
Bought For Myself
Product Standouts Thoughtful Design, High Quality Craftsmanship, Comfortable, Good Storage Size, Compact
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Perfect for Smaller Folks
Im very short and its hard to find a backpack that fits snugly against my back instead of slamming into my hips. This bag actually fits me, and is designed in a way that the even tho it is a smaller size, the typical backpack contents fit fine.
Love that this is produced as well as it is, and in my country. Im a seamstress too, and Im aware of the skills that would be required to make something like this backpack. Its good to know those skills are being appropriately compensated.
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MM
Michiko M.
Verified Buyer
Bought For Myself
Product Standouts Thoughtful Design, Compact, High Quality Finishings
1 week ago
Bought For Myself
Product Standouts Thoughtful Design, Compact, High Quality Finishings
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Finally - MY unicorn backpack of a smaller size
S19 was something I knew I’d love, but I also knew I wouldn’t enjoy it much in ballistic (I personally prefer ballistic options for bigger, less compartmentalized items). So when the Spectron option popped up, I snagged one right away.
Oh my goodness — it’s both a beauty (blackout black Spectron) and my Miss Functionality. Black Spectron adds such a subtle glam to this backpack! Not to mention the weight (so light!) and the flexibility of the fabric.
Like my opinion on ballistic above, I might be forming one for Spectron — the perfect fabric choice for smaller items thanks to its rid size, which makes it look sleeker and more refined.
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JN
Joel N.
Verified Buyer
Bought For Myself
Product Standouts Thoughtful Design, Comfortable, High Quality Craftsmanship, Sewn in USA, Good Storage Size
2 months ago
Bought For Myself
Product Standouts Thoughtful Design, Comfortable, High Quality Craftsmanship, Sewn in USA, Good Storage Size
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Perfect everyday carry bag
The Synapse 19 is hands-down the best everyday carry bag I’ve ever owned. What impresses me most is how well it maintains its form—even when carrying a full water bottle. The layout is incredibly smart, with just the right amount of organization without overcomplicating things. It fits everything I need for daily use while staying compact and comfortable. The craftsmanship is top-notch, and the materials feel like they’ll last for years. It’s rare to find a bag this functional that also looks this clean and refined. Highly recommended.
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Why People Choose TOM BIHN

Travel-Ready Without the Bulk

Every bag is thoughtfully designed for effortless travel.

visible lifestyle^^A person retrieving a drink from the Synik 26 water bottle pocket

Effortless Organization, No Matter Your Day

Smart pockets and O-rings keep everything visible and within easy reach.

visible lifestyle^^A Nomad Tote with its front pocket open.

Built to Last a Lifetime

Made in Seattle with premium materials and backed by a lifetime guarantee.

Superior Construction. Thoughtful Design.

Every detail is obsessively crafted for function, flexibility, and joy in use—just like we’ve been doing since 1972.

Travel-Ready Without the Bulk

Every bag is thoughtfully designed for effortless travel.

Effortless Organization, No Matter Your Day

Smart pockets and O-rings keep everything visible and within easy reach.

Built to Last a Lifetime

Made in Seattle with premium materials and backed by a lifetime guarantee.

Superior Construction. Thoughtful Design.

Every detail is obsessively crafted for function, flexibility, and joy in use—just like we’ve been doing since 1972.

Travel-Ready Without the Bulk

Every bag is thoughtfully designed for effortless travel.

Effortless Organization, No Matter Your Day

Smart pockets and O-rings keep everything visible and within easy reach.

Built to Last a Lifetime

Made in Seattle with premium materials and backed by a lifetime guarantee.

Superior Construction. Thoughtful Design.

Every detail is obsessively crafted for function, flexibility, and joy in use—just like we’ve been doing since 1972.

Made in Seattle, Built to Last

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 last, made to move with you.

The BIHN Guarantee

Since 1972, we’ve stood 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 the same Seattle shop where your bag was born.

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Synapse 19