The Synapse 25 in Black X-Pac with a colorful label A Synapse 25 in Night Walk (dark blue) 400d Halcyon. A Synapse 25 in Night Walk (blue/grey with grey grid) 400 Halcyon with Northwest Sky (light grey with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. A Synapse 25 in Deep Blue (dark blue) 525 Ballistic. A Synapse 25 in Deep Blue (dark blue) 525 Ballistic with Zest (orange with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. A Synapse 25 in Deep Blue (dark blue) 525 Ballistic with Northwest Sky (grey with light grey grid) 210 Cerylon interior. A Synapse 25 in Aubergine (dark purple) 525 Ballistic. A Synapse 25 in Aubergine (dark purple) Ballistic with Dusk (light blue-grey with blue-grey grid) 210 Cerylon interior. A Synapse 25 in Aubergine (dark purple) 525 Ballistic. A Synapse 25 in Aubergine (purple) 525 Ballistic with Mountain Grey 210 Cerylon interior. A Synapse 25 in Taiga (olive green with grey grid) 400 Halcyon. A Synapse 25 in Taiga (olive green with grey grid) 400 Halcyon with Northwest Sky (light grey with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. A Synapse 25 in Black (black with grey grid) 400 Halcyon. A Synapse 25 in Black (black with grey grid) 400 Halcyon with Taiga (olive green with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. A Synapse 25 in Black (black with grey grid) 400 Halcyon with Wasabi (green with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. A Synapse 25 in Black (black with grey grid) 400 Halcyon. A Synapse 25 in Black (black with grey grid) 400 Halcyon with Northwest Sky (grey with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. A Synapse 25 in Black (black with grey grid) 400 Halcyon with Island (blue with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. A Synapse 25 in Constellation (light blue) 525 Ballistic. A Synapse 25 in Constellation (light blue) 525 Ballistic with Mountain Grey (grey with light grey grid) 210 Cerylon interior. A Synapse 25 in Red Blend (maroon) 1000d Cordura. A Synapse 25 in Red Blend (maroon) 1000d Cordura with Dawn (light purple) 210d Ballistic interior. A Synapse 25 in Logic Blue (light blue) 630d Recycled Fabric. A Synapse 25 in Logic Blue (light blue) 630d Recycled with Northwest Sky (light grey with white grid) 200d Halcyon lining. A Synapse 25 in Seapine Green (teal green) 630d Recycled Fabric. A Synapse 25 in Seapine Green (teal green) 630d Recycled with Northwest Sky (light grey with white grid) 200d Halcyon lining. A Synapse 25 in Wilderness (forest green) 525 Ballistic. A Synapse 25 in Wilderness (forest green) 525 Ballistic with Northwest Sky (light grey with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. A Synapse 25 in Wilderness (forest green) 525 Ballistic with Coyote (brown with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. A Synapse 25 in Wilderness (forest green) 525 Ballistic with Northwest Sky (grey with light grey grid) 210 Cerylon interior. A Synapse 25 in Original (black with white grid) 400 Halcyon. A Synapse 25 in Original (black with white grid) 400 Halcyon with a Ultraviolet (purple with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. A Synapse 25 in Original (black with white grid) 400 Halcyon with an Island (blue with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. A Synapse 25 in Beaver Camo (camouflage) 1000d Cordura. A Synapse 25 in Beaver Camo (camouflage) 1000d Cordura with Coyote (tan) 210d Ballistic interior. A Synapse 25 in Alphaviolet (bright purple) 525 Ballistic. A Synapse 25 in Alphaviolet (bright purple) 525 Ballistic with Northwest Sky (light grey with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. A profile shot of the Synapse 25 in Alphaviolet (bright purple) 525 Ballistic. A Synapse 25 in Black Ballistic. A Synapse 25 in Black 525 Ballistic with Northwest Sky (light grey with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. A Synapse 25 in Black Ballistic. A Synapse 25 in Black Ballistic with Island (blue with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. A Synapse 25 in Black 525 Ballistic. A Black Ballistic Synapse 25 with the side pocket open showing the Cobalt Cerylon lining color. A Black Ballistic Synapse 25 with the side pocket open showing the Mountain Grey Cerylon lining color. A Synapse 25 in Black 525 Ballistic with Acuity (light blue with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. A Synapse 25 in Black 525 Ballistic with Tidal (light grey-blue with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. A Synapse 25 in Black 525 Ballistic. A Synapse 25 in Black 525 Ballistic with Zest (orange with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. A profile shot of Synapse 25 in Black 525 Ballistic. A Synapse 25 in Cloud (light grey) 525 Ballistic. A Synapse 25 in Cloud (light grey) 525 Ballistic with Zest (orange with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. A Synapse 25 in Cloud (light grey) 525 Ballistic with Ultraviolet (purple with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. A Synapse 25 in Cloud (light grey) 525 Ballistic with Island (blue with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. A profile shot of the Synapse 25 in Cloud (light grey) 525 Ballistic. The Synapse 25 in Deep Blue Ballistic The Synapse 25 in Deep Blue Ballistic with a Moss (light green with green grid) 210 Cerylon interior. A Synapse 25 in Nebulous Grey (medium grey) 525 Ballistic. A Synapse 25 in Nebulous Grey (medium grey) 525 Ballistic with Island (blue with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. A Synapse 25 in Deep Blue (dark blue) 525 Ballistic with Coyote (brown) 210 Ballistic interior. A Synapse 25 in Deep Blue (dark blue) 525 Ballistic with Coyote (brown with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. A Synapse 25 in Mars Red Ballistic. Synapse 25 in Mars Red Ballistic. Synapse 25 in Mars Red Ballistic with Northwest Sky Halcyon interior. A Synapse 25 in Mars Red 525 Ballistic with Northwest Sky (light grey with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. A Synapse 25 in Burnt Orange 525 Ballistic with Northwest Sky (grey with light grey grid) 210 Cerylon interior. A Synapse 25 in Deep Blue (dark blue) 525 Ballistic with Wasabi (green with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. A profile shot of the Synapse 25 in Deep Blue (dark blue) 525 Ballistic. A profile shot of the Synapse 25 in Mars Red 525 Ballistic. A Synapse 25 in Nebulous Grey (medium grey) 525 Ballistic. Synapse 25 in Burnt Orange Ballistic A Nebulous Grey Ballistic Synapse 25 with the side pocket open showing the Sangria Cerylon lining color. A Synapse 25 in Nebulous Grey (medium grey) 525 Ballistic with Island (blue) 210 Ballistic interior. A Synapse 25 in Nebulous Grey (medium grey) 525 Ballistic with Solaris (yellow with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. A Synapse 25 in Nebulous Grey (medium grey) 525 Ballistic with Northwest Sky (light grey with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. A Synapse 25 in Burnt Orange 525 Ballistic with Northwest Sky (light grey with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. A Synapse 25 in Burnt Orange 525 Ballistic with Cloud (light grey) 210 Ballistic interior. A Synapse 25 in Aubergine (dark purple) 525 Ballistic with Island (blue with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. A Synapse 25 in Aubergine (dark purple) 525 Ballistic with Northwest Sky (light grey with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. A Synapse 25 in Constellation (light blue) 525 Ballistic with Cloud (light grey) 210 Ballistic interior. A Synapse 25 in Constellation (light blue) 525 Ballistic with Northwest Sky (light grey with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. A Synapse 25 in Constellation (light blue) 525 Ballistic with Solaris (yellow with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. A Synapse 25 in Ursa (brown-grey) 525 Ballistic. A Synapse 25 in Ursa (grey brown) 525 Ballistic with Northwest Sky (grey with light grey grid) 210 Cerylon interior. A Synapse 25 in Ursa (brown-grey) 525 Ballistic with Dawn (purple grey) 210 Ballistic interior. A Synapse 25 in Ursa (brown-grey) 525 Ballistic with Northwest Sky (light grey with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. A Synapse 25 in Ursa (brown-grey) 525 Ballistic with Island (blue with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. A Synapse 25 in Coyote (brown) 525 Ballistic. A Synapse 25 in Coyote (brown) 525 Ballistic with Northwest Sky (grey with light grey grid) 210 Cerylon interior. A Synapse 25 in Coyote (brown) 525 Ballistic with Northwest Sky (light grey with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. A Synapse 25 in Coyote (brown) 525 Ballistic with Island (blue with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior. Synapse 25 in Ursa Ballistic with a Moss 210 Cerylon interior. The Synapse 25 in Black X-Pac with a grey label The Synapse 25 in Black X-Pac with a Northwest Sky (grey with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior The Synapse 25 in Black X-Pac with a Zest (orange with white grid) 200 Halcyon interior
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Synapse 25

4.9
Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars
189 Reviews

$243.00

One backpack for: Ultralight travel. Day hikes. EDC.

25 liters / 1526 cu.in.

Cloud Ballistic/Island 200 Halcyon
Black X-Pac®/Zest 200 Halcyon
Black X-Pac®/Northwest Sky 200 Halcyon
Aubergine Ballistic/Dusk 210 Cerylon
Black Ballistic/Island 200 Halcyon
Black Ballistic/Moss 210 Cerylon
Black Ballistic/Northwest Sky 200 Halcyon
Burnt Orange Ballistic/Mountain Grey 210 Cerylon
Constellation Ballistic/Mountain Grey 210 Cerylon
Deep Blue Ballistic/Moss 210 Cerylon
Deep Blue Ballistic/Mountain Grey 210 Cerylon
Mars Red Ballistic/Northwest Sky 200 Halcyon
Nebulous Grey Ballistic/Island 200 Halcyon
Nebulous Grey Ballistic/Marigold 210 Cerylon
Beaver Camo 1000 Texturized Nylon/Coyote 210 Ballistic
Looking for the Synapse 19, Synik 22, or Synik 30?
A reverse shot of the Synapse 25 showing the backpack straps. A profile shot of the Synapse 25. An overhead shot of the Synapse 25. The Synapse 25 with its main compartment open and containing a Synapse 25 Freudian Slip an Vertical Cache. A Synapse 25 with its pockets open, containing a laptop, kitting gear, a water bottle, cables, a multitool, and a wallet. A Guardian Light attached to the light strap of the Synapse 25. The left pocket holding a multitool and some pens. An overhead shot of the open main compartment of the Synapse 25. A Synapse 25 Freudian Slip being removed from the Synapse 25.
Person standing looking at the view on a hike. They are wearing the Synapse 25 in Taiga. A packing shot of the Synapse 25 with books, a tablet, biking gear, gym clothes, a water bottle, protein bars, and other various items. People at an airport with a Synapse 25. A person packing their car with a Synapse 25. A person on a back country road with their Synapse 25. A person sightseeing with the Synapse 25. A person descending a flight of stairs with the Synapse 25. A person in a park with their Synapse 25. A close shot of a person carrying the Synapse 25. A person walking on a sidwalk with the Synapse 25. A person sightseeing with the Synapse 25. A close shot of a person wearing the Synapse 25. A person walking on a sidewalk with the Synapse 25. A person walking their bike with the Synapse 25. The Synapse 25 leaning against the wheel of a road bike. A person wearing the Synapse 25 with the sternum strap unbuckled. Water beading on the face of a Synapse 25.
Thumbnail for a comparison video for the Synapse 19 and Synapse 25. Thumbnail for a video showcasing the features of the Synapse 25.

TLDR

With 30% more volume than the original Synapse 19, the Synapse 25 is perfect for those who need more storage space for everyday carry, ultralight travel, or a day hike or for those who are on the taller end of the spectrum.

We've kept all the features of the original:

  • Comfortable, durable, edgeless straps
  • Water bottle pocket with O-ring
  • Front pocket with O-ring for keys, a wallet, or a small camera
  • Left pocket with pen/pencil slot and 2 wide slots
  • Right pocket with small organizational pocket
  • Bottom front pocket for extra clothing or snacks
  • 1.5"/38 mm webbing loop on exterior bottom of bag to hook on a small flashlight
  • Flexible main compartment for laptop/tablet (check fit guide) with 4 unobtrusive webbing loops on the inside for attaching optional Cache (no integrated laptop sleeve) or Size 2 Handy Little Thing
  • 2 O-rings inside the main compartment for additional organizational pouches, if needed
  • Meets the personal item requirement on most airlines

Full Description

The Synapse 25 is the big brother to the original Synapse 19. The graceful, curvilinear exterior may at first look like something akin to sculpture, but in truth it is simply the judicious realization of ultimate utility. No mesh pockets clutter the exterior of this bag, nor extraneous straps festoon it; in it, you'll be able to carry more than you would imagine, and no one will be the wiser.

The Synapse 25 will generally fit folks between 5'6" and 6'6" comfortably. As with all things general, there are exceptions and outliers but for most folks, this is a good gauge.

Five Front Exterior Organizational Pockets

All five pockets are zipped shut with #8 YKK® Racquet-Coil water-repellent zippers:

The top center pocket is deep enough to fit a 1L water bottle or hydration bladder. Removing the water bottle is super easy since the pocket doesn't continue to the bottom of the bag. By having a heavier object in the middle, the carrying experience is more comfortable since everything becomes balanced.

Below the opening for the bottle pocket is another small zippered pocket, also with one O-ring; it's just deep enough for keys, a wallet, glove liners, or a small camera.

The side pockets are generously sized for sunglasses (in a case or alone), a first aid kit, or even a light Windbreaker-type jacket or down vest compressed in a stuff sack (like our Travel Stuff Sack). The right side pocket has a small organizational pocket; the left pocket has one pen/pencil slot and two wider slots for multitools/knives or just more pens. Both side zippered pockets feature one O-ring — one comes with an 8"/200 mm Key Strap.

The bottom front pocket of the Synapse 25 is a great spot for extra clothing or snacks and will easily accommodate a thin wool/fleece sweater, light down jacket and/or Windbreaker-type jacket. If you care to add organization, it's more than big enough for a 3D Organizer Cube or Side Effect. And because we care about your safety, we've added a 1.5"/38 mm webbing loop on the exterior bottom of this pocket that's ready to accept a flashlight — highly recommended if you ride a bicycle or walk in the dark.

Main Compartment

The main compartment is designed to fit large, flat items like notebooks or laptops — it closes with a #10 YKK® Racquet-Coil zipper. It has two O-rings for you to attach Organizer Pouches or Key Straps or tether other items. Four unobtrusive webbing loops can also secure the Cache. The remaining space in the main compartment opens wide.

Interior Banded Open-Top Pocket

Also inside the main compartment is an elastic-topped, open-top pocket. It's suitable for storing a few books, an extra pair of shoes, a Size 2 Handy Little Thing, or a Tri-Star Medium Packing Cube. Some sizes of the Cache will also fit inside this pocket.

 

Breathable Back Panel

The back panel of the Synapse 25 is padded with 1/4", high quality, closed cell-foam with an exterior of Spacer mesh and 210 denier nylon. This combination of mesh and smooth nylon is designed to provide maximum breathability while still being gentle on your clothing.

Included Removable Sternum Strap + Waist Strap

As with all of our major backpacks, we include adjustable and removable sternum and waist straps: if you don't like or don't use your waist or sternum strap, remove them and leave (almost) nothing behind. There's also an optional 1" Padded Hip Belt.

Edgeless Straps

Conformity is overrated — except, perhaps, when it comes to shoulder straps. The edgelessness of this new strap allows it to more softly conform to your shoulder — we (and most people who have worn these straps) find that this increases comfort. Yet the straps aren't too soft: the 1/2" thick EVAZOTE® OEKO-TEX® certified foam means the strap is robust enough to carry a heavy load.

Durable Materials + Expert Construction

No bag lasts forever, but choosing the best and most durable materials and taking care not to abuse it (no washing machine or dryer!) can help a quality bag serve most people well (with maybe a repair or two) for up to 10-20 years.

For the interior lining of the Synapse 25, we offer variations in 200d Halcyon or 210d Cerylon, both ultra-lightweight and ultra-tough. They have been abrasion tested by both our fabric suppliers and our in-house lab. Conclusion? 200d Halcyon and 210d Cerylon are perhaps a bit overkill for a lining fabric, and you expect nothing less from us.

This bag requires significant skill to sew and construct; it's not just any sewing factory who can pull this off and do it well, it's ours, and it's because of the talent of our crew. They're the reason why our designs can be made in an ongoing practical fashion.

Five Front Exterior Organizational Pockets

All five pockets are zipped shut with #8 YKK® Racquet-Coil water-repellent zippers:

The top center pocket is deep enough to fit a 1L water bottle or hydration bladder. Removing the water bottle is super easy since the pocket doesn't continue to the bottom of the bag. By having a heavier object in the middle, the carrying experience is more comfortable since everything becomes balanced.

Below the opening for the bottle pocket is another small zippered pocket, also with one O-ring; it's just deep enough for keys, a wallet, glove liners, or a small camera.

The side pockets are generously sized for sunglasses (in a case or alone), a first aid kit, or even a light Windbreaker-type jacket or down vest compressed in a stuff sack (like our Travel Stuff Sack). The right side pocket has a small organizational pocket; the left pocket has one pen/pencil slot and two wider slots for multitools/knives or just more pens. Both side zippered pockets feature one O-ring — one comes with an 8"/200 mm Key Strap.

The bottom front pocket of the Synapse 25 is a great spot for extra clothing or snacks and will easily accommodate a thin wool/fleece sweater, light down jacket and/or Windbreaker-type jacket. If you care to add organization, it's more than big enough for a 3D Organizer Cube or Side Effect. And because we care about your safety, we've added a 1.5"/38 mm webbing loop on the exterior bottom of this pocket that's ready to accept a flashlight — highly recommended if you ride a bicycle or walk in the dark.

Main Compartment

The main compartment is designed to fit large, flat items like notebooks or laptops — it closes with a #10 YKK® Racquet-Coil zipper. It has two O-rings for you to attach Organizer Pouches or Key Straps or tether other items. Four unobtrusive webbing loops can also secure the Cache. The remaining space in the main compartment opens wide.

Interior Banded Open-Top Pocket

Also inside the main compartment is an elastic-topped, open-top pocket. It's suitable for storing a few books, an extra pair of shoes, a Size 2 Handy Little Thing, or a Tri-Star Medium Packing Cube. Some sizes of the Cache will also fit inside this pocket.

 

Breathable Back Panel

The back panel of the Synapse 25 is padded with 1/4", high quality, closed cell-foam with an exterior of Spacer mesh and 210 denier nylon. This combination of mesh and smooth nylon is designed to provide maximum breathability while still being gentle on your clothing.

Included Removable Sternum Strap + Waist Strap

As with all of our major backpacks, we include adjustable and removable sternum and waist straps: if you don't like or don't use your waist or sternum strap, remove them and leave (almost) nothing behind. There's also an optional 1" Padded Hip Belt.

Edgeless Straps

Conformity is overrated — except, perhaps, when it comes to shoulder straps. The edgelessness of this new strap allows it to more softly conform to your shoulder — we (and most people who have worn these straps) find that this increases comfort. Yet the straps aren't too soft: the 1/2" thick EVAZOTE® OEKO-TEX® certified foam means the strap is robust enough to carry a heavy load.

Durable Materials + Expert Construction

No bag lasts forever, but choosing the best and most durable materials and taking care not to abuse it (no washing machine or dryer!) can help a quality bag serve most people well (with maybe a repair or two) for up to 10-20 years.

For the interior lining of the Synapse 25, we offer variations in 200d Halcyon or 210d Cerylon, both ultra-lightweight and ultra-tough. They have been abrasion tested by both our fabric suppliers and our in-house lab. Conclusion? 200d Halcyon and 210d Cerylon are perhaps a bit overkill for a lining fabric, and you expect nothing less from us.

This bag requires significant skill to sew and construct; it's not just any sewing factory who can pull this off and do it well, it's ours, and it's because of the talent of our crew. They're the reason why our designs can be made in an ongoing practical fashion.

Materials

Exterior

bluesign® and OEKO-TEX® certified Ultralight 400d Halcyon/420d nylon ripstop
1000d Cordura nylon
630d Recycled nylon
— or —
bluesign® certified 525 denier High-Tenacity 2x2 Ballistic nylon

Interior

bluesign® and OEKO-TEX® certified 200 denier Halcyon/nylon ripstop
bluesign® certified 210 denier High-Tenacity 2x2 Ballistic nylon

Upper Back

Spacer Mesh

Lower Back

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

Back Pad

Closed-cell foam

Shoulder Straps

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

Racquet-Coil Zipper Bags

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

 

 

Specs

Dimensions

13.4" (w) x 20" (h) x 9.1" (d) / 340 (w) x 508 (h) x 230 (d) mm

Weight

400d Halcyon/420d nylon ripstop: 1 lb 13 oz / 822 grams
X-Pac®: 1 lb 13.1 oz / 825 grams
630d Recycled: 1 lb 13.2 oz / 827 grams
525d Ballistic: 1 lb 15.8 oz / 900 grams
1000d Cordura: 2 lb 0.3 oz / 914 grams

Volume

25 liters / 1526 cubic inches (ASTM Standard Measure)

What's Included

1x 8-inch Black Webbing Snaphook/Snaphook Key Strap
1x Black Zipper Pulls w/ Plastic Ends (8-Pack)
1x Sternum Strap Assembly
1x Gatekeeper Waist Strap

Straps

.375" / 10 mm padded and contoured backpack straps with .75" / 20 mm removable sternum strap

Total O-Rings

9

(2 in the main compartment
1 in the top center pocket
1 in the small center pocket
3 in the bottom front pocket
1 in the left side pocket
1 in the right side pocket)

4.9
Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars
Based on 189 reviews
98%would recommend this product
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189 reviews
  • Caleb
    Bought For Myself
    Product Standouts Durable, Good Storage Size, Easily Adjustable, Versatile
    7 months ago
    Bought For Myself
    Product Standouts Durable, Good Storage Size, Easily Adjustable, Versatile
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Use 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…

    Was this helpful?
  • Steven S.
    Verified Buyer
    Bought For Myself
    Product Standouts Thoughtful Design, Comfortable, High Quality Craftsmanship, High Quality Finishings, Durable
    1 year ago
    Bought For Myself
    Product Standouts Thoughtful Design, Comfortable, High Quality Craftsmanship, High Quality Finishings, Durable
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    My 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.

    Was this helpful?
  • Blisscosity
    2 years ago
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    The 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.

    Was this helpful?
  • Corrine R.
    Verified Buyer
    Bought For Myself
    Product Standouts Thoughtful Design, High Quality Craftsmanship, Good Storage Size, Durable, Sewn in USA
    7 months ago
    Bought For Myself
    Product Standouts Thoughtful Design, High Quality Craftsmanship, Good Storage Size, Durable, Sewn in USA
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Love this bag!

    Black ballistic/island 200 Halcyon. Love this bag, it’s perfect for work, it holds all my paperwork needed to take from the office as well as my purse. I also have a grab bag and it fits perfectly in the front bottom pocket as well. I love the quality of the construction and it looks so great and it’s comfy to wear. I will be using this as my carry on bag for travel. I’m 5’2” and I feel it does not overwhelm my frame. I can tell I will use this for many years to come! Huge fan

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  • Nicholas
    2 years ago
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Favorite Backpack/EDC Ever

    I've owned the Synapse 25 for over 10 years, through classes, work, commute, the subway, carryon bag, hikes, the beach, hot and cold climates in both the NE and SW. It's just a wonderfully no nonsense, incredibly well built product. I love it so much, in fact, that I'm preparing to order another one and keep the current one around as a backup/diaper bag. Can't wait for the Black Ballistic to enter production again!

    Was this helpful?
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Sewn in Seattle

Our bags are designed and sewn right here in Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.

That allows us to be control freaks in the best way possible; we have direct control and oversight of the quality of our materials, our products, and the jobs and working environment that we help create. It also offers us a unique spontaneity: when we have an idea for a new product or accessory, we can design it, figure out how to build it, add it to our website and be ready to ship it out our front door all within just a few weeks. How cool is that?

Intrigued? You can find out more about the unusual way we do business on our Company Philosophy page.

THE BIHN Guarantee

Everything you buy from us here at TOM BIHN is satisfaction guaranteed. We’ve been in business since 1972 and we stand behind what we make.

If something goes wrong and it's our fault, we'll fix it for free. Repairs due to normal wear and tear or due to other things that are not our fault will be performed, when possible, at a reasonable charge right here in our Seattle factory where your bag was made. Defects in materials or workmanship are uncommon and almost always evident while the product is still new. Keep in mind that bags and packs are often subject to extreme wear in everyday use: do not expect them to last forever. Only true love lasts forever! You can expect a TOM BIHN product to give years and years of hard service.

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