What Goes Into A Tom Bihn Backpack?
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Synapse 19 -
Synapse 25
Description
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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.
Bottom Loop, Built for More
Gear loops, built for the outdoors double as an extra handle– perfect for pulling out from under seats, overhead compartments, or anywhere your bag ends up.
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.
Bottom Loop, Built for More
Gear loops, built for the outdoors double as an extra handle– perfect for pulling out from under seats, overhead compartments, or anywhere your bag ends up.
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.
Bottom Loop, Built for More
Gear loops, built for the outdoors double as an extra handle– perfect for pulling out from under seats, overhead compartments, or anywhere your bag ends up.
Reviews
Total 5 star reviews: 363 Total 4 star reviews: 23 Total 3 star reviews: 5 Total 2 star reviews: 3 Total 1 star reviews: 1
395 reviews
- CCalebBought For MyselfProduct Standouts Durable, Good Storage Size, Easily Adjustable, Versatile3 years agoBought For MyselfProduct Standouts Durable, Good Storage Size, Easily Adjustable, VersatileReviewingSynapse 25Rated 5 out of 5 starsUse 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…
- NNoahVerified BuyerBought For MyselfProduct Standouts Thoughtful Design, Comfortable, High Quality Craftsmanship, Made in USA, High Quality Finishings3 years agoBought For MyselfProduct Standouts Thoughtful Design, Comfortable, High Quality Craftsmanship, Made in USA, High Quality FinishingsReviewingSynapse 25Rated 5 out of 5 starsYou 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 BuyerBought For MyselfProduct Standouts Thoughtful Design, Comfortable, High Quality Craftsmanship, High Quality Finishings, Durable3 years agoBought For MyselfProduct Standouts Thoughtful Design, Comfortable, High Quality Craftsmanship, High Quality Finishings, DurableReviewingSynapse 25Rated 5 out of 5 starsMy 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.
- BBlisscosity5 years agoReviewingSynapse 25Rated 5 out of 5 starsThe 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.
- CRCorrine R.Verified BuyerBought For MyselfProduct Standouts Thoughtful Design, High Quality Craftsmanship, Good Storage Size, Durable, Sewn in USA3 years agoBought For MyselfProduct Standouts Thoughtful Design, High Quality Craftsmanship, Good Storage Size, Durable, Sewn in USAReviewingSynapse 25Rated 5 out of 5 starsLove 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
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.