For those watching this review these days, the straps on the Synapses are now the 1/2" thick edgeless too.

Just for anyone else searching around maybe I can just provide extra info. I bought all three bags - Synik 22, Synapse 25 and Synik 30. I am 5'8" and female. The Synik 30 was just too big on me to justify the extra 5L - it was about about ~.5cm wider on my back on either side. I don't carry a laptop and I didn't like the clamshell opening as much as I thought. I wanted to carry more the Synik 22 allowed even though the size was just a little more appropriate on my back than the Synapse 25. I ended up choosing the Synapse 25 - it was a better balance to what I wanted to carry for travel and size/appearance on my back and I don't carry a laptop and don't 1 bag travel. (2 bags usually).

like the thoroughness of the review!

I have both of these bags. The Synapse is a great EDC bag. The Synik is my go-to travel bag for all flight travel, even international.

I’ve been a TB user for 12 years and have 9 main bags. The smaller Synik would be great, but my Founder’s Briefcase is still in perfect working order even after three years of everyday use. Slick aka Fat Crip

Great Review! The only thing you missed is the weight difference between both bags.

Hi, I am debating between these two. I will use it as mainly EDC and occasional travel (but not exclusive one bagging). My biggest concern with the Synapse 25 is if the bag is "droopy" or lacks form. EDC I carry a laptop which might give me structure in the Synapse however when I travel I only take a tablet and don't want a soft bag which constantly have things poking me in the back. However I don't know how bad it really is. There are bags without a frame or so but are not droopy and super shapeless soft.... what are your thoughts? I'm a boxy 5'6 female.

I don’t really like the clamshell opening as i feel it takes the edge of a backpack and makes it feel like a suitcase. I think i prefer the synapse more for it’s size and looks especially for EDC

The full zip is convenient but I don't think it's automatically an advantage . I have a Brain Bag from many, many, many years ago , back when snap in monoliths were a thing, one of the zippers failed in the middle of a trip. That bag doesn't have a full zip and it has compression straps so I was able to make do until I got home. In the Synik everything depends on that zipper, everything . I have no plans to replace my Synapse.

Still pissed I missed the pre orders for the Guides Edition of the Synik.

If you don't have either bag, would you wait for the Synik or would you get the Synapse? (I just don't want to wait that long for a bag)

I never liked the Synapse 25 because wasn't a clamshell opening. Now with the Synik 30 my issue is that it may be a little big for me and i don't think it will work as an EDC. What do you think of the Synik 22? Could i fit the same stuff in a Synapse 25 and in a Synik 22? Great review

Thanks for the comparison, I have a lot of Tom Bihn's bag incl the Brain Bag since high school and they're still going strong even after round the world trip. Def won't be selling my Synapse but I can't really see Tom will produce the Synapse for the long term, they're just too much alike and I don't see any advantage in having a Synapse over the Synik. And for those who love Tom Bihn's product, price prob won't be a major determining factor.

What is the material of the synapse and synik in this video? They look different. If they are, which material do you prefer and why?

I have backpack overload haha. It seems this brand is the Rolls Royce. Every review I see though never mentions "school". I am wanting for my son who is starting college. He will carry books and laptop primarily. These seem more for clothing or office, true?

You measure a 25L bag and seem surprised when a 30L bag is bigger... I'm confused. A lot of people that use it for travel a lot will love that it clam-shells... when you're in a hurry and don't have much space to work with you won't like it... I do have a bag now that clam-shells and I don't use it as an EDC simply because it does clam-shell...and I have done the "don't zip it all the way open" thingy, and most times it doesn't work.

Is it water resistant....? Snow... rain....

Deems like a great bag but I won't buy one that does not come with the load bearing waist belt unless its 20liters or less I would put the suspension system on my vanquest. Ibex 35 aganist any back pack on earth!!

i respect the fact that you're not going to sell a gift that you received. even if it's a pair of socks i would never sell something somebody gave me as a gift

there is no L in the word BOTH

Always funny to me how everyone likes to throw in the word "aesthetics", when "looks" suffices. Great review though. Truly great. (I'm a dick).

what does tom bihn have against watter bottle pockets, non of their backpacks have them. the location of the water bottle compartment in this backback is f stupid, only fits one and takes space in the backpack. why didn't they just use normal water bottle pockets like everybody else