TLDR
The Synapse 19 is the supreme backpack for everyday carry, ultralight travel, or a day hike. The original of the Syn- backpacks, the Synapse 19 was designed with ultimate utility in mind:
- Main compartment with 2 O-rings
- Interior, banded open-top pocket
- 5 exterior front pockets with independent volume
- Comfortable, durable, edgeless shoulder straps
- Breathable back panel
- Removable sternum strap and waist strap
- Webbing loop on exterior bottom of bag to hook items on the outside
- Meets the personal item size requirement on most airlines
- Generally fits folks between 5' and 5'10" comfortably
For a larger version, check out the Synapse 25.
Full Description
Main Compartment
The main compartment closes with #8 YKK® Racquet-Coil zipper and is designed to fit large, flat items like notebooks. On the front interior side of the main compartment, there is a banded open-top pocket. It's spacious enough to fit a wide range of items, such as books, tablet, pair of sandals, or our Clear 3D Organizer Cube. Above this open-top pocket are two O-rings for you to attach our Mystery Pouches or Ghost Whale Organizer Pouches. Between the two O-rings is a set of Cache loops where you can secure a device as large as the 13" Macbook Pro in a Cache. All these tethered items can be stored inside the open-top pocket too, if you want.
5 Front Exterior Organizational Pockets
The Synapse 19 has an abundant amount of organization for your everyday essentials, big and small: the exterior of the bag has five pockets with independent volume. The pockets are designed and patterned in such a way that they don't steal space for each other and they look good (not too caved in, not too bulgy) whether full or empty.
The water bottle pocket is intentionally centered in the bag, allowing one of the heavier objects in your bag to be balanced in the middle, resulting in a more comfortable carrying experience while maintaining a clean, straight-forward exterior aesthetic. We've found that most standard 32 oz / 1 liter bottles can comfortably fit in the water bottle pocket.
Below the opening for the water bottle pocket is another small zippered pocket that is 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 Travel Stuff Sack. The right side pocket has a small organizational pocket; the left pocket has one pen slot and two wider slots for tools or more pens.
The bottom pocket is a great spot for extra clothing or snacks and will easily accommodate a thin sweater, light down jacket, or Windbreaker-type jacket. If you care to add organization, we recommend storing a Size 1 Handy Little Thing here.
Each of the top four pockets has its own O-ring, and the bottom pocket has two O-rings. You can use them to attach our mini or small Ghost Whale Organizer Pouches or Mystery Organizer Pouches.
Edgeless EV50 1/2" Shoulder Strap
Conformity is overrated — except, perhaps, when it comes to shoulder straps. The edgelessness of this strap allows it the more softly conform to your shoulder; we find that this increases comfort. Yet the straps aren't too soft: the 1/2" thick foam means the strap is robust enough to carry a heavy load.
There's enough length on the shoulder straps to accommodate a wide range of body types. If you need to tighten the straps to the maximum amount, don't worry about having dangling ends — we've included sewn-in strap keepers to help keep those at bay.
Breathable Back Panel
The back panel of the Synapse 19 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.
Webbing Loop on Exterior Bottom
On the exterior bottom of the bag is a 1.5" / 38mm webbing loop. Originally, the Synapse was designed for hiking, so the intended use of the webbing loop was for hooking on a flashlight (highly recommended if you ride a bicycle or walk in the dark). If you're planning on using the Synapse for travel, we've found the webbing loop serves as an extra grab handle, allowing you to easily pull the Synapse from under the seat of the overhead compartment no matter which direction you stowed it on your flight.
What's Included
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!
8" Snaphook/Snaphook Key Strap
As with most of our bags, we've included a key strap. 8" long from tip-to-tip, a snaphook on either end. Good for attaching your keys to.
A Set of Black Zipper Pulls
A set of pulls to extend or replace your metal pulls.
What's Optional
Size 1 Handy Little Thing (HLT)
You can attach a Size 1 Handy Little Thing (HLT) to the pair of Cache loops above the open-top pocket, or you can store the HLT in the bottom front pocket of the Synapse 19. It is the perfect clamshell organizer pouch for those looking for a lot of organization.
Packing Cube Shoulder Bag
The Packing Cube Shoulder Bag is the perfect 2-in-1 packing cube. It's big enough to store rolled up shirts. One you reach your destination, attach a shoulder strap and use it as a crossbody.
Freudian Slip
Love organizing and want even more pockets? The Synapse 19/Synik 22 Freudian Slip adds an additional ten organizational pockets to your bag. One side of the Freudian Slip has two folder pockets that can fit folders/papers horizontally or vertically, as well as three open-top pockets for a small tablet in a Cache or a notebook. The other side has two mesh pockets for bulky items, two pen slots, and a business card slot.
Cache
The Synapse 19 can accommodate a wide range of devices. If you plan on putting a laptop or smaller tablet in the interior banded open-top pocket, we recommend adding a Cache.
The main compartment closes with #8 YKK® Racquet-Coil zipper and is designed to fit large, flat items like notebooks. On the front interior side of the main compartment, there is a banded open-top pocket. It's spacious enough to fit a wide range of items, such as books, tablet, pair of sandals, or our Clear 3D Organizer Cube. Above this open-top pocket are two O-rings for you to attach our Mystery Pouches or Ghost Whale Organizer Pouches. Between the two O-rings is a set of Cache loops where you can secure a device as large as the 13" Macbook Pro in a Cache. All these tethered items can be stored inside the open-top pocket too, if you want.
The Synapse 19 has an abundant amount of organization for your everyday essentials, big and small: the exterior of the bag has five pockets with independent volume. The pockets are designed and patterned in such a way that they don't steal space for each other and they look good (not too caved in, not too bulgy) whether full or empty.
The water bottle pocket is intentionally centered in the bag, allowing one of the heavier objects in your bag to be balanced in the middle, resulting in a more comfortable carrying experience while maintaining a clean, straight-forward exterior aesthetic. We've found that most standard 32 oz / 1 liter bottles can comfortably fit in the water bottle pocket.
Below the opening for the water bottle pocket is another small zippered pocket that is 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 Travel Stuff Sack. The right side pocket has a small organizational pocket; the left pocket has one pen slot and two wider slots for tools or more pens.
The bottom pocket is a great spot for extra clothing or snacks and will easily accommodate a thin sweater, light down jacket, or Windbreaker-type jacket. If you care to add organization, we recommend storing a Size 1 Handy Little Thing here.
Each of the top four pockets has its own O-ring, and the bottom pocket has two O-rings. You can use them to attach our mini or small Ghost Whale Organizer Pouches or Mystery Organizer Pouches.
Conformity is overrated — except, perhaps, when it comes to shoulder straps. The edgelessness of this strap allows it the more softly conform to your shoulder; we find that this increases comfort. Yet the straps aren't too soft: the 1/2" thick foam means the strap is robust enough to carry a heavy load.
There's enough length on the shoulder straps to accommodate a wide range of body types. If you need to tighten the straps to the maximum amount, don't worry about having dangling ends — we've included sewn-in strap keepers to help keep those at bay.
The back panel of the Synapse 19 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.
On the exterior bottom of the bag is a 1.5" / 38mm webbing loop. Originally, the Synapse was designed for hiking, so the intended use of the webbing loop was for hooking on a flashlight (highly recommended if you ride a bicycle or walk in the dark). If you're planning on using the Synapse for travel, we've found the webbing loop serves as an extra grab handle, allowing you to easily pull the Synapse from under the seat of the overhead compartment no matter which direction you stowed it on your flight.
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!
8" Snaphook/Snaphook Key Strap
As with most of our bags, we've included a key strap. 8" long from tip-to-tip, a snaphook on either end. Good for attaching your keys to.
A Set of Black Zipper Pulls
A set of pulls to extend or replace your metal pulls.
Size 1 Handy Little Thing (HLT)
You can attach a Size 1 Handy Little Thing (HLT) to the pair of Cache loops above the open-top pocket, or you can store the HLT in the bottom front pocket of the Synapse 19. It is the perfect clamshell organizer pouch for those looking for a lot of organization.
Packing Cube Shoulder Bag
The Packing Cube Shoulder Bag is the perfect 2-in-1 packing cube. It's big enough to store rolled up shirts. One you reach your destination, attach a shoulder strap and use it as a crossbody.
Freudian Slip
Love organizing and want even more pockets? The Synapse 19/Synik 22 Freudian Slip adds an additional ten organizational pockets to your bag. One side of the Freudian Slip has two folder pockets that can fit folders/papers horizontally or vertically, as well as three open-top pockets for a small tablet in a Cache or a notebook. The other side has two mesh pockets for bulky items, two pen slots, and a business card slot.
Cache
The Synapse 19 can accommodate a wide range of devices. If you plan on putting a laptop or smaller tablet in the interior banded open-top pocket, we recommend adding a Cache.
Still Have Questions?
- emailus@tombihn.com
- Call 1-800-729-9607
- Ask in our Forums
Materials
Exterior
bluesign® and OEKO-TEX® certified Ultralight 400d Halcyon
— or —
bluesign® certified 630d High-Tenacity 2x2 Ballistic nylon
Interior
bluesign® and OEKO-TEX® certified 200d Halcyon/ ripstop nylon
— or —
bluesign® certified 210d Cerylon 6,6 Ripstop nylon
Upper Back
Back Pad
Closed-cell foam
Zippers
Specs
Dimensions
11.4" (w) x 16" (h) x 7.9" (d) / 290 (w) x 410 (h) x 200 (d) mm
Weight
X-Pac®: 1 lb 8.5 oz / 695 grams
400d Halcyon/420d nylon ripstop: 1 lb 9 oz / 708 grams
630d Hight Tenacity Ballistic: 1 lb 11 oz / 752 grams
Volume
19 liters / 1160 cubic inches (ASTM Standard Measure)
Total O-Rings
8 (2 in the main compartment; 1 in the top center pocket, 1 in the small center pocket, 2 in the bottom front pocket; 1 in the left front pocket; 1 in the right front pocket)
- John S.Verified BuyerBought For MyselfProduct Standouts High Quality Craftsmanship, Thoughtful Design, Comfortable2 weeks agoBought For MyselfProduct Standouts High Quality Craftsmanship, Thoughtful Design, ComfortableRated 5 out of 5 starsGreat Bag!
This bag worked perfect for a recent trip to Japan! Plenty of exterior pockets to organize all my gear. Added some yellow zipper pulls for a splash of color. Highly recommended!
Was this helpful? - Paul M.Verified BuyerBought For MyselfProduct Standouts Thoughtful Design, Comfortable, High Quality Craftsmanship, Compact, High Quality Finishings3 months agoBought For MyselfProduct Standouts Thoughtful Design, Comfortable, High Quality Craftsmanship, Compact, High Quality FinishingsRated 5 out of 5 starsGreat Quality.
This is my second backpack from Tom Bihn this synapse 19 is my EDC backpack. Great build quality and so much space for a small backpack. I really like it. I would definitely recommend it.
Was this helpful? - Brittany H.Verified BuyerBought For MyselfProduct Standouts Thoughtful Design, Comfortable, High Quality Craftsmanship, Compact, Durable4 months agoBought For MyselfProduct Standouts Thoughtful Design, Comfortable, High Quality Craftsmanship, Compact, DurableRated 5 out of 5 starsThe Best Bag I’ve Owned
I’m a bag geek…. Whether it’s handbags, totes or backpacks. This one by far is my absolute favorite. I love the feel and sound of the material (because I have sensory issues) but the functionality of the bag is what blows me away! The pockets make carrying this backpack amazingly convenient and really maximizes the space in the bag. Immediately upon purchasing the bag I took it on a 5 day trip instead of a suitcase. It totally worked well and it’s a smaller option from Tom Bihn. I’d love to someday get a larger backpack from y’all! Anyway, I can’t say enough good things. I’m in love!
Was this helpful? - Aphinya X.Verified BuyerBought For MyselfProduct Standouts High Quality Craftsmanship, High Quality Finishings, Durable, Unique, Comfortable6 months agoBought For MyselfProduct Standouts High Quality Craftsmanship, High Quality Finishings, Durable, Unique, ComfortableRated 5 out of 5 starsA Somewhat Unconventional Review
I was initially drawn to this bag because of its overall look and honestly didn’t care at all about the functionality or craftsmanship everyone is always raving about. I am just obsessed with the way it looks!!! I love the 80s/90s dad aesthetic of the whole brand and coupled with the color combinations and expert materials I could just die. Perhaps I already did. I’ve never been a fan of the sleek modern minimalist tech hype beast look of most bags on the market these days so I was thrilled to have discovered TB a month ago. So thrilled I already have like 10 bags, a bunch of pouches, and a bleeding bank account. Probably not the most useful review but I wanted to offer an alternative perspective from someone who isn’t just obsessed with the TB’s legendary quality although it’s an added bonus for sure. Tom Bihn bags are not ugly idk why people keep saying that
Was this helpful? - Lissette N.Verified BuyerBought For MyselfProduct Standouts Thoughtful Design, High Quality Craftsmanship, Durable, Good Storage Size6 months agoBought For MyselfProduct Standouts Thoughtful Design, High Quality Craftsmanship, Durable, Good Storage SizeRated 5 out of 5 starsThe BEST little partner!
I’m a flight attendant with a major airline and have chosen this bag to be my “tote” and I couldn’t be happier!! This 19L fits all my quick grab essentials for working and that included my 12 inch IPad! The compartments in front are so incredibly functional and take no space away from the large compartment of the bag. The quality is top notch and I truly foresee this bag being a part of my luggage setup for quite a long long time! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!
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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.