The Synapse 25 in Black X-Pac with a colorful label
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Synapse 25

4.9
Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars
4.9 Stars (357 Reviews)

$255.00

Color: Black X-Pac®/Northwest Sky 200 Halcyon

In Stock

Available Color options

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

25 liters / 1526 cu.in.

Looking for the Synapse 19, Synik 22, or Synik 30?
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$52.00 - 10A (2021 iPad/ iPad Air/Pro 10.5")
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Thumbnail for a comparison video for the Synapse 19 and Synapse 25. Thumbnail for a video showcasing the features of the Synapse 25.

01.

TLDR

With 30% more volume than the Synapse 19, the Synapse 25 is an everyday backpack 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 5'6" and 6'6" comfortably

02.

Full Description

 

Main Compartment

The main compartment closes with #10 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 is a set of Cache lops where you can secure a device as large as the 16" Macbook Pro in a Cache. 

On the back interior side of the main compartment are an additional set of Cache loops and two O-rings for tethering additional pouches.

5 Front Exterior Organizational Pockets

The Synapse 25 has an abundant amount of organization for your everyday essentials, big and small. The exterior of the bag has five pockets with independent volume, meaning that the pockets are designed and patterned in such a way that they don't steal space from 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 water 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 2 Handy Little Thing here. 

Each of the top four pockets has its own O-ring, and the bottom pocket has three 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 to 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 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.

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 or 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 2 Handy Little Thing (HLT)

You can attach a Size 2 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 25. 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. Once 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 25/Synik 30 Freudian Slip adds an additional fifteen 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 four open-top pockets for a small tablet in a Cache or a notebook. The other side has two mesh pockets for bulky items, two large zippered pockets, four pen slots, and a business card slot.

Cache

The Synapse 25 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 #10 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 is a set of Cache lops where you can secure a device as large as the 16" Macbook Pro in a Cache. 

On the back interior side of the main compartment are an additional set of Cache loops and two O-rings for tethering additional pouches.

The Synapse 25 has an abundant amount of organization for your everyday essentials, big and small. The exterior of the bag has five pockets with independent volume, meaning that the pockets are designed and patterned in such a way that they don't steal space from 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 water 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 2 Handy Little Thing here. 

Each of the top four pockets has its own O-ring, and the bottom pocket has three 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 to 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 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.

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 or 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 2 Handy Little Thing (HLT)

You can attach a Size 2 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 25. 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. Once 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 25/Synik 30 Freudian Slip adds an additional fifteen 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 four open-top pockets for a small tablet in a Cache or a notebook. The other side has two mesh pockets for bulky items, two large zippered pockets, four pen slots, and a business card slot.

Cache

The Synapse 25 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.

03.

Materials

Exterior

bluesign® and OEKO-TEX® certified Ultralight 400 denier Halcyon
— or —
bluesign® certified 630 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)

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)

04.

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 Ballistic: 1 lb 15.8 oz / 900 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 357 reviews
97%would recommend this product
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357 reviews
  • LAURA S.
    Verified Buyer
    Bought For Myself
    Product Standouts Thoughtful Design, Comfortable, Good Storage Size, Versatile, Durable
    4 days ago
    Bought For Myself
    Product Standouts Thoughtful Design, Comfortable, Good Storage Size, Versatile, Durable
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Perfect backpack

    I have been searching for a well organized bag that can handle the times I need to bring a lot along, but doesn't look silly when I just need a couple things. I feel like this bag is finally it. The organizational sections are perfect. I have a place for my daughter to stash her colored pencils, snacks, and fidgets on one side, a place for my needs on the other, a pocket big enough to always have a small knitting project on hand to pull out when we unexpectedly stop at the park, and plenty of room in the main compartment for everything else.

    I especially love the design of the internal pocket. It is roomy enough to act as a divider for the storage area, but also perfect for stowing a laptop (without all the padding that makes many bags bulky).

    The straps and back padding are also super soft and comfortable, which is not something I even know I was looking for in a bag, but it is a sensual pleasure to wear.

    All in all, very happy with this backpack.

    Was this helpful?
  • Carolyn H.
    Verified Buyer
    Bought For Myself
    Product Standouts High Quality Craftsmanship, Versatile, Good Storage Size, Sewn in USA
    2 weeks ago
    Bought For Myself
    Product Standouts High Quality Craftsmanship, Versatile, Good Storage Size, Sewn in USA
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Perfect backpack!

    I love this! I've have a hard time finding the right travel backpack for me. It's big enough to carry exactly what I want on a long haul flight, but not so huge I can't comfortably carry it. I'm not an ultralight packer, and usually check a medium bag, but I also don't carry more than 1 thing on the plane for comfort and ease. I love thus backpack!

    Was this helpful?
  • Philip M.
    Verified Buyer
    Bought For Myself
    Product Standouts Thoughtful Design, Comfortable, High Quality Craftsmanship, High Quality Finishings, Easily Adjustable
    4 weeks ago
    Bought For Myself
    Product Standouts Thoughtful Design, Comfortable, High Quality Craftsmanship, High Quality Finishings, Easily Adjustable
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Perfection

    The Synapse 25 was an upgrade over my previous , smaller Synapse and I absolutely love it. We had a trip to Hawaii so I gave this a good indoctrination and it was the perfect companion…along with my wife of course! 😊

    I highly recommend this.

    Was this helpful?
  • Carolyn M.
    Verified Buyer
    Bought For Myself
    Product Standouts Thoughtful Design, Comfortable, High Quality Craftsmanship, Easily Adjustable, Sewn in USA
    1 month ago
    Bought For Myself
    Product Standouts Thoughtful Design, Comfortable, High Quality Craftsmanship, Easily Adjustable, Sewn in USA
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    such a smart backpack!

    Like many of the reviewers here, I am forever searching, SEARCHING, for the right backpack. This is it! Big enough to not have to smush everything in there, but small enough to not overpack and make it too heavy. The structure is so fascinating, the external pockets internalized so the external form remains the same. Centering the water bottle pocket is so smart for weight and positioning. It seemed at first to have too many compartments, but I need each one and each is so smartly laid out - or rather in. I can fit my large Fuji GFX camera cube in the bottom of the main compartment then put everything else I need on top and in the other pockets.

    It wears very comfortably. And top score for not falling over when you put it down. It sits up nicely, like a willing pup ready to accompany you on the adventure. Also, it is very well made!

    Was this helpful?
  • Landon H.
    Verified Buyer
    Bought For Myself
    Product Standouts Easily Adjustable, Comfortable, Sewn in USA, High Quality Craftsmanship, Good Storage Size
    1 month ago
    Bought For Myself
    Product Standouts Easily Adjustable, Comfortable, Sewn in USA, High Quality Craftsmanship, Good Storage Size
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Solid

    I got this bag for travel and commuting to the office. It holds everything I need, has plenty of extra space and it barely feels like I’m wearing it. High quality materials and made in the US are a big plus for me. Highly recommend.

    Was this helpful?
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05.

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.

06.

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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