19? 25? 19? 19. 25? 25. 25! The Struggle is real!

[jcinverso]

Ha! Good point. I was curious because Tom Bihn's descriptions of each bag call out that the 25 would be less comfortable for people under 5'6". I just wanted to know what people's real-world experiences were. But you're right, there's no real reason it wouldn't work.

[ncb4]

Last night I set on the bed with pouches and stuff all around me (moving it all from one bag to another) and at the same time my husband and I where watching Castle. At one point he took an aubergine long keystrap and decorated is leg with it. Than he looked at me and asked: is that how you wold like me to dress up for you, so that I can get your attention?


(Do we share too much??? ;-) )

I first read your post hours ago, @Ilkyway, and I'm still laughing. Your husband knows you so well!

[kgm]

That was a great ineffable. I have been having the same debate for months. I am sure that the 25 is the best choice but I am 5'4" and worry that it will be too bulky. Does anyone here 5'4" or shorter have the 25? Do you think it's too big?

I'm 5'3" and have both the S19 and S25. I like both, but love the S25. I don't think it's too big for me at all. I used it as a personal item when flying and slid it under the seat in front of me.

[meekasmom]

ooof. I think the only way to resolve it (for me anyway) is to get both, and stand the cost of the return of the (loser). The trick is how NOT to keep both candidates, right?

[reeder]

That was a great ineffable. I have been having the same debate for months. I am sure that the 25 is the best choice but I am 5'4" and worry that it will be too bulky. Does anyone here 5'4" or shorter have the 25? Do you think it's too big?

I have the S19 (before S25 came out) and am 5 feet tall. I pack a lot of gadgets so S19 size encourages me to pack less and therefore stagger a bit less.

[meekasmom]

I want to carry knitting projects like sweaters in my backpack. Sweaters in progress tend to be bulky but light weight. After you put an 13" macbook pro in an S19 there is not too much more room to put in bulky items -- so then you are carrying two bags. Been there, done that. You can still add gadgets and pouches but not bulkier things like books/extra yarn. Hence the problem.

I wish the TB folks would issue or re-issue the much rumored cross body knitting bag replacement for the imago. Knitters are bag collectors by nature and I know there is pent up demand out there.

Darcy, are your ears burning?

[Ineffable]

ooof. I think the only way to resolve it (for me anyway) is to get both, and stand the cost of the return of the (loser). The trick is how NOT to keep both candidates, right?

I couldn't agree more with your logic here. Despite countless reviews here and elsewhere it took me playing with each bag to truly understand which best suited my needs.

Parting ways with the just-barely-not-ideal bag was very tough for me.

But it did open the window to replace it with a bag that may serve a different function

[taminca]

ooof. I think the only way to resolve it (for me anyway) is to get both, and stand the cost of the return of the (loser). The trick is how NOT to keep both candidates, right?

Danger! Danger, @meekasmom! The strategy of ordering multiple TB items with the intent of returning the one(s) I do not want has not been successful for me. That's how I ended up with my large TB collection -- not that I have any regrets!

[jcinverso]

ooof. I think the only way to resolve it (for me anyway) is to get both, and stand the cost of the return of the (loser). The trick is how NOT to keep both candidates, right?

I'm not sure I'd have the willpower to return one. :)

[jcinverso]

I'm 5'3" and have both the S19 and S25. I like both, but love the S25. I don't think it's too big for me at all. I used it as a personal item when flying and slid it under the seat in front of me.

Thank you. That's encouraging to hear.

[meekasmom]

THAT is exactly what I am afraid of....

is it just me or does the S19 just look awfully small? Maybe I am used to bigger backpacks that have too much room. what if I was forced to carry only what I need ( she shudders).

[dcmassena]

I have a S25 and I looked at a S19 in the factory/store today (I had to exchange an item). I think that given the amount of things I need to have with me on my daily commute the S19 would have been too small. I'd rather have it as I tend to like smaller backpacks, but I don't think it would work out. I'm probably going to save up and get one for weekend excursions and day trips.

The deal maker is that the snake charmer fits perfectly in the bottom front pocket of the S25. I practically live out of the snake charmer as it holds all my cords and misc gear. Plus my Macbook Pro (non-retina version) which is a pretty hefty laptop to carry in the S19.

[JLE]

ooof. I think the only way to resolve it (for me anyway) is to get both, and stand the cost of the return of the (loser). The trick is how NOT to keep both candidates, right?

That's what I told myself when, after many happy months with my S19 as my regular gym bag, I decided to order the S25. "Just to see" I told myself. "I can send it back" I told myself. Of course, it suited me not to acknowledge, for the purposes of that transaction, that since I live in Australia, it NEVER makes sense to send it back.....

My S19 and my S25 are very happy together! :)

[d.weglarz]

Guys, this thread is just awesome. I too have been obsessing over which size synapse to get. I am 5'11'', but tend to like a bit smaller bag for edc however I do carry a laptop around these days.
This thread has been very amusing. I laughed out loud once or twice, and my fiancé looked at me with a weird look. When I showed her this thread, she just laughed. You see, she giving me hell for dragging this decision out so bad. This is just what I needed. Thanks very much for taking the time to document your decisions also. Great help.

Dave

[Karlalphonso]

I'm in the same predicament as ineffable re: 19 v. 25. I don't generally carry a laptop around and my work items are usually a clipboard, files, binders, a fleece and other smaller items. The flip side is when I do travel I use my backpack and like to get a lot of stuff in it.
My question is: would the 25 be too large for items like that? Would they end up swimming in it on a daily basis?