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

[linh.n]

dunno how I miss this thread, but I ordered the 19 after debating... it technically would work, but I'm starting to think the 25 would just be far more versatile. Also, they sent me the wrong color, so it has to go back anyway, heh. My issue was I wanted to carry my camera daily, and the front bottom pocket is just a bit too small with padding added for my uses. Without padding, it'd work, but it'll bump up against the main compartment items too much as my daily (me: lunch in glass containers).

[Antonia]

Thank you for this! I went through the same dilemma back in the spring, and as I live in the UK and the postage/customs is extortionate, getting it right was essential. I decided that it was better to risk having a little too much room than not quite enough, so played it safe by ordering the Synapse 25 in navy/solar (all praise the genius who made a backpack with a yellow lining so you can actually see what's in the bag and not have to grope around in the dark!). Looking at your fantastic comparison, I think I made the right choice.

The Synapse 25 was on backorder, and when TB said it would be delayed a little more than expected, they even offered a free organiser pouch to compensate, so I got one of those - and while I was waiting of course I decided that I might as well add a bit more to the order and got a small organiser pouch that clips inside the outer pocket, a snake charmer bag for all those pesky charger cables, and the brilliant travel tray.

In the end, the Synapse 25 still arrived much sooner than TB estimated. I could immediately tell the difference between this backpack and the one I use for my daily commute. I'd put the Synapse in the 'luggage' category, as in both design and manufacturing quality, it's far and away better than a generic day pack. I'm delighted with all the items, and am taking them for their first outing to Edinburgh this weekend, so will get to field test it all! It's so beautiful I'm almost afraid to use it and get it dirty!

[Fever39]

lol... you called 6'0 average. DAMN i am short. jokes aside, for all potential buyers who are contemplating, I am 5'6 with a S19 and i think my height is the max you can go with S19, any taller is for S25. to encourage my friends to convert to Tom Bihn, i had various peers of mine "try" my bag and seems like everyone taller than me thought the bag was too short. as for same and shorter, loved it.

[meekasmom]

I have to say, it is a beautiful sculpted design. Remember this is a BACKPACK we are talking about. But its lines are fantastic. Even empty -- with piping it's not bad in dyneema. I did put a full water bottle in the center and the whole pack fell over on its face. Oops. Need to think about redistributing more weight in back (no laptop that time).

Parapack kept its shape always but the greenish hue of the steel color was off putting (to me). I have not seen cordura.

[Ineffable]

@Karlalphonso I've honestly found that most of the things I carry daily are relegated to the various front pockets. The large main compartment is mostly my "flex" space - there if I need it but usually mostly empty. With the cache on rails secured to the back panel of the main compartment that's the first thing my back feels and as a result, even with other loose things in the main compartment I have yet to notice them.

The only things in there for sure every day are the Large Double Organizer Pouch (holds letter sized papers and other loose things), my tablet case and the empty cache. The tablet case is slid inside the cache (mostly just because the space is readily available and begging to secure something) and the DOP is tucked inside the little pocket (I say little, it's pretty substantial - in fact, if I do have my laptop then the tablet case fits in this pocket beside the DOP).

@tpnl is dead on regarding the bag holding it's shape. This is doubly true if you smartly utilize those front pockets. They are what truly gives the bag its' shape.

[tpnl]

Concerning your question about how the S25 holds up when not complete filled, I agree [email protected] concerning the dyneema based on the pictures I have seen (I have the Cordura version). The dyneema version is a bit more floppy (and shows more bulges if it is filled). The Cordura holds up very well if not completely filled and is one of the reasons I like the S25.

IMHO, the design of the Synapse series is the best if you are looking for a backpack that keeps its shape even when not completely full. @Ineffable's first post really shows this in the side view picture. The configuration of the front pockets makes the front more structured and therefore does not allow the backpack to "slouch" much if not full - even with the Dyneema version.

Hope this helps

Cheers!

[meekasmom]

I found the only way to make a decision is to have both of them in house. Borrow one or two and try them both on side-by-side one after the other until you figure it out.

Also try it in different fabrics. I did not like parapack, cordura is out because of the pet fur factor, and dyneema is divine (flexible but also therefore floppy).

[Karlalphonso]

@Karlalphonso Welcome to the forums! I've carried my 25 daily since the review and am even more assured it was the right decision. I had to bring my laptop home over the weekend which was no problem with the extra space - something that would've resulted in a very tight squeeze in the 19.

Both the 19 and 25 have a pocket on the front of the main compartment, however on the 25 it's large enough for anything holding standard letter sized paper (e.g. a clipboard, probably a 1 - 1.5" notebook). I keep my 12" tablet inside a pretty thick padded case (it's shown in one of my pics) inside this pocket and it's perfect.

My plan is to use this as my sole companion on any 2-4 day trip. I don't have any TB packing cubes but I do have a plethora of Eagle Creek cubes. Along with everything but the laptop from my original post, I was able to fit:

• an Eagle Creek Full Cube (6 t shirts),
• Half Cube (6 pair boxers) - fits perfectly in the bottom pocket with enough room for a small stuff sack,
• Quarter Cube (6 pair socks),
• and a Medium Fold-It (4 shirts, 1 pair jeans, 1 jacket)

Granted this isn't a standard packing list, rather something to adequately fill the cubes. The backpack was stuffed to the gills but it fit and I didn't feel like the zippers were at risk of bursting.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]7895[/ATTACH]

Hope this helps!

Thanks ineffable,
It's your first paragraph that really did it for me - my concern with the 19 is primarily "will I be able to put more into the 19 that on the occasion that I do have that need" (ex. When flying/traveling). Of course more stuff is a broad term and I get that too.
Also, I'm curious to know how the 25 holds up when not completely filled? Does it feel like your stuff is moving around in there because it's just one large compartment?

[Ineffable]

@Karlalphonso Welcome to the forums! I've carried my 25 daily since the review and am even more assured it was the right decision. I had to bring my laptop home over the weekend which was no problem with the extra space - something that would've resulted in a very tight squeeze in the 19.

Both the 19 and 25 have a pocket on the front of the main compartment, however on the 25 it's large enough for anything holding standard letter sized paper (e.g. a clipboard, probably a 1 - 1.5" notebook). I keep my 12" tablet inside a pretty thick padded case (it's shown in one of my pics) inside this pocket and it's perfect.

My plan is to use this as my sole companion on any 2-4 day trip. I don't have any TB packing cubes but I do have a plethora of Eagle Creek cubes. Along with everything but the laptop from my original post, I was able to fit:

• an Eagle Creek Full Cube (6 t shirts),
• Half Cube (6 pair boxers) - fits perfectly in the bottom pocket with enough room for a small stuff sack,
• Quarter Cube (6 pair socks),
• and a Medium Fold-It (4 shirts, 1 pair jeans, 1 jacket)

Granted this isn't a standard packing list, rather something to adequately fill the cubes. The backpack was stuffed to the gills but it fit and I didn't feel like the zippers were at risk of bursting.



Hope this helps!

[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?

[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

[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! :)

[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.

[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).

[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.