Hi everyone!
After doing a lot of research into backpacks and spending a fair amount of time browsing this forum, I've tentatively decided the Synapse 19 sounds like a good fit for me. I have a fairly specific use case scenario, and I live in Australia which will mean horrendous shipping costs, so I want to be sure it will meet my needs. With that in mind, I was hoping you guys could give me some advice.
Firstly, my situation. I'm blind (hence the many questions, as I can't use pictures or comparison videos to get a goode idea of dimensions etc). I use a white cane, which when folded up basically resembles a bundle of sticks slightly more than a foot long. I need a bag with a compartment suitable for stowing this when not in use. Bottle pockets generally work well for this - it sticks out the top so it's easily accessible and the tip which has contact with the ground doesn't touch anything in the bag - but only if they're relatively narrow, deep, and made of strong material so the cane won't poke holes in them over time. Would either the dedicated centre bottle pocket or the side pockets of the Synapse be suitable? And if I use the centre pocket, would the Cane obstruct access to the main compartment?
Secondly, fit and load. I intend to use the Synapse mostly for commuting. I would typically carry either a surface 3 or 13 inch laptop, braille notetaker (slightly narrower and thicker than a large paperback book), cardigan or jumper, waterbottle and occasionally coffee flask, umbrella, battery pack, two phones, some cables, wallet, a few sets of earbuds, keys, snacks and sometimes a takeaway box of food. I'm female, about 5'1, in the vicinity of 105 lbs and have a very narrow frame. As I'm conscious of weight and bulk, is the Synapse 19 overkill for this and should I find a smaller bag? I'm currently using a Topo rover pack, which I find slightly too long at 18 inches. I would occasionally use it for an overnight trip or as a carry-on, but never as my only peace of luggage for extended travel. I looked at the daylight, but the lack of padding in the shoulder straps turned me off.
Thirdly, accessorising. I intend to purchase some extras e.g. organiser pouches, a cache or two, packing cubes etc. Excluding larger items such as the snake charmer and side effect, do the pouches hang vertically or horizontally when clipped to the o-rings? Regarding the cache, how easy is it to take a laptop out of the bag without removing the cache with it? Is there another solution for affixing a sleeve to the bag without using the rail system? Also, are the shoulderstraps of the Synapse wide enough to feasibly sew on some sort of mesh pocket for my phone? Also, does anyone have any ideas for attachable smell proof pouches? I currently keep a tin of mints and a case containing some spare earbuds in the same compartment of my bag, and now the earbuds smell minty haha.
Lastly, styling. I'm currently at university, but I'm wondering how the synapse would go down as an office bag. Which material would be better suited to this? I'm aware this is a matter of opinion/taste, there are probably gendered double standards and the jury's still out on whether it's even acceptable to wear a backpack to work. Using a cane with one hand and carrying a briefcase in the other sounds pretty miserable though, so it would be great to avoid that.
Wow, just realised how many questions that was. Any insights would be greatly appreciated!
After doing a lot of research into backpacks and spending a fair amount of time browsing this forum, I've tentatively decided the Synapse 19 sounds like a good fit for me. I have a fairly specific use case scenario, and I live in Australia which will mean horrendous shipping costs, so I want to be sure it will meet my needs. With that in mind, I was hoping you guys could give me some advice.
Firstly, my situation. I'm blind (hence the many questions, as I can't use pictures or comparison videos to get a goode idea of dimensions etc). I use a white cane, which when folded up basically resembles a bundle of sticks slightly more than a foot long. I need a bag with a compartment suitable for stowing this when not in use. Bottle pockets generally work well for this - it sticks out the top so it's easily accessible and the tip which has contact with the ground doesn't touch anything in the bag - but only if they're relatively narrow, deep, and made of strong material so the cane won't poke holes in them over time. Would either the dedicated centre bottle pocket or the side pockets of the Synapse be suitable? And if I use the centre pocket, would the Cane obstruct access to the main compartment?
Secondly, fit and load. I intend to use the Synapse mostly for commuting. I would typically carry either a surface 3 or 13 inch laptop, braille notetaker (slightly narrower and thicker than a large paperback book), cardigan or jumper, waterbottle and occasionally coffee flask, umbrella, battery pack, two phones, some cables, wallet, a few sets of earbuds, keys, snacks and sometimes a takeaway box of food. I'm female, about 5'1, in the vicinity of 105 lbs and have a very narrow frame. As I'm conscious of weight and bulk, is the Synapse 19 overkill for this and should I find a smaller bag? I'm currently using a Topo rover pack, which I find slightly too long at 18 inches. I would occasionally use it for an overnight trip or as a carry-on, but never as my only peace of luggage for extended travel. I looked at the daylight, but the lack of padding in the shoulder straps turned me off.
Thirdly, accessorising. I intend to purchase some extras e.g. organiser pouches, a cache or two, packing cubes etc. Excluding larger items such as the snake charmer and side effect, do the pouches hang vertically or horizontally when clipped to the o-rings? Regarding the cache, how easy is it to take a laptop out of the bag without removing the cache with it? Is there another solution for affixing a sleeve to the bag without using the rail system? Also, are the shoulderstraps of the Synapse wide enough to feasibly sew on some sort of mesh pocket for my phone? Also, does anyone have any ideas for attachable smell proof pouches? I currently keep a tin of mints and a case containing some spare earbuds in the same compartment of my bag, and now the earbuds smell minty haha.
Lastly, styling. I'm currently at university, but I'm wondering how the synapse would go down as an office bag. Which material would be better suited to this? I'm aware this is a matter of opinion/taste, there are probably gendered double standards and the jury's still out on whether it's even acceptable to wear a backpack to work. Using a cane with one hand and carrying a briefcase in the other sounds pretty miserable though, so it would be great to avoid that.
Wow, just realised how many questions that was. Any insights would be greatly appreciated!
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