Need advice....Synapse 25 or 19?

[d.weglarz]

Hey guys. This is going to be my first TB purchase, long awaited I might add. I have narrowed it down to the Synapse for my every day use, but trying to figure out which size would be better for me. I see a lot of pics, but none of them is easy to tell just how tall the person is.

I am 5'11", male, and thin to medium build. I don't want a very large bag, but will be putting my 13" macbook in it which I think both of them can handle?

Anyone feel like posting a pic of the 25 or 19, and including how tall you are? It would really help me out.
It seems the ratio of people going for the 25 vs 19 is pretty even. So, any advice or suggestions are very welcome also.

I am very excited to get my first TB bag. And yes, probably not my last, but for now I want something that will not look to big on my back, but at the same time I don't want to look like I have a kids pack on either. Anyways, pics with height would help if possible.

I will be using this bag for pretty much everything. During night school, my laptop and a book or two will be in it. Other times will probably be my laptop and other edc gear like my flashlight or two, knife, side arm, a sweater, and some miscellaneous stuff. But, Im sure both sizes will work for that. I do plan on using it for travel also, but unlike some of you guys who I envy, I will probably resort to buying something like the A30 or A45 for longer periods. The synapse will really be my laptop and everyday bag mostly.

Thanks guys for any help you can offer.

[tanderson9]

I recently tortured myself with this decision and ended up with both the 19 and 25. Well, technically my wife now has the 19.

I'm similar in build to you at 5'11" 170 lbs and the 19 felt a bit small for me, particularly the straps. Using the sternum straps helped quite a bit though. We took the 19 on a few afternoon excursions and overall liked its capacity.

My wife suggested I try the 25 so I ordered one and it arrived a week ago. I've been recuperating from a minor surgery so I haven't had a chance to do much with it yet but my initial impressions are quite favorable. It seems to fit me better and the extra capacity is noticeable and something that I like.

Here's a pic of the 25 and 19 together for comparison. Hope this helps.

EDIT: My wife commented that the 25 is a better look on me than the 19, which she said looked a little small. Since we have both, I may be able to get a few pics with them on if that would help.

[d.weglarz]

Hey, if you happen to get time for them on your back, yes it would sure help a lot. I can't tell you how much I would appreciate that.
I have seen a few pics with the two next to each other, but not wearing.
Thats great that you happen to be very similar to me body wise. Helps a lot. I really am debating getting the both of them and getting rid of the one I don't like, but just don't have the funds for that right now. Both those colors look so nice too!

Again, thanks very much for the help! Those pics of you wearing them would be just awesome whenever you get some time..



dave

[tanderson9]

Hey, if you happen to get time for them on your back, yes it would sure help a lot. I can't tell you how much I would appreciate that.
I have seen a few pics with the two next to each other, but not wearing.

Hey Dave, have a look. Apologies for the lower quality. Apparently, my backside-selfie game isn't that strong. Lol.

Tom

[luvdabags]

burnt orange and olive look awesome together, don't they?

[icebeng]

@tanderson9
There's a pretty big difference between the S19 and S25 in terms of how they look on you!
That being said, I don't think the S19 looks bad on you at all.
I noticed that both are adjusted to the same level at the base though, did you do that to make use of the waist straps?
I'm thinking the S19 might look better on you if you let it ride a little higher up.
And hope you have a full recovery soon!

[d.weglarz]

Tom thanks so much. This pic really helps a lot.
I have to agree though, the 19 doesn't look bad either on you.
Now j just gotta pick one and just order it...
And yes, I hope your recovery goes quick. I know how bad back pain is. I have been working full time with 2 slipped disks in my lower back that are also torturing my sciatic nerve. As soon as I get med insurance I am getting it fixed, but things have been rough lately. Usually after about 20 min of standing/walking, I need to sit to take the pressure off. But hopefully should get taken care of very soon now.
I do hope you feel better soon.

Thanks again for the help. I am very excited now for my first TB bag!

Dave


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[weirdguy]

Great Photo, Tom.

I realize that it is hard to find such photos which show a full length photo of one carrying/backpacking the bag. Perhaps, TB could add such photos to be part of their Official Product Page's Photo Preview in the near future.

Sent from •41Lumia via TPTalk

[Ginkgo]

Hi d.weglarz,

I own the Synapse 19, but not the 25. I do own a Smart Alec, which is comparable in length to the Synapse 25. My suggestion to you, would be to get the Synapse 25, and see how you like it. My hunch is that you will like it very much, it will look good on your 5'11" frame, and it will fit your needs very nicely (especially with the lists you indicated in your last paragraph.) If you think it's too big of a bag, you can always send it back and exchange for a Synapse 19.

I carry my entire day in my backpack. On weekdays, it's the Smart Alec. I sometimes find the Synapse 19 too small for my needs. I use it on weekends when I'm traveling light, or when I need to carry a small backpack while my arms are loaded down with other bags (from TB, of course!).

The Synapse 19 will be able to handle a 13" MacBook in a TB Cache, along some other items in the main compartment, like a book or two, cables, etc. It can actually hold a fair amount of stuff, but I'm a pack mule and I often carry a lot of bulky items, which I sometimes find to be a tight fit in my Synapse 19. (That's just my opinion; there are probably very efficient packers out there who can really pack the Synapse 19 to the gills!) The Synapse 19 looks fine on my back (I'm 5'4"), but my partner is 5'8" and thinks it looks too small for his frame, and he is medium build. If I were to decide to buy him his own TB EDC backpack, the Synapse 25 would be at the top of the list.

[tanderson9]

@tanderson9
There's a pretty big difference between the S19 and S25 in terms of how they look on you!
That being said, I don't think the S19 looks bad on you at all.
I noticed that both are adjusted to the same level at the base though, did you do that to make use of the waist straps?
I'm thinking the S19 might look better on you if you let it ride a little higher up.
And hope you have a full recovery soon!

Thanks! So far so good on the recovery. I should be getting back to work tomorrow.

I adjusted the straps so that the 19 would fit higher to match the 25 in the previous picture. Here's another pic showing and I think this one is a bit better. Also, they are both mostly empty here.

I agree that the 19 looks pretty good (especially in orange ) -- perhaps my wife just wanted it for herself after she saw it. Haha. I really like them both to be honest.

[icebeng]

I feel like a nag here, but......
Can I just remind you guys not to overload the S25 given that you're both injured?
Sometimes the comfort can be deceptive and you might end up hauling more weight than you really should.
ETA: applies to the S19 too, and all bags actually.

[tanderson9]

Tom thanks so much. This pic really helps a lot.
I have to agree though, the 19 doesn't look bad either on you.
Now j just gotta pick one and just order it...
And yes, I hope your recovery goes quick. I know how bad back pain is. I have been working full time with 2 slipped disks in my lower back that are also torturing my sciatic nerve. As soon as I get med insurance I am getting it fixed, but things have been rough lately. Usually after about 20 min of standing/walking, I need to sit to take the pressure off. But hopefully should get taken care of very soon now.
I do hope you feel better soon.

Thanks again for the help. I am very excited now for my first TB bag!

Dave


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Glad it was helpful. Thanks for the well wishes. Same to you with your back. It's no fun so hope you get some relief soon.

[tanderson9]

I feel like a nag here, but......
Can I just remind you guys not to overload the S25 given that you're both injured?
Sometimes the comfort can be deceptive and you might end up hauling more weight than you really should.
ETA: applies to the S19 too, and all bags actually.

Haha no worries there. Slow and easy for me for the next few weeks.

[d.weglarz]

Okay, thank you. I actually was not aware I could exchange it for the smaller one if it doesn't work for me. I was thinking I would have to sell it second hand, then use the funds for the other one. So, that is great news for sure. And, I hate to say it again, but I kinda like the look of the smaller size. I mean, it definitely doesn't look too small, but the larger one does seem to fit a 5'11" frame just a bit better I suppose. For my edc stuff, the 19 looks like it will be fine, but on the other days I need to carry a sweater or jacket, or when I get the time to travel a bit, I am pretty sure the 25 will be needed.
Oh man, this is turning out to be a hard decision. At least I now know I can always send it back! Still got some pondering to do, and some staring at that last pic for a while I guess.....thank you guys for all the suggestions and help so far...

dave



Edit: Also, I see some pics of the Synapse in the parapack material. Was this just a limited run thing?

[atarango1]

I have the 25-- I am a short woman, so my choice was dictated by what my Macbook Pro (15") could fit into, and it only fits in the 25. Because I am short the backpack hits me at the bottom of my rear. I use it everyday to take my computer back and forth to my office and I use it for research travel, again when I need the computer-- It often also schlepps books, papers and my lunch too. I use my Side Effect as my purse, and it fits perfectly in the bottom pocket.
Even though it doesn't fit me perfectly (in terms of length) I love my Synapse 25. In fact, it is really what turned me into a Bihn devotee. Even when it is packed and heavy, I find it easy to carry because the load balances so well. It is designed to stay "slim" so it never gets very bulky looking like a lot of other beast-like backpacks you see out there, and I love it for that. And that water bottle pocket is genius. And the cache with rails is genius if you travel a lot. I always feel a little bit smug when I pull it out and put it on the conveyor strap and don't have to hassle with taking it entirely out.
I say get a Synapse 25 and see how you like it. Test pack it before you take the tags off. You can always return it if you don't like it, so long as you don't take the tags off.