Well, Synik preview week is here and pre-orders start next Tuesday! In my first post on these forums at the beginning of the year I asked for pretty much this exact backpack, so I'm excited that I've been able to test it out and provide some feedback to others who are interested. A big 'Thank You!' to Darcy and the Tom Bihn crew, as well as our friend/nemesis Countron.
There are already many comprehensive reviews here with great product photos, as well as specifications and information on the newly launched product page- so I'll try to cover some things that may not have received as much attention and include some in-action images. (I was not thinking of the 2MB size limit, so I will add more as I have time to resize them...)
While I'm a huge fan of Tom Bihn as a whole, there are pros and cons to everything in life and the Synik is no exception. I've tried to look at this bag objectively with fresh eyes, and have many praises as well as a few criticisms.
Aesthetics
Obviously this is subjective, but I think it's a great looking backpack. The Synik retains the key elements of its predecessor but seems more modern and slightly less Ninja Turtle. The height and width are equal to the Synapse 25, but it appears to have a more squared-off profile when unpacked. This is mostly an illusion. The extra depth needs somewhere to go when the bag is laying flat, but when packed out and on your shoulders it pretty closely resembles a Synapse.
Off-center logo?? I love it. I think it may look more awkward in photos than in person. I don't mind a little branding from a good company, but if I'm buying a black Synapse it's because I want a low-key black bag (with superpowers in this case), and I feel like the center logo sort of kills that. The lower-right positioning is a bit of a tease though, and is just screaming for coyote attachment points. TB please include the Synik 22 when the Guide Edition becomes a thing!
Changes from the Synapse
Clamshell Opening: Great. To the less clamshell inclined, my rebuttal is that this just gives you more options. You can still open it halfway if you'd like and it will perform exactly as a Synapse, but you're able to go the extra distance if needed. Very seldom do I open my backpacks completely flat; more commonly I'll sling the bag around and open one side in order to access items more easily without setting the bag on the ground. Tom Bihn zippers are a two handed operation though, so opening and closing this beast can be a chore.
Carry handle: Perfection.
Integrated laptop sleeve: Pretty great, but I wish the external zipper access were on the opposite side. I sling my backpack on and off from the right shoulder, and it would be nice to have access to this compartment without taking the bag off completely. This is the exact reason that's kept me from purchasing other backpacks like the Evergoods Quick Draw 24, which places the side access zipper on the "wrong" side.
New straps: Oh yes, put them everywhere please. I think that these will get more creases/age wrinkles than the older design- but who cares, they're backpack straps.
Internal frame integration: Awesome. Much better than the solution with the Synapse, and the luggage handle passthrough is an added bonus even though I have no plans on using it.
Updated center/side pocket: Eh.. To be fair, this is a recent update to the Synapses as well. I'm pretty sure I'm in the minority, but the change has resulted in a lower capacity for the center pocket and more space/flexibility in the side pockets. This can be a good thing, but taller water bottles will not longer fit in the center pocket (looking at you, 40 and 24 oz. Hydroflasks), and any bottle regardless of size may need a little persuasion to slide into place if the side pockets have much in them at all.
The 24 and 40 oz. Hydroflasks inside the pocket showing their fit, and the 21oz Hydroflask and Stanley french press bottle that fit well.
Changes/additions I would like to see
-Laptop pocket zipper changed or added to the righthand side of the bag.
-This backpack is still a strappy mess. I've tied my own strap retainers temporarily, but a nicer system would be a very welcome change.
-Some sort of loop added to the bottom, underneath where the zipper pull seats when fully open. The ridiculously large zipper pulls of the main compartment are a benefit for durability, but I feel like the Synik has more undulations in its materials and zipper than many other bags and can be difficult to close at times. Having a loop to anchor the bag with your non-dominant hand while operating the zipper would be a welcome addition.
A note on parapack:
Parapack is a pretty cool material. I chose this because it's different than any of the other Tom Bihn bags I have used (halcyon/1050 & 525 ballistic/cordura), and I'm mostly pleased. It's smoother and more tightly woven than ballistic, but has just a little more structure than the 400d halcyon. I definitely feel like it picks up dirt and scuffs more than ballistic, but most of these have cleaned up with a little water and a gentle scrub. The navy color is a nice, darker blue that is pretty low-key and easy on the eyes.
What should the Synik 30 used for?
There hasn't been enough time to use it for longer-term travels yet, but this is one area where the backpack should perform wonderfully. I'll be taking some big trips soon and will update with how the bag fares over time.
The 30 liter is a little large for daily carry in my opinion, as I've already reduced from the S25 to my S19 for that purpose. I don't commute to work, but it could be the right choice for you if you carry a lot of daily gear or an extra set of gym clothes/shoes.
Where the Synik has done well these past couple weeks is for specialty carry. It's accompanied me on many day hikes, beach trips, excursions to film fests, and farmer's markets. The center pocket holds my water bottle; the side pockets are perfect for my small mirrorless camera and a couple spare lenses; the bottom cavern works well for a microfiber towel and light rain jacket; and miscellaneous items like beach towels or a farmer's market grocery haul can go into the main compartment without expanding the profile much.
Should you purchase/upgrade?
Overall the function of this backpack is fantastic. It's mostly a Synapse on steroids, so if you have experience with the S25 or S19 then you have a good idea of what the Synik is all about. If you're deciding between the two, I would have a hard time recommending the older over the newer unless your core deciding factors are the cost or the additional weight. It's similar to other 30L travel backpacks from companies like Minaal or Peak Design in price and weight, but it's a hefty jump from the Synapse in both categories. Personally I would go for it, but I'm an addict- my S19 will probably be replaced by the new 22-liter in the near future as well. The Syniks are a great improvement over an already proven design, and are a welcome addition to the family.
For size comparison- I'm 5'11", and my partner in crime is 5'4" - the bag is packed for a day hike with the front pockets full and main compartment relatively light.
I'm happy to field any questions about the Synik 30, and will continue to clean up and update this post with more detailed info as I travel with the bag and put it through the paces!
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Originally Posted by bartleby
