Hi everyone,
I am currently looking to buy a new bag from TB, and I'm struggling between the Synapse 25 and Synik 30 and I want to get some opinions from people using them.
TLDR; I go on a trip for one week, and due to my gigantic size (6'5", 340 lbs), I fear that my clothes will take so much space that the Synapse 25 won't be enough.
Day to day, my EDC is nothing very complex;
- 500ml hydroflask
- 1 liter hydroflask
- rigid notebook (similar to a large moleskine)
- mechanical pencil, pen, eraser, bullet pencil
- Multitool
- Folding knife, fork
- Over-ear headphones
- earbuds
- A4 book
- Cellphone
- wallet
- Lipstick, eyedrops, various medicine
- small e-reader
- shaker bottle
- snacks
- sometime a macbook (usually on weekends if I have to get some job done), but eventually I'll add an iPad Pro or a Surface tablet (or similar) with a keyboard and mouse for day to day.
I currently have a Mystery Ranch Urban Assault 21L, and it does the job with room to spare. The 3-zip system let me but stuff on top without worrying to get it all out to access something at the bottom.
Thing is, if I add shirt, short and sport shoes, the bag is now pretty full. Not a problem for EDC, as I only go to the gym two or three times a week. But in March, I'll go to Vancouver for one week (for work) and I wanted to pack everything in one bag, and I know that I won't be able to do that in the Urban Assault. My question is; Synapse 25 or Synik 30?
Thing to take into consideration:
- I was lot of people packing lots of stuff in their synapse, but I'm a pretty big guy and clothes take much more space than most (6'5", 340lbs). A pair of jeans take 2-3 liters of space once rolled up.
- I want to bring everything listed in my EDC above, with clothes on top of that. (5 pair of socks and underwear, 2 pairs of dress pants, 2 t-shirts, 2 shirts, gym shoes, 1 pair of shorts).
I personally prefer the Synapse 25, but if I can't accommodate the Synapse for the very occasional trip once or twice a year... The Synik 30 looks more than large enough, but the laptop compartment, the integrated frame, the padded handle, and the clamshell are not something I need everyday, and to pay $90 more (making the bag nearly $400 CAD) for features I don't especially care about isn't that great. However, If the Synapse 25 cannot handle all the stuff I want to bring with me, then I'll consider getting the Synik 30.
What do you think?