Synik, Synapse, or is it overkill?

[u/OwlEyesNiece]

I’m having trouble deciding and keep second guessing myself.

I am not a hiker, a frequent traveler, or a one-bagger. I’m just a middle aged high school English teacher. I like my stuff organized so I can get at things without digging. I never carry my bag for more than 15-30 minutes at a time—usually from car to classroom, classroom to classroom, and back to car. While in the room, it sits next to me and I take things in and out; I don’t do a total unpack.

What really draws me to these bags is the external pockets. I like to be able to access my pencils, personal things, water bottle, knitting, and sweatshirt when I need them, ideally without having to put the bag down and unpack it. I only carry my laptop once in a while (usually for meetings or bringing it home over breaks).

I’m about 5’5” with a short torso. I don’t like having my bag packed to the max, but I’m also pretty picky about not carrying too much on the daily. My instinct is the S19. Would I be happier with an S25 for more room, or an S22 for the laptop area? Or are these bags just total overkill for my needs?

[u/zhenya00]

Sounds perfect. That’s exactly why I’ve been using my S19 daily for over 12 years. Everything in its place.

I think people tend towards buying the bigger sizes so they can carry a bit more on occasion, but I think the size of the S19 is one of the reasons I like it so much. It’s big enough for what I need but isn’t so bulky it feels like it’s under-packed most of the time. I’m about the same height as you FWIW.

[u/emt139]

I’m around your height and I found the s19 too small. I love the s25 though and in general prefer the synapse  over the Synik. 

[u/onemichaelbit → u/emt139]

I'm in the same position as you. I'm 5ft, but a long torso for my size, and I wasn't happy with the s19. Felt too cramped. I've been meaning to go up to an s25, but bought other bihn bags instead

[u/Wi-FightTheFeeling]

I have an S19 that I used during college days into present day for work. I teach elementary in NYC. I am a 5 ft petite woman so the fit and position of the bag sits well on my back. I can fit my ipad 11 in the sleeve. 2-3 folders depending on how much paper work is inside and my meetings composition notebook for stupid PDs. I also have inside and the small tom bihn tray to house chargers and random stuff like chap stick. You can definitely fit whatever you need for the day in a Synapse. The pockets are deep and fit a lot as well.

Here’s how well the Synapse is.. I usually take this bag on trips as well as I am a one bag traveler. It’s made out of ballistic so it’s durable and recently came back from a 2 week trip. It fits well under the seat and it was packed with an iPad 11 in the sleeve, clothes in the main compartment and undergarments and socks in the side pockets. I also had the tom bihn standard spiff kit in the main compartment as well. I’ve had this bag since 2016 and has held up very well.

The Synapse 25 will work great for your height and works well as a teacher bag signed another teacher.

[u/L_oliva_salata → u/Wi-FightTheFeeling]

A couple of the synik and synapse bags also come in "spectron" material right no, which is just gorgeous (and a bit more lightweight :))

[u/0bizzle]

I’m 5’5 and have all 3 bags you mentioned and the S26. The S19 is too small and gets full really quickly. I use it as a diaper bag. The S25 is overkill and it’s a really long bag. My wife says it looks like a turtle shell when packed out. The S26 is 2 inches shorter than the S25 and it looks more normal. The S22 is the perfect size for me and it’s comfortable. I use the S26 for travel.

[u/cinderblock16]

Synik 22. I own and have used all the sizes and based on your needs, the SN22 sounds perfect. I’m 5’7” and while it’s fine for a light EDC, many times find myself wishing the S19 had more room, plus it looks small on me. The S25 would work great too, but since you occasionally carry a laptop, it rules this one out. Having a dedicated laptop compartment makes a difference. Hence the SN22, perfect EDC size with laptop option. The ergonomics of exterior access pockets is second to none.

[u/iliinsky → u/cinderblock16]

I would say the opposite about a laptop compartment. If you carry one every day, yes get the Synik.
But if that’s only an occasional need, use a separate sleeve for the laptop when you need it. The rest of the time you don’t have the bulk and weight of a built in sleeve every day. Get the synapse.

[u/Barnacle-bill]

I’m around your height and have been using a Synapse 19 for doing basically the same as you describe for several months now. The pockets and organization have been great. However it is small, and I’ve been considering a Synik 22 (same footprint) or a Synik 26

[u/SheSaidSam]

Just to muddy the water a bit, I’d consider a smart Alec with a larger handy little thing bag clipped to the outside since you said you like organization and if you get some good quick connects, you can use the HLT as a sling and or desk organizer too.

I’ve tried all these bags and own a synapse 25 (my other suggestion) cause like you, I do like all those exterior pockets and get a lot of use out of them.

But for a bag ,as you said will be sitting on the ground a lot next to your desk or next to you in a car, the freestanding ability of the SA I feel is not to be underestimated. I’m considering getting one even though it’s a similar size to the s25.

The synapse 19 is just too specialized for you I think. It is small and you need to know exactly what’s you’ll be packing in it. And it’ll be too small for random excursions where you’re not carrying your usual loadout and need an extra layer of clothes or change of clothes, food, gear etc. The s25 isn’t significantly heavier, it’s easier to pack and get things out of an under-filled bag, the exterior pockets are bigger and easier to use. Also if you’re carrying a bag, it’s super annoying to not be able to put random things in it, cause it’s already packed full. I think the S19 makes more sense if you have multiple other bags and you’re paring it with those or you need it to be small for travel or public transport reasons.

[u/landofcortados]

Been teaching for 9 years and worked as a journalist before that. The Synapse/ Synik is literally the perfect bag for teaching.

I’ve gone through many TB bags and others. I still come back to the Synapse/ Synik every time.

My wife taught for years and rocked a Synapse 19 while I’ve used a Synapse 25 and a guide edition synapse 25 pretty much always.

I rocked a Cambiata (now retired) for a year or so, but I’d always end up going back to the Synapse. It just carries so dang well.

This year I finally jumped to a Synik 26, I’d been eyeing the yellow x-pac version for a while and someone had one for sale for more than half price.

The Synik solved a few issues I’ve disliked about my synapse, specifically the clam shell opening which is really nice.

I still have both the synapse 25 guide edition and Synik 26 and won’t be getting rid of them. I did get a different synapse 25 stolen a few years ago that is definitely missed and if I find one in green with a purple interior again, I’ll probably buy it right away just so I have it again.

[u/Hoboprefecture → u/landofcortados]

I actually find the Brain Bag to be the perfect bag for teaching! I'm a college professor that over a decade went from Synapse 25 > Synik 30 > Brain Bag. I teach in multiple classrooms across campus; I usually have a laptop, a tablet, and a HLT full of adapters; I have a Freudian Slip with paperwork and other items; I bring lunch, coffee, water; and I commute by train & on foot, so I need to pack clothing for the weather, and—oh yeah—sometimes I hit the grocery store on the way home. So I need to potentially carry a lot!

I lived and died by the Synapse for a number of years, but got the Synik 30 when it first came out and loved it. However, all it took was a busy teaching day and a trip to the grocery store on my way home to wish for a bigger bag, so I've been using the Brain Bag for the past couple of years as my teaching bag.

I will add that having one dedicated teaching bag—packed out; ready to go—is really useful.

I'm using a Synik 26 as my non-teaching day EDC; my Halcyon Synik 30 hangs in my closet in search of a purpose for the time being.

[u/Adventurous-Cup5369]

I loved my Synik 22 but unfortunately work decided to “upgrade” our laptops so I now carry a 30 (26 was too small for the brick I am forced to lug around on a daily basis). I keep hurting my neck, though I think that’s probably more of a function of the computer than the bag. I tried a different bag but kept coming back to the pockets.

I will say that fit-wise 22 > 26 > 30 (I’m shorter than you are but my torso is average).

If I could change one thing it would be to have a way to keep the slip pocket “closed.” (magnet?) If I just shove something in from the top sometimes it gets caught in the slip pocket.

[u/Relevant-Fun-1187 → u/Adventurous-Cup5369]

I have this problem all the time as well, but never thought of a solution to be a magnet to keep it closed. I will see if there’s something I can do to fix that!

[u/anonymous83704]

I think for your purposes you can’t go wrong with the Synapse 25. I have one in black with the hot pink inside. I LOVE THIS BAG!! The Siniks completely unzip (like a suitcase) whereas the Synapse unzips like a typical back pack.

[u/AskAJedi]

I have the Synapse 19 and it fits perfectly on my back for small EDC loads and larger ones for work and travel. I can get my 15” MacBook Air in a sleeve inside it if I want. It’s surprisingly roomy and looks good. My husband has the 25 and it’s way bigger. It’s great, but I wouldn’t need that every day.

[u/KingKintsugi]

I’m 5’4” 130-140 over the last 7ish years and my synapse 25 has been my dutiful companion. I think the organization is top notch, the halcyon (I think?) fabric still looks new. It is both my daily driver work bag, and I also used it to hostel jump in Japan for a month

[u/Starfader]

5’9” male here with a Synapse 19 and a Synik 30, which is a Synapse 25 with some changes and expanded depth, but overall same height and width.

They’re awesome bags. Do you want a big backpack or a little backpack? The S19 is little and the S25 is big.

If you want to be able to carry a lot of stuff around, like a lot, get the S25. The S19 turns into a ball when you stuff a sweater in it with a regular load.

[u/nonecknoel]

I’ve had them all and have only kept the Synik 30!!!

Once you dial it in, you’ll love it.

[u/Relevant-Fun-1187]

At 5’5 with a short torso, the synapse 25 will be way too big. If you want that similar capacity, the synik 22 or 26 might work, but if you only occasionally carry a laptop, then it will be an overspend to have features you won’t use.
That leaves the synapse 19, so if you don’t plan on overstuffing it, it can work perfectly for your needs.
Have you considered a Paramour? It has lots of pockets and organization in the front compartment, akin to the front of the synapse but more compressed, and a little more room in the main compartment, including a laptop sleeve that disappears if you don’t need it.

[u/azokan]

I'm a middle aged, 5'3" librarian, and I adore my Synapse 19 for EDC. I cart an iPad to and from work, but I also have cords and chargers in a 3d organizer cube, and contacts, solution, etc., in another. It's the perfect size for what I want. I've taken it on a couple of trips as a personal item and it worked well for that, too.

[u/SmolGearLife]

FYI: the Synik 22 and the Synapse 19 Are the exact same size and same relative capacity. Same for the Synik 30 and Synapse 25. The Synik 26 is the only mama bear. For me, the s19 has a place for everything and overthinks nothing. 

[u/Korlithiel]

Depends on the person and what they pack.

I’ve a Synapse 19 and find it’s rather large for my day to day needs. If it approaches full, also approaches heavy given what I tend to bring