Does the main compartment of each bag seem similar in size? The Tom Bihn site lists the Synik with about 300 more cubic inches of capacity. I'm trying to figure out where the extra space is.
Is there a reason you went with the 525 ballistic vs the 400 halcyon you had in the synapse 25? More color variety perhaps? Looking forward to the long term review and the compare/contrast of the weight/feel/durability of halcyon vs ballistic 525 material
It didn’t really make much sense for me to buy *almost* the same pack. I already know what the Halcyon is all about, so it’s time to try the Ballistic Nylon. Also that blue/red combo is hot.
I’ll sell the ones I don’t want to keep. I keep it local so I don’t have to deal with shipping. If I’m selling something I use the popular reselling sites. But you’ll only see them if your near me. Otherwise you’d never know.
HumorousMaximus just ordered the same color combo for the Synik as featured here in the video but only 22. Hard to believe that the blue with the red literally sold out in 6 minutes once it went available for sale this past Tuesday. I am new to Tom Bihn and this is my first bag from them, they definitely have a loyal following for sure👍
Regardless of price, I wouldn't swap my Synapse 25 for a Synik. The synapse doesn't need to be clamshell, imo, particularly given it's superior organisation. Packing cubes makes the ease of clamshell packing redundant, and ultimately, a clamshell zip engineers into the bag, a single point of failure that could render the bag useless. At least if a non-clamshell zip fails, you can still utilise the bag until you get to wherever you're going. If a clamshell fails you're pretty much screwed unless you can find a roll of duck tape.
I can’t see how the #10 YKK zipper could fail unless you’re intentionally trying to compromise it. It’s so strong that it’s a little difficult to even unzip without I bit of extra effort. But to each his own, enjoy the Synapse.
Honestly, I don't know if the changes / updates are worth $80+... I don't like clamshell backpacks for anything EXCEPT traveling, otherwise, they tend to be more of a pain in the butt when you're in a hurry... Everything has a chance of falling out, you RARELY have the amount of room you need to utilize that "feature" you pay dearly for... I have a pack that I use almost all the time, it's a clamshell, but you cannot make it clamshell without releasing the compression straps which works out great. I've had a bag before that had nothing to stop it from clamshelling, and it was aweful, I stopped using it when pretty much everything on the inside ended up on the floor.
That’s fair, to each his own. I will point out that this bag won’t accidentally open completely, opening full clamshell is a very deliberate action. The pack is 2 weeks old, so maybe it hasn’t completely broken-in but the #10 YKK zipper will stop wherever you do. Even with everything I carry in the outer pockets pulling the weight outward, the zipper stays put. I rarely open full clamshell, so I can almost ignore that it does that.
I’ve had the Synik 30 for a couple of months now - they are #10 Aquaguard YKK zippers, which is why there is much more resistance when opening and closing compared to a regular #10 YKK. So there’s no problem with it accidentally opening with things falling out - in a clamshell. I have another backpack, clamshell opening with side compression straps, and that #10 YKK (without Aquaguard) opens a lot of easier. With the Synik 30, there really are no issues with clamshell opening from EDC usage.
@@krishsat I have a bag that clamshells, but it has compression straps to prevent you, or the bag, from doing it "accidentally". Maxpedition's Entity series is a clamshell, it has internal straps that prevent it from "just opening", you have the option of not using them at all. I think for $300 they could have done something... ANYTHING... that would prevent it from opening, other than a "stiff" zipper. I don't mind a clamshell (I have two I use all the time) I just think they could've / should've done something that helps prevent it from unintentional opening... ESPECIALLY on a bag that is made in a way so you keep a lot of your things on the front / flap.
![Tom Bihn Synapse 25 Long Term Review [2019]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/calXsR1KYHo/mqdefault.jpg)
![Tom Bihn Synapse 25 Long Term Review [2019]](/img/tr.png)
![Tom Bihn Synik 30L Long Term Review [2019]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/oX0xoAZ-tv0/mqdefault.jpg)
Based on your review I ended up getting the synik 22 . Great review
Can’t wait for the long term review,great taste with the color selection
Thank you for your video. It really helped me lean towards it.
Thanks for the review. Really enjoy your channel.
Do you have a long term comparison? Thanks!
Thanks. I do have a long term review for both bags but not another comparison.
Thanks for sharing! awesome reviews. do you actually prefer the ballistic over the halcyon in the synapse/synik case?
Ballistic.
Is the rigid frame in the Synik removable?
Yes it is.
Does the main compartment of each bag seem similar in size? The Tom Bihn site lists the Synik with about 300 more cubic inches of capacity. I'm trying to figure out where the extra space is.
It’s about 2-3 inches of extra depth in the main compartment. No difference with the pockets.
Is there a reason you went with the 525 ballistic vs the 400 halcyon you had in the synapse 25? More color variety perhaps? Looking forward to the long term review and the compare/contrast of the weight/feel/durability of halcyon vs ballistic 525 material
It didn’t really make much sense for me to buy *almost* the same pack. I already know what the Halcyon is all about, so it’s time to try the Ballistic Nylon. Also that blue/red combo is hot.
HumorousMaximus follow up question, what do you do with all the backpacks you’ve reviewed? Do you ever re-sell them? Or just keep them tucked away?
I’ll sell the ones I don’t want to keep. I keep it local so I don’t have to deal with shipping. If I’m selling something I use the popular reselling sites. But you’ll only see them if your near me. Otherwise you’d never know.
Yea I love the blue too, may have to order ☝️ one. Question: would you need to remove the frame in order to use the luggage pass through?
No.
HumorousMaximus just ordered the same color combo for the Synik as featured here in the video but only 22. Hard to believe that the blue with the red literally sold out in 6 minutes once it went available for sale this past Tuesday. I am new to Tom Bihn and this is my first bag from them, they definitely have a loyal following for sure👍
It’s probably my favorite color combo, the blue is a really deep, rich blue. It’ll get better the more you use it. I’ll have my review up soon.
HumorousMaximus do you have a go-to backpack or any backpacks you would recommend for college?
Regardless of price, I wouldn't swap my Synapse 25 for a Synik.
The synapse doesn't need to be clamshell, imo, particularly given it's superior organisation. Packing cubes makes the ease of clamshell packing redundant, and ultimately, a clamshell zip engineers into the bag, a single point of failure that could render the bag useless.
At least if a non-clamshell zip fails, you can still utilise the bag until you get to wherever you're going.
If a clamshell fails you're pretty much screwed unless you can find a roll of duck tape.
I can’t see how the #10 YKK zipper could fail unless you’re intentionally trying to compromise it. It’s so strong that it’s a little difficult to even unzip without I bit of extra effort.
But to each his own, enjoy the Synapse.
@Jee Vang If I wanted a Synik, I'd buy one, I don't need to talk myself in or out of it. I was simply giving an opinion.
Honestly, I don't know if the changes / updates are worth $80+...
I don't like clamshell backpacks for anything EXCEPT traveling, otherwise, they tend to be more of a pain in the butt when you're in a hurry... Everything has a chance of falling out, you RARELY have the amount of room you need to utilize that "feature" you pay dearly for...
I have a pack that I use almost all the time, it's a clamshell, but you cannot make it clamshell without releasing the compression straps which works out great. I've had a bag before that had nothing to stop it from clamshelling, and it was aweful, I stopped using it when pretty much everything on the inside ended up on the floor.
That’s fair, to each his own. I will point out that this bag won’t accidentally open completely, opening full clamshell is a very deliberate action.
The pack is 2 weeks old, so maybe it hasn’t completely broken-in but the #10 YKK zipper will stop wherever you do. Even with everything I carry in the outer pockets pulling the weight outward, the zipper stays put. I rarely open full clamshell, so I can almost ignore that it does that.
I’ve had the Synik 30 for a couple of months now - they are #10 Aquaguard YKK zippers, which is why there is much more resistance when opening and closing compared to a regular #10 YKK. So there’s no problem with it accidentally opening with things falling out - in a clamshell. I have another backpack, clamshell opening with side compression straps, and that #10 YKK (without Aquaguard) opens a lot of easier. With the Synik 30, there really are no issues with clamshell opening from EDC usage.
@@krishsat I have a bag that clamshells, but it has compression straps to prevent you, or the bag, from doing it "accidentally". Maxpedition's Entity series is a clamshell, it has internal straps that prevent it from "just opening", you have the option of not using them at all.
I think for $300 they could have done something... ANYTHING... that would prevent it from opening, other than a "stiff" zipper.
I don't mind a clamshell (I have two I use all the time) I just think they could've / should've done something that helps prevent it from unintentional opening... ESPECIALLY on a bag that is made in a way so you keep a lot of your things on the front / flap.
can you fit that much more into the synik? Does the extra 5L translate into more space or does all the padding take it up?
Not much more. I mean it’s 5L, so maybe a few more items of clothing.
do you have a long term review?
I will soon.
Please compare the size of chz 22 with synik 30. I have the chz, and would like to get a synik on 22 or 30. Thank you
too bad the designer at Tom Bihn is the same blind person that designs Subarus. Really ugly looking bag despite the high quality.
@Jee Vangyup, people with no aestethics abound in the world.
300 usd is expensive, and these backpacks don't have water bottle pockets
$300 is on the high end but it’s made in the USA and uses quality materials. You get what you pay for. Incorrect about the water bottle pocket.