I honestly think there is a bandwagon effect in terms of dinging the look/aesthetic of Tom Bihn bags. Almost every bag reviewer says the same thing about TB stuff. Of course the reason could be that it's genuinely the reaction that every single bag reviewer has to their look but I personally think TB bags look awesome, especially the Synik/Synapse line which has an originality amongst all those plain rectangles (Goruck, Evergoods, Alpaka, Aer. . . etc)
lots of ppl love the look of Tom Bihn, even some reviewers (like Roland from Rush Faster). For me I just prefer something sleeker, but everyone's taste differs
I have a Synik22, a Synapse 19, and a Paragon 2.0. I also own several bags by other popular, smaller makers of high quality bags. I have yet to use a bag more comfortable than a Tom Bihn bag. They have the most comfortable straps, and the way the bags sit on my back makes tb bags the most comfortable bags ever for me. Sometimes I LOVE the aesthetic of the synik and synapse, and then other times, I don't. That is why I have a paragon 2.0. I'm glad you did a review of this bag! Thank you!
Reddit shout out! Hi! I love a lot of TB bags, have a pretty decent sized collection. I love how they look! Out of all the different bags I use, the TB Synapse 19 is up there with the best. Have ordered a Synik 26 and will see how that fares! Great review!
I've used a TB synik 30 for travel for about 3 years and it's great. However, it's too big for EDC and I pre-ordered a Fyro T22 for this reason. The Synik will be replaced for day to day but it's a beast on a trip. Love TB
@@Nomads.Nation I use the Fyro backpack too for an EDC, and smaller trips. Funny story - it got recommended from a friend, so I searched for video reviews for the bag - And when I saw your review on it I was confused, until I realized you made it😂. Anyway, I absolutely LOVE that the luggage strap is upright, and damn, the shoulder straps are something else. I actually use it more than my Aer travel pack 3 now.
@@Nomads.Nation Oh, I didn’t know that, I received mine as a gift and it arrived with no logo/branding on it. Maybe I got an off brand version or something. Or maybe I got an entirely different bag that looked very similar.
It's the MOST "Dad Bag" on the market. And I'm here for it. I have one and love it for long weekend trips. It's too big for daily needs and too small for longer excursions (unless you go the ultra minimalist route). I'm still torn on the center water bottle pocket but it somehow still works. It's a very comfortable carry.
The Tom Bihn edgeless straps are deceptively good. They don’t look like they would be as comfy and handle weight as much as they are able. The sternum straps, are pretty bad with that double dangle though lol. I love love Tom bihns ballistic nylon and interior fabrics though, they just feel real good, premium.
Disneyland security loves my bag btw because they had never seen a bag that can carry so much stuff lol….compared to other companies this bag looks smaller than others and is a lot more comfortable if u have to carry it around Disneyland lol….that’s my test for my bags
I have one. My favorite features are the comfortable straps and the middle water bottle pocket. Yes, I do feel the "lopsided" bag effect with other bags with side bottle pockets (especially with my preferred water bottle - purist - which is heavy on its own, even more when filled). The external pocketing and o-rings are great if you are actually using that functionality. But for those that tend to use a lot of pouches, it can feel a bit like wasted space. It really depends on how you like to pack. Also I didn't like how cumbersome it was to fit a larger/thicker laptop into the small external opening.
One thing people often overlook about the Synik backpack, which sets it apart from other popular bags like the Evergoods CTB, Aer, and several other boxy backpacks, is how well it hugs the body. Many of those other bags, especially when boxy, tend to stick out awkwardly from the back, which can look off-balance or bulky, particularly for individuals under 6 feet tall. The Synik, on the other hand, sits much closer to the body, especially when it isn’t fully packed. This is more of streamlined fit and creates a sleeker appearance but not the sexiest
Good lord, so many zippers!!! I've grown to enjoy the cleaner external aesthetics of modern bags, just evolved into my personal preference. Still, can't knock its function on the front. Man, is it bad that I prefer to order my bags from companies 1/2 way around the world at also 1/2 the price while possibly using affiliate links for even better pricing?!?! Don't judge me!! P.S., Aaron is alright, lol. Appreciate you & le crew!!
6:36 - Those aren't separate compartments - there are two ways into the laptop compartment, one from the outside and one from the inside. they both lead to the same place
The fact that there’s mention of the lack of a side, exterior water bottle pocket in a negative way, and no mention of the fact that the designated water bottle pocket smack in the center of the bag was purposely designed to disperse weight evenly, is a huge oversight. It’s a misunderstanding of the design intent, and for someone who lives and breathes backpacks, design intent should be a primary consideration. Also, if you use a hip belt, and want a beefier one, you can buy one separately on the site that’s much better for $34. Glad there’s finally a video for this bag, but the fact that each exterior pocket has its own individual volume, is tragically undersold here. It may be the best thing about this bag.
The central bottle pocket is good for weight distribution, but bad for size of water bottle. Most side bottle pockets will fit up to a 1L bottle, they'll also allow for thiner but taller bottles. This is also bad for on-body access to your bottle. It also counts towards the 30L total capacity of the bag, while a side mesh pocket wouldn't, in most cases (I know ULA Equipment counts them).
I do believe he talked about it way before in other videos (mentioning the middle water bottle compartment as an example on other bag reviews). This guy did hundreds of reviews, he does understand the bag and the choices, but what he gets more is the community, where if a bag has 99.9% of what someone wants, but not having a side access water bottle will make them pass on it completely. He knows his community, so I find your comment kinda missing the point.
appreciate your feedback! I've never heard someone complain that their bag feels lobsided from carrying a water bottle, but I do agree it's an interesting point that I could have doubled down on. And I wonder if you actually watched the video? I bring up the impressive volume distribution of the pockets multiple times and we picked it as the second overall pro of the bag at 11:48 🤔
I am not sure if this person used the bag. I have fit multiple water bottles for my kids in that design and never had an issue. You can’t feel the water bottle at all just like you can’t feel anything else in the bag unless it’s digging into your back. The price is high but the bag is the functional king if u ask me like u said lol….great review Aaron
@@houserhythm I mean, it holds my 40oz without issue. In fact, it holds my 40oz and my husband’s 32oz both next to each other without issue. The height could be a problem, but it’s a pretty robust and large pocket.
i have a synik 30 and i want to love it - but i need to take two 40 oz hydroflask/nalgene water bottles and tom bihn just refuses to put a normal side-carrying water bottle pocket on the bag. I think the bag is great in theory but doesn't work for my needs currently.
I don't mind paying a premium for a great bag. But man, $340 for a travel bag that barely fits a 16" laptop and offers it (almost) no protection against the items in the bag, or the ground... that's a tough ask. And, as a personal opinion, I don't like being pigeon-holed into using those pockets (or lose a bunch of volume if I don't). I'd much rather have all/most of the volume in one large cavity that I can use/fill as I see fit. I find the Evergoods CTB line strikes the perfect balance of external pockets with independent volume vs. main compartment space, for my taste; water bottle pockets are also less constricting to what size bottle I can carry and the laptop compartment on the 26L fits a 17" no problem, with much better protection. If you want USA made, a GR2 26L would also fit more than this in the main compartment and you have the front compartment with a bunch of pockets, for your water bottle and other small(er) stuff; and again fits a 17" comfortably, with more protection.
@@Nomads.Nation Hm… I doubt it. The laptop compartment is designed so that the laptop sits slightly elevated, leaving 1-2 cm of space between the bottom of the compartment and the actual bottom of the backpack.
Even their site states "suspended compartment for laptop". I think you missed it because it is not well padded inside compartment so you can feel the weight of laptop on the bottom of the backpack a lot more. I have Techonaut 30, their bag too, with proper padding, it is day and night better. But that is a travel backpack and this is daily, so it is enough. Could be better agree.
In my opinion from owning this, 30L was probably not the right size where instead a 35 or 38 would be more comfortable if they wanted to go big. Ideally the 26 they just made is the actual sweet spot with this bag in my opinion as it really limits you from over packing on budget trips.
I personally love the size of a 30L bag for travel, but I do agree that it's a less common size - most travel bags are either ~26L (clear personal item) or ~ 35L (clear carry on)
its a travel bag, it doesnt need so many pockets… only a few to get what you need at the airport/train station… 30L is too big to use as an EDC bag once you’re at the destination… I think this amount of organization makes more sense for the 22L and 26L versions, also poor “Roy” still getting roasted 😂
Someone with a kid/s the external pockets would be so clutch to be able to quickly access various items especially on a plane. As solo traveler agree don’t need the organization
@@JonCross I have the Evergoods CTB 20, Black Ember Shadow, Aer Go Pack 2, Wandrd Veer, and the Alpaka Elements backpack. Go figure it out if they are "cheap". If I see value, will pay top dollar for it. Not for anything that is not designed well. Also, it is not "your"; it is "you're"
I’ve tried every bag you mentioned, and they don’t compare. To truly understand the quality of a TB bag, you need to experience it firsthand. The zippers alone could be valued at $50, and the interior fabric, sourced from Japan, is easily worth between $50 and $100. It seems you may not fully grasp the level of craftsmanship involved
@@luisduarte9724 could be - I haven't used a TB bag. However, the quality of zippers and fabric in the Evergoods CTB is at least at par. What drew me to the CTB was how thoughtfully each compartment had been designed in terms of how most people might use it in a practical manner. I found that lacking in some of the TB features, which is why I marked down the price. The Black Ember Shadow and Alpaka Elements also have equally good fabric and zippers. The Aer Go Pack and Wandrd Veer are in different categories, designed for a specific purpose.
$340 for a 30L with no false bottom for the laptop compartment... How in the world could they claim this bag prioritizes function over looks is beyond me.
laptop compartment aside I would say its a fairly functional bag, mostly in terms of its construction and division of volume, but more tech protection would have been nice
That's the perfect bag for a 50year old man in shorts sandals and socks whilst hes on vacation somewhere hotter than he really can handle. He has 3 spoiled kids and a wife that rolls her eyes at him several times a day. It's a middle aged dad bag.
Dragonfly: Lighter, cheaper, more versatile, better fabrics, MiUSA, free shipping, lifetime warranty. Also what happened to Roland and Rushfaster. There hasn’t been content for almost a year.
Dragonfly rocks, but they are completely different bags and user experiences. Not sure about RF, hoping they come back soon, I miss Roland's dapper face
🔥 Check out my bag on Kickstarter! 👉🏼 go.nomadsnation.com/fyro-t22
I honestly think there is a bandwagon effect in terms of dinging the look/aesthetic of Tom Bihn bags. Almost every bag reviewer says the same thing about TB stuff. Of course the reason could be that it's genuinely the reaction that every single bag reviewer has to their look but I personally think TB bags look awesome, especially the Synik/Synapse line which has an originality amongst all those plain rectangles (Goruck, Evergoods, Alpaka, Aer. . . etc)
lots of ppl love the look of Tom Bihn, even some reviewers (like Roland from Rush Faster). For me I just prefer something sleeker, but everyone's taste differs
I have a Synik22, a Synapse 19, and a Paragon 2.0.
I also own several bags by other popular, smaller makers of high quality bags.
I have yet to use a bag more comfortable than a Tom Bihn bag. They have the most comfortable straps, and the way the bags sit on my back makes tb bags the most comfortable bags ever for me.
Sometimes I LOVE the aesthetic of the synik and synapse, and then other times, I don't. That is why I have a paragon 2.0. I'm glad you did a review of this bag! Thank you!
thanks for watching and sharing!
Best bag ever made!!!
It impressed me that’s for sure!
Reddit shout out! Hi!
I love a lot of TB bags, have a pretty decent sized collection. I love how they look! Out of all the different bags I use, the TB Synapse 19 is up there with the best. Have ordered a Synik 26 and will see how that fares!
Great review!
Hello fellow Redditer!
@@Nomads.Nation I imagine you are holding your bag tape measure as you type this haha
@@trousermouse6240 maybe I am 😜
@@Nomads.Nation 🤣
Very fun video to watch. Love this one.
Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for showing us love!!
I’m attracted to this bag and ashamed of it at the same time 😂
😂
No shame!
My friend, this is perfectly justified. There is no need for hsame. I too am attracted to this bag.
Man I love your reviews
appreciated!
I've used a TB synik 30 for travel for about 3 years and it's great. However, it's too big for EDC and I pre-ordered a Fyro T22 for this reason. The Synik will be replaced for day to day but it's a beast on a trip. Love TB
That’s the reason they just release a 26l. Version
Love TB as well and thanks for the support on Fyro!!
@@Nomads.Nation I use the Fyro backpack too for an EDC, and smaller trips. Funny story - it got recommended from a friend, so I searched for video reviews for the bag - And when I saw your review on it I was confused, until I realized you made it😂. Anyway, I absolutely LOVE that the luggage strap is upright, and damn, the shoulder straps are something else. I actually use it more than my Aer travel pack 3 now.
@@SnapScaper while I appreciate the love in this post, the Fyro T22 isn't in any customer hands yet... 🤔
@@Nomads.Nation Oh, I didn’t know that, I received mine as a gift and it arrived with no logo/branding on it. Maybe I got an off brand version or something. Or maybe I got an entirely different bag that looked very similar.
It's the MOST "Dad Bag" on the market. And I'm here for it. I have one and love it for long weekend trips. It's too big for daily needs and too small for longer excursions (unless you go the ultra minimalist route). I'm still torn on the center water bottle pocket but it somehow still works. It's a very comfortable carry.
Super comfy for sure
The Tom Bihn edgeless straps are deceptively good. They don’t look like they would be as comfy and handle weight as much as they are able. The sternum straps, are pretty bad with that double dangle though lol. I love love Tom bihns ballistic nylon and interior fabrics though, they just feel real good, premium.
"double edged dangle".... sounds like a horror film to me
Disneyland security loves my bag btw because they had never seen a bag that can carry so much stuff lol….compared to other companies this bag looks smaller than others and is a lot more comfortable if u have to carry it around Disneyland lol….that’s my test for my bags
I have one. My favorite features are the comfortable straps and the middle water bottle pocket. Yes, I do feel the "lopsided" bag effect with other bags with side bottle pockets (especially with my preferred water bottle - purist - which is heavy on its own, even more when filled). The external pocketing and o-rings are great if you are actually using that functionality. But for those that tend to use a lot of pouches, it can feel a bit like wasted space. It really depends on how you like to pack. Also I didn't like how cumbersome it was to fit a larger/thicker laptop into the small external opening.
Yea it’s definitely not an ideal bag for thicker laptops
I have to admit I was a bit of a cynic when i saw the thumbnail and the beginning of the video, but when you started packing it out I was impressed.
I guess you were...Synik?
well played 👏
One thing people often overlook about the Synik backpack, which sets it apart from other popular bags like the Evergoods CTB, Aer, and several other boxy backpacks, is how well it hugs the body. Many of those other bags, especially when boxy, tend to stick out awkwardly from the back, which can look off-balance or bulky, particularly for individuals under 6 feet tall. The Synik, on the other hand, sits much closer to the body, especially when it isn’t fully packed. This is more of streamlined fit and creates a sleeker appearance but not the sexiest
good looks! its definitely a more traditional urban silhouette
I believe they have laptop inserts you can buy that attach to the D rings on the inside.
good to know!
Good lord, so many zippers!!! I've grown to enjoy the cleaner external aesthetics of modern bags, just evolved into my personal preference. Still, can't knock its function on the front.
Man, is it bad that I prefer to order my bags from companies 1/2 way around the world at also 1/2 the price while possibly using affiliate links for even better pricing?!?! Don't judge me!!
P.S., Aaron is alright, lol. Appreciate you & le crew!!
no judgement, appreciate you as well!!
6:36 - Those aren't separate compartments - there are two ways into the laptop compartment, one from the outside and one from the inside. they both lead to the same place
. . .and at 8:40 you realized it! Ha!
yea haha, oops!
The fact that there’s mention of the lack of a side, exterior water bottle pocket in a negative way, and no mention of the fact that the designated water bottle pocket smack in the center of the bag was purposely designed to disperse weight evenly, is a huge oversight. It’s a misunderstanding of the design intent, and for someone who lives and breathes backpacks, design intent should be a primary consideration.
Also, if you use a hip belt, and want a beefier one, you can buy one separately on the site that’s much better for $34.
Glad there’s finally a video for this bag, but the fact that each exterior pocket has its own individual volume, is tragically undersold here. It may be the best thing about this bag.
The central bottle pocket is good for weight distribution, but bad for size of water bottle. Most side bottle pockets will fit up to a 1L bottle, they'll also allow for thiner but taller bottles. This is also bad for on-body access to your bottle. It also counts towards the 30L total capacity of the bag, while a side mesh pocket wouldn't, in most cases (I know ULA Equipment counts them).
I do believe he talked about it way before in other videos (mentioning the middle water bottle compartment as an example on other bag reviews). This guy did hundreds of reviews, he does understand the bag and the choices, but what he gets more is the community, where if a bag has 99.9% of what someone wants, but not having a side access water bottle will make them pass on it completely. He knows his community, so I find your comment kinda missing the point.
appreciate your feedback! I've never heard someone complain that their bag feels lobsided from carrying a water bottle, but I do agree it's an interesting point that I could have doubled down on. And I wonder if you actually watched the video? I bring up the impressive volume distribution of the pockets multiple times and we picked it as the second overall pro of the bag at 11:48 🤔
I am not sure if this person used the bag. I have fit multiple water bottles for my kids in that design and never had an issue. You can’t feel the water bottle at all just like you can’t feel anything else in the bag unless it’s digging into your back. The price is high but the bag is the functional king if u ask me like u said lol….great review Aaron
@@houserhythm I mean, it holds my 40oz without issue. In fact, it holds my 40oz and my husband’s 32oz both next to each other without issue. The height could be a problem, but it’s a pretty robust and large pocket.
Do people (other than those traveling for work) often carry laptops on vacations or trips?
Personally my laptop goes everywhere with me all the time
I’m in love!😍
we are matchmakers here at Nomads Nation
@@Nomads.Nation 😂
i have a synik 30 and i want to love it - but i need to take two 40 oz hydroflask/nalgene water bottles and tom bihn just refuses to put a normal side-carrying water bottle pocket on the bag. I think the bag is great in theory but doesn't work for my needs currently.
that's a lot of water lol
I don't mind paying a premium for a great bag. But man, $340 for a travel bag that barely fits a 16" laptop and offers it (almost) no protection against the items in the bag, or the ground... that's a tough ask.
And, as a personal opinion, I don't like being pigeon-holed into using those pockets (or lose a bunch of volume if I don't). I'd much rather have all/most of the volume in one large cavity that I can use/fill as I see fit. I find the Evergoods CTB line strikes the perfect balance of external pockets with independent volume vs. main compartment space, for my taste; water bottle pockets are also less constricting to what size bottle I can carry and the laptop compartment on the 26L fits a 17" no problem, with much better protection. If you want USA made, a GR2 26L would also fit more than this in the main compartment and you have the front compartment with a bunch of pockets, for your water bottle and other small(er) stuff; and again fits a 17" comfortably, with more protection.
I own this bag and it has the false bottom
I wonder if we have different versions, or different definitions of a 'false bottom', cuz the one I reviewed didn't have much in that department
@@Nomads.Nation Hm… I doubt it. The laptop compartment is designed so that the laptop sits slightly elevated, leaving 1-2 cm of space between the bottom of the compartment and the actual bottom of the backpack.
Even their site states "suspended compartment for laptop". I think you missed it because it is not well padded inside compartment so you can feel the weight of laptop on the bottom of the backpack a lot more. I have Techonaut 30, their bag too, with proper padding, it is day and night better. But that is a travel backpack and this is daily, so it is enough. Could be better agree.
How many travel with a 16 inch laptop if you need to yeah need better size.
What brand of scale is that?
not sure, we bought 4 random ones on Amazon, each seem to work ok but we always cross-check on the others
In my opinion from owning this, 30L was probably not the right size where instead a 35 or 38 would be more comfortable if they wanted to go big. Ideally the 26 they just made is the actual sweet spot with this bag in my opinion as it really limits you from over packing on budget trips.
I personally love the size of a 30L bag for travel, but I do agree that it's a less common size - most travel bags are either ~26L (clear personal item) or ~ 35L (clear carry on)
its a travel bag, it doesnt need so many pockets… only a few to get what you need at the airport/train station… 30L is too big to use as an EDC bag once you’re at the destination… I think this amount of organization makes more sense for the 22L and 26L versions, also poor “Roy” still getting roasted 😂
agreed that personally I don't need this many pockets on a travel bag, not at all lol, but clearly there's a market for it
Someone with a kid/s the external pockets would be so clutch to be able to quickly access various items especially on a plane. As solo traveler agree don’t need the organization
@@Reinbry78 thats a good point, might make for a great dad bag and unique gift for a baby shower 🤔
It's got what's required in a backpack, but something is missing.
whats missing... 🤔
Its so functional and yet look so weird compared to what we normally see
agreed and agreed haha
I have the synapse and it’s decent but I would not buy others. I’ll stick with other brands.
💪
$150 should be the upper margin for this bag, and that too is being generous
hot take, love it
So your telling me your cheap, also these are designed to last years
@@JonCross I have the Evergoods CTB 20, Black Ember Shadow, Aer Go Pack 2, Wandrd Veer, and the Alpaka Elements backpack. Go figure it out if they are "cheap". If I see value, will pay top dollar for it. Not for anything that is not designed well.
Also, it is not "your"; it is "you're"
I’ve tried every bag you mentioned, and they don’t compare. To truly understand the quality of a TB bag, you need to experience it firsthand. The zippers alone could be valued at $50, and the interior fabric, sourced from Japan, is easily worth between $50 and $100. It seems you may not fully grasp the level of craftsmanship involved
@@luisduarte9724 could be - I haven't used a TB bag. However, the quality of zippers and fabric in the Evergoods CTB is at least at par. What drew me to the CTB was how thoughtfully each compartment had been designed in terms of how most people might use it in a practical manner. I found that lacking in some of the TB features, which is why I marked down the price. The Black Ember Shadow and Alpaka Elements also have equally good fabric and zippers. The Aer Go Pack and Wandrd Veer are in different categories, designed for a specific purpose.
hot take: I would actually argue that this pack is intentional dadcore form over function.
Hot take indeed and I love it
Yeah, it's not a good looking bag. While I do like quick access pockets, I don't think I need 5 of them.
yea its niche for sure, pocket-overkill for most
Look is akin to a fanny pack, but in backpack from
I see boomer engineers wear these style backpacks to work
yup its an aesthetic that is not gonna be everyone's cup of tea lol
It's sooo ugly, but I do wish my current bag had all those outer pockets
ugly but beautifully functional
$340 for a 30L with no false bottom for the laptop compartment... How in the world could they claim this bag prioritizes function over looks is beyond me.
laptop compartment aside I would say its a fairly functional bag, mostly in terms of its construction and division of volume, but more tech protection would have been nice
That's the perfect bag for a 50year old man in shorts sandals and socks whilst hes on vacation somewhere hotter than he really can handle. He has 3 spoiled kids and a wife that rolls her eyes at him several times a day.
It's a middle aged dad bag.
a very functional one lol
@@Nomads.Nation that's what dad's need.. 🤣 I'm a dad so I shouldn't make fun really 🤪
@@linedwell sounds like someone is ready for their first Tom Bihn backpack...
@@Nomads.Nation 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Dragonfly: Lighter, cheaper, more versatile, better fabrics, MiUSA, free shipping, lifetime warranty.
Also what happened to Roland and Rushfaster. There hasn’t been content for almost a year.
Dragonfly rocks, but they are completely different bags and user experiences. Not sure about RF, hoping they come back soon, I miss Roland's dapper face
They sell a padded hip belt for those that want one.
I’m a cynic regarding the Synik, it’s just too ugly :c
Nice word play 👏