Tom Bihn Synapse 25 review: Upsizing a classic laptop/iPad backpack

Nearly four years ago, I reviewed Tom Bihn’s Synapse, a fantastic and versatile compact backpack for those times when you don’t need to carry everything but the kitchen sink. I liked it so much that I bought the review sample. The Synapse remains my everyday backpack, and apart from looking a little worn, it’s in nearly as good condition today as when I reviewed it.

The Synapse is now called the Synapse 19, because Tom Bihn has since introduced a version with 30 percent more volume for all those people who loved the original’s design but complained that they needed more space (or—true story—felt that the 19 simply looked too small on them). The result, the $170 Synapse 25, maintains the Synapse 19’s versatility and clever design touches, but adds the company’s popular “rail” feature (more on that in a bit), making the Synapse 25 perfect for those who want a larger bag that they can use all day, every day—whether they’re carrying a laptop, an iPad, both, or neither.

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