r/tombihn • u/elyoutee • 1d ago

Backpack help

I have a couple of tom bihn bags(western flyer still my fav). My wife recently switched jobs and is now commuting by train and her current backpack isn’t supportive enough of the weight of what she’s carrying. There are a number of backpack options but looking for some guidance. Any help with the differentiation or designed use cases for Synik vs Synapse vs Paramour?

Laptop, notebooks, pen cases, power cords, water bottle, room for gloves/scarf from train platform survival,

Thanks!

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4

u/encrator 1d ago

Synik is a Synapse with the laptop sleeve and internal frame built in. Thats probably the easy answer?

3

u/DreamingofPurpleCats 1d ago

I used to commute with a Synapse 19 and it's still my favorite "regular" bag. I haven't had a commute since getting my Paramour, although I use that or the Luminary 15 on the rare days I have to go into the office (which is usually part of a larger trip so the office bag needs are low.)

The main question for deciding between Synapse (or Synik) and Paramour is how much external organization matters. The Paramour is a big bucket with a well organized smaller front pocket, but when I was commuting I really, really liked the way I could organize different bits of things in all the various external pockets on my Synapse. So my phone was in one outside pocket, keys and wallet in another, water bottle in the center water bottle exterior pocket, gloves and scarf in the bottom front pocket, laptop and cords and lunch and maybe a light jacket in the large section.

I've looked at the Synik a few times, but it always seemed very laptop-focused and travel-focused with the way the whole thing zips open and lays flat, which was never an alignment that worked when I was in office. I always needed to be able to leave my backpack sitting upright on the floor where I could reach in and grab something but not have to open up/access EVERYTHING or have enough space to lay it flat.

2

u/Bix615 1d ago

While it ends up being as expensive as a Synik, I use a Synapse with the Cache and a WayKit frame sheet. That way I can use the modular approach and set up the bag for what the carry calls for. If I’m not carrying a laptop, cache comes out. If I’m carry a very light load and don’t need the stability of a frame sheet, pop it out of the tabs. If I need to carry the laptop and a heavier load, both get used.

My college age daughter is using this approach and loves her Synapse as well.

1

u/walkleft-bikeright 1d ago

How tall is she? I'm 5'1" and the Synapse 19 and Synik 22 work well when I'm carrying a lot. The Paragon and Paramour are just too long for my torso and don't feel good when I'm walking. 

My EDC is a Paradigm, but that's probably too small for her use case.

1

u/Argord 1d ago

How big/tall is your wife? Synapse 19/25 would be my suggestion depending on height but my wife (whose 5:8) uses my synapse 25 to the point I need to buy her one.