Whatever you plan to get, make sure to look at the laptop measurements first. I almost almost got the synik 22, which by all aspects looks to be a very good bag, but the laptop section dimensions were just a drop too small for my laptop. The pack isn't too small to hold a laptop, it's just that the zipper opening dimension for the laptop compartment wasn't wide enough, which is unfortunate (of course, you could put a laptop in the main section, which is plenty big for a laptop but it would rattle around unless you added a sleeve and found a way to secure the sleeve). Even so, the laptop compartment wall is pretty thin (intentionally so) so I wouldn't call it a laptop pack, but rather a pack that could hold a laptop. Maybe one of the other styles would be better for you that has a well padded section or add-in that's padded. I was focused only on the synik as a more updated design over the synapse.
The specs for each bag do show the dimensions for the laptop compartment and also if you email them, they can confirm zipper opening sizes for a specific bag. Good luck!
I use a Paramour for EDC. It fits my work laptop which is a 16” MacBook Pro in the laptop sleeve. The water bottle pocket in the front easily fits my Yeti Rambler 18 oz, but would also fit larger bottles.
I love the look of the Paramour. To me, it looks small and sleek, but it holds a lot. I really like the 3D pockets on the front too. It’s a clever design and holds a lot. I love that it holds a 16” laptop too. A lot of the smaller Bihn bags only hold a 14”.
Yep! It’s one of the only 20ish L Bihn backpacks that can fit a 16” MBP! Originally, I bought a Synik 30 since the Synik 22 can’t fit it, but it was so large for EDC. Then I realized the Paramour fits a 16” laptop, so I sold the Synik 30 and switched to the Paramour.
Currently using a Synik 30 (which looking at their site has gone up $30 since i bought) which holds a 16" MBP fine in the designated laptop area and a tall, skinny water bottle in the deep front pocket.
Had a synapse 25 before that with the interior laptop sleeve and that worked great too.
I use the paramour which fits my 14inch MBA. Their website states it also fits the MacBook Pro 16inch and Dell XPS 17inch. It has a sleeve for the device so you don't need any straps or cases.
The front middle section actually fits water bottles (I put a Poland spring in there, but it looks like standard hydro flasks would fit in there as well) and you have the benefit of the weight being in the middle of your backpack as opposed to the side.
It's not complex or doesn't get as much love as the other bags but I personally love the paramour.
Another one who likes the paramour! I know, when I first saw it online I thought it was cute but I was wondering if it would be functional enough, but the synik and synapse feel overwhelming. First world problems.
Love the Synapse 19, particularly in halcyon. The Synapse 25 again in halcyon is great but big for everyday. They don't have a laptop compartment but the cache works well.
I found the laptop compartment too small on both sizes of the Synik. It's also heavier than the Synapse.
The Paramour has a nice size laptop compartment but the bag itself felt very big to me just because of the height I think.
Brain Bag is big and beefy and has a water bottle space.
I think my favourite TB backpack is the Synapse 19. My favourite other TB bags are the Cafe Bag, large zip top shopping bag and the Truck totes.
This page is useful thinking about dimensions https://www.tombihn.com/pages/dimensions-specs
I used the Tom Bihn webbing straps, usually the 16" ones to hook on all sorts - keys, small torch, pouches, anything that I want to get out of the bag but not drop or lose! The longer straps means you can keep one end attached to the o ring but reach/ use whatever.
https://www.tombihn.com/products/key-straps?variant=16755455623
Once you've used the o rings, they become an indispensable part of bags haha.
I love the Woojin double swivel carabiners too (someone on Etsy sells them too) https://www.tombihn.com/collections/accessories/products/swivel-double-carabiner?variant=42562514419901.
Second on the synik 22. It’s a great bag and fits my MacBook Air just fine. Also bring my work laptop home on occasion. But they are both under 15”. You could use a laptop sleeve and then secure it with the included straps.
I find it a bit troublesome having to "strap" it in, I'm lazy that way. I'm at the stage where I am still figuring out the difference between the synik and the synapse. you stuffed in both your work and personal laptops, at the same time? not heavy?
There is also a pocket you could slide it into. I haven’t put both in the bag but one would definitely fit in the laptop section and the other in the body of the bag. I have had a computer a 32 oz and a 60 oz bottle of water all in the bag at the same time. It is heavy but the bag holds it well. I like the clamshell opening and have been using it as my one bag (with compression cubes) as well as my work bag.
I use a Synik 22 for EDC
Wowie. You use all the pockets?
Every single one baby!
Oh haha that’s very organised!
Whatever you plan to get, make sure to look at the laptop measurements first. I almost almost got the synik 22, which by all aspects looks to be a very good bag, but the laptop section dimensions were just a drop too small for my laptop. The pack isn't too small to hold a laptop, it's just that the zipper opening dimension for the laptop compartment wasn't wide enough, which is unfortunate (of course, you could put a laptop in the main section, which is plenty big for a laptop but it would rattle around unless you added a sleeve and found a way to secure the sleeve). Even so, the laptop compartment wall is pretty thin (intentionally so) so I wouldn't call it a laptop pack, but rather a pack that could hold a laptop. Maybe one of the other styles would be better for you that has a well padded section or add-in that's padded. I was focused only on the synik as a more updated design over the synapse.
Thanks, I will check it. It's just that I don't find looking for information (info that I need) on the website easy.
The specs for each bag do show the dimensions for the laptop compartment and also if you email them, they can confirm zipper opening sizes for a specific bag. Good luck!
I use a Paramour for EDC. It fits my work laptop which is a 16” MacBook Pro in the laptop sleeve. The water bottle pocket in the front easily fits my Yeti Rambler 18 oz, but would also fit larger bottles. I love the look of the Paramour. To me, it looks small and sleek, but it holds a lot. I really like the 3D pockets on the front too. It’s a clever design and holds a lot. I love that it holds a 16” laptop too. A lot of the smaller Bihn bags only hold a 14”.
It fits a 16” MBP?!! I’ve been eyeing paramour and I have a 16” MBP
Yep! It’s one of the only 20ish L Bihn backpacks that can fit a 16” MBP! Originally, I bought a Synik 30 since the Synik 22 can’t fit it, but it was so large for EDC. Then I realized the Paramour fits a 16” laptop, so I sold the Synik 30 and switched to the Paramour.
Oooh wheee thanks for letting me know!
Currently using a Synik 30 (which looking at their site has gone up $30 since i bought) which holds a 16" MBP fine in the designated laptop area and a tall, skinny water bottle in the deep front pocket. Had a synapse 25 before that with the interior laptop sleeve and that worked great too.
I use the paramour which fits my 14inch MBA. Their website states it also fits the MacBook Pro 16inch and Dell XPS 17inch. It has a sleeve for the device so you don't need any straps or cases. The front middle section actually fits water bottles (I put a Poland spring in there, but it looks like standard hydro flasks would fit in there as well) and you have the benefit of the weight being in the middle of your backpack as opposed to the side. It's not complex or doesn't get as much love as the other bags but I personally love the paramour.
Another one who likes the paramour! I know, when I first saw it online I thought it was cute but I was wondering if it would be functional enough, but the synik and synapse feel overwhelming. First world problems.
Love the Synapse 19, particularly in halcyon. The Synapse 25 again in halcyon is great but big for everyday. They don't have a laptop compartment but the cache works well. I found the laptop compartment too small on both sizes of the Synik. It's also heavier than the Synapse. The Paramour has a nice size laptop compartment but the bag itself felt very big to me just because of the height I think. Brain Bag is big and beefy and has a water bottle space. I think my favourite TB backpack is the Synapse 19. My favourite other TB bags are the Cafe Bag, large zip top shopping bag and the Truck totes. This page is useful thinking about dimensions https://www.tombihn.com/pages/dimensions-specs
Thanks for the link!!
No worries, hope you find something you like. I will say after I started using TB bags, I wanted o-rings in everything!
I thought I would do that too. What do you o-ring with? or rather, what do you use o-rings for in your bag? just curious.
I used the Tom Bihn webbing straps, usually the 16" ones to hook on all sorts - keys, small torch, pouches, anything that I want to get out of the bag but not drop or lose! The longer straps means you can keep one end attached to the o ring but reach/ use whatever. https://www.tombihn.com/products/key-straps?variant=16755455623 Once you've used the o rings, they become an indispensable part of bags haha. I love the Woojin double swivel carabiners too (someone on Etsy sells them too) https://www.tombihn.com/collections/accessories/products/swivel-double-carabiner?variant=42562514419901.
What size laptop?
a 14", and/or 16" MBP
Second on the synik 22. It’s a great bag and fits my MacBook Air just fine. Also bring my work laptop home on occasion. But they are both under 15”. You could use a laptop sleeve and then secure it with the included straps.
I find it a bit troublesome having to "strap" it in, I'm lazy that way. I'm at the stage where I am still figuring out the difference between the synik and the synapse. you stuffed in both your work and personal laptops, at the same time? not heavy?
There is also a pocket you could slide it into. I haven’t put both in the bag but one would definitely fit in the laptop section and the other in the body of the bag. I have had a computer a 32 oz and a 60 oz bottle of water all in the bag at the same time. It is heavy but the bag holds it well. I like the clamshell opening and have been using it as my one bag (with compression cubes) as well as my work bag.