Synik 26 in Sunglow X-Pac Synik 26 in Sunglow X-Pac with Sangria 210 Cerylon interior Synik 26 in Sunglow X-Pac Synik 26 in Black X-Pac Synik 26 in Black X-Pac with Kiwi 200 Halcyon Synik 26 in Black X-Pac Synik 26 in Navy Parapack Synik 26 in Navy Parapack with Mountain Grey 210 Cerylon interior Synik 26 in Navy Parapack Synik 26 in Saguaro Ballistic Synik 26 in Saguaro Ballistic with Sangria 210 Cerylon interior Synik 26 in Saguaro Ballistic Synik 26 in Raspberry Ballistic Synik 26 in Raspberry Ballistic with Moss 210 Cerylon interior Synik 26 in Raspberry Ballistic Synik 26 in Black Ballistic with a black label Synik 26 in Black Ballistic with Northwest Sky 200 Halcyon interior Synik 26 in Black Ballistic with a black label Synik 26 in Black Ballistic with a colorful label Synik 26 in Black Ballistic with Cerise 200 Halcyon interior Synik 26 in Black Ballistic with Zest 200 Halcyon interior Synik 26 in Black Ballistic with Island 200 Halcyon interior Synik 26 in Black Ballistic with a colorful label Synik 26 in Deep Blue Ballistic Synik 26 in Deep Blue Ballistic with Acai 200 Halcyon interior. Synik 26 in Deep Blue Ballistic with Zest 200 Halcyon interior. Synik 26 in Deep Blue Ballistic Synik 26 in Nebulous Grey Ballistic. Synik 26 in Nebulous Grey Ballistic with Island 200 Halcyon interior. Synik 26 in Nebulous Grey Ballistic. Synik 26 in Mars Red Ballistic. Synik 26 in Mars Red Ballistic with Northwest Sky 200 Halcyon interior. Synik 26 in Mars Red Ballistic. Synik 26 in Burnt Orange Ballistic. Synik 26 in Burnt Orange Ballistic with Northwest Sky 200 Halcyon interior. Synik 26 in Burnt Orange Ballistic. Synik 26 in Aubergine Ballistic. Synik 26 in Aubergine Ballistic with Sitka 200 Halcyon interior. Synik 26 in Aubergine Ballistic with Dusk 210 Cerylon interior. Synik 26 in Aubergine Ballistic. The Synik 26 in Black 420 Spektron The Synik 26 in Black 420 Spektron
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$340.00


Color: Saguaro Ballistic/Sangria 210 Cerylon

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Goldilocks' Favorite Synik. Fits up to 15" laptops.

26 Liters / 1585 cu. in.

TLDR

Not too big, not too small, the Synik 26 sits between the Synik 22 and Synik 30 in size. It offers a more compact height and width than the Synik 30, making it ideal for smaller frames, while still accommodating a larger laptop than the Synik 22.

Features include:

  • Two-point access laptop compartment (14" x 9.5" x 0.75") that holds up to most 14"-15" laptops
  • 5 exterior front pockets with independent volume, including a centered water bottle pocket large enough for most 32oz water bottles
  • Main compartment with full clamshell zipper opening
  • Interior banded open-top pocket
  • Fully integrated, yet removable, internal frame
  • Passthrough for roll-aboard bag handles (maximum width 7")
  • Meets personal item size for most airlines

Full Description

5 Front Exterior Organizational Pockets

The Synik 26 has an abundant amount of organization for your everyday essentials, big and small: the exterior of the bag has five pockets with independent volume. The pockets are designed and patterned in such a way that they don't steal space from each other and they look good (not too caved in, not too bulgy) whether full or empty.

The water bottle pocket is intentionally centered in the bag, allowing one of the heavier objects in your bag to be balanced in the middle, resulting in a more comfortable carrying experience while maintaining a clean, straight-forward exterior aesthetic. We've found that most standard 32 oz / 1 liter water bottles can comfortably fit in the water bottle pocket. 

Below the opening for the water bottle pocket is another small zippered pocket that is just deep enough for keys, a wallet, glove liners, or a small camera. 

The side pockets are generously sized for sunglasses (in a case or alone) or a first aid kit. The right side pocket has a small organizational pocket; the left pocket has one pen slot and two wider slots for tools or more pens.

The bottom pocket is a great spot for extra light clothing or snacks.

Each of the top four pockets has its own O-ring, and the bottom pocket has two O-rings. You can use them to attach our mini or small Ghost Whale Organizer Pouches or Mystery Organizer Pouches

Full Clamshell Zipper Opening

The Synik can open fully clamshell — the zipper starts at the bottom edge of the bag, rather than the middle, so you can pack your bag like a suitcase. We added padding to the exterior bottom of the main compartment to protect the zipper slider and anything in the main and laptop compartments.

On the back interior side of the main compartment, we have included two sets of removable tie-down straps. You can strap down clothes or even a Packing Cube without worrying about the contents falling out while opening the clamshell all the way.

Interior Banded Open-Top Pocket

On the front interior side of the main compartment, there is a banded open-top pocket. It's spacious enough to fit a wide range of items, such as books, tablet, pair of sandals, or our Clear 3D Organizer Cube. Above this open-top pocket are two O-rings, where you can tether additional pouches, such as the Ghost Whale Organizer Pouches.

Edgeless EV50 1/2" Shoulder Strap

Conformity is overrated — except, perhaps, when it comes to shoulder straps. The edgelessness of this strap allows it to more softly conform to your shoulder; we find that this increases comfort. Yet the straps aren't too soft: the 1/2" thick foam means the strap is robust enough to carry a heavy load. 

There's enough length on the shoulder straps to accommodate a wide range of body types. If you need to tighten the straps to the maximum amount, don't worry about having dangling ends — we've included sewn-in strap keepers to help keep those at bay. 

Webbing Loop on Exterior Bottom

On the exterior bottom of the bag is a 1.5"/38 mm webbing loop. Originally, the intended use of the webbing loop was for hooking on a flashlight (highly recommended if you ride a bicycle or walk in the dark). If you're planning on using the Synik for travel, we've found the webbing loop serves as an extra grab handle, allowing you to easily pull the Synik from under the seat or the overhead compartment no matter which direction you stowed it on your flight.

Two-Point Access Suspended Laptop Compartment

On the back interior side of the main compartment is also a built-in zippered laptop compartment. It is made with the same padded foam fabric as our back panels on the side facing the main compartment, and backed by the main lining fabric of the bag. The laptop compartment is suspended off the padded bottom of the bag, ensuring that your laptop is protected each time you place your backpack on the ground, whether gently or not. 

There are two access points to the laptop compartment. You can access it from the inside of the main compartment. Or you can access it from the external zipper, located on the back left side (when facing the front of the backpack). We find the external zipper especially helpful when you want to directly pull out your laptop without having to rummage through the contents of the main compartment (say maybe in the security line at the airport). 

Above the interior zipper are two additional O-rings. More places to attach pouches.

The laptop compartment (size: 14.00" x 9.5" x 0.75" / 330mm x 240mm x 19mm) can fit devices as large as the 16" Macbook Pro (just barely).

Integrated Yet Removable Internal Frame

The Synik is designed to accommodate an optional internal frame. It is made of die-cut .055" thick High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), with a nylon webbing sleeve sewn down the center that encases a 8-1/4" / 210mm tall and 1/2" / 13mm wide 6061 aluminum half-stay.

We include it for you, but if you're not a fan of the extra rigidity, you can remove the internal frame (here's a video tutorial) by sliding it in and out of the back panel through an opening at the top of the panel. You won't see the frame itself unless you're adding it or removing it, and we've tested the bag enough to know that the frame also won't slip out.

The internal frame assists in ensuring a laptop stowed in the laptop compartment is suspended off the bottom of the bag, as well as adds a firm barrier between the laptop and (if you're using one) a rolling luggage handle that's inserted through the luggage pass-through slot.

On the internal frame is also an aluminum half-stay. It allows us to pre-bend the frame at a curve that will be comfortable to the vast majority of people. 

Rolling Luggage Handle Pass-Through

We know many of you like to use our bags as personal items alongside roller luggage when traveling, so we added a pass-through pocket to the Synik, tucked between the back panel and the internal frame.

We recommend making sure that the internal frame is closest to the bag itself and the handle of your rolling luggage is on the outside of the frame. This ensures that there's a barrier between the laptop compartment and the luggage handle.

There are, of course, different sizes of rolling luggage with different handle lengths and widths. If you'd like to place your Synik 26 over the handle of your rolling luggage, that handle will need to be at least 450mm / 17.75" in length and at most 178 mm / 7.00" wide. 

Padded Grab Handle

The depth on the shell of the Synik gave us the real estate needed to add a substantial, padded grab handle. The padding offers extra support, and the bowtie shape is ergonomic.

The Synik 26 has an abundant amount of organization for your everyday essentials, big and small: the exterior of the bag has five pockets with independent volume. The pockets are designed and patterned in such a way that they don't steal space from each other and they look good (not too caved in, not too bulgy) whether full or empty.

The water bottle pocket is intentionally centered in the bag, allowing one of the heavier objects in your bag to be balanced in the middle, resulting in a more comfortable carrying experience while maintaining a clean, straight-forward exterior aesthetic. We've found that most standard 32 oz / 1 liter water bottles can comfortably fit in the water bottle pocket. 

Below the opening for the water bottle pocket is another small zippered pocket that is just deep enough for keys, a wallet, glove liners, or a small camera. 

The side pockets are generously sized for sunglasses (in a case or alone) or a first aid kit. The right side pocket has a small organizational pocket; the left pocket has one pen slot and two wider slots for tools or more pens.

The bottom pocket is a great spot for extra light clothing or snacks.

Each of the top four pockets has its own O-ring, and the bottom pocket has two O-rings. You can use them to attach our mini or small Ghost Whale Organizer Pouches or Mystery Organizer Pouches

The Synik can open fully clamshell — the zipper starts at the bottom edge of the bag, rather than the middle, so you can pack your bag like a suitcase. We added padding to the exterior bottom of the main compartment to protect the zipper slider and anything in the main and laptop compartments.

On the back interior side of the main compartment, we have included two sets of removable tie-down straps. You can strap down clothes or even a Packing Cube without worrying about the contents falling out while opening the clamshell all the way.

On the front interior side of the main compartment, there is a banded open-top pocket. It's spacious enough to fit a wide range of items, such as books, tablet, pair of sandals, or our Clear 3D Organizer Cube. Above this open-top pocket are two O-rings, where you can tether additional pouches, such as the Ghost Whale Organizer Pouches.

Conformity is overrated — except, perhaps, when it comes to shoulder straps. The edgelessness of this strap allows it to more softly conform to your shoulder; we find that this increases comfort. Yet the straps aren't too soft: the 1/2" thick foam means the strap is robust enough to carry a heavy load. 

There's enough length on the shoulder straps to accommodate a wide range of body types. If you need to tighten the straps to the maximum amount, don't worry about having dangling ends — we've included sewn-in strap keepers to help keep those at bay. 

On the exterior bottom of the bag is a 1.5"/38 mm webbing loop. Originally, the intended use of the webbing loop was for hooking on a flashlight (highly recommended if you ride a bicycle or walk in the dark). If you're planning on using the Synik for travel, we've found the webbing loop serves as an extra grab handle, allowing you to easily pull the Synik from under the seat or the overhead compartment no matter which direction you stowed it on your flight.

On the back interior side of the main compartment is also a built-in zippered laptop compartment. It is made with the same padded foam fabric as our back panels on the side facing the main compartment, and backed by the main lining fabric of the bag. The laptop compartment is suspended off the padded bottom of the bag, ensuring that your laptop is protected each time you place your backpack on the ground, whether gently or not. 

There are two access points to the laptop compartment. You can access it from the inside of the main compartment. Or you can access it from the external zipper, located on the back left side (when facing the front of the backpack). We find the external zipper especially helpful when you want to directly pull out your laptop without having to rummage through the contents of the main compartment (say maybe in the security line at the airport). 

Above the interior zipper are two additional O-rings. More places to attach pouches.

The laptop compartment (size: 14.00" x 9.5" x 0.75" / 330mm x 240mm x 19mm) can fit devices as large as the 16" Macbook Pro (just barely).

The Synik is designed to accommodate an optional internal frame. It is made of die-cut .055" thick High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), with a nylon webbing sleeve sewn down the center that encases a 8-1/4" / 210mm tall and 1/2" / 13mm wide 6061 aluminum half-stay.

We include it for you, but if you're not a fan of the extra rigidity, you can remove the internal frame (here's a video tutorial) by sliding it in and out of the back panel through an opening at the top of the panel. You won't see the frame itself unless you're adding it or removing it, and we've tested the bag enough to know that the frame also won't slip out.

The internal frame assists in ensuring a laptop stowed in the laptop compartment is suspended off the bottom of the bag, as well as adds a firm barrier between the laptop and (if you're using one) a rolling luggage handle that's inserted through the luggage pass-through slot.

On the internal frame is also an aluminum half-stay. It allows us to pre-bend the frame at a curve that will be comfortable to the vast majority of people. 

We know many of you like to use our bags as personal items alongside roller luggage when traveling, so we added a pass-through pocket to the Synik, tucked between the back panel and the internal frame.

We recommend making sure that the internal frame is closest to the bag itself and the handle of your rolling luggage is on the outside of the frame. This ensures that there's a barrier between the laptop compartment and the luggage handle.

There are, of course, different sizes of rolling luggage with different handle lengths and widths. If you'd like to place your Synik 26 over the handle of your rolling luggage, that handle will need to be at least 450mm / 17.75" in length and at most 178 mm / 7.00" wide. 

The depth on the shell of the Synik gave us the real estate needed to add a substantial, padded grab handle. The padding offers extra support, and the bowtie shape is ergonomic.

Upper Back

Spacer Mesh

Back

Closed-cell foam

Straps

Edgeless EV50 1/2” / 12mm shoulder straps (EVAZOTE® OEKO-TEX® foam)

Components

Duraflex®, Nexus, and Woojin buckles and related components

Zippers

1x #10 YKK Aquaguard® water-repellent zipper with metal slider
5x #8 YKK Racquet-Coil water-repellent zippers with metal sliders
1x #8 YKK Racquet-Coil water-repellant zippers with contoured cord pull
1x #5 YKK Coil Zipper with plastic slider

Specs

Filled Dimensions

13.2" (w) x 18.0" (h) x 7.7" - 10.8" (d) / 335mm (w) x 455mm (h) x 195 - 275mm (d)

Weight

Bag with Frame:
420 Spectron: 2 lb 9 oz / 1150 grams
X-Pac®: 2 lb 9 oz / 1185 grams
630d Ballistic/200d Halcyon Lining: 2 lb 11 oz / 1240 grams
420d Classic Parapack: 2 lb 12 oz / 1270 grams

Frame Sheet:
5.1 oz / 145 grams

Volume

26 Liters / 1585 cubic inches (ASTM Standard Measure)

Straps

.5" / 13 mm padded and contoured backpack straps with .75" / 20 mm removable sternum strap

1" / 25 mm waist strap included

Laptop Compartment

Maximum: 14.00" x 9.44" x 0.75" / 355mm x 241mm x 19mm

Included

1x 8-inch Black Webbing Snaphook/Snaphook Key Strap
8x Black Pulls Du Jour
1x Sternum Strap Assembly
1x Gatekeeper Waist Strap
1x Internal Frame w/ Aluminum Half-Stay
1 pair Tie-Down Straps

O-Rings

10
(1 in the water bottle pocket
1 in the small middle pocket
1 in the left pocket
1 in the right pocket
2 in the bottom pocket
4 in the main compartment)

Choosing an Exterior Fabric

You like choices and we like to give you choices! Our Materials Glossary explains each fabric in great detail, but here are some quick facts that may help you decide which exterior fabric to choose.

High Tenacity Ballistic Nylon

Weave
2x2 “ballistic” weave
Fibers
630 denier type 6,6 (high tenacity) filament nylon, twisted
Coating
heavy urethane
Made in
South Korea with Canadian Yarn

Choose this fabric if

  • You want your bag to be soft and supple yet tough as nails.
  • You want a fabric that's stately enough to be at home at work, the mountains, or a nice hotel.
  • You don't want your bag to collect pet hair or abrade your clothing.

X-Pac® RX-30

Weave
3-Ply Polyester Laminate
Fibers
300 denier 100% Recycled Polyester Face
Coating
0.5mm Polyester Film
Made in
USA

Choose this fabric if

  • You want a lighter weight fabric that has remarkable tear strength and good abrasion resistance.
  • You're looking for a fabric with a modern, "technical" appearance.
  • You want a fully recycled fabric with 0-Chain DWR coating

420d HT Nylon Classic Parapack

Weave
1x1 plain weave
Fibers
420 denier type 6,6 (high tenacity) filament nylon
Coating
heavy urethane
Made in
USA

Choose this fabric if

  • You want your bag’s fabric to have a soft, smooth hand yet be quite durable and have an interesting backstory.
  • You want a fabric that's stately enough to be at home at work, the mountains, or a nice hotel.
  • You don't want your bag to collect pet hair or abrade your clothing.
4.8
Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars
Based on 99 reviews
97%would recommend this product
99 reviews
  • Kenya M.
    Verified Buyer
    Bought For Myself
    Product Standouts Sewn in USA, High Quality Craftsmanship, Durable, High Quality Finishings, Thoughtful Design
    3 days ago
    Bought For Myself
    Product Standouts Sewn in USA, High Quality Craftsmanship, Durable, High Quality Finishings, Thoughtful Design
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Has lived up to expectations!

    I can be very particular about the products I use and had found a bag that was about 90% of what I considered to be my ideal bag so I was a bit hesitant to pull the trigger on purchasing the Synik 26. An acquaintance had an only Synapse 30 and I was convinced by the material and built quality of their bag to of ahead and give this bag a try, which I'm glad I did. This easily and immediately become my everyday work and short trip carry. I love the pockets, overall setup of the bag and can feel the quality upgrade. I expect this bag to last me for years to come, which is exactly what I was looking for! One comment I would add is that I wish the elastic punch on the inside of the main bag compartment had a way to stay closed or more ridgid up against the inside of the bag. I love the fact that my laptop has it's own compartment and the main bag area is where I store all the folders, binders and notebooks I carrybon a daily basis, so all flat and mainly book / paper like materials. I've found myself accidentally snagging the elastic pouch when I first started using the bag, but I've just adjusted my approach to quickly putting my stuff nto the bag so its not a big deal.

  • Roy H.
    Verified Buyer
    Bought For Myself
    Product Standouts Thoughtful Design, Comfortable, High Quality Craftsmanship, Sewn in USA, Durable
    4 days ago
    Bought For Myself
    Product Standouts Thoughtful Design, Comfortable, High Quality Craftsmanship, Sewn in USA, Durable
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    The BEST American-made Backpack on the planet!

    I have used LL Bean backpacks for years, and before that, JanSport…but those two brands do not compare even 1/10th to the quality and thoughtfulness of design that my Tom Bihn Synik 26 backpack has offered…starting with the water bottle holder is centered…keeps one’s body balanced…thank you for that. Also, many zippers, pockets, rings, waterproof, etc. Thank you for making such a fine product…highly recommend any Tom Bihn bag…they are the best! And, if you are not sure, call their customer service number and speak to Shelby - the BEST…give this employee a raise…professional, kind, knowledgeable, and cares for the customer…thank you Shelby!

  • Beth B.
    Verified Buyer
    Bought For Myself
    Product Standouts Comfortable, Sewn in USA
    4 days ago
    Bought For Myself
    Product Standouts Comfortable, Sewn in USA
    Rated 3 out of 5 stars
    Front pockets intrude on interior space

    I feel it is very disingenuous to say that the pockets on the Synik are designed to stay in their own space and don't cut into the storage space of other parts of the bag. That was not my experience at all. When I put a full 3D organizer cube in each of the front side pockets and a 20oz water bottle in the front bottle pocket, this bulged significantly into the main compartment. See for yourself in the photos attached. It made me unable to use the interior front slip pocket for anything much thicker than paper and reduced what I could put in the main compartment. I purchased this bag specifically because of the advertised claim that all pockets keep their own space, and was disappointed that this is not the case.

    I will say that the shoulder straps were very comfortable and the bag seemed to be well-made. This was my first experience with TB and I hope I can find a bag that better works for me.

  • Janet K M.
    Verified Buyer
    Bought For Gift
    Product Standouts Thoughtful Design, Comfortable, High Quality Finishings, Great Gift, High Quality Craftsmanship
    4 days ago
    Bought For Gift
    Product Standouts Thoughtful Design, Comfortable, High Quality Finishings, Great Gift, High Quality Craftsmanship
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    I recruited a new cult member!

    I raved and raved about my Synik 22 to my husband and he just didn't get it. I broke down and bought one for him for our Japan trip, and he LOVES it. Now he raves and raves too!

  • Jeffrey L.
    Verified Buyer
    Bought For Myself
    Product Standouts Sewn in USA, High Quality Craftsmanship
    5 days ago
    Bought For Myself
    Product Standouts Sewn in USA, High Quality Craftsmanship
    Rated 4 out of 5 stars
    Nice size. Nice quality material.

    As compared to my old, cheap backpack, this is of higher quality. Some of the stuff I used to put in my old backpack, like multiple water bottles, does not fit. Also, my cheap backpack as compared to my Tom Bihn backpack had many built-in pockets which were useful. Tom Bihn seems to want you to buy extra add-ons to organize which is understandable from a commercial standpoint, but obviously more expensive as a customer. I thought the backpack was expensive, but I was impressed with the quality.

Lifetime guarantee image

Sewn in Seattle

Our bags are designed and sewn right here in Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.

That allows us to be control freaks in the best way possible; we have direct control and oversight of the quality of our materials, our products, and the jobs and working environment that we help create. It also offers us a unique spontaneity: when we have an idea for a new product or accessory, we can design it, figure out how to build it, add it to our website and be ready to ship it out our front door all within just a few weeks. How cool is that?

Intrigued? You can find out more about the unusual way we do business on our Company Philosophy page.

THE BIHN Guarantee

Everything you buy from us here at TOM BIHN is satisfaction guaranteed. We’ve been in business since 1972 and we stand behind what we make.

If something goes wrong and it's our fault, we'll fix it for free. Repairs due to normal wear and tear or due to other things that are not our fault will be performed, when possible, at a reasonable charge right here in our Seattle factory where your bag was made. Defects in materials or workmanship are uncommon and almost always evident while the product is still new. Keep in mind that bags and packs are often subject to extreme wear in everyday use: do not expect them to last forever. Only true love lasts forever! You can expect a TOM BIHN product to give years and years of hard service.

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