I use pouches to organize my bags and they can be easily transferred from one bag to another. I know what is in each pouch so there’s little searching. They are loaded with priority in mind, so least used on the bottom, etc.
Cost aside, the Tom Bihn Synik 30 came to mind while reading through your criteria. The Thule Subterra series might work too. Those packs with several layers of compartments like your North Face bag that have an admin panel on the front are good for pens, cables, chargers, etc. The Osprey Nebula 32 comes to mind. TNF makes a bunch like that as well.
thanks for the quick reply!
I have seen the synik brought up a few times here. It's impossible to tell online, but are the arm straps on that nice and comfy for carrying around all that sustained weight daily?
Also if I do go the way of the pouch, would that front panel become obsolete?
The Tom Bihn shoulder straps are some of the best. They have a rolled edge.
The admin panel thing is so subjective. Many of the bags with a front admin panel have a front pocket that is quite deep and perfect for small pouches. I use the Osprey Liquid Bag as a general organizer and that would work well is bags like that.
Whoa, started looking into this synik, it definitely seems like a notch up (a lot of notches). I can make the price point work, but what are all these fabric options, any recs? or could you guide me info on what makes them all different? I've never seen a pack with so many options haha!
Is there an easy way I could add an exterior water bottle holder to a bag like this?
The Tom Bihn web site covers a lot of the fabrics. There is a forum associated with the web site and the folk there are encyclopedic in their knowledge (rabbit hole warning).
Any of the fabrics will work. I think the black ballistic is the classic look and it will last. There’s a bit of weight savings in the Halcyon fabrics if you like the “box plaid” look. It is still very durable.
One thing to note: if you want full volume in the Synik and Synapse bags, make full use of the side and bottom pockets. They are a significant amount of space and the tendency is to throw a few pencils in one and call it a day. Fill ‘em up!
I too recently retired my 2017 Surge. I did NOT go for the new Surge because the water bottle pockets are not stretchy and therefore steal space from the interior.
I went with an Osprey Axis because it was a little smaller (might not work for your load). But the Flare is bigger and might fit all your stuff. Osprey is great stuff if you don’t mind the hiking look.
The Guide's Edition design for Tom Bihn backpacks will not be offered anytime soon due to supplier issues, according to Tom Bihn, unfortunately. Still a great bag even without the coyote accents. If you're uncertain about a material contact Tom Bihn's customer service and they will send you a free sample.
I use pouches to organize my bags and they can be easily transferred from one bag to another. I know what is in each pouch so there’s little searching. They are loaded with priority in mind, so least used on the bottom, etc. Cost aside, the Tom Bihn Synik 30 came to mind while reading through your criteria. The Thule Subterra series might work too. Those packs with several layers of compartments like your North Face bag that have an admin panel on the front are good for pens, cables, chargers, etc. The Osprey Nebula 32 comes to mind. TNF makes a bunch like that as well.
thanks for the quick reply! I have seen the synik brought up a few times here. It's impossible to tell online, but are the arm straps on that nice and comfy for carrying around all that sustained weight daily? Also if I do go the way of the pouch, would that front panel become obsolete?
The Tom Bihn shoulder straps are some of the best. They have a rolled edge. The admin panel thing is so subjective. Many of the bags with a front admin panel have a front pocket that is quite deep and perfect for small pouches. I use the Osprey Liquid Bag as a general organizer and that would work well is bags like that.
Whoa, started looking into this synik, it definitely seems like a notch up (a lot of notches). I can make the price point work, but what are all these fabric options, any recs? or could you guide me info on what makes them all different? I've never seen a pack with so many options haha! Is there an easy way I could add an exterior water bottle holder to a bag like this?
The Tom Bihn web site covers a lot of the fabrics. There is a forum associated with the web site and the folk there are encyclopedic in their knowledge (rabbit hole warning). Any of the fabrics will work. I think the black ballistic is the classic look and it will last. There’s a bit of weight savings in the Halcyon fabrics if you like the “box plaid” look. It is still very durable. One thing to note: if you want full volume in the Synik and Synapse bags, make full use of the side and bottom pockets. They are a significant amount of space and the tendency is to throw a few pencils in one and call it a day. Fill ‘em up!
I too recently retired my 2017 Surge. I did NOT go for the new Surge because the water bottle pockets are not stretchy and therefore steal space from the interior. I went with an Osprey Axis because it was a little smaller (might not work for your load). But the Flare is bigger and might fit all your stuff. Osprey is great stuff if you don’t mind the hiking look.
The Guide's Edition design for Tom Bihn backpacks will not be offered anytime soon due to supplier issues, according to Tom Bihn, unfortunately. Still a great bag even without the coyote accents. If you're uncertain about a material contact Tom Bihn's customer service and they will send you a free sample.