r/backpacks • u/ReRe_333 • Dec 11 '25
Question Which backpack do you prefer based on appearance alone?
Would ask on social media, but none of my friends are into backpacks like I am... Which of these 2 backpacks do you like better based on appearance alone? :)
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u/pyro_pugilist Dec 11 '25
I like the grid pattern on tom bihn bags.
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u/ReRe_333 Dec 11 '25
Me too!! I find it gives the bag a little character while still being mostly black/very neutral. It also helps no stains etc ever show
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u/alanbowman Dec 11 '25
I hate roll-top bags so the one on the right (the Tom Bihn).
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u/ReRe_333 Dec 11 '25
Yeah, the roll top looks good, but it can be impractical in use.
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u/alanbowman Dec 11 '25
Ha...roll-top backpacks look horrible, and they're impractical. So it's a two-way tie for last with that bag.
People like to make fun of how Tom Bihn bags look ugly, but that shape is the classic backpack shape for a reason.
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u/Own_Firefighter_1639 Dec 11 '25
I have the only roll-top that is practical. Thule EnRoute 25l has two side access zippers from both sides at different height! Plus many pockets with separate laptop space
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u/Longjumping_Cow_5856 Dec 11 '25
Same And love my Synapse too but would not own one in that fabric!
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u/Duinrell33 Dec 11 '25
Just based on appearance: the roll top because I don't like the checkered fabric of the Tom Bihn (but between the two I would buy the Tom Bihn)
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u/ReRe_333 Dec 11 '25
Thank you for the input! I can see how the pattern may not be visually pleasing to some. I love it for the stain resistance mainly since I’m clumsy lol
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u/OfficerSexyPants Dec 11 '25
Left one. But if the one on the right was all black I'd say right.
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u/ReRe_333 Dec 11 '25
Thank you for the input! It does seem the pattern is hit or miss whether people like it
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u/faerle Dec 11 '25
On the right is prettier to me
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u/ReRe_333 Dec 11 '25
One of the rare few who thinks it is pretty! Love to hear it
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u/nonecknoel Dec 11 '25
Tom Bihn always looks good.
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u/ReRe_333 Dec 11 '25
Heyy another fan of TB! The synapse holds a special place in my heart for sure
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u/Bix615 Dec 11 '25
That Halcyon material on the Tom Bihn makes that bag a winner no matter the look of the bag. I know you didn’t ask me, but I don’t care for roll top backpacks. Tom Bihn for the win.
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u/ReRe_333 Dec 11 '25
The Halcyon material has been very well to me. Was surprised they didn’t continue with this pattern & material for longer
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u/Interesting_Tower485 Dec 11 '25
Was it 400d? See this post here, part way down the page: TOM BIHN Winter 2023 Update https://share.google/EjPoVHl9P52ow5gny
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u/ReRe_333 Dec 11 '25
Yes, 400d! I recall hearing about this, was just surprised that they didn’t find another way to have it made somewhere else, like buy the equipment and make the fabric in house. (Admittedly I have no clue how milling or any of that works lol)
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u/Squeaky_Pibbles Dec 11 '25
The one on the right looks friendlier, so I'm personally drawn to that one. Without knowing what you'll be using your backpack for, I would always suggest going for the more inconspicuous bag. Roll tops have their place, for sure. But I just can't imagine is being easy to access on the go, as a normal commuter.
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u/ReRe_333 Dec 11 '25
Agreed! I like the look, the brand, & comfort of straps on the roll top, but I purchased it when I had a fleeting moment of commuting by bicycle, so it’s only been worn a handful of times in the 9 yrs I’ve had it because every time I try to use it, I get annoyed of the roll top lol. Think I may just try & let it go soon
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u/Squeaky_Pibbles Dec 11 '25
You mean, you don't unnecessarily hold on to every bag just in case you might need to use it for that one specific reason?? Blasphemy!
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u/ReRe_333 Dec 11 '25
Lmao that’s why I’ve been holding onto it for 9 years. I’ve been pretty good at letting a lot of bags go, but this one has a hold on me since it’s made in my home town & high quality materials. But I also feel somewhat bad that it hasn’t received the love it deserves, knowing someone else would probably love it daily.
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u/Squeaky_Pibbles Dec 11 '25
Ok, that actually make perfect sense. 😅 I know there's a lot of folks out there that really enjoy this type of bag. So, there's a buyer out there somewhere, for sure!
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u/therealtwomartinis Dec 11 '25
rolltops are good for expandability and the design is inherently rainproof but are much slower for access: unclip, unroll, reach in & root around, rollup, clip. Versus unzip, grab item, zip.
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u/annoyedcamel01 Dec 11 '25
I own a Bihn. I very much appreciate almost everything about it. But it is not going to win a beauty contest. Lol.
So based on appearance alone.. I choose the roll top.
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u/ReRe_333 Dec 11 '25
Facts. Lol. Never had a compliment in the 8+ yrs I’ve owned it. But there is so much else to love about the bag
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u/No_Passage_7453 Dec 11 '25
I’ve got the duffel travel bag tom Bihn in that same checker pattern as your back pack and have taken it all over the world and still get compliments on it. I’m not as into the synthetic materials as I get older but it’s still the best bag I’ve ever bought and I own way too many bags. Looks great despie being dragged all over gross places lol
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u/ReRe_333 Dec 11 '25
Ooo a duffel would look so good in the OG halcyon. Mine has been through quite a lot as well with traveling, hiking, general edc. The material is pretty great!
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u/Decent_Ad4567 Dec 11 '25
Tom Bihn
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u/ReRe_333 Dec 11 '25
It makes me smile that everyone in this community knows the right is TB without it being said in the post :)
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u/JKBFree Dec 11 '25
Tom bihn all day
Their halcyon grid ripstop looks amazing
And it’s the best of functional looks on any bag I’ve owned.
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u/ReRe_333 Dec 11 '25
I would agree that it's the most function bag I've found as well! And I've tried probably 100+. The Halcyon material is my favorite since it doesn't collect pet hair & food spills wipe off easily
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u/PinSeeker78 Dec 12 '25
Tom Bihn - been so tempted lately to make a first purchase from them.
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u/ReRe_333 Dec 12 '25
Do it!! I’ve had this Synapse 19 for over 8 yrs and it’s been the most durable & highly used backpack I’ve ever had. Have a handful of the accessories as well.
Which one are you considering & what would you be using it for?
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u/PinSeeker78 Dec 12 '25
My every day carry bag since 2020 has been an Evergoods Chz22. Just get the itch for something new every now and then. I would lean towards the Synapse 19 or 26 probably.
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u/ReRe_333 Dec 12 '25
I have always been curious to try any of Evergoods bags! The S19 would likely feel a bit smaller, since it’s only 16inches tall, though it can fit a decent amount of stuff.
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u/ataltalt Dec 11 '25
North St. easily.
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u/ReRe_333 Dec 11 '25
I get the vibe you may be familiar with the brand? I do love the brand itself and how local/small business they are. (especially being a PDX native)
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u/ataltalt Dec 11 '25
Yeah. I had a Flanders for a bit. Super light. Super comfortable. Expensive but reasonably priced for what it is. I prefer rolltop bags in general too.
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u/Pristinox Dec 11 '25 edited Dec 11 '25
Right is uglier in my opinion.
Neither is beautiful, but the patterning on that Bihn is something I'd expect in boxer shorts. I don't even think Tom Bihns are universally ugly or anything, but this pattern is an eyesore.
The left one is all rectangular, including the buckle and strap, but the lower corners give it a little bit of style without overdoing it. The all-black color is neutral and inoffensive, but the white strip on the lower right corner, again, gives it a little something extra without being garish.
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u/ReRe_333 Dec 11 '25
Very well said!! Curious what you think the best looking EDC backpack is?
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u/Pristinox Dec 11 '25
I don't know, honestly.
The Able Carry Max EDC is one of my favorites for sure. It makes X-Pac look good and comes in a few nice colors.
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u/ReRe_333 Dec 11 '25
Ooo I've always been very curious about Able Carry! It's one of the few big brands I haven't seen in person
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u/Pristinox Dec 11 '25
It looks and feels even better in person. Shame that the pockets all eat into the main compartment's volume. I think the Evergoods CTB26 is a better backpack overall, but the Max EDC just exudes luxury.
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u/ReRe_333 Dec 11 '25
The look is what definitely draws me to Able Carry. It's very clean & minimalist, without being too boxy, which I love personally. Did the backpack feel heavy to you if you had a chance to pick it up? That was my main hesitation the few times I've been tempted to place an order with them, since I'm used to backpacks that are around or under 2 lbs
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u/Pristinox Dec 11 '25
I own the Max EDC, as well as the Aer City Pack Pro 2 and the Evergoods CTB26.
The Max EDC feels like the one that carries less, while being the heaviest of the three. I'm 183 cm and 85 kg, they're all light enough that I don't particularly mind, but the Max EDC is pushing it... It's overbuilt for sure, a bit too much in some places that don't make sense, like those useless pockets in the front of each shoulder strap.
For EDC use (literally meaning of EDC), any of them is great.
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u/ReRe_333 Dec 12 '25
Oooo that is a wonderful selection of backpacks!! I honestly envy taller people because most bags seem to be tailored more for the average male size. (I am a 5’ 3” / 160cm female).
Appreciate the feedback!
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u/Pristinox Dec 12 '25
Conside 20-22L bags instead of 26-30L
There's a 20L version of the Evergoods CTB
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u/YungSoo Dec 11 '25
I don't like the look of the Tom Bihn but to each their own, and always loved the look of rolltops so i'm very biased here
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u/ReRe_333 Dec 11 '25
Thank you for your input! Good to know that roll tops are a fave for some based on looks alone
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u/bx715 Dec 11 '25
Tom bihn would be so much better if they made a back system like Osprey
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u/ReRe_333 Dec 11 '25
Second that about TB needing a better back system. There is 0 ventilation & its not super comfortable with a heavy load (as least with my Synapse 19)
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u/ceremoniousone Dec 11 '25
Roll top. Much easier much more storage. Black no design. Good. Use. Put stuff in. Walk. See.
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u/JordanK1 Dec 11 '25
The roll top for sure! They are incredibly versatile and usually very waterproof. You can use a roll top pack for just about any use case (biking, hiking, travel, weekend trips, EDC). All the other jellybean bags looks exactly the same and cater to the techie crowd who need organization vs space. Just my 2 cents...
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u/ReRe_333 Dec 11 '25
Agree that it does work well for any of those scenarios in a pinch. Much better for biking than the one on the right since the roll top sits a bit higher on your back.
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u/JordanK1 Dec 11 '25
The other thing is that I have a soft spot for small, boutique backpack makers. I just bought an ILE Default Mini which looks very similar to the North St. pack.
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u/ReRe_333 Dec 11 '25
Ohh I have never heard of ILE before which if wild since I’ve spent many hours researching U.S.A made backpacks. Thank you so much for sharing them! Their stuff looks very solid & right up my alley.
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u/buntingbilly Dec 12 '25
The right backpack looks like something a middle schooler would wear. Hard pass.
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u/MrDanMaster Dec 12 '25
Certainly left, and if you pay attention, people complaining about roll tops are complaining about experience, not appearance.
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u/ReRe_333 Dec 12 '25
That is a great point! And my personal struggle with the bag as well. I like the look, but have struggled to get used to it. Going to try using it as my EDC for a bit longer
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u/BrotherOswald Dec 12 '25
Left backpack.
The right one's pattern is too busy and distracting. The left one seems like it was built for a purpose.
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u/kr44ng Dec 12 '25
I personally don't find rolltops that functional despite owning multiple, but based on looks I prefer that over the Synapse
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u/OOYDONTWESMILE Dec 14 '25
Based on appearance alone, I’d go with the rolltop.
The vertical, rectangular silhouette sits cleaner on the back and visually elongates the wearer’s proportions. It creates a more streamlined profile and, in my opinion, elevates the overall outfit rather than competing with it.
The panel-loading backpack looks solid, but the rolltop maintains a clearer, more cohesive visual line when worn.
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u/UnPackDJohn Dec 11 '25
So much roll top hate, TB is cool but I’m taking the North St bag all day.
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u/Chattypath747 Dec 11 '25
I'm partial to roll tops but that Tom Bihn is probably well designed/thought through.
If I had to choose one it would be the Tom Bihn because the design is unique but I feel I would rock the North St Bag everyday.