Salomon Synapse Flow 30 AW Daypack Review

[climber ’s choice]

This pack’s low-profile design, excellent compression, and self-adjusting shoulder straps made it a favorite among our vertically inclined testers. “The narrow packbag didn’t compromise my movement when I groped for handholds,” says one tester who used the Synapse on more than two dozen scrambly hikes in the French Alps. Stability is also strong: Lightly padded shoulder straps connect at the lumbar via a narrow tunnel. They dynamically adjust during big moves, allowing the load to stay glued to the spine. Nice: A big, inverted U-shaped zipper lets you peel back the entire front panel like a can of sardines; hipbelt pockets are huge; and there’s an integrated rainfly. $145; 1 lb. 15 oz.; 30 liters; 3 sizes; salomon.com