Smart Alec 2.0

Maxxed Carry-On Personal Item

I needed a bag for travel that could serve as my carry-on personal item — and maximum size at that. It needed to be able to be worn as a backpack, but also could be attached to my rolling luggage. The Smart Alec 2.0 checked those boxes and more! I’m able to carry camera gear and multiple days of clothing and toiletries — everything of importance that I might need should my checked baggage be delayed or lost (once bitten, am I right?). As a backpack it can be worn comfortably on a 5’ 2” woman. And the exterior cinch cord — which I wasn’t as fond of when I purchased it? I found it quite handy for stashing the jacket I no longer wanted to wear after hoofing it through security and then a gate-change airport dash. For general utility, I like the top-load single compartment style of the Smart Alec. While I can appreciate designers who come up with ways to help one organize their stuff, I also sometimes prefer the freedom to customize my own organization. One trip I may need to pack for adventure, other times it’s a city stay, and those may require different packing styles, at least where I’m concerned. Regardless, I’m confident THAT Smart Alec can help get THIS smart aleck where she’s going.

Perfect gift

This is a gift for my son that he requested. Can’t go wrong with Tom Bihn bags. I have so many I maintain a spreadsheet to track what I have and what I have gifted. My favorite gift to give is the monster truck.

My perfect travel companion

Whenever I travel via train I choose the Smart Alec as my companion. Although I own an Aeronaut 30 as well I always end up taking the SA on trains with me and on trips where I end up walking a bit (or a lot) with my luggage. I am a minimalist packer and the SA is easily packed with clothes for up to five days. It’s amazing -as it is with all Tom Bihn bags- how much stuff fits inside the backpack. I had a ballistic SA before and now I bought a Spectron version (because I just love the lightweight and durability of Spectron) and with the Spectron I very much appreciate the additional support of the (additional) frame. The outside pockets are really good for “high need items” like a water bottle, small electronics and other handbag items. About the Velcro: to me it seems like some people are afraid of the velcro closure on the laptop pocket. If you are hesitant to buy just because of it: don’t be. The design team thought of everything! You can just fold the velcro part in half and it does not stick to anything in the bag! In fact: I had a bunch of yarn laying right against the velcro and walked around the city for hours (comfortably) and not one single piece of yarn was caught. You could actually just remove the velcro all together if you really did not want it and the laptop would still be secure. I very much appreciate the design choice here because every other solution would have been to bulky for me. So all in all I can only say what I pretty much always say about any Tom Bihn item: if you think about buying it, do it! It’s such a good investment and you will save money over time because no other brand (at least non I know) has such high quality, is so long lasting and is so good at designing all the tiny details that make it perfect. I see myself wearing my Smart Alec for a long long time.