TOM BIHN Smart Alec 2.0 Review

For a brand with a diverse lineup such as TOM BIHN’s, you’re pretty much spoilt for choice regardless of your needs. One key category that almost feels too saturated is their lineup of daypacks. Ranging from the itty-bitty Daylight, to our everyday favorite, the Synik 26, and even including the transformable Trinity, it’s somewhat challenging trying to pick just one daypack. Fortunately, TOM BIHN isn’t short on lengthy explanations to make each of their bags stand out.

So, what makes the Smart Alec 2.0 unique? If you’ve ever felt like the Synik 26 has too many built-in pockets, basically railroading you to its own organizational style, then the Smart Alec 2.0 is a much more openly designed. With more open spaces suitable for packing cubes and pouches, this might be the more flexible option at a similar 26-liter size.

External Components

Like all of TOM BIHN’s gear, the Smart Alec 2.0 comes in a variety of flavors, whether it’s colorways or fabric combinations. We chose to test the 630-denier ballistic nylon version with a 200-denier Halcyon liner, not because it’s necessarily the best, but because ballistic fabric’s good abrasion resistance is the safer choice based on our experience. Those who prefer a lighter bag, though, will probably be best served by the variant equipped with 420-denier Spectron fabric. For context, the ballistic fabric variant weighs 2.12 lbs (960 grams) while the Spectron-equipped variant weighs 1.92 lbs (870 grams). It’s not a huge difference, but enough to be noticeable.

Despite the all-black exterior sleekness, the Smart Alec 2.0 still has a sporty vibe that we just can’t help but notice. Is it the prominent bungee setup at the front? Most likely, seeing as it reminds us of those winches they put on off-roaders. Bungees like these are a convenient alternative when you’re left with dirty gear you can’t store anywhere else, such as soiled shoes, damp jackets, or used gym towels. Mind you, there’s no bottom to this “pocket,” so we recommend really cinching down whatever gear you’re attaching to the bungee.

On that note, you can easily undo the bungee’s knot near the cinch if you don’t want a bungee setup entirely. We know not everyone’s a fan of bungee cords, especially if it feels too conspicuous in more professional settings. You can also relocate the bungee further along the top, since the Smart Alec 2.0 also has a set of attachment points around the brain area. Why would you want to do this? Well, weight balance, for one thing, as the top attachment points are more aligned with the Smart Alec’s center of gravity.

External features are pretty sparse. Other than the bungee setup, there’s only the choice of hardware to gawk at. To be fair, TOM BIHN’s excellent choices are praiseworthy, even if they are industry standards. There are YKK zippers all throughout, while the buckles and adjusters come courtesy of Duraflex, Nexus, and Woojin. These brands are more or less bywords for reliability in the world of travel gear. Indeed, working the zippers and adjusting the straps are fuss-free experiences, and we have no notes on them.

The harness system gets due attention as TOM BIHN made sure it has what it takes to support the bag’s weight. Starting with the shoulder straps, they have a soft, edgeless design that’s easy on the shoulders. Equipped with EVAZOTE® OEKO-TEX® foam, they have a consistency we find ideal even for larger travel backpacks. They’re flexible, too, without feeling too structureless that they’d feel too stretchy to support the bag otherwise.

The same kind of padding is present on the back panel. There’s some fancy pattern going on, but the main thing to appreciate is the mesh cover that allows air to move relatively freely, even during warm days. Of course, heat is still going to build up if you wear the backpack for long enough, so sweat is inevitable. You also have the option to add a frame sheet if you prefer a more rigid-feeling back panel, though we often find ourselves not needing that option whenever it’s afforded to us, even with other bags.

Supporting straps include a sternum strap and a hip belt. The former is the type we find ideal: sliding. Both halves of the sternum strap are mounted on a rail, allowing them to move up and down as needed. This lets you really dial in the adjustment for the ideal fit you want. The hip belt, meanwhile, is simple but provides extra security for those times you need to move more briskly. If you want some of the weight shifted away, you can opt for TOM BIHN’s more padded hip belts, but that’s going to be a separate purchase. But a key takeaway here is that the hip belt is, ultimately, removable, whether you want to replace it or remove it entirely, which is a reasonable move, given the pack’s relatively modest size.

Fit Notes

We generally have no notes about the Smart Alec 2.0 comfort. Given how soft and flexible the shoulder straps are, we have no problem settling in, even without having to break in the padding over the few weeks of testing we had. There is some slight pressure around the lower back, but it’s not something most users might notice, unless they’ve been testing a lot of backpacks back-to-back like we do, especially if they have bigger, more accommodating frames.

Looks and style may be the more relevant aspect as TOM BIHN bags usually have eye-catching shapes, colorways, and overall vibe. For their solid build quality and features, we don’t necessarily put too much emphasis on such subjective matters, but we will say that you’re better off sticking to the all black colorway if you want to keep things lowkey.

Inside The Backpack

Flanking the Smart Alec 2.0 are similarly shaped secondary pockets. They seem similar from the outside, but their interiors are totally different. To start, the one on the left is designed to be a water bottle pocket. Opening it up reveals a very roomy interior, which is particularly encouraging since enclosed water bottle pockets have the inherent disadvantage of having less space compared to open-top ones. For context, we were able to fit 32-ounce insulated bottles, and 18 to 21-ounce bottles were even less of an issue. The gusset can also be opened since it’s held together by a snap fastener at the top, too, in case you have trouble fitting a bottle inside.

The opposite pocket houses a more organized layout designed to hold everyday carry items. From left to right is a liner pocket and two pen slots. It’s not a lot of pockets, to be completely honest, and we would’ve loved to see more of the space utilized and divvied up. On the other hand, there’s at least a ton of space to work with in case you already have your own means of organization, such as a tech pouch or toiletry bag. Additionally, both the left and right secondary pockets have an O-ring each, which is a signature feature of TOM BIHN bags. The one here also comes with a key leash, but you can move it to the other O-rings as desired.

A top hatch allows access to the main compartment, giving a fairly open view of the interior. It’s worth noting that the Smart Alec 2.0 has the same frame and capacity as the Synik 26. From where we’re sitting, the primary similarity here is the dual-access laptop sleeve. Located at the back, it’s mostly a run-of-the-mill laptop sleeve that’s padded on both sides, and with about an inch of false bottom for bottom protection. Two unique touches, though: First, there’s a hook-and-loop strap securing the top, which you can fold onto itself if you don’t want it getting in the way. It’s a subtle touch, but one that makes us wonder why it’s not more common.

Secondly, the laptop sleeve can also be accessed from a side access zippered opening located along the back panel. This is a shared feature with the Synik 26, and we highly approve of it since it gives you the option to bypass having to go through your other gear. Granted, a side-facing opening may not be the easiest to access when you’re sitting in a cramped econo-class seat, but it’s a welcome alternative.

Other means of organization include a split zippered pocket on the front side. If, like us, you feel like the right-side pocket from earlier was lacking, then this is a good alternative spot for stashing other everyday carry accessories, such as chargers and adapters. We’re digging the fact that the pocket has two zippers, which lets us access just one side without having to open both. There’s also a drop pocket down below, which, strangely, TOM BIHN showcases as an alternative water bottle pocket. We’re not a fan of putting that much liquid so close to the rest of our gear, so we use it for storing a packable tote instead.

Apart from the rest of the four O-rings located along the top, that is pretty much it for the Smart Alec 2.0’s built-in organization. We can see how TOM BIHN is positioning this bag as a less compartmentalized version of the Synik 26. Capacity-wise, both bags are similar, though the Smart Alec 2.0 assumes a more daypack-like top-loader design. This means it lacks the hold-down strap that makes the Synik 26 pack more like a travel backpack or suitcase. Instead, packing cubes and pouches can be inserted as easily as tossing them inside. All in all, you can get two large packing cubes’ worth of tops and bottoms, which is more than enough for a weekend trip.