Smart Alec Bag from Tom Bihn

Reviewed by Wayne LeFevre

What it is:

A daypack that just works. For those that read an earlier review that I did on the Oakley SI Computer Bag, I was very excited to get a messenger type laptop bag with all the bells and whistles anyone could want. Now I needed a backpack. When looking for a backpack that could carry a laptop with all it’s gear, plus either a change of clothes or just the normal items one carries through the day, I immediately fell in love with the Smart Alec.

I didn’t know much about Tom Bihn when I heard Victor Cajiao talking about the Brain Bag on The Typical Mac User Podcast. I went to their site, and had to have the Smart Alec.

First off, as they will be the first to admit, they aren’t the cheapest bags around. Primarily because you won’t find one of their bags coming from China, or anywhere else but the States. Most of their manufacturing is done right there at their Seattle factory, with a small number of items coming from Minnesota and Missouri. Another reason is they actually use 1050 denier Ballistic Nylon, and 1000 denier Cordura nylon. I’m not sure if you’ve been following this, but apparently a lot of manufacturers are saying that their bags are made with Ballistic Nylon, but are really just regular nylon. I’ve seen where a pack will snag on a sharp object, and literally just start unravelling! Tom has stories of his packs being used all over the world, one of them being a Marine in Afghanistan that had a laptop in a Brain Cell in a Brain Bag. His Humvee was hit by an i.e.d. and his laptop was undamaged, though he wound up wounded in the hospital.

Tom learned to make backpacking and other equipment at a young age for lack of money to buy the cool equipment. Soon he was not only making bags for himself, but his friends and teachers. This experience has obviously taught him that quality counts, even though it may cost a little more.

Back to the Smart Alec. This bag is not encumbered by a lot of pockets and dividers, and that is what makes it great. Inside is just one large open area that carries a surprisingly lot of stuff. Inside the main compartment there are five small pockets, for items you don’t want to lose in its vastness. iPod, pens, etc. It also contains a key snap and two removable clips. These clips fasten in their optional Brain Cell laptop cases, in case you do want to carry laptops in your bag. These fantastic cases are hard sided, have their own handles, and are made for your exact size of laptop. This is not a one size fits all case. They have different cases for the 12” and 14” iBook, MacBook, MacBook Pro, (all sizes,) Mac mini, and much more. The clips will fasten down the Cell to prevent it from jostling around the spacious interior and make it so you can just take out the laptop easily, instead of having to remove the entire case.

There are two long pockets on both sides of the bag for other items including another key clip and place for a water bottle. All the zippers on the bag are YKK Uretech® splash-proof zippers. What this actually does for you is provide a waterproof flap on either side of the zipper that almost forms a seal over the pocket when it is closed. The shoulder straps have 3/8” padding and a removable sternum and waist straps. The front panel is available in 5 different colors: Kiwi, Sage, Crimson, Grape or Black.

Tom Bihn has several items besides the Brain Cell to fit inside the pack. There’s the Snake Charmer, to carry your cables, the Freudian Slip, which is a great sleeve that holds papers and folders, and various other organizing pouches.

Recommendation

All–in–all, the Smart Alec bag is a great, well constructed daypack. Plenty of room, with some really great accessories. One nice option for this bag is the many colors it comes in, sure to satisfy anyone’s taste. I got Kiwi, and it really makes it stand out. The quality of stitching lets you know that the bottom won’t suddenly separate and give way, (happened to me with a cheaper bag!) and you’ll also be reassured that the shoulder straps will stay on. Their guarantee is second to none. In fact, here are a couple of points taken right from their guarantee:

                  Everything you buy from TOM BIHN is satisfaction guaranteed: no sale is final.

                  If, having purchased a product from TOM BIHN, you are not satisfied with it, you may return it within 60 days for a refund of the purchase price. After 60 days, you may be able to receive a partial refund - contact us for specifics.

                  Defects in materials or workmanship are uncommon and almost always evident while the product is still new. If something goes wrong and it's our fault, we'll fix it free. Repairs due to normal wear and tear or otherwise not our fault will be done at a reasonable charge. Keep in mind that daypacks, messenger bags, and briefcases are often subject to extreme wear in everyday use: do not expect them to last forever. Only true love lasts forever! You can expect a TOM BIHN product to give years of hard service.

                  TOM BIHN is not responsible for long lines at the supermarket, people who talk too loud on cell-phones, or the fact that micro-brewed beer is largely over-rated.

With a guarantee like that, how can you go wrong?