Back in 2003, the original Smart Alec made its debut–and it’s been a fan-favorite legacy design ever since. Retired, then brought back, then retired again, over the past few years, many of you have let us know through our forums, emails, and social media that you want us to bring back the Smart Alec (with some updates).
You’ve spoken and we’ve listened. The Smart Alec 2.0 is officially here.
A Brief History of the Smart Alec
2003: The Original Debut
The first iteration, back when our bags were made in Port Angeles, WA, was made of 1000 denier Cordura and 1050 Ballistic nylon. The design was simple, sleek and unique–no webbing loops or extra bells and whistles–just a daypack through and through.
2012: The Redesign
In 2012, major updates were made to the design. Its shape was reformulated, making it slimmer at the top and easier to zip. Additional webbing loops were added to the front panel, making it more customizable with the detachable bungee cord. The fabric was also changed from Cordura to Ballistic nylon and mesh for the back panel.
2017: Retirement
We retired the Smart Alec to make way for future designs.
2022: The Comeback (Sort of)
In 2022, coming out of our COVID mask-making era, we decided to bring back the Smart Alec again, slightly updated with edgeless shoulder straps this time, but it didn’t feature the extra upgrade that many of you have been asking for.
2025: The Smart Alec 2.0
Now in 2025, it's back and better than ever. The Smart Alec has adapted and grown with us (even if it needed to take a few years off in the process).
So, What’s New in the Smart Alec 2.0?
While the DNA of the original remains intact, here’s what’s different in the Smart Alec 2.0:
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2-Way Entry Dedicated Laptop Compartment
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For the back panel, we knew we wanted to adapt the current construction to include the new features. By carving the panel into a spine-like shape, we retain the comfort and support you expect, while reducing bulk and enhancing airflow for a cooler, lighter and more comfortable carry. Using the back panel construction on the TechonautShadow Guide and Addax as a guide, we were able to determine how we would go about adding the new features to the Smart Alec.
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Luggage Pass-Through Sleeve
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Just like the Techonaut, there is now a luggage pass-through sleeve tucked behind the skeleton back panel. It’s invisible until you need it for a trip with a roller luggage.
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Optional Frame Sheet
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Upper Modular and Lower Modular Pockets are not returning. You can still use your old ones on this version or clip other accessories, like the Bantam, Side Effect, and Everyday Cubelet instead.
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Colors are inversed for ballistic styles. Previous version had black side panels, colored center; now it is colored side panels, black center. No functional reason…we just like the aesthetic.
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Available in an all-Spectron version for the first time.
What fits in the Smart Alec 2.0?
Here’s what we’ve comfortably packed inside:
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A 16” laptop (Interior access only)
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A 15’’ laptop
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Water bottle
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A tennis racket (strapped through the bungees)
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Organizational cubelets
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Light jacket
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A change of clothes
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A baseball cap
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Charging cables
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A snack or two
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A couple of books
We’d Love to Hear From You!
What do you think of the updates? Do you like the new features? Excited about it coming out of retirement? Let us know in the comments below!
Pre-order Details
The Smart Alec 2.0 is available for preorder now through July 14th. We’re so excited to be bringing this iconic design back into our lineup.
This is an awesome update!
Based on the specs, it looks like you’ve added a number of nice features that folks wanted, but have only increased the weight of the Ballistic versions by 4 oz. Well done! Thank you for making this backpack available again. We are relatively new to Tom Bihn and so did not buy one of the earlier versions of the Smart Alec. Sounds like some folks are fine with the Velcro strap (which can, as you say, be tucked away if one doesn’t want to use it) and some are strongly not fine with it (even if it can be tucked away). Late in the game, I know, but could the design be modified (without hardware that might damage a laptop) in some manner that is reasonable for you (for example, with Velcro at the other end of the strap, too, such that it could be attached to or removed from a fabric loop that is located at the top back of the interior) so that the Velcro strap is removeable? We can live with it, but would probably remove it if there were a way to do so that would not damage the bag.
are those dimensions correct? The Smart Alec used to be 18.5" tall and now it is only 15.7"?
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TOM BIHN replied:
Hi!
The dimensions are the same as the original, we measured from a different spot this time. The 15.7" was from the top of the straps to the bottom, so you’d know the length of the back panel for fitting purposes. The overall size of the bag is the same. =)
-Velcro is going to be a problem if it snags my belongings. It also seems like a cumbersome process and can see the velcro perhaps falling after many, many times of opening/closing.
-Laptop compartment is an unnecessary addition. There’s loops at the top to attach a laptop cache (still waiting for more of these to be made -16" MBP)
-Luggage passthrough is an unnecessary addition. Why change the form/function? It was perfect how Tom made it. Not all bags are like, ’let’s get on a plane’ bags. The Smart Alec was one of those EDC type bags that has its own form/function as an everyday backpack.
-Frame sheet. Seems unnecessary here given the padded skeleton back panel and laptop compartment. But the bags we DO need frame sheets on you refuse to make (S25, S19)
- Just seems like things are moving further away from the design ethos Tom set for the company.
- One of the most diabolical grievances I have are no upper/lower modular pockets. I mean, Why?… Why?
- This was one of, if not the most requested items to bring back, and then you found the need to ‘upgrade’ it in areas that didn’t need upgrading, and then downgrade it at the same time.
- I just wonder what changes need to be made at the company, because you are not doing anything that’s particularly innovative anymore and you have to keep bringing out old designs from retirement to get interest/momentum going. I don’t think that’s particularly sustainable but that’s just my opinion, I’m sure others might disagree with me.
- The limited Spectron interiors colors have also been a reason I have not purchased some items. I’m not sure why there can’t be at least a few more interior color options. I’m not asking for a rainbow, but adding 2,3,4 extra options feels reasonable.
First off, love the inverted colors and the skeleton back panel. Wish the frame sheet came default but I understand why it didn’t. While I don’t feel too strong about the velcro, I am wondering why the velcro (or some other closure) was needed in the first place. The bag will be sitting upright most of the time and from the initial user feedback, general sentiment was people didn’t want it. Unfortunately, I’m not interested in any of the color combinations for the first run. If you could have a second run with Deep Blue or Mars Red with bright and colorful halycon interiors, I would definitely purchase!
