Timbuk2 Parkside vs. Tom Bihn Smart Alec
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Feature by feature
| Timbuk2 Parkside | Feature | Tom Bihn Smart Alec |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 0 |
| front | Passport | |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| N | Hip Belt | removable |
| removable | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 17in |
| 4 | Main Compartments | 0 |
| Y | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2 | Water Bottle Holder | N |
| N | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
Tom Bihn Smart Alec
| Capacity | 26 L |
| Weight | 0.9 kg |
| Dimensions | 47×30×21 cm |
| Airline fit | 74% |
| Price | $190 |
Key differences between the Timbuk2 Parkside and Tom Bihn Smart Alec
- Hip belt: No on the Timbuk2 Parkside; Removable on the Tom Bihn Smart Alec.
- Laptop sleeve: 15in on the Timbuk2 Parkside; 17in on the Tom Bihn Smart Alec.
- Water bottle pockets: 2 on the Timbuk2 Parkside; No on the Tom Bihn Smart Alec.
- Water resistant: No on the Timbuk2 Parkside; Yes on the Tom Bihn Smart Alec.
Both have: backpack straps, sternum strap, built-in organizer.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 140 accept both. 38 accept only the Timbuk2 Parkside, and 0 accept only the Tom Bihn Smart Alec.
Only the Timbuk2 Parkside fits
Air Baltic, Air China, Air Malta, Air Niugini, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, American Eagle, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Belavia, Blue Air, Bulgaria Air, China Eastern, easyJet, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, flybe, Icelandair, InselAir, Juneyao Airlines, Luxair, Meridiana Fly, Nordwind Airlines, Ravn Alaska, Royal Brunei Airlines, Ryanair, S7, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Sun Express, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), TUI, Ukraine International, VIM Airlines (Closed), Volotea, Xiamen.
Timbuk2 Parkside vs. Tom Bihn Smart Alec: which should you pack?
The Tom Bihn Smart Alec carries 1L more than the Timbuk2 Parkside (25L vs. 26L), while the Timbuk2 Parkside is the lighter pack at 0.7kg (vs. 0.9kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Timbuk2 Parkside fits 94% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Tom Bihn Smart Alec; if you want to travel lighter, the Timbuk2 Parkside is the better call.