Rab Adrift 24L Day Pack vs. Tom Bihn Smart Alec
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Rab Adrift 24L Day Pack
| Capacity | 24 L |
| Weight | 0.7 kg |
| Dimensions | 52×30×25 cm |
| Airline fit | 39% |
| Price | $80 |
Feature by feature
| Rab Adrift 24L Day Pack | Feature | Tom Bihn Smart Alec |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 0 |
| N | Passport | |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | removable |
| Y | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| 16in | Laptop | 17in |
| 3 | Main Compartments | 0 |
| Y | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | N |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| nylon ripstop | |
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 Rab Adrift 24L Day Pack and Tom Bihn Smart Alec
- Sternum strap: Yes on the Rab Adrift 24L Day Pack; Removable on the Tom Bihn Smart Alec.
- Laptop sleeve: 16in on the Rab Adrift 24L Day Pack; 17in on the Tom Bihn Smart Alec.
- Water bottle pockets: 2, side on the Rab Adrift 24L Day Pack; No on the Tom Bihn Smart Alec.
Both have: backpack straps, hip belt, built-in organizer, water resistant.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 73 accept both. 0 accept only the Rab Adrift 24L Day Pack, and 67 accept only the Tom Bihn Smart Alec.
Only the Tom Bihn Smart Alec fits
Aer Lingus, Air Asia, Air Canada, Air Macau, Air Wisconsin, AirAsiaX, Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Austrian, Avianca , Azerbaijan Airlines, Bahamasair, Bangkok Airways, Biman Bangladesh, Brussels Airlines, Cambodia Angkor Air, Cathay Pacific, Cayman Airways, Cebu Pacific, China Airlines, CommutAir, Delta Airlines, Dragonair, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, Eurowings, EVA Air, Fiji Airways, Flair Air, Garuda Indonesia, Hawaiian Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, jetBlue Airways, Jetstar Airways, Jetstar Asia, Kulula, Liat Airlines, LOT Polish, Lufthansa, Mahan Air, Malaysia Airlines, Mango, Mesa Airlines, Norwegian, Oman Air, Pakistan International, Porter Airlines, Qantas Airways, Qatar Airways, Regional Express, Republic Airways, Royal Jordanian, SAS Scandinavian, Scoot, Skywest, Inc., South African Airways, SriLankan Airlines, Swiss Int'l Air Lines, Tiger Airways, Trans States, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, Vietnam Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Australia, WestJet.
Rab Adrift 24L Day Pack vs. Tom Bihn Smart Alec: which should you pack?
The Tom Bihn Smart Alec carries 2L more than the Rab Adrift 24L Day Pack (24L vs. 26L), while the Rab Adrift 24L Day Pack is the lighter pack at 0.7kg (vs. 0.9kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Tom Bihn Smart Alec fits 74% 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 Rab Adrift 24L Day Pack is the better call.