Millican Smith 25L vs. Tom Bihn Smart Alec
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Millican Smith 25L
| Capacity | 25 L |
| Weight | 1.1 kg |
| Dimensions | 52×28×18 cm |
| Airline fit | 89% |
| Price | $145 |
Feature by feature
| Millican Smith 25L | Feature | Tom Bihn Smart Alec |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 2 | Opening | 0 |
| side | Passport | |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| removable | 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, side | Water Bottle Holder | N |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| Weatherproof Bionic Canvas | |
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 Millican Smith 25L and Tom Bihn Smart Alec
- Opening: Rolltop on the Millican Smith 25L; Other on the Tom Bihn Smart Alec.
- Laptop sleeve: 15in on the Millican Smith 25L; 17in on the Tom Bihn Smart Alec.
- Water bottle pockets: 2, side on the Millican Smith 25L; No on the Tom Bihn Smart Alec.
Both have: backpack straps, hip belt, sternum strap, 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. 134 accept both. 34 accept only the Millican Smith 25L, and 6 accept only the Tom Bihn Smart Alec.
Only the Millican Smith 25L fits
Air Baltic, Air China, Air Malta, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Blue Air, Bulgaria Air, China Eastern, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, flybe, Great Lakes Airlines, Icelandair, InselAir, Juneyao Airlines, Luxair, Meridiana Fly, Nordwind Airlines, 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.
Only the Tom Bihn Smart Alec fits
Etihad Airways, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, Regional Express, Royal Jordanian, Virgin Australia.
Millican Smith 25L vs. Tom Bihn Smart Alec: which should you pack?
The Tom Bihn Smart Alec carries 1L more than the Millican Smith 25L (25L vs. 26L), while the Tom Bihn Smart Alec is the lighter pack at 0.9kg (vs. 1.1kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Millican Smith 25L fits 89% 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 Tom Bihn Smart Alec is the better call.