KS Ultralight Tao vs. Tom Bihn Smart Alec
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
KS Ultralight Tao
| Capacity | 35 L |
| Weight | 0.3 kg |
| Dimensions | 71×30×18 cm |
| Airline fit | 1% |
| Price | $150 |
Feature by feature
| KS Ultralight Tao | Feature | Tom Bihn Smart Alec |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 0 |
| top | Passport | |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | removable |
| removable | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| N | Laptop | 17in |
| 2 | Main Compartments | 0 |
| N | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| N | Water Bottle Holder | N |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| X-pac VX 07YKK "waterproof zip" | |
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 KS Ultralight Tao and Tom Bihn Smart Alec
- Laptop sleeve: No on the KS Ultralight Tao; 17in on the Tom Bihn Smart Alec.
- Built-in organizer: No on the KS Ultralight Tao; Yes on the Tom Bihn Smart Alec.
Both have: backpack straps, hip belt, sternum strap, water resistant.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 2 accept both. 0 accept only the KS Ultralight Tao, and 138 accept only the Tom Bihn Smart Alec.
Only the Tom Bihn Smart Alec fits
Adria Airways, Aegean Airlines, Aer Lingus, Aeroflot, Aerolineas Argentinas, Aeromexico, Air Asia, Air Astana, Air Canada, Air Caraibes, Air Europa, Air France, Air India, Air Koryo, Air Macau, Air Mauritius, Air New Zealand, Air Nostrum, Air Tahiti Nui, Air Wisconsin, AirAsiaX, Alaska Airlines, All Nipon Airways, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, ANA, Atlas Global, Austrian, Avianca , Azerbaijan Airlines, Azul Linhas, Bahamasair, Bangkok Airways, Biman Bangladesh, Boliviana de Aviacion, British Airways, Brussels Airlines, Cambodia Angkor Air, Caribbean Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Cayman Airways, Cebu Pacific, China Airlines, China Southern, CommutAir, Conviasa, Copa Airlines, Croatia Air, Cubana de Aviacion, Czech Airlines, Delta Airlines, Dragonair, EL AL, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, Eurowings, EVA Air, Fiji Airways, Finnair, Flair Air, Frontier Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, Gol Linhas Aereas, Hainan Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Iberia, Indigo, Interjet, Iran Air, Iran Aseman Air, Island Air, Japan Airlines, Jet Airways, Jet2, jetBlue Airways, Jetstar Airways, Jetstar Asia, Kenya Airways, KLM, Korean Air, Kulula, Kuwait Air, LATAM , Liat Airlines, LOT Polish, Lufthansa, Mahan Air, Malaysia Airlines, Mango, Mesa Airlines, Middle East Airlines, Monarch Airlines, Norwegian, Oman Air, Onur Air, Pakistan International, Peach, PenAir, Philippine Airlines, Porter Airlines, Qantas Airways, Qatar Airways, Regional Express, Republic Airways, Royal Air Morocco, Royal Jordanian, SAS Scandinavian, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Scoot, Sichuan Airlines, SilkAir, Silver Airways, Singapore Airlines, Sky Airlines, Skywest, Inc., South African Airways, Southwest Airlines, SpiceJet, Spirit Airlines, SriLankan Airlines, Sun Country, Swiss Int'l Air Lines, TAAG Angola, TAM Airlines, Thai Airways, Tiger Airways, Trans States, Travel Service Airlines, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, Ural Airlines, Uzbekistan Air, Vietnam Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Australia, WestJet, WOW Airlines.
KS Ultralight Tao vs. Tom Bihn Smart Alec: which should you pack?
The KS Ultralight Tao carries 9L more than the Tom Bihn Smart Alec (35L vs. 26L), while the KS Ultralight Tao is the lighter pack at 0.3kg (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 KS Ultralight Tao; if you want to travel lighter, the KS Ultralight Tao is the better call.