Tom Bihn Smart Alec vs. Timbuk2 Uptown
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Tom Bihn Smart Alec
| Capacity | 26 L |
| Weight | 0.9 kg |
| Dimensions | 47×30×21 cm |
| Airline fit | 74% |
| Price | $190 |
Feature by feature
| Tom Bihn Smart Alec | Feature | Timbuk2 Uptown |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 0 |
| Passport | top | |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | N |
| removable | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| 17in | Laptop | 15in |
| 0 | Main Compartments | 4 |
| Y | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| N | Water Bottle Holder | 2 |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
Key differences between the Tom Bihn Smart Alec and Timbuk2 Uptown
- Hip belt: Removable on the Tom Bihn Smart Alec; No on the Timbuk2 Uptown.
- Laptop sleeve: 17in on the Tom Bihn Smart Alec; 15in on the Timbuk2 Uptown.
- Water bottle pockets: No on the Tom Bihn Smart Alec; 2 on the Timbuk2 Uptown.
Both have: backpack straps, 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. 138 accept both. 2 accept only the Tom Bihn Smart Alec, and 35 accept only the Timbuk2 Uptown.
Only the Tom Bihn Smart Alec fits
Regional Express, Virgin Australia.
Only the Timbuk2 Uptown fits
Air Baltic, Air China, Air Malta, Air Niugini, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Belavia, Blue Air, Bulgaria Air, China Eastern, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, flybe, 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.
Tom Bihn Smart Alec vs. Timbuk2 Uptown: which should you pack?
The Timbuk2 Uptown carries 4L more than the Tom Bihn Smart Alec (26L vs. 30L), while the Tom Bihn Smart Alec is the lighter pack at 0.9kg (vs. 1.1kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Timbuk2 Uptown fits 92% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Timbuk2 Uptown; if you want to travel lighter, the Tom Bihn Smart Alec is the better call.