Tom Bihn Smart Alec vs. ILE Transit 25L
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 | ILE Transit 25L |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 2 |
| Passport | N | |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | removable |
| removable | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| 17in | Laptop | 16in |
| 0 | Main Compartments | 1 |
| Y | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| N | Water Bottle Holder | 2 |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| Durable Cordura, waxed canvas, or XPAC sailcloth exterior | |
ILE Transit 25L
| Capacity | 25 L |
| Weight | 2 kg |
| Dimensions | 50.8×30.5×15.2 cm |
| Airline fit | 89% |
| Price | $220 |
Key differences between the Tom Bihn Smart Alec and ILE Transit 25L
- Opening: Other on the Tom Bihn Smart Alec; Rolltop on the ILE Transit 25L.
- Laptop sleeve: 17in on the Tom Bihn Smart Alec; 16in on the ILE Transit 25L.
- Water bottle pockets: No on the Tom Bihn Smart Alec; 2 on the ILE Transit 25L.
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. 136 accept both. 4 accept only the Tom Bihn Smart Alec, and 33 accept only the ILE Transit 25L.
Only the Tom Bihn Smart Alec fits
Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Regional Express, Virgin Australia.
Only the ILE Transit 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, 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. ILE Transit 25L: which should you pack?
The Tom Bihn Smart Alec carries 1L more than the ILE Transit 25L (26L vs. 25L), while the Tom Bihn Smart Alec is the lighter pack at 0.9kg (vs. 2kg). For carry-on flexibility, the ILE Transit 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.