Tom Bihn Smart Alec vs. ebags Professional Weekender
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 | ebags Professional Weekender |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 1 |
| Passport | Y | |
| N | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | hideable |
| removable | Hip Belt | removable |
| removable | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| 17in | Laptop | 15in |
| 0 | Main Compartments | 0 |
| Y | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| N | Water Bottle Holder | 2 |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
ebags Professional Weekender
| Capacity | 29 L |
| Weight | 1.4 kg |
| Dimensions | 45×33×21 cm |
| Airline fit | 76% |
| Price | $90 |
Key differences between the Tom Bihn Smart Alec and ebags Professional Weekender
- Opening: Other on the Tom Bihn Smart Alec; Clamshell on the ebags Professional Weekender.
- Luggage passthrough: No on the Tom Bihn Smart Alec; Yes on the ebags Professional Weekender.
- Backpack straps: Yes on the Tom Bihn Smart Alec; Hideable on the ebags Professional Weekender.
- Laptop sleeve: 17in on the Tom Bihn Smart Alec; 15in on the ebags Professional Weekender.
- Water bottle pockets: No on the Tom Bihn Smart Alec; 2 on the ebags Professional Weekender.
Both have: 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. 140 accept both. 0 accept only the Tom Bihn Smart Alec, and 3 accept only the ebags Professional Weekender.
Only the ebags Professional Weekender fits
American Eagle, Gulf Air, Ravn Alaska.
Tom Bihn Smart Alec vs. ebags Professional Weekender: which should you pack?
The ebags Professional Weekender carries 3L more than the Tom Bihn Smart Alec (26L vs. 29L), while the Tom Bihn Smart Alec is the lighter pack at 0.9kg (vs. 1.4kg). For carry-on flexibility, the ebags Professional Weekender fits 76% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the ebags Professional Weekender; if you want to travel lighter, the Tom Bihn Smart Alec is the better call.