Greenroom136 Rainmaker vs. Tom Bihn Smart Alec
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Greenroom136 Rainmaker
| Capacity | 22 L |
| Weight | 1.7 kg |
| Dimensions | 40×28×21 cm |
| Airline fit | 100% |
| Price | $120 |
Feature by feature
| Greenroom136 Rainmaker | Feature | Tom Bihn Smart Alec |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| S | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 4 | Opening | 0 |
| side | Passport | |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| S | Backpack | S |
| N | Hip Belt | R |
| S | Sternum Strap | R |
| Inside | ||
| 15 | Laptop | 17 |
| 3 | Main Compartments | 0 |
| Y | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 0 | Water Bottle Holder | 0 |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 1000D Cordura | |
Tom Bihn Smart Alec
| Capacity | 26 L |
| Weight | 0.9 kg |
| Dimensions | 47×30×21 cm |
| Airline fit | 98% |
| Price | $190 |
The Greenroom136 Rainmaker and Tom Bihn Smart Alec are both outstanding carry-on backpacks, but each offers distinct features that can appeal to different types of users. The Rainmaker, standing tall at 40 inches, is a tad smaller in size than the Smart Alec which boasts an impressive height of 47 inches. Still, with a depth of 21 inches, both backpacks are structurally well-balanced and are designed for optimized space utilization.
Despite the larger dimension, the Smart Alec manages to tip the scale at just 0.9 pounds, almost half the weight of Rainmaker which weighs 1.7 pounds. Thank the resilient 1000D Cordura material which not only adds sturdiness to the Rainmaker but also makes it water-resistant - a feature that you'll really appreciate when you're caught in a sudden downpour. The Smart Alec, on the other hand, leans more towards a minimalistic design.
- Size: Rainmaker (40" by 28" by 21") vs. Smart Alec (47" by 30" by 21")
- Weight: Rainmaker (1.7 pounds) vs. Smart Alec (0.9 pounds)
- Capacity: Rainmaker (22 litres) vs. Smart Alec (26 litres)
- Airline Compatibility: Rainmaker (100%) vs. Smart Alec (98%)
- Material: Rainmaker (1000D Cordura) vs. Smart Alec
- Laptop Compartment Size: Rainmaker (15 inches) vs. Smart Alec (17 inches)
When it comes to carrying capacity, the 4 liters of extra space in Smart Alec can make a world of difference, especially for those who often find themselves packing at the last minute. It's compatible with nearly all airlines, losing out to the Rainmaker by just 2 percentage points. Moving on to accommodating tech items, the Rainmaker can hold a 15 inch laptop quite snugly, whereas the Smart Alec pulls ahead with space for a 17 inch laptop.
The deciding factor, though, could be the bag's customization feature. Known for its versatility, the Rainmaker is highly customizable and there's a specific place for your things. On the contrary, the Smart Alec adopts a sleek, modular design, which allows for user customization, adapting to needs as and when necessary. Reviewers have praised both manage to strike that sweet balance of form and function, making them both great choices but for very different reasons.