We think you’ll want to listen to the entire show if you haven’t already (other topics include evolution of MacWorld|iWorld, the evolution and future of cameras and camera makers, Super Bowl winners that make John sick, the inevitable Facebook IPO, and Apple factories), but if you want to go straight to the discussion of the Ristretto, jump to about 51:18 in the broadcast. Listen here.

And just for Dan: here’s a photo of the Ristretto empty of stuff except for a 13″ MacBook Pro.

“So useful it’s hard to describe. Especially when your grocery run includes walking, stairs, subways in all or various forms.”

Another great photo iPhone photo taken by Jon ‘Geo’ Camp.

“The absolute best part of the [Smart Alec] bag is how the pockets open, because it’s very easy to stand the bag up on the ground and pull out my iPad from the main compartment. I don’t have to futz about with balancing the bag and trying to get my iPad out as I have had to with most shoulder bags. Set the backpack down, unzip, and pull the iPad out — all while the bag is standing upright on its own.

I can do that one handed.”

Read the full Brooks Review: Smart Alec (Part III) See also: the Smart Alec

“Latest use for Travel Tray: Airplane picnic basket. I packed mine with plastic bags of crackers, cheese, fruit, etc., and pulled the drawstring shut. On the plane I took it out and folded the top back, so my food was sitting in it instead of on the tray table, and when I was done I could just close it up again with the leftovers and cracker crumbs and pop it back in my carry-on (Smart Alec with a Little Swift and Yarn Stuff Sack inside, and the Western Flyer in the overhead bin). Thanks TB!” – Posted by AlexD in the TOM BIHN Forums.

(We think that’s pretty smart.)

“I thought I’d drop you a line to tell you how impressed I’ve been with my Smart Alec, and what a tough bit of kit it proved to be.

I have ridden my motorbike to work and back, every day, no matter what the weather. My Smart Alec went with with me on every journey, safely carrying my laptop and other bits and pieces. Last year I was involved in an accident, in which I bounced down the road at around 50mph. My motorcycle was a wreck. I broke both legs and smashed one arm to bits. But….. my backpack and contents survived with just a little scuffing as you can see in the attached photo. I think a few “battle scars” only add to its appeal!

So it was really no contest what make of bag I chose to protect my new tablet computer – I’ve just received my Ristretto and I’m absolutely delighted with it.

Many, many thanks.”

– Ian

Plus a water bottle.

Ristretto for 11″ MacBook Air fits:

Previously on backorder and now shipping within one business day are the:

The Ristretto is a vertical messenger bag available in three sizes designed specifically to fit the iPad or iPad 2, 11″ MacBook Air or 13″ MacBook Air or 13″ MacBook Pro and a minimum amount of accoutrements (power supply, pen, notebook, wallet, phone, magazine). It’s great for realizing the dream of a mobile office: work at the coffee house, on the light rail, at the airport or on the plane.

Tom has updated the design of the Ristretto in three key ways:

The Ristretto is now made with an exterior U.S. 1050d high tenacity ballistic nylon and an interior lining of our ultralight Dyneema/nylon rip-stop fabric from Japan. Both fabrics are made specifically for us. Previous, the Ristretto was made with an exterior of 1000d Cordura® and an interior of 500d Cordura®. For the time being, we will continue to offer one Cordura® color combination — Olive/Cayenne — in all three sizes of Ristretto. Why the switch in fabrics? Our 1050d ballistic nylon has a stiffer hand and a rich weave and we like the way it reflects light. We work with our fabric mills to get this fabric just the way we want it. Our Japanese ultralight Dyneema/nylon fabric saves weight and is as tough as nails. And it’s quite handsome to boot.

A curved, #8 YKK Uretek® splash-proof zipper on the front compartment (under the flap) replaces both the zippered front pocket and open-top pouch in the previous version. Inside of this front compartment is an organizer with pockets for pens, iPhone and passport or wallet. There’s also plenty of room inside this pouch for your power supply, phone charger, and sunglasses.

The back (or top) grab handle, previously a webbing loop, is now a 1050d ballistic nylon handle padded with Poron® foam. Poron® is our foam of choice for handles because it simply doesn’t break down, even after decades of use.

Behind the scenes, Tom’s updates included several rounds of new patterns and prototypes constructed by Tom, Lisa, and Fong in our Seattle factory. Using 1050d ballistic nylon as the exterior fabric means the Ristretto takes a little longer to sew, but our expert crew is up to the task.

And because of the change in fabrics, new color combinations are available in the Ristretto: Black/Steel, Steel/Iberian, Forest/Steel, Navy/Solar, Cardinal/Steel (Ristretto for iPad or iPad 2 only), and Olive/Cayenne (Cordura®).

“I own eight carry-on bags. (While that seems like a lot, when you run a website like this one, lots of “light travel” products seem to arrive at my door.)

But this will soon change. At least half of those bags will be sold. Why bother keeping them to collect dust? With the Aeronaut, I can’t imagine too many scenarios when I will need anything else.”

Read the full review at One Bag, One World.