Tom (Designer and CEO) and Nik (our Production Engineer) have designed three new accessories -- Modular Pockets & Straps -- for the Smart Alec that offer additional (and customizable) organization and carrying capacity.
1" Gate Keeper Straps:
You can replace the front bungee included with the Smart Alec with these straps (or leave the bungee in place and install the straps over the bungee). Useful for securing large/bulky items to the front or top of the Smart Alec: a yoga mat, snowshoes, raincoat, Christmas trees, or anything else too big or wet to go inside. Available individually or in sets of two or three; the Smart Alec has webbing loops for accommodating up to five 1" Gate Keeper Straps. Wondering how many you need? Tom uses two 1" Gate Keeper Straps to secure his snowshoes to the front of a Smart Alec. $5 for one; $10 for two; $15 for three. Available for pre-order and ships by mid-January.
Two 1" GateKeeper Straps securing a pair of snowshoes to the front of the Smart Alec
Upper Pocket:
Adds an extra 2+ liters of volume to the Smart Alec. Inside there are four small organizer pouches sized for the things to which you need quick access: smartphone, keys, multitool, flashlight. Two interior O-rings so you can attach keys or pouches or what-have-you. It should be noted that in situ the six Gate Keeper attachments make the Upper Pocket look somewhat like the paw of a polydactyl tiger. Just saying. $40-$45, depending on whether you choose the 1050d Ballistic Nylon or 400d Dyneema/nylon version. Available for pre-order and ships by late January.
Upper Modular Pocket in Steel
Lower Pocket:
Adds an extra 3+ liters of volume to the Smart Alec. Fits two 1-liter water bottles, or one water bottle and other stuff, or just a lot of other stuff. Inside are two o-rings and an open-top organizer pocket sized for a wallet. $40-$45, depending on whether you choose the 1050d Ballistic Nylon or 400d Dyneema/nylon version. Available for pre-order and ships by mid-February.
Lower Modular Pocket in Cardinal, secured to a Black/Black/Steel Smart Alec
Note: Tom updated the design of the Smart Alec in October 2012 and added 1" webbing loops to the top of the bag to accommodate the Upper Pocket and additional 1" Gate Keeper Straps. If you purchased your Smart Alec pre-October 2012 and it doesn't have the upper/top 1" webbing loops, you won't be able to attach the Upper Pocket to your bag. You will, however, be able to use the Lower Pocket and the 1" Gate Keeper Straps (secured to the bottom half of the Smart Alec). Some earlier Smart Alecs (pre-2009 more or less) had 5/8" webbing loops; very early Smart Alecs had no webbing loops. None of the new accessories will work with these older bags.
With Upper Modular Pocket and Lower Modular Pocket
