This is an awesome update!

Based on the specs, it looks like you’ve added a number of nice features that folks wanted, but have only increased the weight of the Ballistic versions by 4 oz. Well done! Thank you for making this backpack available again. We are relatively new to Tom Bihn and so did not buy one of the earlier versions of the Smart Alec. Sounds like some folks are fine with the Velcro strap (which can, as you say, be tucked away if one doesn’t want to use it) and some are strongly not fine with it (even if it can be tucked away). Late in the game, I know, but could the design be modified (without hardware that might damage a laptop) in some manner that is reasonable for you (for example, with Velcro at the other end of the strap, too, such that it could be attached to or removed from a fabric loop that is located at the top back of the interior) so that the Velcro strap is removeable? We can live with it, but would probably remove it if there were a way to do so that would not damage the bag.

are those dimensions correct? The Smart Alec used to be 18.5" tall and now it is only 15.7"?
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TOM BIHN replied:
Hi!

The dimensions are the same as the original, we measured from a different spot this time. The 15.7" was from the top of the straps to the bottom, so you’d know the length of the back panel for fitting purposes. The overall size of the bag is the same. =)

-Velcro is going to be a problem if it snags my belongings. It also seems like a cumbersome process and can see the velcro perhaps falling after many, many times of opening/closing.
-Laptop compartment is an unnecessary addition. There’s loops at the top to attach a laptop cache (still waiting for more of these to be made -16" MBP)
-Luggage passthrough is an unnecessary addition. Why change the form/function? It was perfect how Tom made it. Not all bags are like, ’let’s get on a plane’ bags. The Smart Alec was one of those EDC type bags that has its own form/function as an everyday backpack.
-Frame sheet. Seems unnecessary here given the padded skeleton back panel and laptop compartment. But the bags we DO need frame sheets on you refuse to make (S25, S19)
- Just seems like things are moving further away from the design ethos Tom set for the company.
- One of the most diabolical grievances I have are no upper/lower modular pockets. I mean, Why?… Why?
- This was one of, if not the most requested items to bring back, and then you found the need to ‘upgrade’ it in areas that didn’t need upgrading, and then downgrade it at the same time.
- I just wonder what changes need to be made at the company, because you are not doing anything that’s particularly innovative anymore and you have to keep bringing out old designs from retirement to get interest/momentum going. I don’t think that’s particularly sustainable but that’s just my opinion, I’m sure others might disagree with me.
- The limited Spectron interiors colors have also been a reason I have not purchased some items. I’m not sure why there can’t be at least a few more interior color options. I’m not asking for a rainbow, but adding 2,3,4 extra options feels reasonable.

First off, love the inverted colors and the skeleton back panel. Wish the frame sheet came default but I understand why it didn’t. While I don’t feel too strong about the velcro, I am wondering why the velcro (or some other closure) was needed in the first place. The bag will be sitting upright most of the time and from the initial user feedback, general sentiment was people didn’t want it. Unfortunately, I’m not interested in any of the color combinations for the first run. If you could have a second run with Deep Blue or Mars Red with bright and colorful halycon interiors, I would definitely purchase!