Hey everyone! Long-time lurker, first-time poster, etc.
I've been steadily downsizing what I bring on trips, most recently going from a 41L Eagle Creek bag to the Aeronaut 30. I love the A30, but its lack of laptop accommodation makes it a bit of a hassle at airport security when one-bagging. So for my upcoming trip to Singapore to visit family at the end of the month, I've decided to see what I can do with the Smart Alec.
I wanted to plan for flexibility on two fronts: (1) I'll be wandering around town a lot, so I need at least one small EDC bag, and (2) given that Singapore is essentially a giant shopping mall, I will inevitably acquire stuff while I'm there that I will need to carry back with me. The obvious solution seems to be to use my Halcyon Side Effect, Side Kick, and Daylight Briefcase as packing cubes within the SA. The SE and SK will be my EDC options while I'm there, and the DLBC can be deployed as a personal item on the trip back to accommodate any overflow. Additionally, if necessary the SK can be attached to the top of the SA as an ersatz modular pocket, freeing up more room inside.
Here's how my test-pack worked out:
SMART ALEC + CACHE
I just acquired this baby and all the reviews calling it a black hole are 100% accurate. It's a big, barrel-shaped (and yet surprisingly svelte) workhorse and I'm excited to be taking my first trip with it. I picked up an upper modular pocket as well, but am not planning on using it this trip. The Cache contains my Surface Pro 4 and positively disappears into the yawning maw of the SA.

3D ORGANIZER CUBE
Liquids and other toiletries. I haven't had problems in the past putting them all in one bag, but in case security gets picky I'll have an all-fabric OC into which I can separate the non-liquids if necessary.

SIDE KICK
My in-flight bag, containing everything necessary to keep me entertained for 18+ hours in the air: Kindle, Nexus 5x phone, Bose QC35 headphones, and their assorted chargers, plus a charmingly analog notebook and pens, eyeshades, and the all-important lip balm. There's room for some snacks, too.

SIDE EFFECT
Miscellaneous bits and pieces in here: Surface charger and stylus, wireless mouse, folding Bluetooth keyboard, hairbrush and spare glasses. Not planning on accessing this during the flight.

DAYLIGHT BRIEFCASE
Here's where my clothes go. I'm staying with my family, so I'll have access to regular laundry, but still wanted to pack enough clothes to last a week and cover a variety of activities from rock climbing to dinner at a nice restaurant.

I should note that the SE, SK, and DLBC all have their shoulder straps stored in their respective front pockets, for deployment as EDC on arrival.
TRAVEL STUFF SACK #2
The number one pastime in Singapore is eating, so I want to make sure I stay as active as possible to avoid getting too out of shape. Fortunately my yoga towel fits perfectly into a size 2 Travel Stuff Sack.

TRAVEL STUFF SACK #4
No such perfect fit here, unfortunately! I'm planning to do a tour of Singapore's climbing gyms while I'm there, so my trusty climbing shoes and chalk bag are coming with me. They're an inconvenient size and shape, and I could only really get them to fit in a size 4 Travel Stuff Sack.

And here's how it all fits into the SA! (1) The Cache is already installed, and the stuff sack containing my climbing gear is placed horizontally on the bottom of the bag. (2) The DLBC goes in vertically against the Cache, while the stuff sack with my yoga towel goes horizontally in front of it, on top of the climbing stuff sack. (3) The SK sits happily on top of that stuff sack and in front of the DLBC, where it can be easily pulled out to serve as my in-flight bag.

Finally, the SE and 3DOC are crammed into the side pockets. The 3DOC is tethered to an o-ring by a keystrap, so I can pull it out during security checks.

It's pretty much stuffed to the gills, but, to be honest, I was a little shocked that it all actually fit. It's definitely not an optimal set-up to live out of (that's where the A30 shines), but, as I'll be staying in one place for the duration of my visit and will be unpacking everything when I arrive, that's not an issue here.
I've got several weeks to procrastinate, um, i mean "refine my packing", before my trip, but right now this seems pretty optimal. Looking forward to taking my first trip with my new SA!
I've been steadily downsizing what I bring on trips, most recently going from a 41L Eagle Creek bag to the Aeronaut 30. I love the A30, but its lack of laptop accommodation makes it a bit of a hassle at airport security when one-bagging. So for my upcoming trip to Singapore to visit family at the end of the month, I've decided to see what I can do with the Smart Alec.
I wanted to plan for flexibility on two fronts: (1) I'll be wandering around town a lot, so I need at least one small EDC bag, and (2) given that Singapore is essentially a giant shopping mall, I will inevitably acquire stuff while I'm there that I will need to carry back with me. The obvious solution seems to be to use my Halcyon Side Effect, Side Kick, and Daylight Briefcase as packing cubes within the SA. The SE and SK will be my EDC options while I'm there, and the DLBC can be deployed as a personal item on the trip back to accommodate any overflow. Additionally, if necessary the SK can be attached to the top of the SA as an ersatz modular pocket, freeing up more room inside.
Here's how my test-pack worked out:
SMART ALEC + CACHE
I just acquired this baby and all the reviews calling it a black hole are 100% accurate. It's a big, barrel-shaped (and yet surprisingly svelte) workhorse and I'm excited to be taking my first trip with it. I picked up an upper modular pocket as well, but am not planning on using it this trip. The Cache contains my Surface Pro 4 and positively disappears into the yawning maw of the SA.
3D ORGANIZER CUBE
Liquids and other toiletries. I haven't had problems in the past putting them all in one bag, but in case security gets picky I'll have an all-fabric OC into which I can separate the non-liquids if necessary.
SIDE KICK
My in-flight bag, containing everything necessary to keep me entertained for 18+ hours in the air: Kindle, Nexus 5x phone, Bose QC35 headphones, and their assorted chargers, plus a charmingly analog notebook and pens, eyeshades, and the all-important lip balm. There's room for some snacks, too.
SIDE EFFECT
Miscellaneous bits and pieces in here: Surface charger and stylus, wireless mouse, folding Bluetooth keyboard, hairbrush and spare glasses. Not planning on accessing this during the flight.
DAYLIGHT BRIEFCASE
Here's where my clothes go. I'm staying with my family, so I'll have access to regular laundry, but still wanted to pack enough clothes to last a week and cover a variety of activities from rock climbing to dinner at a nice restaurant.
I should note that the SE, SK, and DLBC all have their shoulder straps stored in their respective front pockets, for deployment as EDC on arrival.
TRAVEL STUFF SACK #2
The number one pastime in Singapore is eating, so I want to make sure I stay as active as possible to avoid getting too out of shape. Fortunately my yoga towel fits perfectly into a size 2 Travel Stuff Sack.
TRAVEL STUFF SACK #4
No such perfect fit here, unfortunately! I'm planning to do a tour of Singapore's climbing gyms while I'm there, so my trusty climbing shoes and chalk bag are coming with me. They're an inconvenient size and shape, and I could only really get them to fit in a size 4 Travel Stuff Sack.
And here's how it all fits into the SA! (1) The Cache is already installed, and the stuff sack containing my climbing gear is placed horizontally on the bottom of the bag. (2) The DLBC goes in vertically against the Cache, while the stuff sack with my yoga towel goes horizontally in front of it, on top of the climbing stuff sack. (3) The SK sits happily on top of that stuff sack and in front of the DLBC, where it can be easily pulled out to serve as my in-flight bag.
Finally, the SE and 3DOC are crammed into the side pockets. The 3DOC is tethered to an o-ring by a keystrap, so I can pull it out during security checks.
It's pretty much stuffed to the gills, but, to be honest, I was a little shocked that it all actually fit. It's definitely not an optimal set-up to live out of (that's where the A30 shines), but, as I'll be staying in one place for the duration of my visit and will be unpacking everything when I arrive, that's not an issue here.
I've got several weeks to procrastinate, um, i mean "refine my packing", before my trip, but right now this seems pretty optimal. Looking forward to taking my first trip with my new SA!
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