Smart Alec goes grocerying

[Shiva]

in the DC blizzard.
Ok: so I know folks don't want to hear about the blizzard; and I usually think DCers are wimps about winter. But in all fairness, we got more snow this week than Buffalo, Minneapolis, and Grand Rapids. Just saying...:)

So I did what i have not done since I left Illinois as a grad student: went grocerying with my Smart Alec. Picture attached.

This is what I had in it: 6 apples; a box of Cheerios; a loaf of bread; a bag of chips (full size); a big box of Yogurt; half gallon of milk; and tomatoes safely ensconsed in the top pockets. It was great! Did not think I could carry all this so easily and comfortably. And for those who do want to know: I did try putting it all in my RedOxx Mini Rucksack but could not. Something about the shape of it I suppose.

And before I got the groceries, I carried my dry cleaning drop off stuff: 3 wool sweaters, 2 jackets, and 2 dress pants. Yes: petite sizes, but still...

shiva

[gmanedit]

This is fabulous. I particularly admire the use of the primary colors. Very artistic!

[Just]

Oh! I like the zipper/top pocket update... I guess I haven't really seen it in pictures until now.

Thanks for sharing!

[Shiva]

Hi Just: I guess they changed the zipper/top pocket with the latest iteration of the Smart Alec which also has a removable bungee cord outside. The top two pockets are very handy: they can easily hold a medium organizer pouch each, plus more.
I am quite sure Maverick's video of the Smart Alec (which I harassed him for, and was the main reason why I got mine!)--does show the pockets.
The side pockets are great: one side is bellowed for holding a water bottle and has an o-ring. The other side has organizer for pens, phone and an o-ring.
Although the top zips open quite differently from any other backpack I have ever seen, it makes it wide open and therefore easy to load up bulky and square boxes.

s

[Shiva]

Hey Darcy: not to be a whiner...but why don't my pic show up on the blog?!!! I know it is not the Alps or some fab resort...but it does show how versatile the Alec is!!!
s

[Darcy]

Shiva,

I love your photos, and we have featured one set on the blog already. If I haven't posted your new photos, it's either because I lost track of them (there's so many forum posts in my email) or am planning to and just haven't yet. Thanks for reminding me and don't let this discourage you from posting more photos because we do appreciate them!

[Shiva]

Darcy:
you the best! I was just partly teasing...It just seemed that the Synapse had all the attention, and I was feeling "territorial" about my Smart Alec--which, as you know, took me forever to buy....I do love it; and still love my Ruc Sack--which carries more than anyone can imagine; and recently, I have been travelling a lot--and found that I can get the Western Flyer and a small rollaboard (18inches) on board even at the strictest of times--:)

s

[moriond]

Hey Shiva,

I liked your photo, but what would have been really neat was a picture of the same bag seen from the front or side beside the picture of the contents seen from the top. That would give a great impression of what the bag looks like from the outside, along with the depth (length) of the Smart Alec. One of the features that I like abouth the Smart Alec is the way that the side pockets are designed, so that you can easily access the contents, but so that things don't fall out when you open the zippers. Your referenced water bottle use would make a great shot of what this bag carries (in a side view photo).

cheers,

moriond

[Shiva]

Hey Moriond:
True that; but unlike Maverick and Notmensa and Gmich and the host of others, I am not much of a photo person I guess! I will do this the next time I have stuff in it. It does have a fairly slim profile and I do like the side pocket construction a lot....

s