Smart Alec bag is perfect - I have a question

[LauraA]

I'm in Tanzania with my beautiful new Smart Alec. The bag is perfect for me, but I do have a question. There is a small black plastic hook on the strap in front of my right shoulder when I'm wearing the bag. What is it for?
Oh, and just to let everyone know a this is the perfect travel bag for me! I have all that I need for three weeks, and could easily travel for months with this bag! I put my fleece jacket in the outside stretch band, my liquids in one side pocket with strap attached, and my other toiletries plus small hairbrush in other side pocket. I put extra shoes in the bottom, then medium packing cube of pants, shirts,sweater. In a small packing cube I put towel, socks, underwear, small travel towel. My camera is in the bag loose, and top zippered areas have charger, travel medications(malaria prevention, Advil, vitamins). My big cotton travel scarf is on top. I use it on plane as blanket, or at night for cool evening shawl. I carried packing cube with strap for all that I need on plane, so my iPad ended up fitting in there. I also had wallet, passport, cell phone, paperwork, Chapstick, etc. I got on each plane, took my scarf out of the Smart Alec, and put the bag overhead (it fit so easily)!
I then sat down with all that I needed in the small packing cube.
The best news is that the Smart Alec was so easy to carry. I'm 65, and had to rush from one end of the airport in Amsterdam to the other - no problem. This backpack is really comfortable! Take care, LauraA

[dorayme]

I'm loving reading about your light weight journeys and would love to see pictures!
I don't have a SA, but I believe the clip is for a water bladder tubing.

[rabergnc]

dorayme is correct. The clip is for a "hydration bladder" tube (to use the parlance). I found that it was always catching on clothing and I removed it from my bag.

[LauraA]

Thanks to both of you! I never would have thought of that! How did you know? Take care, LauraA

[dorayme]

I heard about it on the forums, and I believe, though I could be mistaken, my Plum Synapse had one, though if it did, I've removed it by now and I wouldn't know if it came with it or not because I purchased the Synapse used.

[malamalama]

Here's a link to an older thread with a picture. I think this was the first thread to mention it. brain-bag-hook-question

[dorayme]

THanks for posting that, it reminded me where I had seen one, dh's Brain Bag!

[Shiva]

Hi Laura: great to know it worked for you. I still find it hard to pack the Smart Alec properly, so to speak! I am still learning how to use its big hole capacity properly. I am curious about how you attached a strap to the small packing cube. Do you mean the shoulder bag packing cube? i would not think an Ipad would fit in there....I have the packing cube backpack which I really do like, but it is not small!

[LauraA]

Hi Laura: great to know it worked for you. I still find it hard to pack the Smart Alec properly, so to speak! I am still learning how to use its big hole capacity properly. I am curious about how you attached a strap to the small packing cube. Do you mean the shoulder bag packing cube? i would not think an Ipad would fit in there....I have the packing cube backpack which I really do like, but it is not small!

Hi, and yes, I meant the shoulder bag packing cube. You are right. It is not small! I just meant that it was a small thing to have at my seat, with the backpack overhead ( sorry). In that "big hole, I put a med and small packing cube, extra shoes, my camera, and a huge scarf. My iPad does fit in there, but for this trip I had it in my shoulder bag. Good luck packing!!