Guides Edition Smart Alec

[RichardMcG]

So, I have this idea. There has been much discussion about the possibility of bringing back the Smart Alec. I personally think this would be smart - it is my favorite Bihn bag. However, I wondered if it was just a small number of people that thought that. Well, tonight I watched an eBay auction for a used black halycon Smart Alec climb past $340. (The final total was $341 - I dropped out of the bidding WELL before that.) If a used bag draws that kind of attention maybe it is time to Tom Bihn to bring it back. Maybe as a Guide's Edition. Think about it. All of the people that never got one would want it and all of the Smart Alec fanatics would need it too because it would be a limited edition. I think this is a no brainer.

I will keep searching for a black halycon version for myself (if anyone sees one let me know!!!) - but also keep hoping that my idea takes root at headquarters!

[gqb]

I'd definitely buy a smart Alec new if offered again, but I'm not into the Guide's Edition vibe, personally. I liked the two tone of the ballistic ones though and think the all black halcyon is good for keeping a low profile when travelling.

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[panda2mama]

SAs did not use to be this popular. But recently, every SA that has been put on sale on FB Tom Bihn BST or ebay got snatched up immediately, and sometimes at high prices like the one last night. I think TB needs to bring it back, there is a market for backpacks with minimal pockets/no laptop compartment. I'd buy a SA over Synik or Aeronaut or WF or Tristar any day.

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[blackbird]

I loooooove my SA, and don’t plan on parting with it for any reason. BUT... if the fine folks at TB would consider giving the SA the Synik treatment — aka incorporating the same built-in laptop compartment, but leaving the rest pretty much as-is — I think I would buy that in a second. (The internal pocket, though, the one that’s down below in the front of the bag? That I would not miss.)

And yes, I love the Guide’s Pack aesthetic, so I would be totally down for that.


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[gqb]

SAs did not use to be this popular. But recently, every SA that has been put on sale on FB Tom Bihn BST or ebay got snatched up immediately, and sometimes at high prices like the one last night. I think TB needs to bring it back, there is a market for backpacks with minimal pockets/no laptop compartment. I'd buy a SA over Synik or Aeronaut or WF or Tristar any day.

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I wonder whether it's the unusual opening style of the main compartment. When I first came across the S.A. I wasn't interested, a top loading backpack with a weird rounded zipped opening did not appeal to me at all. I thought it looked peculiar.
Then some time after they were discontinued, I saw a second hand black one on eBay and thought I'd give it a try, figuring I could always sell it on if I didn't enjoy it. Found out I loved it!
Now I wish I had been more daring when they were in production and picked up a coyote or burnt orange one.

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[melminimalist]

I wonder whether it's the unusual opening style of the main compartment. When I first came across the S.A. I wasn't interested, a top loading backpack with a weird rounded zipped opening did not appeal to me at all. I thought it looked peculiar.
Then some time after they were discontinued, I saw a second hand black one on eBay and thought I'd give it a try, figuring I could always sell it on if I didn't enjoy it. Found out I loved it!
Now I wish I had been more daring when they were in production and picked up a coyote or burnt orange one.

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There’s a coyote smart alec on eBay right now.


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[gqb]

There’s a coyote smart alec on eBay right now.


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I know, but I'm in the UK

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[Robw]

Love my SA. A great bag for popping down the shops and chucking a load of stuff into. It is my go to bag for days out with kids where I just need to throw things into. If it had a framesheet, a laptop compartment, and maybe a top quick access pocket it would be my favourite bag. But guess that’s an entire redesign - the SmartNik or SA2

[Ntinos_H]

I would also love to see a Smart Alec comeback. I would be fine with just a straightforward reissue together with UMP and LMP. If an updated design is a possibility, then I would also like to see a dedicated laptop compartment and full access to the main compartment. I have in mind zippers that start at the top of the bag and come all the way down to the base. Hell, I even have a name for it: the Rolling Stones SA (it would open like a tongue

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