Osprey Nebula vs. Patagonia PowSlayer Backpack 38L
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Feature by feature
| Osprey Nebula | Feature | Patagonia PowSlayer Backpack 38L |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 4 | Compression | 4 |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 1 |
| top | Passport | top |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | Y |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | N |
| 3 | Main Compartments | 3 |
| Y | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | N |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| MAIN: 420HD Nylon Packcloth BOTTOM: 420HD Nylon Packcloth | 7.9-oz 210-denier 100% recycled nylon ripstop with a TPU coating |
Patagonia PowSlayer Backpack 38L
| Capacity | 38 L |
| Weight | 1.2 kg |
| Dimensions | 56×31×24 cm |
| Airline fit | 26% |
| Price | $250 |
Key differences between the Osprey Nebula and Patagonia PowSlayer Backpack 38L
- Hip belt: Removable on the Osprey Nebula; Yes on the Patagonia PowSlayer Backpack 38L.
- Laptop sleeve: 15in on the Osprey Nebula; No on the Patagonia PowSlayer Backpack 38L.
- Built-in organizer: Yes on the Osprey Nebula; No on the Patagonia PowSlayer Backpack 38L.
- Water bottle pockets: 2, side on the Osprey Nebula; No on the Patagonia PowSlayer Backpack 38L.
Both have: compression straps, passport pocket, backpack straps, sternum strap, water resistant.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 25 accept both. 0 accept only the Osprey Nebula, and 25 accept only the Patagonia PowSlayer Backpack 38L.
Only the Patagonia PowSlayer Backpack 38L fits
Aegean Airlines, Air Astana, Air Nostrum, Atlas Global, British Airways, Conviasa, Copa Airlines, EL AL, Finnair, Frontier Airlines, Iran Aseman Air, Island Air, Jet2, Kuwait Air, Middle East Airlines, Monarch Airlines, Onur Air, PenAir, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Sun Country, Thai Airways, Travel Service Airlines, Uzbekistan Air, WOW Airlines.
Osprey Nebula vs. Patagonia PowSlayer Backpack 38L: which should you pack?
The Patagonia PowSlayer Backpack 38L carries 4L more than the Osprey Nebula (34L vs. 38L), while the Osprey Nebula is the lighter pack at 1kg (vs. 1.2kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Patagonia PowSlayer Backpack 38L fits 26% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Patagonia PowSlayer Backpack 38L; if you want to travel lighter, the Osprey Nebula is the better call.