Osprey Nebula vs. REI Co-op Trail 40
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Feature by feature
| Osprey Nebula | Feature | REI Co-op Trail 40 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | removable |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | N |
| 3 | Main Compartments | 5 |
| Y | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | Y |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | 2, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| MAIN: 420HD Nylon Packcloth BOTTOM: 420HD Nylon Packcloth | 210-denier ripstop nylon |
REI Co-op Trail 40
| Capacity | 40 L |
| Weight | 1.2 kg |
| Dimensions | 56×30×23 cm |
| Airline fit | 47% |
| Price | $130 |
Key differences between the Osprey Nebula and REI Co-op Trail 40
- Hip belt: Removable on the Osprey Nebula; Yes on the REI Co-op Trail 40.
- Sternum strap: Yes on the Osprey Nebula; Removable on the REI Co-op Trail 40.
- Laptop sleeve: 15in on the Osprey Nebula; No on the REI Co-op Trail 40.
- Main compartments: 3 on the Osprey Nebula; 5 on the REI Co-op Trail 40.
- Rain cover: No on the Osprey Nebula; Yes on the REI Co-op Trail 40.
Both have: compression straps, passport pocket, backpack straps, built-in organizer, water bottle pockets, 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 63 accept only the REI Co-op Trail 40.
Only the REI Co-op Trail 40 fits
Aegean Airlines, Air Asia, Air Astana, Air Macau, Air Nostrum, Air Wisconsin, AirAsiaX, Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Atlas Global, Avianca , Bahamasair, Bangkok Airways, Biman Bangladesh, British Airways, Cambodia Angkor Air, Cathay Pacific, Cayman Airways, Cebu Pacific, China Airlines, CommutAir, Conviasa, Copa Airlines, Delta Airlines, Dragonair, EL AL, EVA Air, Finnair, Frontier Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, Hawaiian Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Iran Aseman Air, Island Air, Jet2, jetBlue Airways, Jetstar Airways, Jetstar Asia, Kulula, Kuwait Air, Malaysia Airlines, Mango, Middle East Airlines, Monarch Airlines, Onur Air, PenAir, Qantas Airways, Republic Airways, Skywest, Inc., South African Airways, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, SriLankan Airlines, Sun Country, Thai Airways, Trans States, Travel Service Airlines, United Airlines, Uzbekistan Air, Vietnam Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, WOW Airlines.
Osprey Nebula vs. REI Co-op Trail 40: which should you pack?
The REI Co-op Trail 40 carries 6L more than the Osprey Nebula (34L vs. 40L), while the Osprey Nebula is the lighter pack at 1kg (vs. 1.2kg). For carry-on flexibility, the REI Co-op Trail 40 fits 47% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the REI Co-op Trail 40; if you want to travel lighter, the Osprey Nebula is the better call.