Deuter Freerider Pro 34+ vs. Tom Bihn Brain Bag
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Deuter Freerider Pro 34+
| Capacity | 34 L |
| Weight | 1.28 kg |
| Dimensions | 58×35×18 cm |
| Airline fit | 16% |
| Price | $180 |
Feature by feature
| Deuter Freerider Pro 34+ | Feature | Tom Bihn Brain Bag |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| Y | Compression | 4 |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 4 | Opening | 4 |
| N | Passport | top |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | removable |
| Y | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| N | Laptop | N |
| 1 | Main Compartments | 6 |
| Y | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| N | Water Bottle Holder | 1, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 420D PA Ripstop Clear TPU, 330D PA 6.6 Ripstop | 525 Ballistic Nylon |
Tom Bihn Brain Bag
| Capacity | 36 L |
| Weight | 1.3 kg |
| Dimensions | 46×36×23 cm |
| Airline fit | 66% |
| Price | $240 |
Key differences between the Deuter Freerider Pro 34+ and Tom Bihn Brain Bag
- Compression straps: Yes on the Deuter Freerider Pro 34+; 4 on the Tom Bihn Brain Bag.
- Passport pocket: No on the Deuter Freerider Pro 34+; Top on the Tom Bihn Brain Bag.
- Sternum strap: Yes on the Deuter Freerider Pro 34+; Removable on the Tom Bihn Brain Bag.
- Main compartments: 1 on the Deuter Freerider Pro 34+; 6 on the Tom Bihn Brain Bag.
- Water bottle pockets: No on the Deuter Freerider Pro 34+; 1, side on the Tom Bihn Brain Bag.
Both have: backpack straps, hip belt, built-in organizer, water resistant.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 31 accept both. 0 accept only the Deuter Freerider Pro 34+, and 94 accept only the Tom Bihn Brain Bag.
Only the Tom Bihn Brain Bag fits
Aegean Airlines, Aer Lingus, Aeroflot, Aeromexico, Air Asia, Air Astana, Air Canada, Air Caraibes, Air Macau, Air Nostrum, Air Wisconsin, AirAsiaX, Alaska Airlines, All Nipon Airways, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, ANA, Atlas Global, Austrian, Avianca , Azerbaijan Airlines, Bahamasair, Bangkok Airways, Biman Bangladesh, British Airways, Brussels Airlines, Cambodia Angkor Air, Cathay Pacific, Cebu Pacific, China Airlines, CommutAir, Copa Airlines, Czech Airlines, Delta Airlines, Dragonair, EL AL, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, Eurowings, EVA Air, Fiji Airways, Finnair, Flair Air, Garuda Indonesia, Gol Linhas Aereas, Hawaiian Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Iberia, Interjet, Iran Air, Iran Aseman Air, Japan Airlines, Jet2, jetBlue Airways, Jetstar Airways, Jetstar Asia, Kulula, Kuwait Air, LOT Polish, Lufthansa, Mahan Air, Malaysia Airlines, Mango, Mesa Airlines, Middle East Airlines, Monarch Airlines, Norwegian, Oman Air, Onur Air, Peach, Porter Airlines, Qantas Airways, Qatar Airways, Ravn Alaska, Republic Airways, Royal Jordanian, SAS Scandinavian, Scoot, Skywest, Inc., South African Airways, Spirit Airlines, SriLankan Airlines, Swiss Int'l Air Lines, Thai Airways, Tiger Airways, Trans States, Travel Service Airlines, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, Uzbekistan Air, Vietnam Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, WestJet, WOW Airlines.
Deuter Freerider Pro 34+ vs. Tom Bihn Brain Bag: which should you pack?
The Tom Bihn Brain Bag carries 2L more than the Deuter Freerider Pro 34+ (34L vs. 36L), while the Deuter Freerider Pro 34+ is the lighter pack at 1.28kg (vs. 1.3kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Tom Bihn Brain Bag fits 66% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Tom Bihn Brain Bag; if you want to travel lighter, the Deuter Freerider Pro 34+ is the better call.