Patagonia Refugio Day Pack vs. Matador Freerain28 Waterproof Packable Backpack
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Patagonia Refugio Day Pack
| Capacity | 30 L |
| Weight | 0.8 kg |
| Dimensions | 49×30×18 cm |
| Airline fit | 92% |
Feature by feature
| Patagonia Refugio Day Pack | Feature | Matador Freerain28 Waterproof Packable Backpack |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| Y | Compression | |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 3 | Opening | 0 |
| Passport | ||
| Passthrough | ||
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| N | Hip Belt | removable |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| Laptop | N | |
| 1 | Main Compartments | 1 |
| Organizer | ||
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| Rain-fly | N | |
| 2 | Water Bottle Holder | 2 |
| Water Resistant | Y | |
| Material | |
| 70D Robic® nylon UHMWPE, PU waterproofing 50D nylon mini ripstop | |
Matador Freerain28 Waterproof Packable Backpack
| Capacity | 28 L |
| Weight | 0.35 kg |
| Dimensions | 54.6×27.9×20.3 cm |
| Airline fit | 69% |
| Price | $125 |
Key differences between the Patagonia Refugio Day Pack and Matador Freerain28 Waterproof Packable Backpack
- Opening: Top flap on the Patagonia Refugio Day Pack; Other on the Matador Freerain28 Waterproof Packable Backpack.
- Hip belt: No on the Patagonia Refugio Day Pack; Removable on the Matador Freerain28 Waterproof Packable Backpack.
Both have: backpack straps, sternum strap, water bottle pockets.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 130 accept both. 43 accept only the Patagonia Refugio Day Pack, and 1 accept only the Matador Freerain28 Waterproof Packable Backpack.
Only the Patagonia Refugio Day Pack fits
Air Baltic, Air China, Air Malta, Air Niugini, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Belavia, Blue Air, Bulgaria Air, China Eastern, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, Etihad Airways, flybe, Icelandair, InselAir, Juneyao Airlines, Liat Airlines, Luxair, Meridiana Fly, Nordwind Airlines, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, Royal Brunei Airlines, Royal Jordanian, Ryanair, S7, Scoot, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Sun Express, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), Tiger Airways, TUI, Ukraine International, VIM Airlines (Closed), Volotea, WestJet, Xiamen.
Only the Matador Freerain28 Waterproof Packable Backpack fits
Great Lakes Airlines.
Patagonia Refugio Day Pack vs. Matador Freerain28 Waterproof Packable Backpack: which should you pack?
The Patagonia Refugio Day Pack carries 2L more than the Matador Freerain28 Waterproof Packable Backpack (30L vs. 28L), while the Matador Freerain28 Waterproof Packable Backpack is the lighter pack at 0.35kg (vs. 0.8kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Patagonia Refugio Day Pack fits 92% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Patagonia Refugio Day Pack; if you want to travel lighter, the Matador Freerain28 Waterproof Packable Backpack is the better call.