Peak Designs Travel Bag vs. Aer Capsule Pack Max (40L)
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Peak Designs Travel Bag
| Capacity | 30 L |
| Weight | 2.1 kg |
| Dimensions | 56×33×24 cm |
| Airline fit | 26% |
| Price | $300 |
Feature by feature
| Peak Designs Travel Bag | Feature | Aer Capsule Pack Max (40L) |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| Compression | N | |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 1 |
| top | Passport | Y |
| Y | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| hideable | Backpack | hideable |
| hideable | Hip Belt | optional |
| removable | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 15in |
| 7 | Main Compartments | 1 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | optional |
| N | Water Bottle Holder | 1 |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| shell: Weatherproof 400D nylon canvasbottom: 900D nylonweatherproof zippers | 1680D Cordura® ballistic nylon exterior |
Aer Capsule Pack Max (40L)
| Capacity | 40 L |
| Weight | 0 kg |
| Dimensions | 55.9×35.6×22.9 cm |
| Airline fit | 45% |
| Price | $250 |
Key differences between the Peak Designs Travel Bag and Aer Capsule Pack Max (40L)
- Passport pocket: Top on the Peak Designs Travel Bag; Yes on the Aer Capsule Pack Max (40L).
- Hip belt: Hideable on the Peak Designs Travel Bag; Optional on the Aer Capsule Pack Max (40L).
- Main compartments: 7 on the Peak Designs Travel Bag; 1 on the Aer Capsule Pack Max (40L).
- Rain cover: No on the Peak Designs Travel Bag; Optional on the Aer Capsule Pack Max (40L).
- Water bottle pockets: No on the Peak Designs Travel Bag; 1 on the Aer Capsule Pack Max (40L).
Both have: luggage passthrough, backpack straps, sternum strap, laptop sleeve, water resistant.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 48 accept both. 1 accept only the Peak Designs Travel Bag, and 37 accept only the Aer Capsule Pack Max (40L).
Only the Peak Designs Travel Bag fits
Caribbean Airlines.
Only the Aer Capsule Pack Max (40L) fits
Air Asia, Air Macau, Air Wisconsin, AirAsiaX, Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Avianca , Bahamasair, Bangkok Airways, Biman Bangladesh, Cambodia Angkor Air, Cathay Pacific, Cebu Pacific, China Airlines, CommutAir, Delta Airlines, Dragonair, EVA Air, Garuda Indonesia, Hawaiian Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, jetBlue Airways, Jetstar Airways, Jetstar Asia, Kulula, Malaysia Airlines, Mango, Qantas Airways, Republic Airways, Skywest, Inc., South African Airways, SriLankan Airlines, Trans States, United Airlines, Vietnam Airlines, Virgin Atlantic.
Peak Designs Travel Bag vs. Aer Capsule Pack Max (40L): which should you pack?
The Aer Capsule Pack Max (40L) carries 10L more than the Peak Designs Travel Bag (30L vs. 40L), and the two are closely matched on weight. For carry-on flexibility, the Aer Capsule Pack Max (40L) fits 45% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Aer Capsule Pack Max (40L); if you want to travel lighter, the Peak Designs Travel Bag is the better call.