Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L vs. Exped Core 25
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L
| Capacity | 28 L |
| Weight | 1.12 kg |
| Dimensions | 56×32×25 cm |
| Airline fit | 26% |
| Price | $160 |
Feature by feature
| Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L | Feature | Exped Core 25 |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 3 | Opening | 3 |
| N | Passport | N |
| Y | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| Y | Hip Belt | removable |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 18in | Laptop | N |
| 1 | Main Compartments | 1 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| optional | Rain-fly | N |
| 1 | Water Bottle Holder | N |
| N | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 100% Nylon & Polyester | 1680 D Ballistic nylon, PU coated, 1'500 mm water column |
Key differences between the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L and Exped Core 25
- Luggage passthrough: Yes on the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L; No on the Exped Core 25.
- Hip belt: Yes on the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L; Removable on the Exped Core 25.
- Laptop sleeve: 18in on the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L; No on the Exped Core 25.
- Rain cover: Optional on the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L; No on the Exped Core 25.
- Water bottle pockets: 1 on the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L; No on the Exped Core 25.
- Water resistant: No on the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L; Yes on the Exped Core 25.
Both have: backpack straps, sternum strap.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 49 accept both. 0 accept only the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L, and 118 accept only the Exped Core 25.
Only the Exped Core 25 fits
Aer Lingus, Aeroflot, Aerolineas Argentinas, Aeromexico, Air Asia, Air Baltic, Air Canada, Air Caraibes, Air China, Air France, Air India, Air Macau, Air Malta, Air Mauritius, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Air Wisconsin, AirAsiaX, Alaska Airlines, All Nipon Airways, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, ANA, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Austrian, Avianca , Azerbaijan Airlines, Bahamasair, Bangkok Airways, Biman Bangladesh, Blue Air, Boliviana de Aviacion, Brussels Airlines, Bulgaria Air, Cambodia Angkor Air, Cathay Pacific, Cayman Airways, Cebu Pacific, China Airlines, China Eastern, CommutAir, Croatia Air, Czech Airlines, Delta Airlines, Dragonair, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Eurowings, EVA Air, Fiji Airways, Flair Air, flybe, Garuda Indonesia, Gol Linhas Aereas, Great Lakes Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Iberia, Icelandair, Indigo, InselAir, Interjet, Iran Air, Japan Airlines, Jet Airways, jetBlue Airways, Jetstar Airways, Jetstar Asia, Juneyao Airlines, Kenya Airways, KLM, Kulula, LATAM , Liat Airlines, LOT Polish, Lufthansa, Luxair, Mahan Air, Malaysia Airlines, Mango, Meridiana Fly, Mesa Airlines, Nordwind Airlines, Norwegian, Pakistan International, Peach, Porter Airlines, Qantas Airways, Republic Airways, Royal Brunei Airlines, Ryanair, S7, SAS Scandinavian, Scoot, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Sky Airlines, Skywest, Inc., South African Airways, SriLankan Airlines, Sun Express, Swiss Int'l Air Lines, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), Tiger Airways, Trans States, TUI, Turkish Airlines, Ukraine International, United Airlines, Vietnam Airlines, VIM Airlines (Closed), Virgin Atlantic, Volotea, Xiamen.
Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L vs. Exped Core 25: which should you pack?
The Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L carries 3L more than the Exped Core 25 (28L vs. 25L), while the Exped Core 25 is the lighter pack at 0.1kg (vs. 1.12kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Exped Core 25 fits 88% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L; if you want to travel lighter, the Exped Core 25 is the better call.