Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L vs. Patagonia Guidewater Backpack 29L
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 | Patagonia Guidewater Backpack 29L |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 3 | Opening | 4 |
| N | Passport | N |
| Y | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| Y | Hip Belt | Y |
| 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 | |
| Material | |
| 100% Nylon & Polyester | 00% recycled nylon plain weave |
Patagonia Guidewater Backpack 29L
| Capacity | 29 L |
| Weight | 0.96 kg |
| Dimensions | 54×35×23 cm |
| Airline fit | 69% |
Key differences between the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L and Patagonia Guidewater Backpack 29L
- Opening: Top flap on the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L; Top zip on the Patagonia Guidewater Backpack 29L.
- Luggage passthrough: Yes on the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L; No on the Patagonia Guidewater Backpack 29L.
- Laptop sleeve: 18in on the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L; No on the Patagonia Guidewater Backpack 29L.
- Rain cover: Optional on the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L; No on the Patagonia Guidewater Backpack 29L.
- Water bottle pockets: 1 on the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L; No on the Patagonia Guidewater Backpack 29L.
Both have: backpack straps, hip belt, 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 81 accept only the Patagonia Guidewater Backpack 29L.
Only the Patagonia Guidewater Backpack 29L fits
Aer Lingus, Aeroflot, Aerolineas Argentinas, Aeromexico, Air Asia, Air Canada, Air Caraibes, Air France, Air India, Air Macau, Air Mauritius, Air Wisconsin, AirAsiaX, Alaska Airlines, All Nipon Airways, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, ANA, Austrian, Avianca , Azerbaijan Airlines, Bahamasair, Bangkok Airways, Biman Bangladesh, Boliviana de Aviacion, Brussels Airlines, Cambodia Angkor Air, Cathay Pacific, Cebu Pacific, China Airlines, CommutAir, Croatia Air, Czech Airlines, Delta Airlines, Dragonair, Ethiopian Airlines, Eurowings, EVA Air, Fiji Airways, Flair Air, Garuda Indonesia, Gol Linhas Aereas, Hawaiian Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Iberia, Indigo, Interjet, Iran Air, Japan Airlines, Jet Airways, jetBlue Airways, Jetstar Airways, Jetstar Asia, Kenya Airways, KLM, Kulula, LATAM , LOT Polish, Lufthansa, Mahan Air, Malaysia Airlines, Mango, Mesa Airlines, Norwegian, Peach, Porter Airlines, Qantas Airways, Republic Airways, SAS Scandinavian, Scoot, Sky Airlines, Skywest, Inc., South African Airways, SriLankan Airlines, Swiss Int'l Air Lines, Tiger Airways, Trans States, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, Vietnam Airlines, Virgin Atlantic.
Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L vs. Patagonia Guidewater Backpack 29L: which should you pack?
The Patagonia Guidewater Backpack 29L carries 1L more than the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L (28L vs. 29L), while the Patagonia Guidewater Backpack 29L is the lighter pack at 0.96kg (vs. 1.12kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Patagonia Guidewater Backpack 29L fits 69% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Patagonia Guidewater Backpack 29L; if you want to travel lighter, the Patagonia Guidewater Backpack 29L is the better call.