Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L vs. Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 38L
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 | Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 38L |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | 4 |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 3 | Opening | 1 |
| N | Passport | top |
| Y | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | hideable |
| Y | Hip Belt | N |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 18in | Laptop | 17in |
| 1 | Main Compartments | 4 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| optional | Rain-fly | N |
| 1 | Water Bottle Holder | 1, side |
| N | Water Resistant | N |
| Material | |
| 100% Nylon & Polyester | 100% RENU recycled polyester. |
Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 38L
| Capacity | 38 L |
| Weight | 1.4 kg |
| Dimensions | 57×33×25 cm |
| Airline fit | 15% |
| Price | $300 |
Key differences between the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L and Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 38L
- Compression straps: No on the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L; 4 on the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 38L.
- Opening: Top flap on the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L; Clamshell on the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 38L.
- Passport pocket: No on the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L; Top on the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 38L.
- Backpack straps: Yes on the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L; Hideable on the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 38L.
- Hip belt: Yes on the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L; No on the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 38L.
- Laptop sleeve: 18in on the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L; 17in on the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 38L.
- Main compartments: 1 on the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L; 4 on the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 38L.
- Rain cover: Optional on the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L; No on the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 38L.
- Water bottle pockets: 1 on the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L; 1, side on the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 38L.
Both have: luggage passthrough, sternum strap.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 29 accept both. 20 accept only the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L, and 0 accept only the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 38L.
Only the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L fits
Aegean Airlines, Air Astana, Air Nostrum, Atlas Global, British Airways, Caribbean Airlines, Copa Airlines, EL AL, Finnair, Iran Aseman Air, Jet2, Kuwait Air, Middle East Airlines, Monarch Airlines, Onur Air, Spirit Airlines, Thai Airways, Travel Service Airlines, Uzbekistan Air, WOW Airlines.
Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L vs. Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 38L: which should you pack?
The Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 38L carries 10L more than the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L (28L vs. 38L), while the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L is the lighter pack at 1.12kg (vs. 1.4kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L fits 26% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 38L; if you want to travel lighter, the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L is the better call.