Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L vs. Kathmandu Litehaul 38L Carry-On Pack
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 38L Carry-On Pack |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | Y |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 3 | Opening | 4 |
| N | Passport | N |
| Y | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| Y | Hip Belt | hideable |
| Y | Sternum Strap | hideable |
| Inside | ||
| 18in | Laptop | 17in |
| 1 | Main Compartments | 2 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| optional | Rain-fly | N |
| 1 | Water Bottle Holder | 1 |
| N | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 100% Nylon & Polyester | Recycled Polyester/Nylon |
Kathmandu Litehaul 38L Carry-On Pack
| Capacity | 38 L |
| Weight | 1.31 kg |
| Dimensions | 55.88×32×28.45 cm |
| Airline fit | 2% |
| Price | $150 |
Key differences between the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L and Kathmandu Litehaul 38L Carry-On Pack
- Compression straps: No on the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L; Yes on the Kathmandu Litehaul 38L Carry-On Pack.
- Opening: Top flap on the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L; Top zip on the Kathmandu Litehaul 38L Carry-On Pack.
- Luggage passthrough: Yes on the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L; No on the Kathmandu Litehaul 38L Carry-On Pack.
- Hip belt: Yes on the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L; Hideable on the Kathmandu Litehaul 38L Carry-On Pack.
- Sternum strap: Yes on the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L; Hideable on the Kathmandu Litehaul 38L Carry-On Pack.
- Laptop sleeve: 18in on the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L; 17in on the Kathmandu Litehaul 38L Carry-On Pack.
- Main compartments: 1 on the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L; 2 on the Kathmandu Litehaul 38L Carry-On Pack.
- Rain cover: Optional on the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L; No on the Kathmandu Litehaul 38L Carry-On Pack.
- Water resistant: No on the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L; Yes on the Kathmandu Litehaul 38L Carry-On Pack.
Both have: backpack straps, 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. 4 accept both. 45 accept only the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L, and 0 accept only the Kathmandu Litehaul 38L Carry-On Pack.
Only the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L fits
Aegean Airlines, Air Astana, Air Europa, Air Koryo, Air Nostrum, Air Tahiti Nui, Atlas Global, Azul Linhas, British Airways, Caribbean Airlines, China Southern, Conviasa, Copa Airlines, Cubana de Aviacion, EL AL, Finnair, Frontier Airlines, Hainan Airlines, Iran Aseman Air, Island Air, Jet2, Korean Air, Kuwait Air, Middle East Airlines, Monarch Airlines, Onur Air, PenAir, Philippine Airlines, Royal Air Morocco, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Sichuan Airlines, SilkAir, Silver Airways, Singapore Airlines, Southwest Airlines, SpiceJet, Spirit Airlines, Sun Country, TAAG Angola, TAM Airlines, Thai Airways, Travel Service Airlines, Ural Airlines, Uzbekistan Air, WOW Airlines.
Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L vs. Kathmandu Litehaul 38L Carry-On Pack: which should you pack?
The Kathmandu Litehaul 38L Carry-On Pack 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. 1.31kg). 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 38L Carry-On Pack; if you want to travel lighter, the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 28L is the better call.