Lowe Alpine Edge 26 vs. Timbuk2 Never Check Expandable Backpack
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Lowe Alpine Edge 26
| Capacity | 26 L |
| Weight | 0.6 kg |
| Dimensions | 50×30×25 cm |
| Airline fit | 40% |
| Price | $93 |
Feature by feature
| Lowe Alpine Edge 26 | Feature | Timbuk2 Never Check Expandable Backpack |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 2 | Compression | 2 |
| None | Expanded Capacity | 28L |
| 0 | Opening | 0 |
| top | Passport | front |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | N |
| removable | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 15in |
| 4 | Main Compartments | 3 |
| N | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | 1, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
Timbuk2 Never Check Expandable Backpack
| Capacity | 25 L |
| Weight | 1.2 kg |
| Dimensions | 48×29×15 cm |
| Airline fit | 93% |
| Price | $210 |
Key differences between the Lowe Alpine Edge 26 and Timbuk2 Never Check Expandable Backpack
- Passport pocket: Top on the Lowe Alpine Edge 26; Front on the Timbuk2 Never Check Expandable Backpack.
- Hip belt: Removable on the Lowe Alpine Edge 26; No on the Timbuk2 Never Check Expandable Backpack.
- Main compartments: 4 on the Lowe Alpine Edge 26; 3 on the Timbuk2 Never Check Expandable Backpack.
- Built-in organizer: No on the Lowe Alpine Edge 26; Yes on the Timbuk2 Never Check Expandable Backpack.
- Water bottle pockets: 2, side on the Lowe Alpine Edge 26; 1, side on the Timbuk2 Never Check Expandable Backpack.
Both have: compression straps, 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. 75 accept both. 0 accept only the Lowe Alpine Edge 26, and 100 accept only the Timbuk2 Never Check Expandable Backpack.
Only the Timbuk2 Never Check Expandable Backpack fits
Aer Lingus, Air Asia, Air Baltic, Air Canada, Air China, Air Macau, Air Malta, Air Niugini, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Air Wisconsin, AirAsiaX, Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Austrian, Avianca , Azerbaijan Airlines, Bahamasair, Bangkok Airways, Belavia, Biman Bangladesh, Blue Air, Brussels Airlines, Bulgaria Air, Cambodia Angkor Air, Cathay Pacific, Cayman Airways, Cebu Pacific, China Airlines, China Eastern, CommutAir, Delta Airlines, Dragonair, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Eurowings, EVA Air, Fiji Airways, Flair Air, flybe, Garuda Indonesia, Hawaiian Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Icelandair, InselAir, jetBlue Airways, Jetstar Airways, Jetstar Asia, Juneyao Airlines, Kulula, Liat Airlines, LOT Polish, Lufthansa, Luxair, Mahan Air, Malaysia Airlines, Mango, Meridiana Fly, Mesa Airlines, Nordwind Airlines, Norwegian, Oman Air, Pakistan International, Porter Airlines, Qantas Airways, Regional Express, Republic Airways, Royal Brunei Airlines, Royal Jordanian, Ryanair, S7, SAS Scandinavian, Scoot, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen 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, Virgin Australia, Volotea, WestJet, Xiamen.
Lowe Alpine Edge 26 vs. Timbuk2 Never Check Expandable Backpack: which should you pack?
The Lowe Alpine Edge 26 carries 1L more than the Timbuk2 Never Check Expandable Backpack (26L vs. 25L), while the Lowe Alpine Edge 26 is the lighter pack at 0.6kg (vs. 1.2kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Timbuk2 Never Check Expandable Backpack fits 93% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Lowe Alpine Edge 26; if you want to travel lighter, the Lowe Alpine Edge 26 is the better call.