Alpaka Gear Elements Backpack Pro vs. Kifaru Checkpoint
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Alpaka Gear Elements Backpack Pro
| Capacity | 26 L |
| Weight | 1.3 kg |
| Dimensions | 48×31×18 cm |
| Airline fit | 92% |
| Price | $190 |
Feature by feature
| Alpaka Gear Elements Backpack Pro | Feature | Kifaru Checkpoint |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 1 |
| top | Passport | top |
| Y | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| N | Hip Belt | N |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 16in | Laptop | 16in |
| 3 | Main Compartments | 3 |
| Y | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | 2, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | N |
| Material | |
| X-Pac VX42 Also: Axoflux Recycled Fabric (POLY 600D) | 500D Cordura |
Kifaru Checkpoint
| Capacity | 28 L |
| Weight | 1.4 kg |
| Dimensions | 51×28×23 cm |
| Airline fit | 71% |
| Price | $350 |
Key differences between the Alpaka Gear Elements Backpack Pro and Kifaru Checkpoint
- Opening: Other on the Alpaka Gear Elements Backpack Pro; Clamshell on the Kifaru Checkpoint.
- Luggage passthrough: Yes on the Alpaka Gear Elements Backpack Pro; No on the Kifaru Checkpoint.
- Water resistant: Yes on the Alpaka Gear Elements Backpack Pro; No on the Kifaru Checkpoint.
Both have: passport pocket, backpack straps, sternum strap, laptop sleeve, built-in organizer, 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. 134 accept both. 40 accept only the Alpaka Gear Elements Backpack Pro, and 1 accept only the Kifaru Checkpoint.
Only the Alpaka Gear Elements Backpack Pro fits
Air Baltic, Air China, Air Malta, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Belavia, Blue Air, Bulgaria Air, China Eastern, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, Etihad Airways, flybe, Icelandair, InselAir, Juneyao Airlines, Liat Airlines, Luxair, Meridiana Fly, Nordwind Airlines, Pakistan International, Qatar Airways, Regional Express, Royal Brunei Airlines, Ryanair, S7, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Sun Express, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), TUI, Ukraine International, VIM Airlines (Closed), Virgin Australia, Volotea, Xiamen.
Only the Kifaru Checkpoint fits
Great Lakes Airlines.
Alpaka Gear Elements Backpack Pro vs. Kifaru Checkpoint: which should you pack?
The Kifaru Checkpoint carries 2L more than the Alpaka Gear Elements Backpack Pro (26L vs. 28L), while the Alpaka Gear Elements Backpack Pro is the lighter pack at 1.3kg (vs. 1.4kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Alpaka Gear Elements Backpack Pro fits 92% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Kifaru Checkpoint; if you want to travel lighter, the Alpaka Gear Elements Backpack Pro is the better call.