Alpaka Gear Elements Backpack Pro vs. Thule EnRoute
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 | Thule EnRoute |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | 2 |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 0 |
| top | Passport | top |
| Y | Passthrough | Y |
| 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) | |
Key differences between the Alpaka Gear Elements Backpack Pro and Thule EnRoute
- Compression straps: No on the Alpaka Gear Elements Backpack Pro; 2 on the Thule EnRoute.
- Water resistant: Yes on the Alpaka Gear Elements Backpack Pro; No on the Thule EnRoute.
Both have: passport pocket, luggage passthrough, 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. 139 accept both. 35 accept only the Alpaka Gear Elements Backpack Pro, and 0 accept only the Thule EnRoute.
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, flybe, Icelandair, InselAir, Juneyao Airlines, Liat Airlines, Luxair, Meridiana Fly, Nordwind Airlines, 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), Volotea, Xiamen.
Alpaka Gear Elements Backpack Pro vs. Thule EnRoute: which should you pack?
The Alpaka Gear Elements Backpack Pro carries 3L more than the Thule EnRoute (26L vs. 23L), while the Thule EnRoute is the lighter pack at 0.9kg (vs. 1.3kg). 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 Alpaka Gear Elements Backpack Pro; if you want to travel lighter, the Thule EnRoute is the better call.