Alpaka Gear Elements Backpack Pro vs. Quechua NH Escape 500 Rolltop
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 | Quechua NH Escape 500 Rolltop |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | 27L |
| 0 | Opening | 2 |
| top | Passport | side |
| Y | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| N | Hip Belt | N |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 16in | Laptop | 15in |
| 3 | Main Compartments | 2 |
| Y | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | 2, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| X-Pac VX42 Also: Axoflux Recycled Fabric (POLY 600D) | 100% Polyester |
Quechua NH Escape 500 Rolltop
| Capacity | 23 L |
| Weight | 0.8 kg |
| Dimensions | 46×28×22 cm |
| Airline fit | 75% |
| Price | $60 |
Key differences between the Alpaka Gear Elements Backpack Pro and Quechua NH Escape 500 Rolltop
- Opening: Other on the Alpaka Gear Elements Backpack Pro; Rolltop on the Quechua NH Escape 500 Rolltop.
- Passport pocket: Top on the Alpaka Gear Elements Backpack Pro; Side on the Quechua NH Escape 500 Rolltop.
- Laptop sleeve: 16in on the Alpaka Gear Elements Backpack Pro; 15in on the Quechua NH Escape 500 Rolltop.
- Main compartments: 3 on the Alpaka Gear Elements Backpack Pro; 2 on the Quechua NH Escape 500 Rolltop.
Both have: luggage passthrough, backpack straps, sternum strap, built-in organizer, water bottle pockets, water resistant.
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 2 accept only the Quechua NH Escape 500 Rolltop.
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.
Only the Quechua NH Escape 500 Rolltop fits
Great Lakes Airlines, Ravn Alaska.
Alpaka Gear Elements Backpack Pro vs. Quechua NH Escape 500 Rolltop: which should you pack?
The Alpaka Gear Elements Backpack Pro carries 3L more than the Quechua NH Escape 500 Rolltop (26L vs. 23L), while the Quechua NH Escape 500 Rolltop is the lighter pack at 0.8kg (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 Quechua NH Escape 500 Rolltop is the better call.