Osprey Nebula 32 vs. Kifaru Checkpoint
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Feature by feature
| Osprey Nebula 32 | Feature | Kifaru Checkpoint |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 4 | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 1 |
| top | Passport | top |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| removable | 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 | |
| 420D recycled nylon, PFAS-free DWR | 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 Osprey Nebula 32 and Kifaru Checkpoint
- Compression straps: 4 on the Osprey Nebula 32; No on the Kifaru Checkpoint.
- Hip belt: Removable on the Osprey Nebula 32; No on the Kifaru Checkpoint.
- Water resistant: Yes on the Osprey Nebula 32; 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. 25 accept both. 0 accept only the Osprey Nebula 32, and 110 accept only the Kifaru Checkpoint.
Only the Kifaru Checkpoint fits
Aegean Airlines, Aer Lingus, Aeroflot, Aerolineas Argentinas, Aeromexico, Air Asia, Air Astana, Air Canada, Air Caraibes, Air France, Air India, Air Macau, Air Mauritius, Air Nostrum, Air Wisconsin, AirAsiaX, Alaska Airlines, All Nipon Airways, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, ANA, Atlas Global, Austrian, Avianca , Azerbaijan Airlines, Bahamasair, Bangkok Airways, Biman Bangladesh, Boliviana de Aviacion, British Airways, Brussels Airlines, Cambodia Angkor Air, Cathay Pacific, Cayman Airways, Cebu Pacific, China Airlines, CommutAir, Conviasa, Copa Airlines, Czech Airlines, Delta Airlines, Dragonair, EL AL, Ethiopian Airlines, Eurowings, EVA Air, Fiji Airways, Finnair, Flair Air, Frontier Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, Gol Linhas Aereas, Great Lakes Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Iberia, Indigo, Interjet, Iran Air, Iran Aseman Air, Island Air, Japan Airlines, Jet Airways, Jet2, jetBlue Airways, Jetstar Airways, Jetstar Asia, Kenya Airways, KLM, Kulula, Kuwait Air, LATAM , LOT Polish, Lufthansa, Mahan Air, Malaysia Airlines, Mango, Mesa Airlines, Middle East Airlines, Monarch Airlines, Norwegian, Oman Air, Onur Air, Peach, PenAir, Porter Airlines, Qantas Airways, Republic Airways, Royal Jordanian, SAS Scandinavian, Scoot, Sky Airlines, Skywest, Inc., South African Airways, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, SriLankan Airlines, Sun Country, Swiss Int'l Air Lines, Thai Airways, Tiger Airways, Trans States, Travel Service Airlines, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, Uzbekistan Air, Vietnam Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, WestJet, WOW Airlines.
Osprey Nebula 32 vs. Kifaru Checkpoint: which should you pack?
The Osprey Nebula 32 carries 4L more than the Kifaru Checkpoint (32L vs. 28L), while the Osprey Nebula 32 is the lighter pack at 1kg (vs. 1.4kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Kifaru Checkpoint fits 71% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Osprey Nebula 32; if you want to travel lighter, the Osprey Nebula 32 is the better call.