---
url: "https://onebag.travel/compare/0tetq72hrx/osprey-nebula-32/b7hihgmam4/north-face-recon/"
title: "Osprey Nebula 32 vs North Face Recon - One Bag Travel"
description: "Osprey Nebula 32 vs North Face Recon: capacity, weight, dimensions and how many airlines accept each as a carry-on, side by side."
source: "https://onebag.travel/compare/0tetq72hrx/osprey-nebula-32/b7hihgmam4/north-face-recon/"
---
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3.  Osprey Nebula 32 vs. North Face Recon

# Osprey Nebula 32 vs. North Face Recon

Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.

## [Osprey Nebula 32](https://onebag.travel/carryon/0tetq72hrx/osprey-nebula-32/)

by [Osprey](https://onebag.travel/carryons/?brands=Osprey)

![Front facing view of the Osprey Nebula 32](https://res.cloudinary.com/obt/image/upload/c_fill,w_400/v1788990492/carryons/osprey-nebula-32-0tetq72hrx.webp)

<table class="table table-sm cmp-spec mt-2"><tbody><tr><td>Capacity</td><td>32 L</td></tr><tr><td>Weight</td><td>1 kg</td></tr><tr><td>Dimensions</td><td>49×31×29 cm</td></tr><tr><td>Airline fit</td><td>13%</td></tr><tr><td>Price</td><td>$140</td></tr></tbody></table>

## Feature by feature

| Osprey Nebula 32 | Feature | North Face Recon |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Storage |
| 4 | Compression | 4 |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 0 |
| top | Passport | front |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry |
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | removable |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside |
| 16in | Laptop | 15in |
| 3 | Main Compartments | 3 |
| Y | Organizer | Y |
| Outside |
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | 2, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |

<table class="cmp-material"><tbody><tr><td colspan="2">Material</td></tr><tr><td>420D recycled nylon, PFAS-free DWR</td><td>210D recycled nylon ripstop with non-PFC durable water-repellent (non-PFC DWR) finish</td></tr></tbody></table>

## [North Face Recon](https://onebag.travel/carryon/b7hihgmam4/north-face-recon/)

by [North Face](https://onebag.travel/carryons/?brands=North Face)

![Front facing view of the North Face Recon](https://res.cloudinary.com/obt/image/upload/c_fill,w_400/carryons/bdkmimoaej8y2ukywt50)

<table class="table table-sm cmp-spec mt-2"><tbody><tr><td>Capacity</td><td>30 L</td></tr><tr><td>Weight</td><td>1.2 kg</td></tr><tr><td>Dimensions</td><td>49×30×19 cm</td></tr><tr><td>Airline fit</td><td>92%</td></tr><tr><td>Price</td><td>$110</td></tr></tbody></table>

## Key differences between the Osprey Nebula 32 and North Face Recon

-   **Opening:** Clamshell on the Osprey Nebula 32; Other on the North Face Recon.
-   **Passport pocket:** Top on the Osprey Nebula 32; Front on the North Face Recon.
-   **Laptop sleeve:** 16in on the Osprey Nebula 32; 15in on the North Face Recon.

Both have: compression straps, backpack straps, hip belt, 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. 25 accept both. 0 accept only the Osprey Nebula 32, and 148 accept only the North Face Recon.

### Only the North Face Recon fits

Aegean Airlines, Aer Lingus, Aeroflot, Aerolineas Argentinas, Aeromexico, Air Asia, Air Astana, Air Baltic, Air Canada, Air Caraibes, Air China, Air France, Air India, Air Macau, Air Malta, Air Mauritius, Air Niugini, Air Nostrum, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Air Wisconsin, AirAsiaX, Alaska Airlines, All Nipon Airways, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, ANA, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Atlas Global, Austrian, Avianca , Azerbaijan Airlines, Bahamasair, Bangkok Airways, Belavia, Biman Bangladesh, Blue Air, Boliviana de Aviacion, British Airways, Brussels Airlines, Bulgaria Air, Cambodia Angkor Air, Cathay Pacific, Cayman Airways, Cebu Pacific, China Airlines, China Eastern, CommutAir, Conviasa, Copa Airlines, Czech Airlines, Delta Airlines, Dragonair, EL AL, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, Eurowings, EVA Air, Fiji Airways, Finnair, Flair Air, flybe, Frontier Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, Gol Linhas Aereas, Hawaiian Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Iberia, Icelandair, Indigo, InselAir, Interjet, Iran Air, Iran Aseman Air, Island Air, Japan Airlines, Jet Airways, Jet2, jetBlue Airways, Jetstar Airways, Jetstar Asia, Juneyao Airlines, Kenya Airways, KLM, Kulula, Kuwait Air, LATAM , Liat Airlines, LOT Polish, Lufthansa, Luxair, Mahan Air, Malaysia Airlines, Mango, Meridiana Fly, Mesa Airlines, Middle East Airlines, Monarch Airlines, Nordwind Airlines, Norwegian, Oman Air, Onur Air, Pakistan International, Peach, PenAir, Porter Airlines, Qantas Airways, Qatar Airways, Republic Airways, Royal Brunei Airlines, Royal Jordanian, Ryanair, S7, SAS Scandinavian, Scoot, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Sky Airlines, Skywest, Inc., South African Airways, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, SriLankan Airlines, Sun Country, Sun Express, Swiss Int'l Air Lines, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Thai Airways, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), Tiger Airways, Trans States, Travel Service Airlines, TUI, Turkish Airlines, Ukraine International, United Airlines, Uzbekistan Air, Vietnam Airlines, VIM Airlines (Closed), Virgin Atlantic, Volotea, WestJet, WOW Airlines, Xiamen.

## Osprey Nebula 32 vs. North Face Recon: which should you pack?

The **Osprey Nebula 32** carries 2L more than the **North Face Recon** (32L vs. 30L), while the **Osprey Nebula 32** is the lighter pack at 1kg (vs. 1.2kg). For carry-on flexibility, the **North Face Recon** fits 92% 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.