Osprey Skarab 30 vs. Osprey Hikelite 26
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Feature by feature
| Osprey Skarab 30 | Feature | Osprey Hikelite 26 |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 4 | Compression | 4 |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 1 |
| top | Passport | top |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | removable |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| N | Laptop | N |
| 2 | Main Compartments | 2 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | Y |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | 2, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| bluesign® APPROVED, 100% recycled 100Dx210D high-tenacity nylon, DWR treatment made without PFAS | bluesign® APPROVED 100% recycled 100D high-tenacity bird eye nylon, DWR treatments made without PFAS |
Osprey Hikelite 26
| Capacity | 26 L |
| Weight | 0.8 kg |
| Dimensions | 51×36×31 cm |
| Airline fit | 2% |
| Price | $115 |
Key differences between the Osprey Skarab 30 and Osprey Hikelite 26
- Opening: Other on the Osprey Skarab 30; Clamshell on the Osprey Hikelite 26.
- Rain cover: No on the Osprey Skarab 30; Yes on the Osprey Hikelite 26.
Both have: compression straps, passport pocket, backpack straps, hip belt, sternum strap, 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. 4 accept both. 70 accept only the Osprey Skarab 30, and 0 accept only the Osprey Hikelite 26.
Only the Osprey Skarab 30 fits
Aegean Airlines, Aeroflot, Aerolineas Argentinas, Aeromexico, Air Astana, Air Caraibes, Air Europa, Air France, Air India, Air Koryo, Air Mauritius, Air Nostrum, Air Tahiti Nui, All Nipon Airways, ANA, Atlas Global, Azul Linhas, Boliviana de Aviacion, British Airways, Caribbean Airlines, China Southern, Conviasa, Copa Airlines, Croatia Air, Cubana de Aviacion, Czech Airlines, EL AL, Finnair, Frontier Airlines, Gol Linhas Aereas, Great Lakes Airlines, Hainan Airlines, Iberia, Indigo, Interjet, Iran Air, Iran Aseman Air, Island Air, Japan Airlines, Jet Airways, Jet2, Kenya Airways, KLM, Korean Air, Kuwait Air, LATAM , Middle East Airlines, Monarch Airlines, Onur Air, Peach, PenAir, Philippine Airlines, Royal Air Morocco, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Sichuan Airlines, SilkAir, Silver Airways, Singapore Airlines, Sky Airlines, Southwest Airlines, SpiceJet, Spirit Airlines, Sun Country, TAAG Angola, TAM Airlines, Thai Airways, Travel Service Airlines, Ural Airlines, Uzbekistan Air, WOW Airlines.
Osprey Skarab 30 vs. Osprey Hikelite 26: which should you pack?
The Osprey Skarab 30 carries 4L more than the Osprey Hikelite 26 (30L vs. 26L), while the Osprey Hikelite 26 is the lighter pack at 0.8kg (vs. 0.9kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Osprey Skarab 30 fits 39% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Osprey Skarab 30; if you want to travel lighter, the Osprey Hikelite 26 is the better call.