Osprey Skarab 30 vs. Remote Equipment Alpha 31 Pack
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Feature by feature
| Osprey Skarab 30 | Feature | Remote Equipment Alpha 31 Pack |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 4 | Compression | 4 |
| None | Expanded Capacity | 36L |
| 0 | Opening | 2 |
| top | Passport | top |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | removable |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| N | Laptop | 16in |
| 2 | Main Compartments | 6 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 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 | Challenge Outdoor EPX600 |
Remote Equipment Alpha 31 Pack
| Capacity | 31 L |
| Weight | 1.5 kg |
| Dimensions | 54×29×20 cm |
| Airline fit | 88% |
| Price | $400 |
Key differences between the Osprey Skarab 30 and Remote Equipment Alpha 31 Pack
- Opening: Other on the Osprey Skarab 30; Rolltop on the Remote Equipment Alpha 31 Pack.
- Laptop sleeve: No on the Osprey Skarab 30; 16in on the Remote Equipment Alpha 31 Pack.
- Main compartments: 2 on the Osprey Skarab 30; 6 on the Remote Equipment Alpha 31 Pack.
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. 73 accept both. 1 accept only the Osprey Skarab 30, and 93 accept only the Remote Equipment Alpha 31 Pack.
Only the Osprey Skarab 30 fits
Great Lakes Airlines.
Only the Remote Equipment Alpha 31 Pack fits
Aer Lingus, Air Asia, Air Baltic, Air Canada, Air China, Air Macau, Air Malta, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Air Wisconsin, AirAsiaX, Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Austrian, Avianca , Azerbaijan Airlines, Bahamasair, Bangkok Airways, Biman Bangladesh, Blue Air, Brussels Airlines, Bulgaria Air, Cambodia Angkor Air, Cathay Pacific, Cayman Airways, Cebu Pacific, China Airlines, China Eastern, CommutAir, Delta Airlines, Dragonair, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Eurowings, EVA Air, Fiji Airways, Flair Air, flybe, Garuda Indonesia, Hawaiian Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Icelandair, InselAir, jetBlue Airways, Jetstar Airways, Jetstar Asia, Juneyao Airlines, Kulula, Liat Airlines, LOT Polish, Lufthansa, Luxair, Mahan Air, Malaysia Airlines, Mango, Meridiana Fly, Mesa Airlines, Nordwind Airlines, Norwegian, Pakistan International, Porter Airlines, Qantas Airways, Republic Airways, Royal Brunei Airlines, Ryanair, S7, SAS Scandinavian, Scoot, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Skywest, Inc., South African Airways, SriLankan Airlines, Sun Express, Swiss Int'l Air Lines, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), Tiger Airways, Trans States, TUI, Turkish Airlines, Ukraine International, United Airlines, Vietnam Airlines, VIM Airlines (Closed), Virgin Atlantic, Volotea, Xiamen.
Osprey Skarab 30 vs. Remote Equipment Alpha 31 Pack: which should you pack?
The Remote Equipment Alpha 31 Pack carries 1L more than the Osprey Skarab 30 (30L vs. 31L), while the Osprey Skarab 30 is the lighter pack at 0.9kg (vs. 1.5kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Remote Equipment Alpha 31 Pack fits 88% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Remote Equipment Alpha 31 Pack; if you want to travel lighter, the Osprey Skarab 30 is the better call.