Exped Core 25 vs. Exped Impulse 20
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Feature by feature
| Exped Core 25 | Feature | Exped Impulse 20 |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 3 | Opening | 3 |
| N | Passport | Y |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | removable |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| N | Laptop | N |
| 1 | Main Compartments | 1 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| N | Water Bottle Holder | 2 |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 1680 D Ballistic nylon, PU coated, 1'500 mm water column | Body: 210 D Robic HD ripstop nylon Carbonate PU, 2500 mm water column, Oeko-Tex 100 certified, PFC-free |
Key differences between the Exped Core 25 and Exped Impulse 20
- Passport pocket: No on the Exped Core 25; Yes on the Exped Impulse 20.
- Water bottle pockets: No on the Exped Core 25; 2 on the Exped Impulse 20.
Both have: backpack straps, hip belt, sternum strap, water resistant.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 167 accept both. 0 accept only the Exped Core 25, and 1 accept only the Exped Impulse 20.
Only the Exped Impulse 20 fits
WestJet.
Exped Core 25 vs. Exped Impulse 20: which should you pack?
The Exped Core 25 carries 5L more than the Exped Impulse 20 (25L vs. 20L), while the Exped Core 25 is the lighter pack at 0.1kg (vs. 0.88kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Exped Impulse 20 fits 89% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Exped Core 25; if you want to travel lighter, the Exped Core 25 is the better call.