Exped Core 25 vs. Fjallraven Vardag 25
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Feature by feature
| Exped Core 25 | Feature | Fjallraven Vardag 25 |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 3 | Opening | 4 |
| N | Passport | N |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | N |
| 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 | N |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 1680 D Ballistic nylon, PU coated, 1'500 mm water column | G-1000® HeavyDuty Eco S: 65% polyester, 35% cotton |
Fjallraven Vardag 25
| Capacity | 25 L |
| Weight | 0.48 kg |
| Dimensions | 43×31×14.5 cm |
| Airline fit | 95% |
| Price | $80 |
Key differences between the Exped Core 25 and Fjallraven Vardag 25
- Opening: Top flap on the Exped Core 25; Top zip on the Fjallraven Vardag 25.
- Hip belt: Removable on the Exped Core 25; No on the Fjallraven Vardag 25.
Both have: backpack straps, 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. 166 accept both. 1 accept only the Exped Core 25, and 13 accept only the Fjallraven Vardag 25.
Only the Exped Core 25 fits
Great Lakes Airlines.
Only the Fjallraven Vardag 25 fits
Air Tahiti, American Eagle, Belavia, easyJet, Etihad Airways, Gulf Air, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, Ravn Alaska, Regional Express, Royal Jordanian, Virgin Australia, WestJet.
Exped Core 25 vs. Fjallraven Vardag 25: which should you pack?
The Exped Core 25 carries the same capacity as the Fjallraven Vardag 25 (25L vs. 25L), while the Exped Core 25 is the lighter pack at 0.1kg (vs. 0.48kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Fjallraven Vardag 25 fits 95% 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.