Exped Core 25 vs. Patagonia Guidewater Backpack 29L
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Feature by feature
| Exped Core 25 | Feature | Patagonia Guidewater Backpack 29L |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 3 | Opening | 4 |
| N | Passport | N |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | Y |
| 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 | |
| Material | |
| 1680 D Ballistic nylon, PU coated, 1'500 mm water column | 00% recycled nylon plain weave |
Patagonia Guidewater Backpack 29L
| Capacity | 29 L |
| Weight | 0.96 kg |
| Dimensions | 54×35×23 cm |
| Airline fit | 69% |
Key differences between the Exped Core 25 and Patagonia Guidewater Backpack 29L
- Opening: Top flap on the Exped Core 25; Top zip on the Patagonia Guidewater Backpack 29L.
- Hip belt: Removable on the Exped Core 25; Yes on the Patagonia Guidewater Backpack 29L.
Both have: backpack straps, sternum strap.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 130 accept both. 37 accept only the Exped Core 25, and 0 accept only the Patagonia Guidewater Backpack 29L.
Only the Exped Core 25 fits
Air Baltic, Air China, Air Malta, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Blue Air, Bulgaria Air, Cayman Airways, China Eastern, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, flybe, Great Lakes Airlines, Icelandair, InselAir, Juneyao Airlines, Liat Airlines, Luxair, Meridiana Fly, Nordwind Airlines, Pakistan International, Royal Brunei Airlines, Ryanair, S7, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Sun Express, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), TUI, Ukraine International, VIM Airlines (Closed), Volotea, Xiamen.
Exped Core 25 vs. Patagonia Guidewater Backpack 29L: which should you pack?
The Patagonia Guidewater Backpack 29L carries 4L more than the Exped Core 25 (25L vs. 29L), while the Exped Core 25 is the lighter pack at 0.1kg (vs. 0.96kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Exped Core 25 fits 88% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Patagonia Guidewater Backpack 29L; if you want to travel lighter, the Exped Core 25 is the better call.