Exped Core 25 vs. Deuter Freerider Pro 32+ SL
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Feature by feature
| Exped Core 25 | Feature | Deuter Freerider Pro 32+ SL |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 3 | Opening | 4 |
| N | Passport | N |
| 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 | Y |
| 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 | 420D PA Ripstop Clear TPU, 330D PA 6.6 Ripstop |
Deuter Freerider Pro 32+ SL
| Capacity | 32 L |
| Weight | 1.26 kg |
| Dimensions | 56×35×18 cm |
| Airline fit | 46% |
| Price | $144 |
Key differences between the Exped Core 25 and Deuter Freerider Pro 32+ SL
- Opening: Top flap on the Exped Core 25; Top zip on the Deuter Freerider Pro 32+ SL.
- Built-in organizer: No on the Exped Core 25; Yes on the Deuter Freerider Pro 32+ SL.
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. 87 accept both. 80 accept only the Exped Core 25, and 0 accept only the Deuter Freerider Pro 32+ SL.
Only the Exped Core 25 fits
Aer Lingus, Aeroflot, Aerolineas Argentinas, Aeromexico, Air Baltic, Air Canada, Air Caraibes, Air China, Air France, Air India, Air Malta, Air Mauritius, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, All Nipon Airways, ANA, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Austrian, Azerbaijan Airlines, Blue Air, Boliviana de Aviacion, Brussels Airlines, Bulgaria Air, Cayman Airways, China Eastern, Czech Airlines, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Eurowings, Fiji Airways, Flair Air, flybe, Gol Linhas Aereas, Great Lakes Airlines, Iberia, Icelandair, Indigo, InselAir, Interjet, Iran Air, Japan Airlines, Jet Airways, Juneyao Airlines, Kenya Airways, KLM, LATAM , Liat Airlines, LOT Polish, Lufthansa, Luxair, Mahan Air, Meridiana Fly, Mesa Airlines, Nordwind Airlines, Norwegian, Pakistan International, Peach, Porter Airlines, Royal Brunei Airlines, Ryanair, S7, SAS Scandinavian, Scoot, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Sky Airlines, Sun Express, Swiss Int'l Air Lines, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), Tiger Airways, TUI, Turkish Airlines, Ukraine International, VIM Airlines (Closed), Volotea, Xiamen.
Exped Core 25 vs. Deuter Freerider Pro 32+ SL: which should you pack?
The Deuter Freerider Pro 32+ SL carries 7L more than the Exped Core 25 (25L vs. 32L), while the Exped Core 25 is the lighter pack at 0.1kg (vs. 1.26kg). 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 Deuter Freerider Pro 32+ SL; if you want to travel lighter, the Exped Core 25 is the better call.