Exped Core 25 vs. Kathmandu Dash 20L Lightweight Backpack
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Feature by feature
| Exped Core 25 | Feature | Kathmandu Dash 20L Lightweight Backpack |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 3 | Opening | 3 |
| 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 | optional |
| N | Water Bottle Holder | 1 |
| Y | Water Resistant | N |
| Material | |
| 1680 D Ballistic nylon, PU coated, 1'500 mm water column | 210 Nylon HT Rip Stop Cordura™, 210 Polyester Oxford |
Kathmandu Dash 20L Lightweight Backpack
| Capacity | 20 L |
| Weight | 0.44 kg |
| Dimensions | 46×25×22 cm |
| Airline fit | 75% |
| Price | $100 |
Key differences between the Exped Core 25 and Kathmandu Dash 20L Lightweight Backpack
- Hip belt: Removable on the Exped Core 25; Yes on the Kathmandu Dash 20L Lightweight Backpack.
- Rain cover: No on the Exped Core 25; Optional on the Kathmandu Dash 20L Lightweight Backpack.
- Water bottle pockets: No on the Exped Core 25; 1 on the Kathmandu Dash 20L Lightweight Backpack.
- Water resistant: Yes on the Exped Core 25; No on the Kathmandu Dash 20L Lightweight Backpack.
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. 133 accept both. 34 accept only the Exped Core 25, and 8 accept only the Kathmandu Dash 20L Lightweight Backpack.
Only the Exped Core 25 fits
Air Baltic, Air China, Air Malta, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Blue Air, Bulgaria Air, China Eastern, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, flybe, Icelandair, InselAir, Juneyao Airlines, Liat Airlines, Luxair, Meridiana Fly, Nordwind Airlines, 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.
Only the Kathmandu Dash 20L Lightweight Backpack fits
Etihad Airways, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, Ravn Alaska, Regional Express, Royal Jordanian, Virgin Australia, WestJet.
Exped Core 25 vs. Kathmandu Dash 20L Lightweight Backpack: which should you pack?
The Exped Core 25 carries 5L more than the Kathmandu Dash 20L Lightweight Backpack (25L vs. 20L), while the Exped Core 25 is the lighter pack at 0.1kg (vs. 0.44kg). 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 Exped Core 25; if you want to travel lighter, the Exped Core 25 is the better call.