The North Face Surge vs. REI Co-op Ruckpack 28
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
The North Face Surge
| Capacity | 31 L |
| Weight | 1.3 kg |
| Dimensions | 51×31×18 cm |
| Airline fit | 89% |
| Price | $140 |
Feature by feature
| The North Face Surge | Feature | REI Co-op Ruckpack 28 |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 2 | Compression | 2 |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 1 |
| front | Passport | top |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | removable |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 15in |
| 3 | Main Compartments | 3 |
| Y | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | Y |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | 2, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 210D recycled nylon ripstop with non-PFC durable water-repellent (non-PFC DWR) finish | Recycled nylon shell frame: Rigid foam |
REI Co-op Ruckpack 28
| Capacity | 28 L |
| Weight | 0.8 kg |
| Dimensions | 50×28×23 cm |
| Airline fit | 72% |
| Price | $130 |
Key differences between the The North Face Surge and REI Co-op Ruckpack 28
- Opening: Other on the The North Face Surge; Clamshell on the REI Co-op Ruckpack 28.
- Passport pocket: Front on the The North Face Surge; Top on the REI Co-op Ruckpack 28.
- Rain cover: No on the The North Face Surge; Yes on the REI Co-op Ruckpack 28.
Both have: compression straps, backpack straps, hip belt, sternum strap, laptop sleeve, built-in organizer, water bottle pockets, water resistant.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 134 accept both. 35 accept only the The North Face Surge, and 3 accept only the REI Co-op Ruckpack 28.
Only the The North Face Surge 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, 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.
Only the REI Co-op Ruckpack 28 fits
Etihad Airways, Great Lakes Airlines, Qatar Airways.
The North Face Surge vs. REI Co-op Ruckpack 28: which should you pack?
The The North Face Surge carries 3L more than the REI Co-op Ruckpack 28 (31L vs. 28L), while the REI Co-op Ruckpack 28 is the lighter pack at 0.8kg (vs. 1.3kg). For carry-on flexibility, the The North Face Surge fits 89% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the The North Face Surge; if you want to travel lighter, the REI Co-op Ruckpack 28 is the better call.