The North Face Surge vs. Quechua NH100 Arpenaz 20L Hiking Backpack
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 | Quechua NH100 Arpenaz 20L Hiking Backpack |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 2 | Compression | 2 |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 0 |
| front | Passport | front |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | N |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 15in |
| 3 | Main Compartments | 2 |
| Y | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 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 | 100% Polyester |
Quechua NH100 Arpenaz 20L Hiking Backpack
| Capacity | 20 L |
| Weight | 0.5 kg |
| Dimensions | 47×25×14 cm |
| Airline fit | 93% |
| Price | $20 |
Key differences between the The North Face Surge and Quechua NH100 Arpenaz 20L Hiking Backpack
- Hip belt: Removable on the The North Face Surge; No on the Quechua NH100 Arpenaz 20L Hiking Backpack.
- Main compartments: 3 on the The North Face Surge; 2 on the Quechua NH100 Arpenaz 20L Hiking Backpack.
- Built-in organizer: Yes on the The North Face Surge; No on the Quechua NH100 Arpenaz 20L Hiking Backpack.
Both have: compression straps, passport pocket, backpack straps, sternum strap, laptop sleeve, 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. 169 accept both. 0 accept only the The North Face Surge, and 7 accept only the Quechua NH100 Arpenaz 20L Hiking Backpack.
Only the Quechua NH100 Arpenaz 20L Hiking Backpack fits
Air Niugini, Belavia, Etihad Airways, Great Lakes Airlines, Qatar Airways, Regional Express, Virgin Australia.
The North Face Surge vs. Quechua NH100 Arpenaz 20L Hiking Backpack: which should you pack?
The The North Face Surge carries 11L more than the Quechua NH100 Arpenaz 20L Hiking Backpack (31L vs. 20L), while the Quechua NH100 Arpenaz 20L Hiking Backpack is the lighter pack at 0.5kg (vs. 1.3kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Quechua NH100 Arpenaz 20L Hiking Backpack fits 93% 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 Quechua NH100 Arpenaz 20L Hiking Backpack is the better call.