The North Face Surge vs. Jansport Gnarly Gnapsack 30
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 | Jansport Gnarly Gnapsack 30 |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 2 | Compression | 2 |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 4 |
| front | Passport | top |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | N |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 15in |
| 3 | Main Compartments | 4 |
| Y | Organizer | Y |
| 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 | 300 Denier Recycled Ripstop Poly |
Jansport Gnarly Gnapsack 30
| Capacity | 30 L |
| Weight | 0.9 kg |
| Dimensions | 51×30×20 cm |
| Airline fit | 89% |
| Price | $75 |
Key differences between the The North Face Surge and Jansport Gnarly Gnapsack 30
- Opening: Other on the The North Face Surge; Top zip on the Jansport Gnarly Gnapsack 30.
- Passport pocket: Front on the The North Face Surge; Top on the Jansport Gnarly Gnapsack 30.
- Hip belt: Removable on the The North Face Surge; No on the Jansport Gnarly Gnapsack 30.
- Main compartments: 3 on the The North Face Surge; 4 on the Jansport Gnarly Gnapsack 30.
Both have: compression straps, backpack straps, 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. 169 accept both. Every airline that takes one takes the other.
The North Face Surge vs. Jansport Gnarly Gnapsack 30: which should you pack?
The The North Face Surge carries 1L more than the Jansport Gnarly Gnapsack 30 (31L vs. 30L), while the Jansport Gnarly Gnapsack 30 is the lighter pack at 0.9kg (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 Jansport Gnarly Gnapsack 30 is the better call.