REI Co-op Ruckpack 28 vs. Topo Designs Mountain Pack
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
REI Co-op Ruckpack 28
| Capacity | 28 L |
| Weight | 0.8 kg |
| Dimensions | 50×28×23 cm |
| Airline fit | 72% |
| Price | $130 |
Feature by feature
| REI Co-op Ruckpack 28 | Feature | Topo Designs Mountain Pack |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 2 | Compression | >5 |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 2 |
| top | 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 | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| Y | Rain-fly | N |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | 2, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| Recycled nylon shell frame: Rigid foam | 1000D exterior, 210D coated pack cloth liner |
Topo Designs Mountain Pack
| Capacity | 30 L |
| Weight | 1 kg |
| Dimensions | 48×29×18 cm |
| Airline fit | 93% |
| Price | $180 |
Key differences between the REI Co-op Ruckpack 28 and Topo Designs Mountain Pack
- Compression straps: 2 on the REI Co-op Ruckpack 28; >5 on the Topo Designs Mountain Pack.
- Opening: Clamshell on the REI Co-op Ruckpack 28; Rolltop on the Topo Designs Mountain Pack.
- Built-in organizer: Yes on the REI Co-op Ruckpack 28; No on the Topo Designs Mountain Pack.
- Rain cover: Yes on the REI Co-op Ruckpack 28; No on the Topo Designs Mountain Pack.
Both have: passport pocket, backpack straps, hip belt, 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. 136 accept both. 1 accept only the REI Co-op Ruckpack 28, and 39 accept only the Topo Designs Mountain Pack.
Only the REI Co-op Ruckpack 28 fits
Great Lakes Airlines.
Only the Topo Designs Mountain Pack fits
Air Baltic, Air China, Air Malta, Air Niugini, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Belavia, Blue Air, Bulgaria Air, China Eastern, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, flybe, Icelandair, InselAir, Juneyao Airlines, Liat Airlines, Luxair, Meridiana Fly, Nordwind Airlines, Pakistan International, Regional Express, 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), Virgin Australia, Volotea, Xiamen.
REI Co-op Ruckpack 28 vs. Topo Designs Mountain Pack: which should you pack?
The Topo Designs Mountain Pack carries 2L more than the REI Co-op Ruckpack 28 (28L vs. 30L), while the REI Co-op Ruckpack 28 is the lighter pack at 0.8kg (vs. 1kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Topo Designs Mountain Pack fits 93% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Topo Designs Mountain Pack; if you want to travel lighter, the REI Co-op Ruckpack 28 is the better call.