---
url: "https://onebag.travel/compare/2i4v9smz3p/rei-co-op-ruckpack-28/b7hihgmam4/north-face-recon/"
title: "REI Co-op Ruckpack 28 vs North Face Recon - One Bag Travel"
description: "REI Co-op Ruckpack 28 vs North Face Recon: capacity, weight, dimensions and how many airlines accept each as a carry-on, side by side."
source: "https://onebag.travel/compare/2i4v9smz3p/rei-co-op-ruckpack-28/b7hihgmam4/north-face-recon/"
---
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3.  REI Co-op Ruckpack 28 vs. North Face Recon

# REI Co-op Ruckpack 28 vs. North Face Recon

Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.

## [REI Co-op Ruckpack 28](https://onebag.travel/carryon/2i4v9smz3p/rei-co-op-ruckpack-28/)

by [REI Co-op](https://onebag.travel/carryons/?brands=REI Co-op)

![Front facing view of the REI Co-op Ruckpack 28](https://res.cloudinary.com/obt/image/upload/c_fill,w_400/v1601602611/carryons/reiruckpack_zzj6lp.webp)

<table class="table table-sm cmp-spec mt-2"><tbody><tr><td>Capacity</td><td>28 L</td></tr><tr><td>Weight</td><td>0.8 kg</td></tr><tr><td>Dimensions</td><td>50×28×23 cm</td></tr><tr><td>Airline fit</td><td>72%</td></tr><tr><td>Price</td><td>$130</td></tr></tbody></table>

## Feature by feature

| REI Co-op Ruckpack 28 | Feature | North Face Recon |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Storage |
| 2 | Compression | 4 |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 0 |
| top | Passport | front |
| 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 | × |
| Y | Rain-fly | N |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | 2, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |

<table class="cmp-material"><tbody><tr><td colspan="2">Material</td></tr><tr><td>Recycled nylon shell frame: Rigid foam</td><td>210D recycled nylon ripstop with non-PFC durable water-repellent (non-PFC DWR) finish</td></tr></tbody></table>

## [North Face Recon](https://onebag.travel/carryon/b7hihgmam4/north-face-recon/)

by [North Face](https://onebag.travel/carryons/?brands=North Face)

![Front facing view of the North Face Recon](https://res.cloudinary.com/obt/image/upload/c_fill,w_400/carryons/bdkmimoaej8y2ukywt50)

<table class="table table-sm cmp-spec mt-2"><tbody><tr><td>Capacity</td><td>30 L</td></tr><tr><td>Weight</td><td>1.2 kg</td></tr><tr><td>Dimensions</td><td>49×30×19 cm</td></tr><tr><td>Airline fit</td><td>92%</td></tr><tr><td>Price</td><td>$110</td></tr></tbody></table>

## Key differences between the REI Co-op Ruckpack 28 and North Face Recon

-   **Compression straps:** 2 on the REI Co-op Ruckpack 28; 4 on the North Face Recon.
-   **Opening:** Clamshell on the REI Co-op Ruckpack 28; Other on the North Face Recon.
-   **Passport pocket:** Top on the REI Co-op Ruckpack 28; Front on the North Face Recon.
-   **Rain cover:** Yes on the REI Co-op Ruckpack 28; No on the North Face Recon.

Both have: 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. 136 accept both. 1 accept only the REI Co-op Ruckpack 28, and 37 accept only the North Face Recon.

### Only the REI Co-op Ruckpack 28 fits

Great Lakes Airlines.

### Only the North Face Recon 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, 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.

## REI Co-op Ruckpack 28 vs. North Face Recon: which should you pack?

The **North Face Recon** 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. 1.2kg). For carry-on flexibility, the **North Face Recon** fits 92% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the North Face Recon; if you want to travel lighter, the REI Co-op Ruckpack 28 is the better call.