REI Co-op Ruckpack 28 vs. Jansport Gnarly Gnapsack 30
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 | Jansport Gnarly Gnapsack 30 |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 2 | Compression | 2 |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 4 |
| top | 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 | × |
| Y | Rain-fly | N |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | 2, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| Recycled nylon shell frame: Rigid foam | 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 REI Co-op Ruckpack 28 and Jansport Gnarly Gnapsack 30
- Opening: Clamshell on the REI Co-op Ruckpack 28; Top zip on the Jansport Gnarly Gnapsack 30.
- Hip belt: Removable on the REI Co-op Ruckpack 28; No on the Jansport Gnarly Gnapsack 30.
- Main compartments: 3 on the REI Co-op Ruckpack 28; 4 on the Jansport Gnarly Gnapsack 30.
- Rain cover: Yes on the REI Co-op Ruckpack 28; No on the Jansport Gnarly Gnapsack 30.
Both have: compression straps, passport pocket, 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. 134 accept both. 3 accept only the REI Co-op Ruckpack 28, and 35 accept only the Jansport Gnarly Gnapsack 30.
Only the REI Co-op Ruckpack 28 fits
Etihad Airways, Great Lakes Airlines, Qatar Airways.
Only the Jansport Gnarly Gnapsack 30 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.
REI Co-op Ruckpack 28 vs. Jansport Gnarly Gnapsack 30: which should you pack?
The Jansport Gnarly Gnapsack 30 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. 0.9kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Jansport Gnarly Gnapsack 30 fits 89% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Jansport Gnarly Gnapsack 30; if you want to travel lighter, the REI Co-op Ruckpack 28 is the better call.