REI Co-op Commuter Pack vs. 5.11 Skyweight 36L Pack
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
REI Co-op Commuter Pack
| Capacity | 22 L |
| Weight | 0.7 kg |
| Dimensions | 43×27×16 cm |
| Airline fit | 96% |
| Price | $90 |
Feature by feature
| REI Co-op Commuter Pack | Feature | 5.11 Skyweight 36L Pack |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 2 | Compression | 4 |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 1 |
| top | Passport | top |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | removable |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | N |
| 3 | Main Compartments | 4 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | Y |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | 2, side |
| N | Water Resistant | N |
| Material | |
| 100% recycled oxford nylon | 330D ripstop nylon |
5.11 Skyweight 36L Pack
| Capacity | 36 L |
| Weight | 1.1 kg |
| Dimensions | 56×33×22 cm |
| Airline fit | 47% |
| Price | $200 |
Key differences between the REI Co-op Commuter Pack and 5.11 Skyweight 36L Pack
- Compression straps: 2 on the REI Co-op Commuter Pack; 4 on the 5.11 Skyweight 36L Pack.
- Laptop sleeve: 15in on the REI Co-op Commuter Pack; No on the 5.11 Skyweight 36L Pack.
- Main compartments: 3 on the REI Co-op Commuter Pack; 4 on the 5.11 Skyweight 36L Pack.
- Rain cover: No on the REI Co-op Commuter Pack; Yes on the 5.11 Skyweight 36L Pack.
Both have: passport pocket, backpack straps, hip belt, sternum strap, water bottle pockets.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 88 accept both. 93 accept only the REI Co-op Commuter Pack, and 0 accept only the 5.11 Skyweight 36L Pack.
Only the REI Co-op Commuter Pack fits
Aer Lingus, Aeroflot, Aerolineas Argentinas, Aeromexico, Air Baltic, Air Canada, Air Caraibes, Air China, Air France, Air India, Air Malta, Air Mauritius, Air Niugini, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Air Tahiti, All Nipon Airways, American Eagle, ANA, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Austrian, Azerbaijan Airlines, Belavia, Blue Air, Boliviana de Aviacion, Brussels Airlines, Bulgaria Air, China Eastern, Czech Airlines, easyJet, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, Eurowings, Fiji Airways, Flair Air, flybe, Gol Linhas Aereas, Great Lakes Airlines, Gulf Air, Iberia, Icelandair, Indigo, InselAir, Interjet, Iran Air, Japan Airlines, Jet Airways, Juneyao Airlines, Kenya Airways, KLM, LATAM , Liat Airlines, LOT Polish, Lufthansa, Luxair, Mahan Air, Meridiana Fly, Mesa Airlines, Nordwind Airlines, Norwegian, Oman Air, Pakistan International, Peach, Porter Airlines, Qatar Airways, Ravn Alaska, Regional Express, Royal Brunei Airlines, Royal Jordanian, Ryanair, S7, SAS Scandinavian, Scoot, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Sky Airlines, Sun Express, Swiss Int'l Air Lines, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), Tiger Airways, TUI, Turkish Airlines, Ukraine International, VIM Airlines (Closed), Virgin Australia, Volotea, WestJet, Xiamen.
REI Co-op Commuter Pack vs. 5.11 Skyweight 36L Pack: which should you pack?
The 5.11 Skyweight 36L Pack carries 14L more than the REI Co-op Commuter Pack (22L vs. 36L), while the REI Co-op Commuter Pack is the lighter pack at 0.7kg (vs. 1.1kg). For carry-on flexibility, the REI Co-op Commuter Pack fits 96% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the 5.11 Skyweight 36L Pack; if you want to travel lighter, the REI Co-op Commuter Pack is the better call.