Zpacks Bagger Ultra vs. Matador Beast28 Packable Backpack
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Zpacks Bagger Ultra
| Capacity | 25 L |
| Weight | 0.3 kg |
| Dimensions | 46×28×14 cm |
| Airline fit | 95% |
| Price | $250 |
Feature by feature
| Zpacks Bagger Ultra | Feature | Matador Beast28 Packable Backpack |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | 4 |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 1 |
| top | Passport | top |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| removable, optional | Hip Belt | removable |
| removable | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| N | Laptop | N |
| 3 | Main Compartments | 2 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | 2, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 3.3oz/sqyd Ultra 100X, not coated with DWR or other chemicals and is PFAS free | 210D Robic® high tenacity nylon, UTS coated, DWR finish |
Matador Beast28 Packable Backpack
| Capacity | 28 L |
| Weight | 0.7 kg |
| Dimensions | 56×28×18 cm |
| Airline fit | 47% |
| Price | $150 |
Key differences between the Zpacks Bagger Ultra and Matador Beast28 Packable Backpack
- Compression straps: No on the Zpacks Bagger Ultra; 4 on the Matador Beast28 Packable Backpack.
- Hip belt: Removable, optional on the Zpacks Bagger Ultra; Removable on the Matador Beast28 Packable Backpack.
- Main compartments: 3 on the Zpacks Bagger Ultra; 2 on the Matador Beast28 Packable Backpack.
Both have: passport pocket, backpack straps, sternum strap, 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. 89 accept both. 90 accept only the Zpacks Bagger Ultra, and 0 accept only the Matador Beast28 Packable Backpack.
Only the Zpacks Bagger Ultra 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, 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, 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.
Zpacks Bagger Ultra vs. Matador Beast28 Packable Backpack: which should you pack?
The Matador Beast28 Packable Backpack carries 3L more than the Zpacks Bagger Ultra (25L vs. 28L), while the Zpacks Bagger Ultra is the lighter pack at 0.3kg (vs. 0.7kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Zpacks Bagger Ultra fits 95% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Matador Beast28 Packable Backpack; if you want to travel lighter, the Zpacks Bagger Ultra is the better call.