ILE Default vs. ILE Default XL
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
ILE Default
| Capacity | 25 L |
| Weight | 99 kg |
| Dimensions | 50.8×30.5×15.2 cm |
| Airline fit | 89% |
| Price | $240 |
Feature by feature
| ILE Default | Feature | ILE Default XL |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| Y | Compression | Y |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 2 | Opening | 2 |
| N | Passport | N |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | removable |
| removable | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 15in |
| 1 | Main Compartments | 1 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2 | Water Bottle Holder | 2 |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| Durable 1000D Cordura, waxed canvas, or XPAC sailcloth exterior | Durable Cordura or XPAC Sailcloth exterior |
ILE Default XL
| Capacity | 40 L |
| Weight | 0 kg |
| Dimensions | 55.9×30.5×20.3 cm |
| Airline fit | 47% |
| Price | $280 |
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. 81 accept only the ILE Default, and 0 accept only the ILE Default XL.
Only the ILE Default fits
Aer Lingus, Aeroflot, Aerolineas Argentinas, Aeromexico, Air Baltic, Air Canada, Air Caraibes, Air China, Air France, Air India, Air Malta, Air Mauritius, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, All Nipon Airways, ANA, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Austrian, Azerbaijan Airlines, Blue Air, Boliviana de Aviacion, Brussels Airlines, Bulgaria Air, China Eastern, Czech Airlines, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, Ethiopian Airlines, 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, 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), Volotea, WestJet, Xiamen.
ILE Default vs. ILE Default XL: which should you pack?
The ILE Default XL carries 15L more than the ILE Default (25L vs. 40L), and the two are closely matched on weight. For carry-on flexibility, the ILE Default fits 89% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the ILE Default XL; if you want to travel lighter, the ILE Default is the better call.