ILE Default vs. Patagonia Refugio Backpack 28L
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 | Patagonia Refugio Backpack 28L |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| Y | Compression | Y |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 2 | Opening | 4 |
| N | Passport | N |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | N |
| removable | Sternum Strap | Y |
| 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 | 630-denier 100% nylon, 450-denier 100% polyester (56% recycled) ripstop |
Patagonia Refugio Backpack 28L
| Capacity | 28 L |
| Weight | 0.666 kg |
| Dimensions | 49×31×21 cm |
| Airline fit | 73% |
| Price | $89 |
Key differences between the ILE Default and Patagonia Refugio Backpack 28L
- Opening: Rolltop on the ILE Default; Top zip on the Patagonia Refugio Backpack 28L.
- Hip belt: Removable on the ILE Default; No on the Patagonia Refugio Backpack 28L.
- Sternum strap: Removable on the ILE Default; Yes on the Patagonia Refugio Backpack 28L.
Both have: compression straps, backpack straps, laptop sleeve, 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. 33 accept only the ILE Default, and 2 accept only the Patagonia Refugio Backpack 28L.
Only the ILE Default 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, Luxair, Meridiana Fly, Nordwind Airlines, 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.
Only the Patagonia Refugio Backpack 28L fits
Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways.
ILE Default vs. Patagonia Refugio Backpack 28L: which should you pack?
The Patagonia Refugio Backpack 28L carries 3L more than the ILE Default (25L vs. 28L), while the Patagonia Refugio Backpack 28L is the lighter pack at 0.666kg (vs. 99kg). 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 Patagonia Refugio Backpack 28L; if you want to travel lighter, the Patagonia Refugio Backpack 28L is the better call.