ILE Default vs. Kifaru Urban Ruck
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 | Kifaru Urban Ruck |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| Y | Compression | Y |
| None | Expanded Capacity | 27L |
| 2 | Opening | 3 |
| N | Passport | N |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | removable |
| removable | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | N |
| 1 | Main Compartments | 3 |
| N | Organizer | Y |
| 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 | 500 Denier CorduraLined with 400 D packcloth |
Kifaru Urban Ruck
| Capacity | 22.9 L |
| Weight | 0.8 kg |
| Dimensions | 46×29×17 cm |
| Airline fit | 94% |
| Price | $231 |
Key differences between the ILE Default and Kifaru Urban Ruck
- Opening: Rolltop on the ILE Default; Top flap on the Kifaru Urban Ruck.
- Laptop sleeve: 15in on the ILE Default; No on the Kifaru Urban Ruck.
- Main compartments: 1 on the ILE Default; 3 on the Kifaru Urban Ruck.
- Built-in organizer: No on the ILE Default; Yes on the Kifaru Urban Ruck.
Both have: compression straps, backpack straps, hip belt, 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. 169 accept both. 0 accept only the ILE Default, and 9 accept only the Kifaru Urban Ruck.
Only the Kifaru Urban Ruck fits
Air Niugini, American Eagle, Belavia, easyJet, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Ravn Alaska, Regional Express, Virgin Australia.
ILE Default vs. Kifaru Urban Ruck: which should you pack?
The ILE Default carries 2.1000000000000014L more than the Kifaru Urban Ruck (25L vs. 22.9L), while the Kifaru Urban Ruck is the lighter pack at 0.8kg (vs. 99kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Kifaru Urban Ruck fits 94% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the ILE Default; if you want to travel lighter, the Kifaru Urban Ruck is the better call.