STM Prime vs. Arc'teryx Mantis 26
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
STM Prime
| Capacity | 15 L |
| Weight | 0.7 kg |
| Dimensions | 42×26×13 cm |
| Airline fit | 96% |
| Price | $80 |
Feature by feature
| STM Prime | Feature | Arc'teryx Mantis 26 |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 0 |
| top | Passport | top |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| N | Hip Belt | removable |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 13in | Laptop | 15in |
| 2 | Main Compartments | 4 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | 2, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| Polyester | 420d HD nylon plain weave fabric |
Arc'teryx Mantis 26
| Capacity | 26 L |
| Weight | 0.8 kg |
| Dimensions | 48×28×25 cm |
| Airline fit | 40% |
| Price | $160 |
Key differences between the STM Prime and Arc'teryx Mantis 26
- Hip belt: No on the STM Prime; Removable on the Arc'teryx Mantis 26.
- Laptop sleeve: 13in on the STM Prime; 15in on the Arc'teryx Mantis 26.
- Main compartments: 2 on the STM Prime; 4 on the Arc'teryx Mantis 26.
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. 76 accept both. 105 accept only the STM Prime, and 0 accept only the Arc'teryx Mantis 26.
Only the STM Prime fits
Aer Lingus, Air Asia, Air Baltic, Air Canada, Air China, Air Macau, Air Malta, Air Niugini, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Air Tahiti, Air Wisconsin, AirAsiaX, Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, American Eagle, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Austrian, Avianca , Azerbaijan Airlines, Bahamasair, Bangkok Airways, Belavia, Biman Bangladesh, Blue Air, Brussels Airlines, Bulgaria Air, Cambodia Angkor Air, Cathay Pacific, Cayman Airways, Cebu Pacific, China Airlines, China Eastern, CommutAir, Delta Airlines, Dragonair, easyJet, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Eurowings, EVA Air, Fiji Airways, Flair Air, flybe, Garuda Indonesia, Gulf Air, Hawaiian Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Icelandair, InselAir, jetBlue Airways, Jetstar Airways, Jetstar Asia, Juneyao Airlines, Kulula, Liat Airlines, LOT Polish, Lufthansa, Luxair, Mahan Air, Malaysia Airlines, Mango, Meridiana Fly, Mesa Airlines, Nordwind Airlines, Norwegian, Oman Air, Pakistan International, Porter Airlines, Qantas Airways, Ravn Alaska, Regional Express, Republic Airways, Royal Brunei Airlines, Royal Jordanian, Ryanair, S7, SAS Scandinavian, Scoot, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Skywest, Inc., South African Airways, SriLankan Airlines, Sun Express, Swiss Int'l Air Lines, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), Tiger Airways, Trans States, TUI, Turkish Airlines, Ukraine International, United Airlines, Vietnam Airlines, VIM Airlines (Closed), Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Australia, Volotea, WestJet, Xiamen.
STM Prime vs. Arc'teryx Mantis 26: which should you pack?
The Arc'teryx Mantis 26 carries 11L more than the STM Prime (15L vs. 26L), while the STM Prime is the lighter pack at 0.7kg (vs. 0.8kg). For carry-on flexibility, the STM Prime fits 96% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Arc'teryx Mantis 26; if you want to travel lighter, the STM Prime is the better call.