Matador Freefly16 vs. Fjallraven Ulvö 23
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Matador Freefly16
| Capacity | 16 L |
| Weight | 0.2 kg |
| Dimensions | 48×25×15 cm |
| Airline fit | 93% |
| Price | $80 |
Feature by feature
| Matador Freefly16 | Feature | Fjallraven Ulvö 23 |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 2 | Compression | 2 |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 4 |
| Passport | front | |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| N | Hip Belt | N |
| removable | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| N | Laptop | 15in |
| 2 | 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 | |
| 70D Robic nylon with UHMWPE ripstop, PFAS free | Bergshell®: 400D 100% polyamide |
Fjallraven Ulvö 23
| Capacity | 23 L |
| Weight | 0.7 kg |
| Dimensions | 45×28×13 cm |
| Airline fit | 96% |
| Price | $125 |
Key differences between the Matador Freefly16 and Fjallraven Ulvö 23
- Opening: Other on the Matador Freefly16; Top zip on the Fjallraven Ulvö 23.
- Laptop sleeve: No on the Matador Freefly16; 15in on the Fjallraven Ulvö 23.
Both have: compression straps, 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. 176 accept both. 0 accept only the Matador Freefly16, and 5 accept only the Fjallraven Ulvö 23.
Only the Fjallraven Ulvö 23 fits
Air Tahiti, American Eagle, easyJet, Gulf Air, Ravn Alaska.
Matador Freefly16 vs. Fjallraven Ulvö 23: which should you pack?
The Fjallraven Ulvö 23 carries 7L more than the Matador Freefly16 (16L vs. 23L), while the Matador Freefly16 is the lighter pack at 0.2kg (vs. 0.7kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Fjallraven Ulvö 23 fits 96% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Fjallraven Ulvö 23; if you want to travel lighter, the Matador Freefly16 is the better call.