Matador Freefly16 vs. Osprey Transporter Carryon 44
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 | Osprey Transporter Carryon 44 |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 2 | Compression | 2 |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 0 |
| Passport | top | |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| N | Hip Belt | Y |
| removable | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| N | Laptop | N |
| 2 | Main Compartments | 6 |
| N | Organizer | Y |
| 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 | Recycled 100-denier x 210-denier high-tenacity nylon |
Osprey Transporter Carryon 44
| Capacity | 22 L |
| Weight | 0.9 kg |
| Dimensions | 43×25×23 cm |
| Airline fit | 75% |
| Price | $160 |
Key differences between the Matador Freefly16 and Osprey Transporter Carryon 44
- Hip belt: No on the Matador Freefly16; Yes on the Osprey Transporter Carryon 44.
- Main compartments: 2 on the Matador Freefly16; 6 on the Osprey Transporter Carryon 44.
- Built-in organizer: No on the Matador Freefly16; Yes on the Osprey Transporter Carryon 44.
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. 139 accept both. 37 accept only the Matador Freefly16, and 2 accept only the Osprey Transporter Carryon 44.
Only the Matador Freefly16 fits
Air Baltic, Air China, Air Malta, Air Niugini, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Belavia, Blue Air, Bulgaria Air, China Eastern, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, flybe, Icelandair, InselAir, Juneyao Airlines, Liat Airlines, Luxair, Meridiana Fly, Nordwind Airlines, Pakistan International, 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 Osprey Transporter Carryon 44 fits
Gulf Air, Ravn Alaska.
Matador Freefly16 vs. Osprey Transporter Carryon 44: which should you pack?
The Osprey Transporter Carryon 44 carries 6L more than the Matador Freefly16 (16L vs. 22L), while the Matador Freefly16 is the lighter pack at 0.2kg (vs. 0.9kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Matador Freefly16 fits 93% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Osprey Transporter Carryon 44; if you want to travel lighter, the Matador Freefly16 is the better call.