Matador Freefly16 vs. Yeti Ranchero 27L
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 | Yeti Ranchero 27L |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 2 | Compression | 2 |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 0 |
| Passport | top | |
| N | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| N | Hip Belt | |
| 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 | TuffSkin nylon. |
Key differences between the Matador Freefly16 and Yeti Ranchero 27L
- Luggage passthrough: No on the Matador Freefly16; Yes on the Yeti Ranchero 27L.
- Laptop sleeve: No on the Matador Freefly16; 15in on the Yeti Ranchero 27L.
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. 73 accept both. 103 accept only the Matador Freefly16, and 0 accept only the Yeti Ranchero 27L.
Only the Matador Freefly16 fits
Aer Lingus, Air Asia, Air Baltic, Air Canada, Air China, Air Macau, Air Malta, Air Niugini, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Air Wisconsin, AirAsiaX, Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, 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, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, Eurowings, EVA Air, Fiji Airways, Flair Air, flybe, Garuda Indonesia, Great Lakes Airlines, 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, Qatar Airways, 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.
Matador Freefly16 vs. Yeti Ranchero 27L: which should you pack?
The Yeti Ranchero 27L carries 11L more than the Matador Freefly16 (16L vs. 27L), while the Matador Freefly16 is the lighter pack at 0.2kg (vs. 1.7kg). 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 Yeti Ranchero 27L; if you want to travel lighter, the Matador Freefly16 is the better call.