ULA Equipment Ultra Cicada vs. Thule Aion 28L
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
ULA Equipment Ultra Cicada
| Capacity | 22 L |
| Weight | 0.8 kg |
| Dimensions | 46×28×13 cm |
| Airline fit | 95% |
| Price | $350 |
Feature by feature
| ULA Equipment Ultra Cicada | Feature | Thule Aion 28L |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | 32L |
| 1 | Opening | 1 |
| top | Passport | top |
| Y | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| optional | Hip Belt | optional |
| removable | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 16in |
| 4 | Main Compartments | 4 |
| Y | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2, side, internal | Water Bottle Holder | 1, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| ULTRA 400TX | Waxed P600 polyester canvas |
Key differences between the ULA Equipment Ultra Cicada and Thule Aion 28L
- Sternum strap: Removable on the ULA Equipment Ultra Cicada; Yes on the Thule Aion 28L.
- Laptop sleeve: 15in on the ULA Equipment Ultra Cicada; 16in on the Thule Aion 28L.
- Water bottle pockets: 2, side, internal on the ULA Equipment Ultra Cicada; 1, side on the Thule Aion 28L.
Both have: passport pocket, luggage passthrough, backpack straps, hip belt, built-in organizer, 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. 40 accept only the ULA Equipment Ultra Cicada, and 0 accept only the Thule Aion 28L.
Only the ULA Equipment Ultra Cicada fits
Air Baltic, Air China, Air Malta, Air Niugini, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, American Eagle, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Belavia, Blue Air, Bulgaria Air, China Eastern, easyJet, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, flybe, Icelandair, InselAir, Juneyao Airlines, Liat Airlines, Luxair, Meridiana Fly, Nordwind Airlines, Pakistan International, Ravn Alaska, 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.
ULA Equipment Ultra Cicada vs. Thule Aion 28L: which should you pack?
The Thule Aion 28L carries 6L more than the ULA Equipment Ultra Cicada (22L vs. 28L), while the ULA Equipment Ultra Cicada is the lighter pack at 0.8kg (vs. 1.2kg). For carry-on flexibility, the ULA Equipment Ultra Cicada fits 95% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Thule Aion 28L; if you want to travel lighter, the ULA Equipment Ultra Cicada is the better call.