ILE Apex XL vs. Nomatic McKinnon Cube Pack
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Feature by feature
| ILE Apex XL | Feature | Nomatic McKinnon Cube Pack |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 2 | Opening | 4 |
| N | Passport | N |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| N | Hip Belt | N |
| removable | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 16in | Laptop | N |
| 1 | Main Compartments | 1 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| N | Water Bottle Holder | N |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| Cordura, XPAC Sailcloth, or Waxed Canvas | Nylon |
Nomatic McKinnon Cube Pack
| Capacity | 21 L |
| Weight | 0.6 kg |
| Dimensions | 45×34×19 cm |
| Airline fit | 95% |
| Price | $125 |
Key differences between the ILE Apex XL and Nomatic McKinnon Cube Pack
- Opening: Rolltop on the ILE Apex XL; Top zip on the Nomatic McKinnon Cube Pack.
- Sternum strap: Removable on the ILE Apex XL; Yes on the Nomatic McKinnon Cube Pack.
- Laptop sleeve: 16in on the ILE Apex XL; No on the Nomatic McKinnon Cube Pack.
Both have: backpack straps, water resistant.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 169 accept both. 1 accept only the ILE Apex XL, and 10 accept only the Nomatic McKinnon Cube Pack.
Only the ILE Apex XL fits
Great Lakes Airlines.
Only the Nomatic McKinnon Cube Pack fits
Air Tahiti, American Eagle, Belavia, easyJet, Etihad Airways, Gulf Air, Qatar Airways, Ravn Alaska, Regional Express, Virgin Australia.
ILE Apex XL vs. Nomatic McKinnon Cube Pack: which should you pack?
The Nomatic McKinnon Cube Pack carries 3L more than the ILE Apex XL (18L vs. 21L), and the two are closely matched on weight. For carry-on flexibility, the Nomatic McKinnon Cube Pack fits 95% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Nomatic McKinnon Cube Pack; if you want to travel lighter, the Nomatic McKinnon Cube Pack is the better call.