ILE Apex XL vs. Arc'Teryx Granville 20
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Feature by feature
| ILE Apex XL | Feature | Arc'Teryx Granville 20 |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 2 | Opening | 3 |
| N | Passport | N |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| N | Hip Belt | N |
| removable | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 16in | Laptop | 15in |
| 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 | N400r-AC² nylon 6 ripstop |
Arc'Teryx Granville 20
| Capacity | 20 L |
| Weight | 1.3 kg |
| Dimensions | 52×32×18 cm |
| Airline fit | 88% |
| Price | $180 |
Key differences between the ILE Apex XL and Arc'Teryx Granville 20
- Opening: Rolltop on the ILE Apex XL; Top flap on the Arc'Teryx Granville 20.
- Sternum strap: Removable on the ILE Apex XL; Yes on the Arc'Teryx Granville 20.
- Laptop sleeve: 16in on the ILE Apex XL; 15in on the Arc'Teryx Granville 20.
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. 167 accept both. 3 accept only the ILE Apex XL, and 0 accept only the Arc'Teryx Granville 20.
Only the ILE Apex XL fits
Great Lakes Airlines, Oman Air, Royal Jordanian.
ILE Apex XL vs. Arc'Teryx Granville 20: which should you pack?
The Arc'Teryx Granville 20 carries 2L more than the ILE Apex XL (18L vs. 20L), and the two are closely matched on weight. For carry-on flexibility, the ILE Apex XL fits 90% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Arc'Teryx Granville 20; if you want to travel lighter, the Arc'Teryx Granville 20 is the better call.