ILE Apex XL vs. Peak Design Outdoor Backpack 45L
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Feature by feature
| ILE Apex XL | Feature | Peak Design Outdoor Backpack 45L |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | 45L |
| 2 | Opening | 1 |
| N | Passport | N |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| N | Hip Belt | removable |
| removable | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| 16in | Laptop | 16in |
| 1 | Main Compartments | 1 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| N | Water Bottle Holder | 4, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| Cordura, XPAC Sailcloth, or Waxed Canvas | Ultralight Terra Shell™ 210D ripstop |
Peak Design Outdoor Backpack 45L
| Capacity | 35 L |
| Weight | 1.6 kg |
| Dimensions | 56×31×17 cm |
| Airline fit | 47% |
| Price | $330 |
Key differences between the ILE Apex XL and Peak Design Outdoor Backpack 45L
- Opening: Rolltop on the ILE Apex XL; Clamshell on the Peak Design Outdoor Backpack 45L.
- Hip belt: No on the ILE Apex XL; Removable on the Peak Design Outdoor Backpack 45L.
- Water bottle pockets: No on the ILE Apex XL; 4, side on the Peak Design Outdoor Backpack 45L.
Both have: backpack straps, sternum strap, laptop sleeve, water resistant.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 88 accept both. 82 accept only the ILE Apex XL, and 0 accept only the Peak Design Outdoor Backpack 45L.
Only the ILE Apex XL fits
Aer Lingus, Aeroflot, Aerolineas Argentinas, Aeromexico, Air Baltic, Air Canada, Air Caraibes, Air China, Air France, Air India, Air Malta, Air Mauritius, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, All Nipon Airways, ANA, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Austrian, Azerbaijan Airlines, Blue Air, Boliviana de Aviacion, Brussels Airlines, Bulgaria Air, China Eastern, Czech Airlines, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Eurowings, Fiji Airways, Flair Air, flybe, Gol Linhas Aereas, Great Lakes Airlines, Iberia, Icelandair, Indigo, InselAir, Interjet, Iran Air, Japan Airlines, Jet Airways, Juneyao Airlines, Kenya Airways, KLM, LATAM , Liat Airlines, LOT Polish, Lufthansa, Luxair, Mahan Air, Meridiana Fly, Mesa Airlines, Nordwind Airlines, Norwegian, Oman Air, Pakistan International, Peach, Porter Airlines, Royal Brunei Airlines, Royal Jordanian, Ryanair, S7, SAS Scandinavian, Scoot, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Sky Airlines, Sun Express, Swiss Int'l Air Lines, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), Tiger Airways, TUI, Turkish Airlines, Ukraine International, VIM Airlines (Closed), Volotea, WestJet, Xiamen.
ILE Apex XL vs. Peak Design Outdoor Backpack 45L: which should you pack?
The Peak Design Outdoor Backpack 45L carries 17L more than the ILE Apex XL (18L vs. 35L), 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 Peak Design Outdoor Backpack 45L; if you want to travel lighter, the Peak Design Outdoor Backpack 45L is the better call.