The North Face Router vs. Hylete Icon
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
The North Face Router
| Capacity | 40 L |
| Weight | 1.5 kg |
| Dimensions | 54×35.6×26.7 cm |
| Airline fit | 3% |
| Price | $149 |
Feature by feature
| The North Face Router | Feature | Hylete Icon |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 4 | Opening | 4 |
| N | Passport | N |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | hideable |
| Y | Hip Belt | N |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 15in |
| 2 | Main Compartments | 5 |
| Y | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2 | Water Bottle Holder | 2 |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 500D Nylon Oxford Slub, 420 D Nylon, 210D Cordura® Nylon Ripstop | Dual-Face TPU 600D |
Key differences between the The North Face Router and Hylete Icon
- Backpack straps: Yes on the The North Face Router; Hideable on the Hylete Icon.
- Hip belt: Yes on the The North Face Router; No on the Hylete Icon.
- Main compartments: 2 on the The North Face Router; 5 on the Hylete Icon.
Both have: sternum strap, laptop sleeve, built-in organizer, 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. 6 accept both. 0 accept only the The North Face Router, and 21 accept only the Hylete Icon.
Only the Hylete Icon fits
Air Europa, Air Koryo, Air Tahiti Nui, Azul Linhas, Caribbean Airlines, China Southern, Croatia Air, Cubana de Aviacion, Hainan Airlines, Korean Air, Philippine Airlines, Royal Air Morocco, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Sichuan Airlines, SilkAir, Silver Airways, Singapore Airlines, SpiceJet, TAAG Angola, TAM Airlines, Ural Airlines.
The North Face Router vs. Hylete Icon: which should you pack?
The The North Face Router carries the same capacity as the Hylete Icon (40L vs. 40L), and the two are closely matched on weight. For carry-on flexibility, the Hylete Icon fits 14% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the The North Face Router; if you want to travel lighter, the The North Face Router is the better call.