Waterfield Air Porter vs. Nomatic Travel Backpack
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Waterfield Air Porter
| Capacity | 22 L |
| Weight | 1.3 kg |
| Dimensions | 42×30×18 cm |
| Airline fit | 95% |
| Price | $420 |
Feature by feature
| Waterfield Air Porter | Feature | Nomatic Travel Backpack |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 1 |
| top | Passport | back |
| Y | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| hideable | Backpack | hideable |
| N | Hip Belt | N |
| removable | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 15in |
| 7 | Main Compartments | 4 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | 2, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 1680 Denier black Ballistic nylon | Waterproof tarpaulin |
Nomatic Travel Backpack
| Capacity | 20 L |
| Weight | 1.8 kg |
| Dimensions | 47×30×13 cm |
| Airline fit | 93% |
| Price | $330 |
Key differences between the Waterfield Air Porter and Nomatic Travel Backpack
- Opening: Other on the Waterfield Air Porter; Clamshell on the Nomatic Travel Backpack.
- Passport pocket: Top on the Waterfield Air Porter; Back on the Nomatic Travel Backpack.
- Sternum strap: Removable on the Waterfield Air Porter; Yes on the Nomatic Travel Backpack.
- Main compartments: 7 on the Waterfield Air Porter; 4 on the Nomatic Travel Backpack.
Both have: luggage passthrough, backpack straps, laptop sleeve, 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. 175 accept both. 5 accept only the Waterfield Air Porter, and 0 accept only the Nomatic Travel Backpack.
Only the Waterfield Air Porter fits
Air Tahiti, American Eagle, easyJet, Gulf Air, Ravn Alaska.
Waterfield Air Porter vs. Nomatic Travel Backpack: which should you pack?
The Waterfield Air Porter carries 2L more than the Nomatic Travel Backpack (22L vs. 20L), while the Waterfield Air Porter is the lighter pack at 1.3kg (vs. 1.8kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Waterfield Air Porter fits 95% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Waterfield Air Porter; if you want to travel lighter, the Waterfield Air Porter is the better call.