Waterfield Air Porter vs. Matador ReFraction
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 | Matador ReFraction |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 0 |
| top | Passport | top |
| Y | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| hideable | Backpack | Y |
| N | Hip Belt | N |
| removable | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | N |
| 7 | Main Compartments | 2 |
| 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 | Recycled nylon, Bluesign® approved |
Matador ReFraction
| Capacity | 16 L |
| Weight | 0.2 kg |
| Dimensions | 43×25×19 cm |
| Airline fit | 96% |
| Price | $60 |
Key differences between the Waterfield Air Porter and Matador ReFraction
- Backpack straps: Hideable on the Waterfield Air Porter; Yes on the Matador ReFraction.
- Laptop sleeve: 15in on the Waterfield Air Porter; No on the Matador ReFraction.
- Main compartments: 7 on the Waterfield Air Porter; 2 on the Matador ReFraction.
Both have: passport pocket, luggage passthrough, sternum strap, 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. 180 accept both. 0 accept only the Waterfield Air Porter, and 1 accept only the Matador ReFraction.
Only the Matador ReFraction fits
Great Lakes Airlines.
Waterfield Air Porter vs. Matador ReFraction: which should you pack?
The Waterfield Air Porter carries 6L more than the Matador ReFraction (22L vs. 16L), while the Matador ReFraction is the lighter pack at 0.2kg (vs. 1.3kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Matador ReFraction fits 96% 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 Matador ReFraction is the better call.