Waterfield Air Porter vs. Topo Designs Global Travel Bag 30L
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 | Topo Designs Global Travel Bag 30L |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | 35L |
| 0 | Opening | 1 |
| top | Passport | front |
| Y | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| hideable | Backpack | hideable |
| N | Hip Belt | removable |
| removable | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 15in |
| 7 | Main Compartments | 3 |
| 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 | 1000D recycled nylon, |
Topo Designs Global Travel Bag 30L
| Capacity | 30 L |
| Weight | 1.2 kg |
| Dimensions | 51×32×18 cm |
| Airline fit | 89% |
| Price | $200 |
Key differences between the Waterfield Air Porter and Topo Designs Global Travel Bag 30L
- Opening: Other on the Waterfield Air Porter; Clamshell on the Topo Designs Global Travel Bag 30L.
- Passport pocket: Top on the Waterfield Air Porter; Front on the Topo Designs Global Travel Bag 30L.
- Hip belt: No on the Waterfield Air Porter; Removable on the Topo Designs Global Travel Bag 30L.
- Main compartments: 7 on the Waterfield Air Porter; 3 on the Topo Designs Global Travel Bag 30L.
Both have: luggage passthrough, backpack straps, sternum strap, 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. 169 accept both. 11 accept only the Waterfield Air Porter, and 0 accept only the Topo Designs Global Travel Bag 30L.
Only the Waterfield Air Porter fits
Air Niugini, Air Tahiti, American Eagle, Belavia, easyJet, Etihad Airways, Gulf Air, Qatar Airways, Ravn Alaska, Regional Express, Virgin Australia.
Waterfield Air Porter vs. Topo Designs Global Travel Bag 30L: which should you pack?
The Topo Designs Global Travel Bag 30L carries 8L more than the Waterfield Air Porter (22L vs. 30L), while the Topo Designs Global Travel Bag 30L is the lighter pack at 1.2kg (vs. 1.3kg). 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 Topo Designs Global Travel Bag 30L; if you want to travel lighter, the Topo Designs Global Travel Bag 30L is the better call.