Cabelas Ascend Priority 25 Commuter Backpack vs. Alpaka Gear Traverse Backpack
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Cabelas Ascend Priority 25 Commuter Backpack
| Capacity | 25 L |
| Weight | 1.4 kg |
| Dimensions | 50×36×20 cm |
| Airline fit | 84% |
| Price | $90 |
Feature by feature
| Cabelas Ascend Priority 25 Commuter Backpack | Feature | Alpaka Gear Traverse Backpack |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 1 |
| front | Passport | top |
| Y | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| N | Hip Belt | N |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 17in | Laptop | 16in |
| 5 | Main Compartments | 5 |
| Y | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | 1, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 50-denier recycled polyester | Axoflux 400D ripstop nylon |
Alpaka Gear Traverse Backpack
| Capacity | 30 L |
| Weight | 1.5 kg |
| Dimensions | 47×28×18 cm |
| Airline fit | 93% |
| Price | $200 |
Key differences between the Cabelas Ascend Priority 25 Commuter Backpack and Alpaka Gear Traverse Backpack
- Passport pocket: Front on the Cabelas Ascend Priority 25 Commuter Backpack; Top on the Alpaka Gear Traverse Backpack.
- Laptop sleeve: 17in on the Cabelas Ascend Priority 25 Commuter Backpack; 16in on the Alpaka Gear Traverse Backpack.
- Water bottle pockets: 2, side on the Cabelas Ascend Priority 25 Commuter Backpack; 1, side on the Alpaka Gear Traverse Backpack.
Both have: luggage passthrough, backpack straps, sternum strap, built-in organizer, water resistant.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 158 accept both. 0 accept only the Cabelas Ascend Priority 25 Commuter Backpack, and 18 accept only the Alpaka Gear Traverse Backpack.
Only the Alpaka Gear Traverse Backpack fits
Aerolineas Argentinas, Air France, Air India, Air Mauritius, Air Niugini, Boliviana de Aviacion, Cayman Airways, flybe, Great Lakes Airlines, Indigo, InselAir, Jet Airways, Kenya Airways, KLM, LATAM , Regional Express, Sky Airlines, Virgin Australia.
Cabelas Ascend Priority 25 Commuter Backpack vs. Alpaka Gear Traverse Backpack: which should you pack?
The Alpaka Gear Traverse Backpack carries 5L more than the Cabelas Ascend Priority 25 Commuter Backpack (25L vs. 30L), while the Cabelas Ascend Priority 25 Commuter Backpack is the lighter pack at 1.4kg (vs. 1.5kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Alpaka Gear Traverse Backpack fits 93% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Alpaka Gear Traverse Backpack; if you want to travel lighter, the Cabelas Ascend Priority 25 Commuter Backpack is the better call.