Kathmandu Solus Pack 20 vs. Tom Bihn Daylight
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Kathmandu Solus Pack 20
| Capacity | 20 L |
| Weight | 0.42 kg |
| Dimensions | 47×28×19 cm |
| Airline fit | 93% |
| Price | $60 |
Feature by feature
| Kathmandu Solus Pack 20 | Feature | Tom Bihn Daylight |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 4 | Opening | 4 |
| N | Passport | N |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| N | Hip Belt | Y |
| N | Sternum Strap | N |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 15in |
| 1 | Main Compartments | 1 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| N | Water Bottle Holder | N |
| N | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 100% Polyester | Ultralight 400d Halcyon/420d nylon ripstop exterior/ 525 denier 2x2 bluesign® Ballistic nylon exterior |
Tom Bihn Daylight
| Capacity | 16.5 L |
| Weight | 0.8 kg |
| Dimensions | 44×31×13 cm |
| Airline fit | 95% |
| Price | $85 |
Key differences between the Kathmandu Solus Pack 20 and Tom Bihn Daylight
- Hip belt: No on the Kathmandu Solus Pack 20; Yes on the Tom Bihn Daylight.
- Water resistant: No on the Kathmandu Solus Pack 20; Yes on the Tom Bihn Daylight.
Both have: backpack straps, laptop sleeve.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 174 accept both. 2 accept only the Kathmandu Solus Pack 20, and 5 accept only the Tom Bihn Daylight.
Only the Kathmandu Solus Pack 20 fits
Air Niugini, Great Lakes Airlines.
Only the Tom Bihn Daylight fits
Air Tahiti, American Eagle, easyJet, Gulf Air, Ravn Alaska.
Kathmandu Solus Pack 20 vs. Tom Bihn Daylight: which should you pack?
The Kathmandu Solus Pack 20 carries 3.5L more than the Tom Bihn Daylight (20L vs. 16.5L), while the Kathmandu Solus Pack 20 is the lighter pack at 0.42kg (vs. 0.8kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Tom Bihn Daylight fits 95% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Kathmandu Solus Pack 20; if you want to travel lighter, the Kathmandu Solus Pack 20 is the better call.