Nordace Gisborne vs. Aer Capsule Pack Max (40L)
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Nordace Gisborne
| Capacity | 22 L |
| Weight | 1.15 kg |
| Dimensions | 42×31×15 cm |
| Airline fit | 95% |
| Price | $157 |
Feature by feature
| Nordace Gisborne | Feature | Aer Capsule Pack Max (40L) |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 4 | Opening | 1 |
| Y | Passport | Y |
| Y | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| hideable | Backpack | hideable |
| N | Hip Belt | optional |
| Y | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 15in |
| 1 | Main Compartments | 1 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | optional |
| 1 | Water Bottle Holder | 1 |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| POLYESTER & MICRO-FIBER LEATHER | 1680D Cordura® ballistic nylon exterior |
Aer Capsule Pack Max (40L)
| Capacity | 40 L |
| Weight | 0 kg |
| Dimensions | 55.9×35.6×22.9 cm |
| Airline fit | 45% |
| Price | $250 |
Key differences between the Nordace Gisborne and Aer Capsule Pack Max (40L)
- Opening: Top zip on the Nordace Gisborne; Clamshell on the Aer Capsule Pack Max (40L).
- Hip belt: No on the Nordace Gisborne; Optional on the Aer Capsule Pack Max (40L).
- Sternum strap: Yes on the Nordace Gisborne; Removable on the Aer Capsule Pack Max (40L).
- Rain cover: No on the Nordace Gisborne; Optional on the Aer Capsule Pack Max (40L).
Both have: passport pocket, 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. 85 accept both. 94 accept only the Nordace Gisborne, and 0 accept only the Aer Capsule Pack Max (40L).
Only the Nordace Gisborne fits
Aer Lingus, Aeroflot, Aerolineas Argentinas, Aeromexico, Air Baltic, Air Canada, Air Caraibes, Air China, Air France, Air India, Air Malta, Air Mauritius, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Air Tahiti, All Nipon Airways, American Eagle, ANA, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Austrian, Azerbaijan Airlines, Belavia, Blue Air, Boliviana de Aviacion, Brussels Airlines, Bulgaria Air, Caribbean Airlines, Cayman Airways, China Eastern, Croatia Air, Czech Airlines, easyJet, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, Eurowings, Fiji Airways, Flair Air, flybe, Gol Linhas Aereas, Gulf Air, Iberia, Icelandair, Indigo, InselAir, Interjet, Iran Air, Japan Airlines, Jet Airways, Juneyao Airlines, Kenya Airways, KLM, LATAM , Liat Airlines, LOT Polish, Lufthansa, Luxair, Mahan Air, Meridiana Fly, Mesa Airlines, Nordwind Airlines, Norwegian, Oman Air, Pakistan International, Peach, Porter Airlines, Qatar Airways, Ravn Alaska, Regional Express, Royal Brunei Airlines, Royal Jordanian, Ryanair, S7, SAS Scandinavian, Scoot, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Sky Airlines, Sun Express, Swiss Int'l Air Lines, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), Tiger Airways, TUI, Turkish Airlines, Ukraine International, VIM Airlines (Closed), Virgin Australia, Volotea, WestJet, Xiamen.
Nordace Gisborne vs. Aer Capsule Pack Max (40L): which should you pack?
The Aer Capsule Pack Max (40L) carries 18L more than the Nordace Gisborne (22L vs. 40L), and the two are closely matched on weight. For carry-on flexibility, the Nordace Gisborne fits 95% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Aer Capsule Pack Max (40L); if you want to travel lighter, the Nordace Gisborne is the better call.