Eagle Creek Wayfinder 40L Women's Fit vs. Cotopaxi Cusco Backpack 26L
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Eagle Creek Wayfinder 40L Women's Fit
| Capacity | 40 L |
| Weight | 1.17 kg |
| Dimensions | 53×35.5×21 cm |
| Airline fit | 65% |
| Price | $129 |
Feature by feature
| Eagle Creek Wayfinder 40L Women's Fit | Feature | Cotopaxi Cusco Backpack 26L |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 4 | Opening | 4 |
| N | Passport | N |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| hideable | Hip Belt | N |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 17in | Laptop | 15in |
| 1 | Main Compartments | 1 |
| Organizer | Y | |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2 | Water Bottle Holder | 2 |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 300D Dual-Diamond Heather Ripstop, 500D Poly RPVB Coating | 100% repurposed 600D polyester |
Cotopaxi Cusco Backpack 26L
| Capacity | 26 L |
| Weight | 0.7 kg |
| Dimensions | 53×33×23 cm |
| Airline fit | 70% |
| Price | $110 |
Key differences between the Eagle Creek Wayfinder 40L Women's Fit and Cotopaxi Cusco Backpack 26L
- Hip belt: Hideable on the Eagle Creek Wayfinder 40L Women's Fit; No on the Cotopaxi Cusco Backpack 26L.
- Laptop sleeve: 17in on the Eagle Creek Wayfinder 40L Women's Fit; 15in on the Cotopaxi Cusco Backpack 26L.
Both have: backpack straps, 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. 120 accept both. 2 accept only the Eagle Creek Wayfinder 40L Women's Fit, and 12 accept only the Cotopaxi Cusco Backpack 26L.
Only the Eagle Creek Wayfinder 40L Women's Fit fits
Liat Airlines, Pakistan International.
Only the Cotopaxi Cusco Backpack 26L fits
Aerolineas Argentinas, Air France, Air India, Air Mauritius, Boliviana de Aviacion, Cayman Airways, Indigo, Jet Airways, Kenya Airways, KLM, LATAM , Sky Airlines.
Eagle Creek Wayfinder 40L Women's Fit vs. Cotopaxi Cusco Backpack 26L: which should you pack?
The Eagle Creek Wayfinder 40L Women's Fit carries 14L more than the Cotopaxi Cusco Backpack 26L (40L vs. 26L), while the Cotopaxi Cusco Backpack 26L is the lighter pack at 0.7kg (vs. 1.17kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Cotopaxi Cusco Backpack 26L fits 70% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Eagle Creek Wayfinder 40L Women's Fit; if you want to travel lighter, the Cotopaxi Cusco Backpack 26L is the better call.