Away Active Convertible 45L vs. Nomatic Travel Backpack
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Away Active Convertible 45L
| Capacity | 45 L |
| Weight | 1.5 kg |
| Dimensions | 55×35×24 cm |
| Airline fit | 39% |
| Price | $220 |
Feature by feature
| Away Active Convertible 45L | Feature | Nomatic Travel Backpack |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 4 | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 1 |
| back | Passport | back |
| Y | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| hideable | Backpack | hideable |
| N | Hip Belt | N |
| N | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 16in | Laptop | 15in |
| 4 | Main Compartments | 4 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 1, side | Water Bottle Holder | 2, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 100% recycled polyester | Waterproof tarpaulin |
Nomatic Travel Backpack
| Capacity | 20 L |
| Weight | 1.8 kg |
| Dimensions | 47×30×13 cm |
| Airline fit | 93% |
| Price | $330 |
Key differences between the Away Active Convertible 45L and Nomatic Travel Backpack
- Compression straps: 4 on the Away Active Convertible 45L; No on the Nomatic Travel Backpack.
- Sternum strap: No on the Away Active Convertible 45L; Yes on the Nomatic Travel Backpack.
- Laptop sleeve: 16in on the Away Active Convertible 45L; 15in on the Nomatic Travel Backpack.
- Water bottle pockets: 1, side on the Away Active Convertible 45L; 2, side on the Nomatic Travel Backpack.
Both have: passport pocket, luggage passthrough, backpack straps, water resistant.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 73 accept both. 0 accept only the Away Active Convertible 45L, and 102 accept only the Nomatic Travel Backpack.
Only the Nomatic Travel Backpack fits
Air Asia, Air Baltic, Air Canada, Air China, Air Macau, Air Malta, Air Niugini, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Air Wisconsin, AirAsiaX, Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Austrian, Avianca , Azerbaijan Airlines, Bahamasair, Bangkok Airways, Belavia, Biman Bangladesh, Blue Air, Brussels Airlines, Bulgaria Air, Cambodia Angkor Air, Cathay Pacific, Cayman Airways, Cebu Pacific, China Airlines, China Eastern, CommutAir, Croatia Air, Delta Airlines, Dragonair, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, Eurowings, EVA Air, Fiji Airways, Flair Air, flybe, Garuda Indonesia, Hawaiian Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Icelandair, InselAir, jetBlue Airways, Jetstar Airways, Jetstar Asia, Juneyao Airlines, Kulula, Liat Airlines, LOT Polish, Lufthansa, Luxair, Mahan Air, Malaysia Airlines, Mango, Meridiana Fly, Mesa Airlines, Nordwind Airlines, Norwegian, Oman Air, Pakistan International, Porter Airlines, Qantas Airways, Qatar Airways, Regional Express, Republic Airways, Royal Brunei Airlines, Royal Jordanian, Ryanair, S7, SAS Scandinavian, Scoot, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Skywest, Inc., South African Airways, SriLankan Airlines, Sun Express, Swiss Int'l Air Lines, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), Tiger Airways, Trans States, TUI, Turkish Airlines, Ukraine International, United Airlines, Vietnam Airlines, VIM Airlines (Closed), Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Australia, Volotea, WestJet, Xiamen.
Away Active Convertible 45L vs. Nomatic Travel Backpack: which should you pack?
The Away Active Convertible 45L carries 25L more than the Nomatic Travel Backpack (45L vs. 20L), while the Away Active Convertible 45L is the lighter pack at 1.5kg (vs. 1.8kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Nomatic Travel Backpack fits 93% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Away Active Convertible 45L; if you want to travel lighter, the Away Active Convertible 45L is the better call.