Away Active Convertible 45L vs. Tortuga Expandable 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 | Tortuga Expandable Backpack |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 4 | Compression | 4 |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 1 |
| back | Passport | top, front |
| Y | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| hideable | Backpack | Y, hideable |
| N | Hip Belt | Y, removable |
| N | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 16in | Laptop | 16in |
| 4 | Main Compartments | 4 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 1, side | Water Bottle Holder | 1, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 100% recycled polyester | 630D CORDURA |
Tortuga Expandable Backpack
| Capacity | 27 L |
| Weight | 1.6 kg |
| Dimensions | 49×32×18 cm |
| Airline fit | 91% |
| Price | $250 |
Key differences between the Away Active Convertible 45L and Tortuga Expandable Backpack
- Passport pocket: Back on the Away Active Convertible 45L; Top, front on the Tortuga Expandable Backpack.
- Backpack straps: Hideable on the Away Active Convertible 45L; Y, hideable on the Tortuga Expandable Backpack.
- Hip belt: No on the Away Active Convertible 45L; Y, removable on the Tortuga Expandable Backpack.
- Sternum strap: No on the Away Active Convertible 45L; Yes on the Tortuga Expandable Backpack.
Both have: compression straps, luggage passthrough, 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. 73 accept both. 0 accept only the Away Active Convertible 45L, and 99 accept only the Tortuga Expandable Backpack.
Only the Tortuga Expandable Backpack fits
Air Asia, Air Baltic, Air Canada, Air China, Air Macau, Air Malta, 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, 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, Volotea, WestJet, Xiamen.
Away Active Convertible 45L vs. Tortuga Expandable Backpack: which should you pack?
The Away Active Convertible 45L carries 18L more than the Tortuga Expandable Backpack (45L vs. 27L), while the Away Active Convertible 45L is the lighter pack at 1.5kg (vs. 1.6kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Tortuga Expandable Backpack fits 91% 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.