Away Active Convertible 45L vs. Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 38L
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 | Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 38L |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 4 | Compression | 4 |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 1 |
| back | Passport | top |
| Y | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| hideable | Backpack | hideable |
| N | Hip Belt | N |
| N | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 16in | Laptop | 17in |
| 4 | Main Compartments | 4 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 1, side | Water Bottle Holder | 1, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | N |
| Material | |
| 100% recycled polyester | 100% RENU recycled polyester. |
Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 38L
| Capacity | 38 L |
| Weight | 1.4 kg |
| Dimensions | 57×33×25 cm |
| Airline fit | 15% |
| Price | $300 |
Key differences between the Away Active Convertible 45L and Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 38L
- Passport pocket: Back on the Away Active Convertible 45L; Top on the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 38L.
- Sternum strap: No on the Away Active Convertible 45L; Yes on the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 38L.
- Laptop sleeve: 16in on the Away Active Convertible 45L; 17in on the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 38L.
- Water resistant: Yes on the Away Active Convertible 45L; No on the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 38L.
Both have: compression straps, luggage passthrough, backpack straps, water bottle pockets.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 29 accept both. 44 accept only the Away Active Convertible 45L, and 0 accept only the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 38L.
Only the Away Active Convertible 45L fits
Aegean Airlines, Aer Lingus, Aeroflot, Aerolineas Argentinas, Aeromexico, Air Astana, Air Caraibes, Air France, Air India, Air Mauritius, Air Nostrum, All Nipon Airways, ANA, Atlas Global, Boliviana de Aviacion, British Airways, Caribbean Airlines, Copa Airlines, Czech Airlines, EL AL, Finnair, Gol Linhas Aereas, Iberia, Indigo, Interjet, Iran Air, Iran Aseman Air, Japan Airlines, Jet Airways, Jet2, Kenya Airways, KLM, Kuwait Air, LATAM , Middle East Airlines, Monarch Airlines, Onur Air, Peach, Sky Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Thai Airways, Travel Service Airlines, Uzbekistan Air, WOW Airlines.
Away Active Convertible 45L vs. Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 38L: which should you pack?
The Away Active Convertible 45L carries 7L more than the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 38L (45L vs. 38L), while the Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 38L is the lighter pack at 1.4kg (vs. 1.5kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Away Active Convertible 45L fits 39% 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 Kathmandu Litehaul Pack 38L is the better call.