Away The Zip Backpack vs. Away The Backpack
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Away The Zip Backpack
| Capacity | 20 L |
| Weight | 1.1 kg |
| Dimensions | 45×30.5×15 cm |
| Airline fit | 95% |
| Price | $236 |
Feature by feature
| Away The Zip Backpack | Feature | Away The Backpack |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 4 | Opening | 4 |
| Y | Passport | Y |
| Y | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| N | Hip Belt | N |
| N | Sternum Strap | N |
| Inside | ||
| 14in | Laptop | 15in |
| 1 | Main Compartments | 3 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 1 | Water Bottle Holder | 1 |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| Nylon with leather | Nylon, leather |
Away The Backpack
| Capacity | 25.5 L |
| Weight | 1.3 kg |
| Dimensions | 44.5×31.5×18.2 cm |
| Airline fit | 95% |
| Price | $206 |
Key differences between the Away The Zip Backpack and Away The Backpack
- Laptop sleeve: 14in on the Away The Zip Backpack; 15in on the Away The Backpack.
- Main compartments: 1 on the Away The Zip Backpack; 3 on the Away The Backpack.
Both have: passport pocket, luggage passthrough, backpack straps, 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. 179 accept both. Every airline that takes one takes the other.
Away The Zip Backpack vs. Away The Backpack: which should you pack?
The Away The Backpack carries 5.5L more than the Away The Zip Backpack (20L vs. 25.5L), while the Away The Zip Backpack is the lighter pack at 1.1kg (vs. 1.3kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Away The Zip Backpack fits 95% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Away The Backpack; if you want to travel lighter, the Away The Zip Backpack is the better call.