Nomatic Travel Backpack vs. Arc'teryx Blade 28
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Nomatic Travel Backpack
| Capacity | 20 L |
| Weight | 1.8 kg |
| Dimensions | 47×30×13 cm |
| Airline fit | 93% |
| Price | $330 |
Feature by feature
| Nomatic Travel Backpack | Feature | Arc'teryx Blade 28 |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 1 |
| back | Passport | back |
| Y | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| hideable | Backpack | hideable |
| N | Hip Belt | N |
| Y | Sternum Strap | N |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 15in |
| 4 | Main Compartments | 4 |
| N | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | N |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| Waterproof tarpaulin | N210p-HT nylon 6,6 N630p-HT nylon 6,6 |
Arc'teryx Blade 28
| Capacity | 28 L |
| Weight | 1.5 kg |
| Dimensions | 54×31×16 cm |
| Airline fit | 88% |
| Price | $160 |
Key differences between the Nomatic Travel Backpack and Arc'teryx Blade 28
- Sternum strap: Yes on the Nomatic Travel Backpack; No on the Arc'teryx Blade 28.
- Built-in organizer: No on the Nomatic Travel Backpack; Yes on the Arc'teryx Blade 28.
- Water bottle pockets: 2, side on the Nomatic Travel Backpack; No on the Arc'teryx Blade 28.
Both have: passport pocket, luggage passthrough, backpack straps, laptop sleeve, water resistant.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 166 accept both. 9 accept only the Nomatic Travel Backpack, and 0 accept only the Arc'teryx Blade 28.
Only the Nomatic Travel Backpack fits
Air Niugini, Belavia, Etihad Airways, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, Regional Express, Royal Jordanian, Virgin Australia, WestJet.
Nomatic Travel Backpack vs. Arc'teryx Blade 28: which should you pack?
The Arc'teryx Blade 28 carries 8L more than the Nomatic Travel Backpack (20L vs. 28L), while the Arc'teryx Blade 28 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 Arc'teryx Blade 28; if you want to travel lighter, the Arc'teryx Blade 28 is the better call.