Cabin Zero ADV 42L vs. MEC Outpost 40L Travel Pack
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Cabin Zero ADV 42L
| Capacity | 42 L |
| Weight | 1.4 kg |
| Dimensions | 55×35×20 cm |
| Airline fit | 86% |
| Price | $134 |
Feature by feature
| Cabin Zero ADV 42L | Feature | MEC Outpost 40L Travel Pack |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 4 | Compression | 4 |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 1 |
| top | Passport | top |
| Y | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| hideable | Backpack | hideable |
| hideable | Hip Belt | removable |
| Y | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 15in |
| 2 | 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 | |
| Nylon 500 Denier Rip-Stop High density Polyethylene frame sheet | PU coated 300-denier ripstop |
MEC Outpost 40L Travel Pack
| Capacity | 40 L |
| Weight | 1.4 kg |
| Dimensions | 50×35×23 cm |
| Airline fit | 71% |
| Price | $200 |
Key differences between the Cabin Zero ADV 42L and MEC Outpost 40L Travel Pack
- Hip belt: Hideable on the Cabin Zero ADV 42L; Removable on the MEC Outpost 40L Travel Pack.
- Sternum strap: Yes on the Cabin Zero ADV 42L; Removable on the MEC Outpost 40L Travel Pack.
- Main compartments: 2 on the Cabin Zero ADV 42L; 4 on the MEC Outpost 40L Travel Pack.
- Water resistant: Yes on the Cabin Zero ADV 42L; No on the MEC Outpost 40L Travel Pack.
Both have: compression straps, passport pocket, luggage passthrough, backpack straps, laptop sleeve, 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. 128 accept both. 34 accept only the Cabin Zero ADV 42L, and 7 accept only the MEC Outpost 40L Travel Pack.
Only the Cabin Zero ADV 42L fits
Air Baltic, Air China, Air Malta, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Blue Air, Bulgaria Air, China Eastern, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, flybe, Icelandair, InselAir, Juneyao Airlines, Luxair, Meridiana Fly, Nordwind Airlines, Pakistan International, Royal Brunei Airlines, Ryanair, S7, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Sun Express, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), TUI, Ukraine International, VIM Airlines (Closed), Volotea, Xiamen.
Only the MEC Outpost 40L Travel Pack fits
Etihad Airways, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, Royal Jordanian, Scoot, Tiger Airways, WestJet.
Cabin Zero ADV 42L vs. MEC Outpost 40L Travel Pack: which should you pack?
The Cabin Zero ADV 42L carries 2L more than the MEC Outpost 40L Travel Pack (42L vs. 40L), while the Cabin Zero ADV 42L is the lighter pack at 1.4kg (vs. 1.4kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Cabin Zero ADV 42L fits 86% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Cabin Zero ADV 42L; if you want to travel lighter, the Cabin Zero ADV 42L is the better call.