Deuter Freerider Lite 20 vs. Kathmandu Katabatic 28L Pack

Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.

Deuter Freerider Lite 20

Front facing view of the Deuter Freerider Lite 20
Capacity20 L
Weight0.84 kg
Dimensions52×29×17 cm
Airline fit88%
Price$130

Feature by feature

Deuter Freerider Lite 20FeatureKathmandu Katabatic 28L Pack
Storage
Y Compression Y
None Expanded Capacity None
4 Opening 4
N Passport N
N Passthrough N
Carry
Y Backpack Y
Y Hip Belt Y
Y Sternum Strap Y
Inside
N Laptop N
1 Main Compartments 1
Y Organizer Y
Outside
× Hard Shell ×
N Rain-fly optional
N Water Bottle Holder 2
Y Water Resistant Y
Material
100D PA Ripstop100% Polyester

Kathmandu Katabatic 28L Pack

Front facing view of the Kathmandu Katabatic 28L Pack
Capacity28 L
Weight0.906 kg
Dimensions52×29×28 cm
Airline fit14%
Price$120

Key differences between the Deuter Freerider Lite 20 and Kathmandu Katabatic 28L Pack

Both have: compression straps, backpack straps, hip belt, sternum strap, built-in organizer, water resistant.

Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on

We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 27 accept both. 140 accept only the Deuter Freerider Lite 20, and 0 accept only the Kathmandu Katabatic 28L Pack.

Only the Deuter Freerider Lite 20 fits

Aegean Airlines, Aer Lingus, Aeroflot, Aerolineas Argentinas, Aeromexico, Air Asia, Air Astana, Air Baltic, Air Canada, Air Caraibes, Air China, Air France, Air India, Air Macau, Air Malta, Air Mauritius, Air Nostrum, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Air Wisconsin, AirAsiaX, Alaska Airlines, All Nipon Airways, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, ANA, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Atlas Global, Austrian, Avianca , Azerbaijan Airlines, Bahamasair, Bangkok Airways, Biman Bangladesh, Blue Air, Boliviana de Aviacion, British Airways, Brussels Airlines, Bulgaria Air, Cambodia Angkor Air, Cathay Pacific, Cayman Airways, Cebu Pacific, China Airlines, China Eastern, CommutAir, Conviasa, Copa Airlines, Czech Airlines, Delta Airlines, Dragonair, EL AL, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Eurowings, EVA Air, Fiji Airways, Finnair, Flair Air, flybe, Frontier Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, Gol Linhas Aereas, Hawaiian Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Iberia, Icelandair, Indigo, InselAir, Interjet, Iran Air, Iran Aseman Air, Japan Airlines, Jet Airways, Jet2, jetBlue Airways, Jetstar Airways, Jetstar Asia, Juneyao Airlines, Kenya Airways, KLM, Kulula, Kuwait Air, LATAM , Liat Airlines, LOT Polish, Lufthansa, Luxair, Mahan Air, Malaysia Airlines, Mango, Meridiana Fly, Mesa Airlines, Middle East Airlines, Monarch Airlines, Nordwind Airlines, Norwegian, Onur Air, Pakistan International, Peach, PenAir, Porter Airlines, Qantas Airways, Republic Airways, Royal Brunei Airlines, Ryanair, S7, SAS Scandinavian, Scoot, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Sky Airlines, Skywest, Inc., South African Airways, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, SriLankan Airlines, Sun Express, Swiss Int'l Air Lines, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Thai Airways, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), Tiger Airways, Trans States, Travel Service Airlines, TUI, Turkish Airlines, Ukraine International, United Airlines, Uzbekistan Air, Vietnam Airlines, VIM Airlines (Closed), Virgin Atlantic, Volotea, WestJet, WOW Airlines, Xiamen.

Deuter Freerider Lite 20 vs. Kathmandu Katabatic 28L Pack: which should you pack?

The Kathmandu Katabatic 28L Pack carries 8L more than the Deuter Freerider Lite 20 (20L vs. 28L), while the Deuter Freerider Lite 20 is the lighter pack at 0.84kg (vs. 0.906kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Deuter Freerider Lite 20 fits 88% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Kathmandu Katabatic 28L Pack; if you want to travel lighter, the Deuter Freerider Lite 20 is the better call.