tomtoc Travel Backpack 40L vs. Nordace Urban Max
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Feature by feature
| tomtoc Travel Backpack 40L | Feature | Nordace Urban Max |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| Y | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 1 |
| Y | Passport | Y |
| Y | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| N | Hip Belt | N |
| N | Sternum Strap | N |
| Inside | ||
| 17.3in | Laptop | 15in |
| 2 | Main Compartments | 1 |
| Y | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| Water Bottle Holder | N | |
| Water Resistant | Y | |
| Material | |
| Polyester | |
Nordace Urban Max
| Capacity | 20 L |
| Weight | 1.05 kg |
| Dimensions | 43×30×18 cm |
| Airline fit | 95% |
| Price | $135 |
Key differences between the tomtoc Travel Backpack 40L and Nordace Urban Max
- Compression straps: Yes on the tomtoc Travel Backpack 40L; No on the Nordace Urban Max.
- Laptop sleeve: 17.3in on the tomtoc Travel Backpack 40L; 15in on the Nordace Urban Max.
- Main compartments: 2 on the tomtoc Travel Backpack 40L; 1 on the Nordace Urban Max.
Both have: passport pocket, luggage passthrough, backpack straps, built-in organizer.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 132 accept both. 0 accept only the tomtoc Travel Backpack 40L, and 48 accept only the Nordace Urban Max.
Only the Nordace Urban Max fits
Air Baltic, Air China, Air Malta, Air Niugini, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Air Tahiti, American Eagle, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Belavia, Blue Air, Bulgaria Air, China Eastern, easyJet, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, Etihad Airways, flybe, Gulf Air, Icelandair, InselAir, Juneyao Airlines, Liat Airlines, Luxair, Meridiana Fly, Nordwind Airlines, Oman Air, Pakistan International, Qatar Airways, Ravn Alaska, Regional Express, Royal Brunei Airlines, Royal Jordanian, Ryanair, S7, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Sun Express, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), TUI, Ukraine International, VIM Airlines (Closed), Virgin Australia, Volotea, Xiamen.
tomtoc Travel Backpack 40L vs. Nordace Urban Max: which should you pack?
The Nordace Urban Max carries 20L more than the tomtoc Travel Backpack 40L (0L vs. 20L), while the Nordace Urban Max is the lighter pack at 1.05kg (vs. 1.2kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Nordace Urban Max fits 95% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Nordace Urban Max; if you want to travel lighter, the Nordace Urban Max is the better call.