Kifaru Checkpoint vs. The North Face Borealis Backpack
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Kifaru Checkpoint
| Capacity | 28 L |
| Weight | 1.4 kg |
| Dimensions | 51×28×23 cm |
| Airline fit | 71% |
| Price | $350 |
Feature by feature
| Kifaru Checkpoint | Feature | The North Face Borealis Backpack |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | 4 |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 4 |
| top | Passport | top |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| N | Hip Belt | removable |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 16in | Laptop | 16in |
| 3 | Main Compartments | 4 |
| Y | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | 2, side |
| N | Water Resistant | N |
| Material | |
| 500D Cordura | 210D recycled nylon ripstop with non-PFC durable water-repellent (non-PFC DWR) finish |
The North Face Borealis Backpack
| Capacity | 28 L |
| Weight | 1.1 kg |
| Dimensions | 50×31×17 cm |
| Airline fit | 91% |
| Price | $100 |
Key differences between the Kifaru Checkpoint and The North Face Borealis Backpack
- Compression straps: No on the Kifaru Checkpoint; 4 on the The North Face Borealis Backpack.
- Opening: Clamshell on the Kifaru Checkpoint; Top zip on the The North Face Borealis Backpack.
- Hip belt: No on the Kifaru Checkpoint; Removable on the The North Face Borealis Backpack.
- Main compartments: 3 on the Kifaru Checkpoint; 4 on the The North Face Borealis Backpack.
Both have: passport pocket, backpack straps, sternum strap, laptop sleeve, built-in organizer, 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. 134 accept both. 1 accept only the Kifaru Checkpoint, and 38 accept only the The North Face Borealis Backpack.
Only the Kifaru Checkpoint fits
Great Lakes Airlines.
Only the The North Face Borealis Backpack fits
Air Baltic, Air China, Air Malta, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Belavia, Blue Air, Bulgaria Air, China Eastern, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, Etihad Airways, flybe, Icelandair, InselAir, Juneyao Airlines, Liat Airlines, Luxair, Meridiana Fly, Nordwind Airlines, Pakistan International, Qatar Airways, 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.
Kifaru Checkpoint vs. The North Face Borealis Backpack: which should you pack?
The Kifaru Checkpoint carries the same capacity as the The North Face Borealis Backpack (28L vs. 28L), while the The North Face Borealis Backpack is the lighter pack at 1.1kg (vs. 1.4kg). For carry-on flexibility, the The North Face Borealis Backpack fits 91% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Kifaru Checkpoint; if you want to travel lighter, the The North Face Borealis Backpack is the better call.