Kifaru Checkpoint vs. Tortuga Travel Backpack 30L
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 | Tortuga Travel Backpack 30L |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 1 |
| 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 | 1 |
| Y | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | 2, side |
| N | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 500D Cordura | SHELL200 |
Tortuga Travel Backpack 30L
| Capacity | 30 L |
| Weight | 1.8 kg |
| Dimensions | 52×31×19 cm |
| Airline fit | 88% |
| Price | $325 |
Key differences between the Kifaru Checkpoint and Tortuga Travel Backpack 30L
- Hip belt: No on the Kifaru Checkpoint; Removable on the Tortuga Travel Backpack 30L.
- Main compartments: 3 on the Kifaru Checkpoint; 1 on the Tortuga Travel Backpack 30L.
- Water resistant: No on the Kifaru Checkpoint; Yes on the Tortuga Travel Backpack 30L.
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. 132 accept both. 3 accept only the Kifaru Checkpoint, and 35 accept only the Tortuga Travel Backpack 30L.
Only the Kifaru Checkpoint fits
Great Lakes Airlines, Oman Air, Royal Jordanian.
Only the Tortuga Travel Backpack 30L 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, Liat 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.
Kifaru Checkpoint vs. Tortuga Travel Backpack 30L: which should you pack?
The Tortuga Travel Backpack 30L carries 2L more than the Kifaru Checkpoint (28L vs. 30L), while the Kifaru Checkpoint is the lighter pack at 1.4kg (vs. 1.8kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Tortuga Travel Backpack 30L fits 88% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Tortuga Travel Backpack 30L; if you want to travel lighter, the Kifaru Checkpoint is the better call.