Kifaru Checkpoint vs. Aer Pro Pack 20L
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 | Aer Pro Pack 20L |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 1 |
| top | Passport | top |
| N | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| N | Hip Belt | N |
| 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 | Y |
| Material | |
| 500D Cordura | 840D CORDURA re/cor recycled nylon |
Key differences between the Kifaru Checkpoint and Aer Pro Pack 20L
- Luggage passthrough: No on the Kifaru Checkpoint; Yes on the Aer Pro Pack 20L.
- Main compartments: 3 on the Kifaru Checkpoint; 4 on the Aer Pro Pack 20L.
- Water resistant: No on the Kifaru Checkpoint; Yes on the Aer Pro Pack 20L.
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 45 accept only the Aer Pro Pack 20L.
Only the Kifaru Checkpoint fits
Great Lakes Airlines.
Only the Aer Pro Pack 20L fits
Air Baltic, Air China, Air Malta, 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, Pakistan International, Qatar Airways, Ravn Alaska, Regional Express, 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), Virgin Australia, Volotea, Xiamen.
Kifaru Checkpoint vs. Aer Pro Pack 20L: which should you pack?
The Kifaru Checkpoint carries 8L more than the Aer Pro Pack 20L (28L vs. 20L), while the Aer Pro Pack 20L is the lighter pack at 1.1kg (vs. 1.4kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Aer Pro Pack 20L fits 95% 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 Aer Pro Pack 20L is the better call.