Kifaru Checkpoint vs. Alpha One-Niner Whitley 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 | Alpha One-Niner Whitley Backpack |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 1 |
| top | Passport | front |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| N | Hip Belt | N |
| Y | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| 16in | Laptop | 16in |
| 3 | Main Compartments | 3 |
| Y | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | 2, side |
| N | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 500D Cordura | Available in:X-Pac X42, 500D, 1050D Ballistic Nylon |
Alpha One-Niner Whitley Backpack
| Capacity | 20 L |
| Weight | 1.2 kg |
| Dimensions | 47×28×15 cm |
| Airline fit | 93% |
| Price | $200 |
Key differences between the Kifaru Checkpoint and Alpha One-Niner Whitley Backpack
- Passport pocket: Top on the Kifaru Checkpoint; Front on the Alpha One-Niner Whitley Backpack.
- Sternum strap: Yes on the Kifaru Checkpoint; Removable on the Alpha One-Niner Whitley Backpack.
- Water resistant: No on the Kifaru Checkpoint; Yes on the Alpha One-Niner Whitley Backpack.
Both have: backpack straps, 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. 135 accept both. 0 accept only the Kifaru Checkpoint, and 41 accept only the Alpha One-Niner Whitley Backpack.
Only the Alpha One-Niner Whitley Backpack fits
Air Baltic, Air China, Air Malta, Air Niugini, 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, 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. Alpha One-Niner Whitley Backpack: which should you pack?
The Kifaru Checkpoint carries 8L more than the Alpha One-Niner Whitley Backpack (28L vs. 20L), while the Alpha One-Niner Whitley Backpack is the lighter pack at 1.2kg (vs. 1.4kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Alpha One-Niner Whitley Backpack fits 93% 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 Alpha One-Niner Whitley Backpack is the better call.