Thule Subterra 34L vs. Jansport West Break
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Thule Subterra 34L
| Capacity | 34 L |
| Weight | 1.2 kg |
| Dimensions | 52×31×23 cm |
| Airline fit | 70% |
| Price | $180 |
Feature by feature
| Thule Subterra 34L | Feature | Jansport West Break |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 2 | Opening | 4 |
| side | Passport | top |
| Y | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| N | Hip Belt | N |
| Y | Sternum Strap | N |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 15in |
| 4 | Main Compartments | 4 |
| Y | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 1, side | Water Bottle Holder | 1, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 800D nylon | 30% Recycled 600 Denier Polyester |
Jansport West Break
| Capacity | 28 L |
| Weight | 0.5 kg |
| Dimensions | 43×32×17 cm |
| Airline fit | 95% |
| Price | $65 |
Key differences between the Thule Subterra 34L and Jansport West Break
- Opening: Rolltop on the Thule Subterra 34L; Top zip on the Jansport West Break.
- Passport pocket: Side on the Thule Subterra 34L; Top on the Jansport West Break.
- Luggage passthrough: Yes on the Thule Subterra 34L; No on the Jansport West Break.
- Sternum strap: Yes on the Thule Subterra 34L; No on the Jansport West Break.
Both have: backpack straps, laptop sleeve, built-in organizer, water bottle pockets, water resistant.
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 Thule Subterra 34L, and 47 accept only the Jansport West Break.
Only the Jansport West Break 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, 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.
Thule Subterra 34L vs. Jansport West Break: which should you pack?
The Thule Subterra 34L carries 6L more than the Jansport West Break (34L vs. 28L), while the Jansport West Break is the lighter pack at 0.5kg (vs. 1.2kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Jansport West Break fits 95% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Thule Subterra 34L; if you want to travel lighter, the Jansport West Break is the better call.