Thule Subterra 34L vs. Bellroy Transit Workpack Pro 28L
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 | Bellroy Transit Workpack Pro 28L |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 2 | Opening | 1 |
| side | Passport | side |
| Y | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| N | Hip Belt | N |
| Y | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 16in |
| 4 | Main Compartments | 5 |
| Y | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 1, side | Water Bottle Holder | 1, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 800D nylon | Recycled Dura Nylon |
Bellroy Transit Workpack Pro 28L
| Capacity | 28 L |
| Weight | 1.1 kg |
| Dimensions | 53×27×17 cm |
| Airline fit | 89% |
| Price | $260 |
Key differences between the Thule Subterra 34L and Bellroy Transit Workpack Pro 28L
- Opening: Rolltop on the Thule Subterra 34L; Clamshell on the Bellroy Transit Workpack Pro 28L.
- Sternum strap: Yes on the Thule Subterra 34L; Removable on the Bellroy Transit Workpack Pro 28L.
- Laptop sleeve: 15in on the Thule Subterra 34L; 16in on the Bellroy Transit Workpack Pro 28L.
- Main compartments: 4 on the Thule Subterra 34L; 5 on the Bellroy Transit Workpack Pro 28L.
Both have: passport pocket, luggage passthrough, backpack straps, 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 36 accept only the Bellroy Transit Workpack Pro 28L.
Only the Bellroy Transit Workpack Pro 28L 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, Great Lakes Airlines, 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.
Thule Subterra 34L vs. Bellroy Transit Workpack Pro 28L: which should you pack?
The Thule Subterra 34L carries 6L more than the Bellroy Transit Workpack Pro 28L (34L vs. 28L), while the Bellroy Transit Workpack Pro 28L is the lighter pack at 1.1kg (vs. 1.2kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Bellroy Transit Workpack Pro 28L fits 89% 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 Bellroy Transit Workpack Pro 28L is the better call.