Nomatic McKinnon Cube Pack vs. Patagonia Guidewater Backpack 29L
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Nomatic McKinnon Cube Pack
| Capacity | 21 L |
| Weight | 0.6 kg |
| Dimensions | 45×34×19 cm |
| Airline fit | 95% |
| Price | $125 |
Feature by feature
| Nomatic McKinnon Cube Pack | Feature | Patagonia Guidewater Backpack 29L |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 4 | Opening | 4 |
| N | Passport | N |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| N | Hip Belt | Y |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| N | Laptop | N |
| 1 | Main Compartments | 1 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| N | Water Bottle Holder | N |
| Y | Water Resistant | |
| Material | |
| Nylon | 00% recycled nylon plain weave |
Patagonia Guidewater Backpack 29L
| Capacity | 29 L |
| Weight | 0.96 kg |
| Dimensions | 54×35×23 cm |
| Airline fit | 69% |
Key differences between the Nomatic McKinnon Cube Pack and Patagonia Guidewater Backpack 29L
- Hip belt: No on the Nomatic McKinnon Cube Pack; Yes on the Patagonia Guidewater Backpack 29L.
Both have: backpack straps, sternum strap.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 130 accept both. 49 accept only the Nomatic McKinnon Cube Pack, and 0 accept only the Patagonia Guidewater Backpack 29L.
Only the Nomatic McKinnon Cube Pack fits
Air Baltic, Air China, Air Malta, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Air Tahiti, American Eagle, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Belavia, Blue Air, Bulgaria Air, Cayman Airways, 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, WestJet, Xiamen.
Nomatic McKinnon Cube Pack vs. Patagonia Guidewater Backpack 29L: which should you pack?
The Patagonia Guidewater Backpack 29L carries 8L more than the Nomatic McKinnon Cube Pack (21L vs. 29L), while the Nomatic McKinnon Cube Pack is the lighter pack at 0.6kg (vs. 0.96kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Nomatic McKinnon Cube Pack fits 95% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Patagonia Guidewater Backpack 29L; if you want to travel lighter, the Nomatic McKinnon Cube Pack is the better call.