Nomatic McKinnon Cube Pack vs. ILE Race Day Bag
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 | ILE Race Day Bag |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 4 | Opening | 1 |
| N | Passport | Y |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| N | Hip Belt | N |
| 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 | 2 |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| Nylon | XPAC sailcloth |
ILE Race Day Bag
| Capacity | 21 L |
| Weight | 0 kg |
| Dimensions | 50.8×27.9×15.2 cm |
| Airline fit | 90% |
| Price | $240 |
Key differences between the Nomatic McKinnon Cube Pack and ILE Race Day Bag
- Opening: Top zip on the Nomatic McKinnon Cube Pack; Clamshell on the ILE Race Day Bag.
- Passport pocket: No on the Nomatic McKinnon Cube Pack; Yes on the ILE Race Day Bag.
- Water bottle pockets: No on the Nomatic McKinnon Cube Pack; 2 on the ILE Race Day Bag.
Both have: backpack straps, sternum strap, water resistant.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 169 accept both. 10 accept only the Nomatic McKinnon Cube Pack, and 1 accept only the ILE Race Day Bag.
Only the Nomatic McKinnon Cube Pack fits
Air Tahiti, American Eagle, Belavia, easyJet, Etihad Airways, Gulf Air, Qatar Airways, Ravn Alaska, Regional Express, Virgin Australia.
Only the ILE Race Day Bag fits
Great Lakes Airlines.
Nomatic McKinnon Cube Pack vs. ILE Race Day Bag: which should you pack?
The Nomatic McKinnon Cube Pack carries the same capacity as the ILE Race Day Bag (21L vs. 21L), and the two are closely matched on weight. 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 Nomatic McKinnon Cube Pack; if you want to travel lighter, the Nomatic McKinnon Cube Pack is the better call.