Nomatic McKinnon Cube Pack vs. Macpac Kahu AzTec® 22
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 | Macpac Kahu AzTec® 22 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 15in |
| 1 | Main Compartments | 2 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| N | Water Bottle Holder | N |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| Nylon | Eco AzTec® 8 Canvas — 80% Polyester, 20% Cotton |
Macpac Kahu AzTec® 22
| Capacity | 22 L |
| Weight | 0.7 kg |
| Dimensions | 10×10×10 cm |
| Airline fit | 100% |
| Price | $90 |
Key differences between the Nomatic McKinnon Cube Pack and Macpac Kahu AzTec® 22
- Hip belt: No on the Nomatic McKinnon Cube Pack; Yes on the Macpac Kahu AzTec® 22.
- Laptop sleeve: No on the Nomatic McKinnon Cube Pack; 15in on the Macpac Kahu AzTec® 22.
- Main compartments: 1 on the Nomatic McKinnon Cube Pack; 2 on the Macpac Kahu AzTec® 22.
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. 179 accept both. 0 accept only the Nomatic McKinnon Cube Pack, and 10 accept only the Macpac Kahu AzTec® 22.
Only the Macpac Kahu AzTec® 22 fits
Air Niugini, Great Lakes Airlines, LC Perú, Linea Aerea Amaszonas, Lion Air Group, Spring Airlines, Tianjin Airlines (E145), VivaColombia, Volaris, Wizz Air.
Nomatic McKinnon Cube Pack vs. Macpac Kahu AzTec® 22: which should you pack?
The Macpac Kahu AzTec® 22 carries 1L more than the Nomatic McKinnon Cube Pack (21L vs. 22L), while the Nomatic McKinnon Cube Pack is the lighter pack at 0.6kg (vs. 0.7kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Macpac Kahu AzTec® 22 fits 100% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Macpac Kahu AzTec® 22; if you want to travel lighter, the Nomatic McKinnon Cube Pack is the better call.