Thule EnRoute vs. tomtoc Travel Backpack 28L
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Feature by feature
| Thule EnRoute | Feature | tomtoc Travel Backpack 28L |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 2 | Compression | 4 |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 1 |
| top | Passport | top |
| Y | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| N | Hip Belt | N |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 16in | Laptop | 16in |
| 3 | Main Compartments | 3 |
| Y | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | 2, side |
| N | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
tomtoc Travel Backpack 28L
| Capacity | 28 L |
| Weight | 1 kg |
| Dimensions | 45×30×20 cm |
| Airline fit | 95% |
| Price | $90 |
Key differences between the Thule EnRoute and tomtoc Travel Backpack 28L
- Compression straps: 2 on the Thule EnRoute; 4 on the tomtoc Travel Backpack 28L.
- Opening: Other on the Thule EnRoute; Clamshell on the tomtoc Travel Backpack 28L.
- Built-in organizer: Yes on the Thule EnRoute; No on the tomtoc Travel Backpack 28L.
- Water resistant: No on the Thule EnRoute; Yes on the tomtoc Travel Backpack 28L.
Both have: passport pocket, luggage passthrough, backpack straps, sternum strap, laptop sleeve, water bottle pockets.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 139 accept both. 0 accept only the Thule EnRoute, and 41 accept only the tomtoc Travel Backpack 28L.
Only the tomtoc Travel Backpack 28L fits
Air Baltic, Air China, Air Malta, Air Niugini, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Air Tahiti, American Eagle, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Belavia, Blue Air, Bulgaria Air, China Eastern, easyJet, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, flybe, Gulf Air, Icelandair, InselAir, Juneyao Airlines, Liat Airlines, Luxair, Meridiana Fly, Nordwind Airlines, Ravn Alaska, 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 EnRoute vs. tomtoc Travel Backpack 28L: which should you pack?
The tomtoc Travel Backpack 28L carries 5L more than the Thule EnRoute (23L vs. 28L), while the Thule EnRoute is the lighter pack at 0.9kg (vs. 1kg). For carry-on flexibility, the tomtoc Travel Backpack 28L fits 95% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the tomtoc Travel Backpack 28L; if you want to travel lighter, the Thule EnRoute is the better call.