Deuter Trans Alpine 28 SL vs. Kathmandu Katabatic 28L Pack

Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.

Deuter Trans Alpine 28 SL

Front facing view of the Deuter Trans Alpine 28 SL
Capacity28 L
Weight1.19 kg
Dimensions52×26×22 cm
Airline fit71%
Price$145

Feature by feature

Deuter Trans Alpine 28 SLFeatureKathmandu Katabatic 28L Pack
Storage
Y Compression Y
None Expanded Capacity None
4 Opening 4
N Passport N
N Passthrough N
Carry
Y Backpack Y
Y Hip Belt Y
Y Sternum Strap Y
Inside
N Laptop N
1 Main Compartments 1
Y Organizer Y
Outside
× Hard Shell ×
Y Rain-fly optional
2 Water Bottle Holder 2
Y Water Resistant Y
Material
210D PA, 600D PES100% Polyester

Kathmandu Katabatic 28L Pack

Front facing view of the Kathmandu Katabatic 28L Pack
Capacity28 L
Weight0.906 kg
Dimensions52×29×28 cm
Airline fit14%
Price$120

Key differences between the Deuter Trans Alpine 28 SL and Kathmandu Katabatic 28L Pack

Both have: compression straps, backpack straps, hip belt, sternum strap, 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. 27 accept both. 107 accept only the Deuter Trans Alpine 28 SL, and 0 accept only the Kathmandu Katabatic 28L Pack.

Only the Deuter Trans Alpine 28 SL fits

Aegean Airlines, Aer Lingus, Aeroflot, Aerolineas Argentinas, Aeromexico, Air Asia, Air Astana, Air Canada, Air Caraibes, Air France, Air India, Air Macau, Air Mauritius, Air Nostrum, Air Wisconsin, AirAsiaX, Alaska Airlines, All Nipon Airways, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, ANA, Atlas Global, Austrian, Avianca , Azerbaijan Airlines, Bahamasair, Bangkok Airways, Biman Bangladesh, Boliviana de Aviacion, British Airways, Brussels Airlines, Cambodia Angkor Air, Cathay Pacific, Cayman Airways, Cebu Pacific, China Airlines, CommutAir, Conviasa, Copa Airlines, Czech Airlines, Delta Airlines, Dragonair, EL AL, Ethiopian Airlines, Eurowings, EVA Air, Fiji Airways, Finnair, Flair Air, Frontier Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, Gol Linhas Aereas, Great Lakes Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Iberia, Indigo, Interjet, Iran Air, Iran Aseman Air, Japan Airlines, Jet Airways, Jet2, jetBlue Airways, Jetstar Airways, Jetstar Asia, Kenya Airways, KLM, Kulula, Kuwait Air, LATAM , LOT Polish, Lufthansa, Mahan Air, Malaysia Airlines, Mango, Mesa Airlines, Middle East Airlines, Monarch Airlines, Norwegian, Onur Air, Pakistan International, Peach, PenAir, Porter Airlines, Qantas Airways, Republic Airways, SAS Scandinavian, Scoot, Sky Airlines, Skywest, Inc., South African Airways, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, SriLankan Airlines, Swiss Int'l Air Lines, Thai Airways, Tiger Airways, Trans States, Travel Service Airlines, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, Uzbekistan Air, Vietnam Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, WestJet, WOW Airlines.

Deuter Trans Alpine 28 SL vs. Kathmandu Katabatic 28L Pack: which should you pack?

The Deuter Trans Alpine 28 SL carries the same capacity as the Kathmandu Katabatic 28L Pack (28L vs. 28L), while the Kathmandu Katabatic 28L Pack is the lighter pack at 0.906kg (vs. 1.19kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Deuter Trans Alpine 28 SL fits 71% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Deuter Trans Alpine 28 SL; if you want to travel lighter, the Kathmandu Katabatic 28L Pack is the better call.