Pakt Aero Travel Backpack vs. Tortuga Expandable Backpack
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Pakt Aero Travel Backpack
| Capacity | 35 L |
| Weight | 1 kg |
| Dimensions | 50×30×24 cm |
| Airline fit | 41% |
| Price | $260 |
Feature by feature
| Pakt Aero Travel Backpack | Feature | Tortuga Expandable Backpack |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 4 | Compression | 4 |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 1 |
| front | Passport | top, front |
| Y | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| hideable | Backpack | Y, hideable |
| removable | Hip Belt | Y, removable |
| removable | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 16in | Laptop | 16in |
| 4 | Main Compartments | 4 |
| Y | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 1, side | Water Bottle Holder | 1, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| Aeroweave 210D Nylon ripstop | 630D CORDURA |
Tortuga Expandable Backpack
| Capacity | 27 L |
| Weight | 1.6 kg |
| Dimensions | 49×32×18 cm |
| Airline fit | 91% |
| Price | $250 |
Key differences between the Pakt Aero Travel Backpack and Tortuga Expandable Backpack
- Passport pocket: Front on the Pakt Aero Travel Backpack; Top, front on the Tortuga Expandable Backpack.
- Backpack straps: Hideable on the Pakt Aero Travel Backpack; Y, hideable on the Tortuga Expandable Backpack.
- Hip belt: Removable on the Pakt Aero Travel Backpack; Y, removable on the Tortuga Expandable Backpack.
- Sternum strap: Removable on the Pakt Aero Travel Backpack; Yes on the Tortuga Expandable Backpack.
- Built-in organizer: Yes on the Pakt Aero Travel Backpack; No on the Tortuga Expandable Backpack.
Both have: compression straps, luggage passthrough, laptop sleeve, 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. 77 accept both. 0 accept only the Pakt Aero Travel Backpack, and 95 accept only the Tortuga Expandable Backpack.
Only the Tortuga Expandable Backpack fits
Air Asia, Air Baltic, Air Canada, Air China, Air Macau, Air Malta, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Air Wisconsin, AirAsiaX, Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Austrian, Avianca , Azerbaijan Airlines, Bahamasair, Bangkok Airways, Belavia, Biman Bangladesh, Blue Air, Brussels Airlines, Bulgaria Air, Cambodia Angkor Air, Cathay Pacific, Cayman Airways, Cebu Pacific, China Airlines, China Eastern, CommutAir, Delta Airlines, Dragonair, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Eurowings, EVA Air, Fiji Airways, Flair Air, flybe, Garuda Indonesia, Hawaiian Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Icelandair, InselAir, jetBlue Airways, Jetstar Airways, Jetstar Asia, Juneyao Airlines, Kulula, Liat Airlines, LOT Polish, Lufthansa, Luxair, Mahan Air, Malaysia Airlines, Mango, Meridiana Fly, Mesa Airlines, Nordwind Airlines, Norwegian, Pakistan International, Porter Airlines, Qantas Airways, Republic Airways, Royal Brunei Airlines, Royal Jordanian, Ryanair, S7, SAS Scandinavian, Scoot, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Skywest, Inc., South African Airways, SriLankan Airlines, Sun Express, Swiss Int'l Air Lines, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), Tiger Airways, Trans States, TUI, Turkish Airlines, Ukraine International, United Airlines, Vietnam Airlines, VIM Airlines (Closed), Virgin Atlantic, Volotea, WestJet, Xiamen.
Pakt Aero Travel Backpack vs. Tortuga Expandable Backpack: which should you pack?
The Pakt Aero Travel Backpack carries 8L more than the Tortuga Expandable Backpack (35L vs. 27L), while the Pakt Aero Travel Backpack is the lighter pack at 1kg (vs. 1.6kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Tortuga Expandable Backpack fits 91% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Pakt Aero Travel Backpack; if you want to travel lighter, the Pakt Aero Travel Backpack is the better call.