Deuter Aviant Access 38 vs. Deuter Freerider 28 SL
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Deuter Aviant Access 38
| Capacity | 38 L |
| Weight | 1.58 kg |
| Dimensions | 55×35×23 cm |
| Airline fit | 67% |
| Price | $120 |
Feature by feature
| Deuter Aviant Access 38 | Feature | Deuter Freerider 28 SL |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| Y | Compression | Y |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 4 | Opening | 4 |
| N | Passport | N |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| hideable | Hip Belt | Y |
| hideable | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 13in | Laptop | N |
| 1 | Main Compartments | 1 |
| Y | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| N | Water Bottle Holder | N |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 600D PES, 420D PA | 330D PA 6.6 Ripstop, 210D PA Ripstop |
Key differences between the Deuter Aviant Access 38 and Deuter Freerider 28 SL
- Hip belt: Hideable on the Deuter Aviant Access 38; Yes on the Deuter Freerider 28 SL.
- Sternum strap: Hideable on the Deuter Aviant Access 38; Yes on the Deuter Freerider 28 SL.
- Laptop sleeve: 13in on the Deuter Aviant Access 38; No on the Deuter Freerider 28 SL.
Both have: compression straps, backpack straps, built-in organizer, water resistant.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 127 accept both. 0 accept only the Deuter Aviant Access 38, and 40 accept only the Deuter Freerider 28 SL.
Only the Deuter Freerider 28 SL fits
Air Baltic, Air China, Air Malta, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Blue Air, Bulgaria Air, Cayman Airways, China Eastern, Croatia Air, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, flybe, Icelandair, InselAir, Juneyao Airlines, Liat Airlines, Luxair, Meridiana Fly, Nordwind Airlines, Pakistan International, Royal Brunei Airlines, Ryanair, S7, Scoot, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Sun Express, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), Tiger Airways, TUI, Ukraine International, VIM Airlines (Closed), Volotea, WestJet, Xiamen.
Deuter Aviant Access 38 vs. Deuter Freerider 28 SL: which should you pack?
The Deuter Aviant Access 38 carries 10L more than the Deuter Freerider 28 SL (38L vs. 28L), while the Deuter Freerider 28 SL is the lighter pack at 0.98kg (vs. 1.58kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Deuter Freerider 28 SL fits 88% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Deuter Aviant Access 38; if you want to travel lighter, the Deuter Freerider 28 SL is the better call.