Thule Aion 28L vs. Almond Oak Expandable Travel Backpack
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Feature by feature
| Thule Aion 28L | Feature | Almond Oak Expandable Travel Backpack |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| 32L | Expanded Capacity | 30L |
| 1 | Opening | 1 |
| top | Passport | back |
| Y | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| optional | Hip Belt | N |
| Y | 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 | |
| Waxed P600 polyester canvas | 280D Nylon PU-coated |
Almond Oak Expandable Travel Backpack
| Capacity | 25 L |
| Weight | 0.9 kg |
| Dimensions | 43×33×18 cm |
| Airline fit | 95% |
| Price | $130 |
Key differences between the Thule Aion 28L and Almond Oak Expandable Travel Backpack
- Expansion: 32L when expanded on the Thule Aion 28L; 30L when expanded on the Almond Oak Expandable Travel Backpack.
- Passport pocket: Top on the Thule Aion 28L; Back on the Almond Oak Expandable Travel Backpack.
- Hip belt: Optional on the Thule Aion 28L; No on the Almond Oak Expandable Travel Backpack.
- Built-in organizer: Yes on the Thule Aion 28L; No on the Almond Oak Expandable Travel Backpack.
Both have: luggage passthrough, backpack straps, sternum strap, 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. 138 accept both. 1 accept only the Thule Aion 28L, and 41 accept only the Almond Oak Expandable Travel Backpack.
Only the Thule Aion 28L fits
Great Lakes Airlines.
Only the Almond Oak Expandable Travel Backpack fits
Air Baltic, Air China, Air Malta, 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, Pakistan International, 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 Aion 28L vs. Almond Oak Expandable Travel Backpack: which should you pack?
The Thule Aion 28L carries 3L more than the Almond Oak Expandable Travel Backpack (28L vs. 25L), while the Almond Oak Expandable Travel Backpack is the lighter pack at 0.9kg (vs. 1.2kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Almond Oak Expandable Travel Backpack fits 95% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Thule Aion 28L; if you want to travel lighter, the Almond Oak Expandable Travel Backpack is the better call.