Thule Aion 28L vs. Peak Design Travel Backpack 30L
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Feature by feature
| Thule Aion 28L | Feature | Peak Design Travel Backpack 30L |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | 1 |
| 32L | Expanded Capacity | 33L |
| 1 | Opening | 1 |
| top | Passport | top |
| Y | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | hideable |
| optional | Hip Belt | optional |
| Y | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| 16in | Laptop | 16in |
| 4 | Main Compartments | 7 |
| Y | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 1, side | Water Bottle Holder | 2, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| Waxed P600 polyester canvas | shell: Weatherproof 400D nylon canvas bottom: 900D nylon weatherproof zippers |
Peak Design Travel Backpack 30L
| Capacity | 27 L |
| Weight | 1.4 kg |
| Dimensions | 53×33×18 cm |
| Airline fit | 88% |
| Price | $240 |
Key differences between the Thule Aion 28L and Peak Design Travel Backpack 30L
- Compression straps: No on the Thule Aion 28L; 1 on the Peak Design Travel Backpack 30L.
- Expansion: 32L when expanded on the Thule Aion 28L; 33L when expanded on the Peak Design Travel Backpack 30L.
- Backpack straps: Yes on the Thule Aion 28L; Hideable on the Peak Design Travel Backpack 30L.
- Sternum strap: Yes on the Thule Aion 28L; Removable on the Peak Design Travel Backpack 30L.
- Main compartments: 4 on the Thule Aion 28L; 7 on the Peak Design Travel Backpack 30L.
- Water bottle pockets: 1, side on the Thule Aion 28L; 2, side on the Peak Design Travel Backpack 30L.
Both have: passport pocket, luggage passthrough, hip belt, laptop sleeve, 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. 132 accept both. 7 accept only the Thule Aion 28L, and 35 accept only the Peak Design Travel Backpack 30L.
Only the Thule Aion 28L fits
Etihad Airways, Great Lakes Airlines, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, Regional Express, Royal Jordanian, Virgin Australia.
Only the Peak Design Travel Backpack 30L fits
Air Baltic, Air China, Air Malta, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Blue Air, Bulgaria Air, China Eastern, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, flybe, Icelandair, InselAir, Juneyao Airlines, Liat Airlines, Luxair, Meridiana Fly, Nordwind Airlines, Pakistan International, 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. Peak Design Travel Backpack 30L: which should you pack?
The Thule Aion 28L carries 1L more than the Peak Design Travel Backpack 30L (28L vs. 27L), while the Thule Aion 28L is the lighter pack at 1.2kg (vs. 1.4kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Peak Design Travel Backpack 30L fits 88% 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 Thule Aion 28L is the better call.