KS Ultralight Tao vs. Tom Bihn Paramour
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
KS Ultralight Tao
| Capacity | 35 L |
| Weight | 0.3 kg |
| Dimensions | 71×30×18 cm |
| Airline fit | 1% |
| Price | $150 |
Feature by feature
| KS Ultralight Tao | Feature | Tom Bihn Paramour |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 0 |
| top | Passport | front |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | removable |
| removable | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| N | Laptop | 17in |
| 2 | Main Compartments | 2 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| N | Water Bottle Holder | N |
| Y | Water Resistant | N |
| Material | |
| X-pac VX 07YKK "waterproof zip" | bluesign® certified High-Tenacity 630 denier ballistic nylon |
Tom Bihn Paramour
| Capacity | 21 L |
| Weight | 0.8 kg |
| Dimensions | 46×34×26 cm |
| Airline fit | 17% |
| Price | $185 |
Key differences between the KS Ultralight Tao and Tom Bihn Paramour
- Passport pocket: Top on the KS Ultralight Tao; Front on the Tom Bihn Paramour.
- Laptop sleeve: No on the KS Ultralight Tao; 17in on the Tom Bihn Paramour.
- Water resistant: Yes on the KS Ultralight Tao; No on the Tom Bihn Paramour.
Both have: backpack straps, hip belt, sternum strap.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 2 accept both. 0 accept only the KS Ultralight Tao, and 31 accept only the Tom Bihn Paramour.
Only the Tom Bihn Paramour fits
Adria Airways, Air Europa, Air Koryo, Air New Zealand, Air Tahiti Nui, Azul Linhas, Caribbean Airlines, China Southern, Copa Airlines, Croatia Air, Cubana de Aviacion, Frontier Airlines, Hainan Airlines, Island Air, Korean Air, PenAir, Philippine Airlines, Ravn Alaska, Royal Air Morocco, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Sichuan Airlines, SilkAir, Silver Airways, Singapore Airlines, Southwest Airlines, SpiceJet, Spirit Airlines, Sun Country, TAAG Angola, TAM Airlines, Ural Airlines.
KS Ultralight Tao vs. Tom Bihn Paramour: which should you pack?
The KS Ultralight Tao carries 14L more than the Tom Bihn Paramour (35L vs. 21L), while the KS Ultralight Tao is the lighter pack at 0.3kg (vs. 0.8kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Tom Bihn Paramour fits 17% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the KS Ultralight Tao; if you want to travel lighter, the KS Ultralight Tao is the better call.