STM Saga vs. Kathmandu Nowaki 32L Pack

Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.

STM Saga

by Stm
Front facing view of the STM Saga
Capacity20 L
Weight0.51 kg
Dimensions44×29×15 cm
Airline fit95%
Price$60

Feature by feature

STM SagaFeatureKathmandu Nowaki 32L Pack
Storage
N Compression N
None Expanded Capacity None
3 Opening 3
N Passport N
N Passthrough N
Carry
Y Backpack Y
N Hip Belt Y
N Sternum Strap Y
Inside
N Laptop N
1 Main Compartments 1
Y Organizer Y
Outside
× Hard Shell ×
N Rain-fly optional
2 Water Bottle Holder 2
Y Water Resistant N
Material
100% polyester100% Polyester

Kathmandu Nowaki 32L Pack

Front facing view of the Kathmandu Nowaki 32L Pack
Capacity32 L
Weight1.04 kg
Dimensions62×29×26 cm
Airline fit3%
Price$200

Key differences between the STM Saga and Kathmandu Nowaki 32L Pack

Both have: backpack straps, built-in organizer, water bottle pockets.

Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on

We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 5 accept both. 175 accept only the STM Saga, and 0 accept only the Kathmandu Nowaki 32L Pack.

Only the STM Saga fits

Aegean Airlines, Aer Lingus, Aeroflot, Aerolineas Argentinas, Aeromexico, Air Asia, Air Astana, Air Baltic, Air Canada, Air Caraibes, Air China, Air Europa, Air France, Air India, Air Koryo, Air Macau, Air Malta, Air Mauritius, Air Niugini, Air Nostrum, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Air Tahiti, Air Tahiti Nui, Air Wisconsin, AirAsiaX, Alaska Airlines, All Nipon Airways, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, American Eagle, ANA, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Atlas Global, Austrian, Avianca , Azerbaijan Airlines, Azul Linhas, Bahamasair, Bangkok Airways, Belavia, Biman Bangladesh, Blue Air, Boliviana de Aviacion, British Airways, Brussels Airlines, Bulgaria Air, Cambodia Angkor Air, Caribbean Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Cayman Airways, Cebu Pacific, China Airlines, China Eastern, China Southern, CommutAir, Conviasa, Copa Airlines, Croatia Air, Cubana de Aviacion, Czech Airlines, Delta Airlines, Dragonair, easyJet, EL AL, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, Eurowings, EVA Air, Fiji Airways, Finnair, Flair Air, flybe, Frontier Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, Gol Linhas Aereas, Gulf Air, Hainan Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Iberia, Icelandair, Indigo, InselAir, Interjet, Iran Air, Iran Aseman Air, Japan Airlines, Jet Airways, Jet2, jetBlue Airways, Jetstar Airways, Jetstar Asia, Juneyao Airlines, Kenya Airways, KLM, Korean Air, Kulula, Kuwait Air, LATAM , Liat Airlines, LOT Polish, Lufthansa, Luxair, Mahan Air, Malaysia Airlines, Mango, Meridiana Fly, Mesa Airlines, Middle East Airlines, Monarch Airlines, Nordwind Airlines, Norwegian, Oman Air, Onur Air, Pakistan International, Peach, PenAir, Philippine Airlines, Porter Airlines, Qantas Airways, Qatar Airways, Ravn Alaska, Regional Express, Republic Airways, Royal Air Morocco, Royal Brunei Airlines, Royal Jordanian, Ryanair, S7, SAS Scandinavian, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Scoot, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Sichuan Airlines, SilkAir, Silver Airways, Singapore Airlines, Sky Airlines, Skywest, Inc., South African Airways, Southwest Airlines, SpiceJet, Spirit Airlines, SriLankan Airlines, Sun Country, Sun Express, Swiss Int'l Air Lines, TAAG Angola, TAM Airlines, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Thai Airways, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), Tiger Airways, Trans States, Travel Service Airlines, TUI, Turkish Airlines, Ukraine International, United Airlines, Ural Airlines, Uzbekistan Air, Vietnam Airlines, VIM Airlines (Closed), Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Australia, Volotea, WestJet, WOW Airlines, Xiamen.

STM Saga vs. Kathmandu Nowaki 32L Pack: which should you pack?

The Kathmandu Nowaki 32L Pack carries 12L more than the STM Saga (20L vs. 32L), while the STM Saga is the lighter pack at 0.51kg (vs. 1.04kg). For carry-on flexibility, the STM Saga fits 95% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Kathmandu Nowaki 32L Pack; if you want to travel lighter, the STM Saga is the better call.