Pacsafe Venturesafe X30 vs. The North Face Borealis Backpack
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Pacsafe Venturesafe X30
| Capacity | 30 L |
| Weight | 1.3 kg |
| Dimensions | 52×27×16 cm |
| Airline fit | 89% |
| Price | $230 |
Feature by feature
| Pacsafe Venturesafe X30 | Feature | The North Face Borealis Backpack |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 4 | Compression | 4 |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 4 | Opening | 4 |
| back | Passport | top |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| hideable | Hip Belt | removable |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 16in |
| 4 | Main Compartments | 4 |
| Y | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| Y | Rain-fly | N |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | 2, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | N |
| Material | |
| 210D Nylon Double Ripstop, PU1000mm Lining: 200D Polyester Oxford, PU1000mm | 210D recycled nylon ripstop with non-PFC durable water-repellent (non-PFC DWR) finish |
The North Face Borealis Backpack
| Capacity | 28 L |
| Weight | 1.1 kg |
| Dimensions | 50×31×17 cm |
| Airline fit | 91% |
| Price | $100 |
Key differences between the Pacsafe Venturesafe X30 and The North Face Borealis Backpack
- Passport pocket: Back on the Pacsafe Venturesafe X30; Top on the The North Face Borealis Backpack.
- Hip belt: Hideable on the Pacsafe Venturesafe X30; Removable on the The North Face Borealis Backpack.
- Laptop sleeve: 15in on the Pacsafe Venturesafe X30; 16in on the The North Face Borealis Backpack.
- Rain cover: Yes on the Pacsafe Venturesafe X30; No on the The North Face Borealis Backpack.
- Water resistant: Yes on the Pacsafe Venturesafe X30; No on the The North Face Borealis Backpack.
Both have: compression straps, backpack straps, sternum strap, 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. 167 accept both. 1 accept only the Pacsafe Venturesafe X30, and 5 accept only the The North Face Borealis Backpack.
Only the Pacsafe Venturesafe X30 fits
Great Lakes Airlines.
Only the The North Face Borealis Backpack fits
Belavia, Etihad Airways, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, Royal Jordanian.
Pacsafe Venturesafe X30 vs. The North Face Borealis Backpack: which should you pack?
The Pacsafe Venturesafe X30 carries 2L more than the The North Face Borealis Backpack (30L vs. 28L), while the The North Face Borealis Backpack is the lighter pack at 1.1kg (vs. 1.3kg). For carry-on flexibility, the The North Face Borealis Backpack fits 91% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Pacsafe Venturesafe X30; if you want to travel lighter, the The North Face Borealis Backpack is the better call.