Topo Designs Mountain Pack vs. North Face Recon
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Topo Designs Mountain Pack
| Capacity | 30 L |
| Weight | 1 kg |
| Dimensions | 48×29×18 cm |
| Airline fit | 93% |
| Price | $180 |
Feature by feature
| Topo Designs Mountain Pack | Feature | North Face Recon |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| >5 | Compression | 4 |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 2 | Opening | 0 |
| top | Passport | front |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | removable |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 15in |
| 3 | Main Compartments | 3 |
| N | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | 2, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 1000D exterior, 210D coated pack cloth liner | 210D recycled nylon ripstop with non-PFC durable water-repellent (non-PFC DWR) finish |
North Face Recon
| Capacity | 30 L |
| Weight | 1.2 kg |
| Dimensions | 49×30×19 cm |
| Airline fit | 92% |
| Price | $110 |
Key differences between the Topo Designs Mountain Pack and North Face Recon
- Compression straps: >5 on the Topo Designs Mountain Pack; 4 on the North Face Recon.
- Opening: Rolltop on the Topo Designs Mountain Pack; Other on the North Face Recon.
- Passport pocket: Top on the Topo Designs Mountain Pack; Front on the North Face Recon.
- Built-in organizer: No on the Topo Designs Mountain Pack; Yes on the North Face Recon.
Both have: backpack straps, hip belt, 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. 173 accept both. 2 accept only the Topo Designs Mountain Pack, and 0 accept only the North Face Recon.
Only the Topo Designs Mountain Pack fits
Regional Express, Virgin Australia.
Topo Designs Mountain Pack vs. North Face Recon: which should you pack?
The Topo Designs Mountain Pack carries the same capacity as the North Face Recon (30L vs. 30L), while the Topo Designs Mountain Pack is the lighter pack at 1kg (vs. 1.2kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Topo Designs Mountain Pack fits 93% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Topo Designs Mountain Pack; if you want to travel lighter, the Topo Designs Mountain Pack is the better call.