Topo Designs Mountain Pack vs. Remote Equipment Alpha 31 Pack
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 | Remote Equipment Alpha 31 Pack |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| >5 | Compression | 4 |
| None | Expanded Capacity | 36L |
| 2 | Opening | 2 |
| top | Passport | top |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | removable |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 16in |
| 3 | Main Compartments | 6 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| 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 | Challenge Outdoor EPX600 |
Remote Equipment Alpha 31 Pack
| Capacity | 31 L |
| Weight | 1.5 kg |
| Dimensions | 54×29×20 cm |
| Airline fit | 88% |
| Price | $400 |
Key differences between the Topo Designs Mountain Pack and Remote Equipment Alpha 31 Pack
- Compression straps: >5 on the Topo Designs Mountain Pack; 4 on the Remote Equipment Alpha 31 Pack.
- Laptop sleeve: 15in on the Topo Designs Mountain Pack; 16in on the Remote Equipment Alpha 31 Pack.
- Main compartments: 3 on the Topo Designs Mountain Pack; 6 on the Remote Equipment Alpha 31 Pack.
Both have: passport pocket, backpack straps, hip belt, sternum strap, 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. 166 accept both. 9 accept only the Topo Designs Mountain Pack, and 0 accept only the Remote Equipment Alpha 31 Pack.
Only the Topo Designs Mountain Pack fits
Air Niugini, Belavia, Etihad Airways, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, Regional Express, Royal Jordanian, Virgin Australia, WestJet.
Topo Designs Mountain Pack vs. Remote Equipment Alpha 31 Pack: which should you pack?
The Remote Equipment Alpha 31 Pack carries 1L more than the Topo Designs Mountain Pack (30L vs. 31L), while the Topo Designs Mountain Pack is the lighter pack at 1kg (vs. 1.5kg). 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 Remote Equipment Alpha 31 Pack; if you want to travel lighter, the Topo Designs Mountain Pack is the better call.