Exped Impulse 20 vs. ILE Race Day Bag
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Feature by feature
| Exped Impulse 20 | Feature | ILE Race Day Bag |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 3 | Opening | 1 |
| Y | Passport | Y |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | N |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| N | Laptop | N |
| 1 | Main Compartments | 1 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2 | Water Bottle Holder | 2 |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| Body: 210 D Robic HD ripstop nylon Carbonate PU, 2500 mm water column, Oeko-Tex 100 certified, PFC-free | XPAC sailcloth |
ILE Race Day Bag
| Capacity | 21 L |
| Weight | 0 kg |
| Dimensions | 50.8×27.9×15.2 cm |
| Airline fit | 90% |
| Price | $240 |
Key differences between the Exped Impulse 20 and ILE Race Day Bag
- Opening: Top flap on the Exped Impulse 20; Clamshell on the ILE Race Day Bag.
- Hip belt: Removable on the Exped Impulse 20; No on the ILE Race Day Bag.
Both have: passport pocket, backpack straps, 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. 168 accept both. 0 accept only the Exped Impulse 20, and 2 accept only the ILE Race Day Bag.
Only the ILE Race Day Bag fits
Oman Air, Royal Jordanian.
Exped Impulse 20 vs. ILE Race Day Bag: which should you pack?
The ILE Race Day Bag carries 1L more than the Exped Impulse 20 (20L vs. 21L), and the two are closely matched on weight. For carry-on flexibility, the ILE Race Day Bag fits 90% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the ILE Race Day Bag; if you want to travel lighter, the Exped Impulse 20 is the better call.