Jansport Odyssey vs. REI Co-op Ruckpack 40
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Jansport Odyssey
| Capacity | 39 L |
| Weight | 1.3 kg |
| Dimensions | 50×35×31 cm |
| Airline fit | 2% |
| Price | $100 |
Feature by feature
| Jansport Odyssey | Feature | REI Co-op Ruckpack 40 |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 2 | Compression | 2 |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 4 | Opening | 1 |
| top | Passport | top, side |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | hideable |
| hideable | Hip Belt | hideable |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 15in |
| 5 | Main Compartments | 5 |
| Y | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | Y |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | 2, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 420 Polyester Dobby, 210 Nylon Point Dobby, 840 Junior Ballistic Nylon | recycled nylon shell |
REI Co-op Ruckpack 40
| Capacity | 40 L |
| Weight | 1.3 kg |
| Dimensions | 58×38×24 cm |
| Airline fit | 4% |
| Price | $159 |
Key differences between the Jansport Odyssey and REI Co-op Ruckpack 40
- Opening: Top zip on the Jansport Odyssey; Clamshell on the REI Co-op Ruckpack 40.
- Passport pocket: Top on the Jansport Odyssey; Top, side on the REI Co-op Ruckpack 40.
- Backpack straps: Yes on the Jansport Odyssey; Hideable on the REI Co-op Ruckpack 40.
- Built-in organizer: Yes on the Jansport Odyssey; No on the REI Co-op Ruckpack 40.
- Rain cover: No on the Jansport Odyssey; Yes on the REI Co-op Ruckpack 40.
Both have: compression 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. 2 accept both. 2 accept only the Jansport Odyssey, and 5 accept only the REI Co-op Ruckpack 40.
Only the Jansport Odyssey fits
Adria Airways, Air New Zealand.
Only the REI Co-op Ruckpack 40 fits
Frontier Airlines, Island Air, PenAir, Southwest Airlines, Sun Country.
Jansport Odyssey vs. REI Co-op Ruckpack 40: which should you pack?
The REI Co-op Ruckpack 40 carries 1L more than the Jansport Odyssey (39L vs. 40L), while the Jansport Odyssey is the lighter pack at 1.3kg (vs. 1.3kg). For carry-on flexibility, the REI Co-op Ruckpack 40 fits 4% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the REI Co-op Ruckpack 40; if you want to travel lighter, the Jansport Odyssey is the better call.