Patagonia Ascensionist Pack 55L vs. Exped Black Ice 30
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Patagonia Ascensionist Pack 55L
| Capacity | 55 L |
| Weight | 1.28 kg |
| Dimensions | 67×32×20 cm |
| Airline fit | 1% |
| Price | $219 |
Feature by feature
| Patagonia Ascensionist Pack 55L | Feature | Exped Black Ice 30 |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| removable | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 2 |
| N | Passport | N |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | removable |
| removable | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| N | Laptop | N |
| 1 | Main Compartments | 1 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| N | Water Bottle Holder | N |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 420-denier 100% recycled nylon ripstop, 0-denier 100% nylon ripstop | 400 D HD ripstop nylon, TPU film laminated, 10'000 mm water column |
Exped Black Ice 30
| Capacity | 30 L |
| Weight | 0.1 kg |
| Dimensions | 57×27×23 cm |
| Airline fit | 17% |
| Price | $175 |
Key differences between the Patagonia Ascensionist Pack 55L and Exped Black Ice 30
- Compression straps: Removable on the Patagonia Ascensionist Pack 55L; No on the Exped Black Ice 30.
- Opening: Other on the Patagonia Ascensionist Pack 55L; Rolltop on the Exped Black Ice 30.
- Sternum strap: Removable on the Patagonia Ascensionist Pack 55L; Yes on the Exped Black Ice 30.
Both have: backpack straps, hip belt, 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. 0 accept only the Patagonia Ascensionist Pack 55L, and 30 accept only the Exped Black Ice 30.
Only the Exped Black Ice 30 fits
Adria Airways, Air Europa, Air Koryo, Air New Zealand, Air Tahiti Nui, Azul Linhas, Caribbean Airlines, Cayman Airways, China Southern, Conviasa, Croatia Air, Cubana de Aviacion, Frontier Airlines, Hainan Airlines, Island Air, Korean Air, PenAir, Philippine Airlines, Royal Air Morocco, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Sichuan Airlines, SilkAir, Silver Airways, Singapore Airlines, Southwest Airlines, SpiceJet, Sun Country, TAAG Angola, TAM Airlines, Ural Airlines.
Patagonia Ascensionist Pack 55L vs. Exped Black Ice 30: which should you pack?
The Patagonia Ascensionist Pack 55L carries 25L more than the Exped Black Ice 30 (55L vs. 30L), while the Exped Black Ice 30 is the lighter pack at 0.1kg (vs. 1.28kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Exped Black Ice 30 fits 17% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Patagonia Ascensionist Pack 55L; if you want to travel lighter, the Exped Black Ice 30 is the better call.