Alpha One-Niner Recon Nine Evade 1.5 (Lite) vs. 5.11 Rush 12 2.0
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Alpha One-Niner Recon Nine Evade 1.5 (Lite)
| Capacity | 21 L |
| Weight | 1.4 kg |
| Dimensions | 46×31×15 cm |
| Airline fit | 94% |
| Price | $175 |
Feature by feature
| Alpha One-Niner Recon Nine Evade 1.5 (Lite) | Feature | 5.11 Rush 12 2.0 |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 2 | Compression | 2 |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 1 |
| front | Passport | front, side |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| N | Hip Belt | optional |
| removable | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 15in |
| 3 | Main Compartments | 6 |
| N | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | N |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 1000D Black + 210D Ripstop Nylon, Gray | 1050D nylon (MultiCam® 1000D nylon) |
Key differences between the Alpha One-Niner Recon Nine Evade 1.5 (Lite) and 5.11 Rush 12 2.0
- Passport pocket: Front on the Alpha One-Niner Recon Nine Evade 1.5 (Lite); Front, side on the 5.11 Rush 12 2.0.
- Hip belt: No on the Alpha One-Niner Recon Nine Evade 1.5 (Lite); Optional on the 5.11 Rush 12 2.0.
- Main compartments: 3 on the Alpha One-Niner Recon Nine Evade 1.5 (Lite); 6 on the 5.11 Rush 12 2.0.
- Built-in organizer: No on the Alpha One-Niner Recon Nine Evade 1.5 (Lite); Yes on the 5.11 Rush 12 2.0.
- Water bottle pockets: 2, side on the Alpha One-Niner Recon Nine Evade 1.5 (Lite); No on the 5.11 Rush 12 2.0.
Both have: compression straps, backpack straps, sternum strap, laptop sleeve, water resistant.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 177 accept both. 0 accept only the Alpha One-Niner Recon Nine Evade 1.5 (Lite), and 2 accept only the 5.11 Rush 12 2.0.
Only the 5.11 Rush 12 2.0 fits
Air Niugini, Great Lakes Airlines.
Alpha One-Niner Recon Nine Evade 1.5 (Lite) vs. 5.11 Rush 12 2.0: which should you pack?
The 5.11 Rush 12 2.0 carries 3L more than the Alpha One-Niner Recon Nine Evade 1.5 (Lite) (21L vs. 24L), while the Alpha One-Niner Recon Nine Evade 1.5 (Lite) is the lighter pack at 1.4kg (vs. 1.4kg). For carry-on flexibility, the 5.11 Rush 12 2.0 fits 95% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the 5.11 Rush 12 2.0; if you want to travel lighter, the Alpha One-Niner Recon Nine Evade 1.5 (Lite) is the better call.