REI Co-op Ruckpack 30 vs. North Face Recon
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
REI Co-op Ruckpack 30
| Capacity | 30 L |
| Weight | 0.8 kg |
| Dimensions | 50×27×22 cm |
| Airline fit | 73% |
| Price | $109 |
Feature by feature
| REI Co-op Ruckpack 30 | Feature | North Face Recon |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | 4 |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 0 |
| top, side | Passport | front |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| hideable | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | removable |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 15in |
| 5 | Main Compartments | 3 |
| N | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| Y | Rain-fly | N |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | 2, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| recycled nylon shell | 210D recycled nylon ripstop with non-PFC durable water-repellent (non-PFC DWR) finish |
North Face Recon
| Capacity | 30 L |
| Weight | 1.2 kg |
| Dimensions | 49×30×19 cm |
| Airline fit | 92% |
| Price | $110 |
Key differences between the REI Co-op Ruckpack 30 and North Face Recon
- Compression straps: No on the REI Co-op Ruckpack 30; 4 on the North Face Recon.
- Passport pocket: Top, side on the REI Co-op Ruckpack 30; Front on the North Face Recon.
- Backpack straps: Hideable on the REI Co-op Ruckpack 30; Yes on the North Face Recon.
- Main compartments: 5 on the REI Co-op Ruckpack 30; 3 on the North Face Recon.
- Built-in organizer: No on the REI Co-op Ruckpack 30; Yes on the North Face Recon.
- Rain cover: Yes on the REI Co-op Ruckpack 30; No on the North Face Recon.
Both have: 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. 137 accept both. 1 accept only the REI Co-op Ruckpack 30, and 36 accept only the North Face Recon.
Only the REI Co-op Ruckpack 30 fits
Great Lakes Airlines.
Only the North Face Recon fits
Air Baltic, Air China, Air Malta, Air Niugini, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Belavia, Blue Air, Bulgaria Air, China Eastern, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, flybe, Icelandair, InselAir, Juneyao Airlines, Liat Airlines, Luxair, Meridiana Fly, Nordwind Airlines, Royal Brunei Airlines, Ryanair, S7, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Sun Express, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), TUI, Ukraine International, VIM Airlines (Closed), Volotea, Xiamen.
REI Co-op Ruckpack 30 vs. North Face Recon: which should you pack?
The REI Co-op Ruckpack 30 carries the same capacity as the North Face Recon (30L vs. 30L), while the REI Co-op Ruckpack 30 is the lighter pack at 0.8kg (vs. 1.2kg). For carry-on flexibility, the North Face Recon fits 92% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the REI Co-op Ruckpack 30; if you want to travel lighter, the REI Co-op Ruckpack 30 is the better call.