REI Co-op Ruckpack 30 vs. Nomatic Travel Pack
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 | Nomatic Travel Pack |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 1 |
| top, side | Passport | back |
| N | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| hideable | Backpack | hideable |
| removable | Hip Belt | N |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 15in |
| 5 | Main Compartments | 5 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| Y | Rain-fly | N |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | 2, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| recycled nylon shell | Waterproof tarpaulin |
Nomatic Travel Pack
| Capacity | 20 L |
| Weight | 1.9 kg |
| Dimensions | 47×30×15 cm |
| Airline fit | 93% |
| Price | $300 |
Key differences between the REI Co-op Ruckpack 30 and Nomatic Travel Pack
- Opening: Other on the REI Co-op Ruckpack 30; Clamshell on the Nomatic Travel Pack.
- Passport pocket: Top, side on the REI Co-op Ruckpack 30; Back on the Nomatic Travel Pack.
- Luggage passthrough: No on the REI Co-op Ruckpack 30; Yes on the Nomatic Travel Pack.
- Hip belt: Removable on the REI Co-op Ruckpack 30; No on the Nomatic Travel Pack.
- Rain cover: Yes on the REI Co-op Ruckpack 30; No on the Nomatic Travel Pack.
Both have: backpack straps, 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 38 accept only the Nomatic Travel Pack.
Only the REI Co-op Ruckpack 30 fits
Great Lakes Airlines.
Only the Nomatic Travel Pack 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, Regional Express, 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), Virgin Australia, Volotea, Xiamen.
REI Co-op Ruckpack 30 vs. Nomatic Travel Pack: which should you pack?
The REI Co-op Ruckpack 30 carries 10L more than the Nomatic Travel Pack (30L vs. 20L), while the REI Co-op Ruckpack 30 is the lighter pack at 0.8kg (vs. 1.9kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Nomatic Travel Pack fits 93% 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.