REI Co-op Ruckpack 30 vs. Tom Bihn Aeronaut 30L
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 | Tom Bihn Aeronaut 30L |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 0 |
| top, side | Passport | side |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| hideable | Backpack | hideable |
| removable | Hip Belt | removable |
| Y | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | N |
| 5 | Main Compartments | 5 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| Y | Rain-fly | N |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | N |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| recycled nylon shell | 1050 denier ballistic nylon OR ultralight 400d Halcyon/420d nylon ripstop 200 denier Halcyon/nylon ripstop fabric lining |
Tom Bihn Aeronaut 30L
| Capacity | 30 L |
| Weight | 1.3 kg |
| Dimensions | 50×32×20 cm |
| Airline fit | 91% |
| Price | $330 |
Key differences between the REI Co-op Ruckpack 30 and Tom Bihn Aeronaut 30L
- Passport pocket: Top, side on the REI Co-op Ruckpack 30; Side on the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 30L.
- Sternum strap: Yes on the REI Co-op Ruckpack 30; Removable on the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 30L.
- Laptop sleeve: 15in on the REI Co-op Ruckpack 30; No on the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 30L.
- Rain cover: Yes on the REI Co-op Ruckpack 30; No on the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 30L.
- Water bottle pockets: 2, side on the REI Co-op Ruckpack 30; No on the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 30L.
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. 137 accept both. 1 accept only the REI Co-op Ruckpack 30, and 35 accept only the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 30L.
Only the REI Co-op Ruckpack 30 fits
Great Lakes Airlines.
Only the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 30L fits
Air Baltic, Air China, Air Malta, 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. Tom Bihn Aeronaut 30L: which should you pack?
The REI Co-op Ruckpack 30 carries the same capacity as the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 30L (30L vs. 30L), while the REI Co-op Ruckpack 30 is the lighter pack at 0.8kg (vs. 1.3kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 30L fits 91% 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.