L.L.Bean Continental Rucksack vs. 5.11 Skyweight 36L Pack
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
L.L.Bean Continental Rucksack
| Capacity | 33 L |
| Weight | 1.1 kg |
| Dimensions | 46×32×17 cm |
| Airline fit | 94% |
| Price | $140 |
Feature by feature
| L.L.Bean Continental Rucksack | Feature | 5.11 Skyweight 36L Pack |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 4 | Compression | 4 |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 1 |
| top | Passport | top |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| hideable | Hip Belt | removable |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| N | Laptop | N |
| 5 | Main Compartments | 4 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | Y |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | 2, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | N |
| Material | |
| 600-denier, bluesign®-approved recycled polyester | 330D ripstop nylon |
5.11 Skyweight 36L Pack
| Capacity | 36 L |
| Weight | 1.1 kg |
| Dimensions | 56×33×22 cm |
| Airline fit | 47% |
| Price | $200 |
Key differences between the L.L.Bean Continental Rucksack and 5.11 Skyweight 36L Pack
- Opening: Other on the L.L.Bean Continental Rucksack; Clamshell on the 5.11 Skyweight 36L Pack.
- Hip belt: Hideable on the L.L.Bean Continental Rucksack; Removable on the 5.11 Skyweight 36L Pack.
- Main compartments: 5 on the L.L.Bean Continental Rucksack; 4 on the 5.11 Skyweight 36L Pack.
- Rain cover: No on the L.L.Bean Continental Rucksack; Yes on the 5.11 Skyweight 36L Pack.
- Water resistant: Yes on the L.L.Bean Continental Rucksack; No on the 5.11 Skyweight 36L Pack.
Both have: compression straps, passport pocket, backpack straps, sternum strap, water bottle pockets.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 88 accept both. 89 accept only the L.L.Bean Continental Rucksack, and 0 accept only the 5.11 Skyweight 36L Pack.
Only the L.L.Bean Continental Rucksack fits
Aer Lingus, Aeroflot, Aerolineas Argentinas, Aeromexico, Air Baltic, Air Canada, Air Caraibes, Air China, Air France, Air India, Air Malta, Air Mauritius, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, All Nipon Airways, American Eagle, ANA, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Austrian, Azerbaijan Airlines, Belavia, Blue Air, Boliviana de Aviacion, Brussels Airlines, Bulgaria Air, China Eastern, Czech Airlines, easyJet, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, Eurowings, Fiji Airways, Flair Air, flybe, Gol Linhas Aereas, Iberia, Icelandair, Indigo, InselAir, Interjet, Iran Air, Japan Airlines, Jet Airways, Juneyao Airlines, Kenya Airways, KLM, LATAM , Liat Airlines, LOT Polish, Lufthansa, Luxair, Mahan Air, Meridiana Fly, Mesa Airlines, Nordwind Airlines, Norwegian, Oman Air, Pakistan International, Peach, Porter Airlines, Qatar Airways, Ravn Alaska, Regional Express, Royal Brunei Airlines, Royal Jordanian, Ryanair, S7, SAS Scandinavian, Scoot, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Sky Airlines, Sun Express, Swiss Int'l Air Lines, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), Tiger Airways, TUI, Turkish Airlines, Ukraine International, VIM Airlines (Closed), Virgin Australia, Volotea, WestJet, Xiamen.
L.L.Bean Continental Rucksack vs. 5.11 Skyweight 36L Pack: which should you pack?
The 5.11 Skyweight 36L Pack carries 3L more than the L.L.Bean Continental Rucksack (33L vs. 36L), while the L.L.Bean Continental Rucksack is the lighter pack at 1.1kg (vs. 1.1kg). For carry-on flexibility, the L.L.Bean Continental Rucksack fits 94% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the 5.11 Skyweight 36L Pack; if you want to travel lighter, the L.L.Bean Continental Rucksack is the better call.