North Face Recon vs. Deuter Trans Alpine 30
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
North Face Recon
| Capacity | 30 L |
| Weight | 1.2 kg |
| Dimensions | 49×30×19 cm |
| Airline fit | 92% |
| Price | $110 |
Feature by feature
| North Face Recon | Feature | Deuter Trans Alpine 30 |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 4 | Compression | 4 |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 1 |
| front | Passport | front |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | Y |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | N |
| 3 | Main Compartments | 4 |
| Y | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | 2, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 210D recycled nylon ripstop with non-PFC durable water-repellent (non-PFC DWR) finish | 210D PA, 600D PES |
Deuter Trans Alpine 30
| Capacity | 30 L |
| Weight | 1.3 kg |
| Dimensions | 53×28×24 cm |
| Airline fit | 40% |
| Price | $170 |
Key differences between the North Face Recon and Deuter Trans Alpine 30
- Opening: Other on the North Face Recon; Clamshell on the Deuter Trans Alpine 30.
- Hip belt: Removable on the North Face Recon; Yes on the Deuter Trans Alpine 30.
- Laptop sleeve: 15in on the North Face Recon; No on the Deuter Trans Alpine 30.
- Main compartments: 3 on the North Face Recon; 4 on the Deuter Trans Alpine 30.
Both have: compression straps, passport pocket, backpack straps, sternum strap, built-in organizer, 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. 74 accept both. 99 accept only the North Face Recon, and 1 accept only the Deuter Trans Alpine 30.
Only the North Face Recon fits
Air Asia, Air Baltic, Air Canada, Air China, Air Macau, Air Malta, Air Niugini, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Air Wisconsin, AirAsiaX, Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Austrian, Avianca , Azerbaijan Airlines, Bahamasair, Bangkok Airways, Belavia, Biman Bangladesh, Blue Air, Brussels Airlines, Bulgaria Air, Cambodia Angkor Air, Cathay Pacific, Cayman Airways, Cebu Pacific, China Airlines, China Eastern, CommutAir, Delta Airlines, Dragonair, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, Eurowings, EVA Air, Fiji Airways, Flair Air, flybe, Garuda Indonesia, Hawaiian Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Icelandair, InselAir, jetBlue Airways, Jetstar Airways, Jetstar Asia, Juneyao Airlines, Kulula, Liat Airlines, LOT Polish, Lufthansa, Luxair, Mahan Air, Malaysia Airlines, Mango, Meridiana Fly, Mesa Airlines, Nordwind Airlines, Norwegian, Oman Air, Pakistan International, Porter Airlines, Qantas Airways, Qatar Airways, Republic Airways, Royal Brunei Airlines, Royal Jordanian, Ryanair, S7, SAS Scandinavian, Scoot, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Skywest, Inc., South African Airways, SriLankan Airlines, Sun Express, Swiss Int'l Air Lines, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), Tiger Airways, Trans States, TUI, Turkish Airlines, Ukraine International, United Airlines, Vietnam Airlines, VIM Airlines (Closed), Virgin Atlantic, Volotea, WestJet, Xiamen.
Only the Deuter Trans Alpine 30 fits
Great Lakes Airlines.
North Face Recon vs. Deuter Trans Alpine 30: which should you pack?
The North Face Recon carries the same capacity as the Deuter Trans Alpine 30 (30L vs. 30L), while the North Face Recon is the lighter pack at 1.2kg (vs. 1.3kg). 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 North Face Recon; if you want to travel lighter, the North Face Recon is the better call.