MEC Outpost 40L Travel Pack vs. Tom Bihn Techonaut 30
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
MEC Outpost 40L Travel Pack
| Capacity | 40 L |
| Weight | 1.4 kg |
| Dimensions | 50×35×23 cm |
| Airline fit | 71% |
| Price | $200 |
Feature by feature
| MEC Outpost 40L Travel Pack | Feature | Tom Bihn Techonaut 30 |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 4 | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 1 |
| top | Passport | top |
| Y | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| hideable | Backpack | hideable |
| removable | Hip Belt | removable |
| removable | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 16in |
| 4 | Main Compartments | 5 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 1, side | Water Bottle Holder | 1, side |
| N | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| PU coated 300-denier ripstop | 400d Halcyon/420d nylon ripstop exterior |
Tom Bihn Techonaut 30
| Capacity | 30 L |
| Weight | 1 kg |
| Dimensions | 50×32×21 cm |
| Airline fit | 73% |
| Price | $400 |
Key differences between the MEC Outpost 40L Travel Pack and Tom Bihn Techonaut 30
- Compression straps: 4 on the MEC Outpost 40L Travel Pack; No on the Tom Bihn Techonaut 30.
- Laptop sleeve: 15in on the MEC Outpost 40L Travel Pack; 16in on the Tom Bihn Techonaut 30.
- Main compartments: 4 on the MEC Outpost 40L Travel Pack; 5 on the Tom Bihn Techonaut 30.
- Water resistant: No on the MEC Outpost 40L Travel Pack; Yes on the Tom Bihn Techonaut 30.
Both have: passport pocket, luggage passthrough, backpack straps, hip belt, 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. 135 accept both. 0 accept only the MEC Outpost 40L Travel Pack, and 3 accept only the Tom Bihn Techonaut 30.
Only the Tom Bihn Techonaut 30 fits
Cayman Airways, Liat Airlines, Pakistan International.
MEC Outpost 40L Travel Pack vs. Tom Bihn Techonaut 30: which should you pack?
The MEC Outpost 40L Travel Pack carries 10L more than the Tom Bihn Techonaut 30 (40L vs. 30L), while the Tom Bihn Techonaut 30 is the lighter pack at 1kg (vs. 1.4kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Tom Bihn Techonaut 30 fits 73% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the MEC Outpost 40L Travel Pack; if you want to travel lighter, the Tom Bihn Techonaut 30 is the better call.