Jansport Hatchet vs. Cotopaxi Cusco Backpack 26L

Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.

Jansport Hatchet

Front facing view of the Jansport Hatchet
Capacity28 L
Weight0.6 kg
Dimensions46×31×20 cm
Airline fit94%
Price$76

Feature by feature

Jansport HatchetFeatureCotopaxi Cusco Backpack 26L
Storage
Y Compression N
None Expanded Capacity None
3 Opening 4
N Passport N
N Passthrough N
Carry
Y Backpack Y
N Hip Belt N
Y Sternum Strap Y
Inside
15in Laptop 15in
1 Main Compartments 1
Y Organizer Y
Outside
× Hard Shell ×
N Rain-fly N
2 Water Bottle Holder 2
Y Water Resistant Y
Material
600 Denier Polyester100% repurposed 600D polyester

Cotopaxi Cusco Backpack 26L

Front facing view of the Cotopaxi Cusco Backpack 26L
Capacity26 L
Weight0.7 kg
Dimensions53×33×23 cm
Airline fit70%
Price$110

Key differences between the Jansport Hatchet and Cotopaxi Cusco Backpack 26L

Both have: backpack straps, sternum strap, laptop sleeve, 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. 132 accept both. 45 accept only the Jansport Hatchet, and 0 accept only the Cotopaxi Cusco Backpack 26L.

Only the Jansport Hatchet fits

Air Baltic, Air China, Air Malta, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, American Eagle, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Belavia, Blue Air, Bulgaria Air, China Eastern, easyJet, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, Etihad Airways, flybe, Icelandair, InselAir, Juneyao Airlines, Liat Airlines, Luxair, Meridiana Fly, Nordwind Airlines, Oman Air, Pakistan International, Qatar Airways, Ravn Alaska, Regional Express, Royal Brunei Airlines, Royal Jordanian, 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.

Jansport Hatchet vs. Cotopaxi Cusco Backpack 26L: which should you pack?

The Jansport Hatchet carries 2L more than the Cotopaxi Cusco Backpack 26L (28L vs. 26L), while the Jansport Hatchet is the lighter pack at 0.6kg (vs. 0.7kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Jansport Hatchet fits 94% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Jansport Hatchet; if you want to travel lighter, the Jansport Hatchet is the better call.