REI Co-op Trail Pack 25 vs. 5.11 Skyweight 36L Pack

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

REI Co-op Trail Pack 25

Front facing view of the REI Co-op Trail Pack 25
Capacity25 L
Weight0.8 kg
Dimensions46×33×20 cm
Airline fit94%
Price$100

Feature by feature

REI Co-op Trail Pack 25Feature5.11 Skyweight 36L Pack
Storage
2 Compression 4
None Expanded Capacity None
0 Opening 1
top Passport top
N Passthrough N
Carry
Y Backpack Y
removable Hip Belt removable
Y Sternum Strap Y
Inside
N Laptop N
3 Main Compartments 4
N Organizer N
Outside
× Hard Shell ×
Y Rain-fly Y
2, side Water Bottle Holder 2, side
Y Water Resistant N
Material
210-denier ripstop nylon330D ripstop nylon

5.11 Skyweight 36L Pack

by 5.11
Front facing view of the 5.11 Skyweight 36L Pack
Capacity36 L
Weight1.1 kg
Dimensions56×33×22 cm
Airline fit47%
Price$200

Key differences between the REI Co-op Trail Pack 25 and 5.11 Skyweight 36L Pack

Both have: passport pocket, backpack straps, hip belt, sternum strap, rain cover, 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 REI Co-op Trail Pack 25, and 0 accept only the 5.11 Skyweight 36L Pack.

Only the REI Co-op Trail Pack 25 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.

REI Co-op Trail Pack 25 vs. 5.11 Skyweight 36L Pack: which should you pack?

The 5.11 Skyweight 36L Pack carries 11L more than the REI Co-op Trail Pack 25 (25L vs. 36L), while the REI Co-op Trail Pack 25 is the lighter pack at 0.8kg (vs. 1.1kg). For carry-on flexibility, the REI Co-op Trail Pack 25 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 REI Co-op Trail Pack 25 is the better call.