Tortuga Travel Backpack Lite 40L vs. Thule Aion 40L
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Tortuga Travel Backpack Lite 40L
| Capacity | 40 L |
| Weight | 1.6 kg |
| Dimensions | 55×35×20 cm |
| Airline fit | 86% |
| Price | $250 |
Feature by feature
| Tortuga Travel Backpack Lite 40L | Feature | Thule Aion 40L |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 1 |
| top | Passport | top |
| N | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| hideable | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | optional |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 16in | Laptop | 16in |
| 4 | Main Compartments | 4 |
| N | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 1, side | Water Bottle Holder | 1, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 630D Cordura re/cor RN6 nylon | |
Key differences between the Tortuga Travel Backpack Lite 40L and Thule Aion 40L
- Luggage passthrough: No on the Tortuga Travel Backpack Lite 40L; Yes on the Thule Aion 40L.
- Backpack straps: Hideable on the Tortuga Travel Backpack Lite 40L; Yes on the Thule Aion 40L.
- Hip belt: Removable on the Tortuga Travel Backpack Lite 40L; Optional on the Thule Aion 40L.
- Built-in organizer: No on the Tortuga Travel Backpack Lite 40L; Yes on the Thule Aion 40L.
Both have: passport pocket, sternum strap, laptop sleeve, 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. 128 accept both. 34 accept only the Tortuga Travel Backpack Lite 40L, and 4 accept only the Thule Aion 40L.
Only the Tortuga Travel Backpack Lite 40L fits
Air Baltic, Air China, Air Malta, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Blue Air, Bulgaria Air, China Eastern, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, flybe, Icelandair, InselAir, Juneyao Airlines, Luxair, Meridiana Fly, Nordwind Airlines, Pakistan International, Royal Brunei Airlines, Ryanair, S7, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Sun Express, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), TUI, Ukraine International, VIM Airlines (Closed), Volotea, Xiamen.
Only the Thule Aion 40L fits
Cayman Airways, Scoot, Tiger Airways, WestJet.
Tortuga Travel Backpack Lite 40L vs. Thule Aion 40L: which should you pack?
The Tortuga Travel Backpack Lite 40L carries the same capacity as the Thule Aion 40L (40L vs. 40L), while the Thule Aion 40L is the lighter pack at 1.5kg (vs. 1.6kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Tortuga Travel Backpack Lite 40L fits 86% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Tortuga Travel Backpack Lite 40L; if you want to travel lighter, the Thule Aion 40L is the better call.