The Moderne Explorer Backpack vs. Salkan The Carry-On 35L
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
The Moderne Explorer Backpack
| Capacity | 35 L |
| Weight | 0 kg |
| Dimensions | 47×35×20 cm |
| Airline fit | 90% |
| Price | $149 |
Feature by feature
| The Moderne Explorer Backpack | Feature | Salkan The Carry-On 35L |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | 4 |
| None | Expanded Capacity | 39L |
| 1 | Opening | 1 |
| Y | Passport | back |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| N | Hip Belt | removable |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 15in |
| 1 | Main Compartments | 1 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | Y |
| 2 | Water Bottle Holder | 2, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| Polyester | Recycled 900D COTNA Polyester with wax finish |
Salkan The Carry-On 35L
| Capacity | 35 L |
| Weight | 1.9 kg |
| Dimensions | 55×31×22 cm |
| Airline fit | 69% |
| Price | $275 |
Key differences between the The Moderne Explorer Backpack and Salkan The Carry-On 35L
- Compression straps: No on the The Moderne Explorer Backpack; 4 on the Salkan The Carry-On 35L.
- Passport pocket: Yes on the The Moderne Explorer Backpack; Back on the Salkan The Carry-On 35L.
- Hip belt: No on the The Moderne Explorer Backpack; Removable on the Salkan The Carry-On 35L.
- Rain cover: No on the The Moderne Explorer Backpack; Yes on the Salkan The Carry-On 35L.
- Water bottle pockets: 2 on the The Moderne Explorer Backpack; 2, side on the Salkan The Carry-On 35L.
Both have: backpack straps, sternum strap, laptop sleeve, water resistant.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 129 accept both. 42 accept only the The Moderne Explorer Backpack, and 1 accept only the Salkan The Carry-On 35L.
Only the The Moderne Explorer Backpack fits
Air Baltic, Air China, Air Malta, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Belavia, Blue Air, Bulgaria Air, China Eastern, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, Etihad Airways, flybe, Icelandair, InselAir, Juneyao Airlines, Liat Airlines, Luxair, Meridiana Fly, Nordwind Airlines, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, Royal Brunei Airlines, Royal Jordanian, Ryanair, S7, Scoot, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Sun Express, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), Tiger Airways, TUI, Ukraine International, VIM Airlines (Closed), Volotea, WestJet, Xiamen.
Only the Salkan The Carry-On 35L fits
Cayman Airways.
The Moderne Explorer Backpack vs. Salkan The Carry-On 35L: which should you pack?
The The Moderne Explorer Backpack carries the same capacity as the Salkan The Carry-On 35L (35L vs. 35L), and the two are closely matched on weight. For carry-on flexibility, the The Moderne Explorer Backpack fits 90% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the The Moderne Explorer Backpack; if you want to travel lighter, the Salkan The Carry-On 35L is the better call.