Kathmandu Cotingo Pack 25L vs. Cotopaxi Cusco Backpack 26L
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Kathmandu Cotingo Pack 25L
| Capacity | 25 L |
| Weight | 0.6 kg |
| Dimensions | 50×31×20 cm |
| Airline fit | 91% |
| Price | $80 |
Feature by feature
| Kathmandu Cotingo Pack 25L | Feature | Cotopaxi Cusco Backpack 26L |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 4 | 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 |
| 1 | Water Bottle Holder | 2 |
| N | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 600D Polyester | 100% repurposed 600D polyester |
Cotopaxi Cusco Backpack 26L
| Capacity | 26 L |
| Weight | 0.7 kg |
| Dimensions | 53×33×23 cm |
| Airline fit | 70% |
| Price | $110 |
Key differences between the Kathmandu Cotingo Pack 25L and Cotopaxi Cusco Backpack 26L
- Water bottle pockets: 1 on the Kathmandu Cotingo Pack 25L; 2 on the Cotopaxi Cusco Backpack 26L.
- Water resistant: No on the Kathmandu Cotingo Pack 25L; Yes on the Cotopaxi Cusco Backpack 26L.
Both have: backpack straps, sternum strap, laptop sleeve, built-in organizer.
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. 40 accept only the Kathmandu Cotingo Pack 25L, and 0 accept only the Cotopaxi Cusco Backpack 26L.
Only the Kathmandu Cotingo Pack 25L 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, Pakistan International, Qatar Airways, 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), Volotea, Xiamen.
Kathmandu Cotingo Pack 25L vs. Cotopaxi Cusco Backpack 26L: which should you pack?
The Cotopaxi Cusco Backpack 26L carries 1L more than the Kathmandu Cotingo Pack 25L (25L vs. 26L), while the Kathmandu Cotingo Pack 25L is the lighter pack at 0.6kg (vs. 0.7kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Kathmandu Cotingo Pack 25L fits 91% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Cotopaxi Cusco Backpack 26L; if you want to travel lighter, the Kathmandu Cotingo Pack 25L is the better call.