Patagonia Refugio Backpack 28L vs. Osprey Quasar 28L

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

Patagonia Refugio Backpack 28L

Front facing view of the Patagonia Refugio Backpack 28L
Capacity28 L
Weight0.666 kg
Dimensions49×31×21 cm
Airline fit73%
Price$89

Feature by feature

Patagonia Refugio Backpack 28LFeatureOsprey Quasar 28L
Storage
Y Compression Y
None Expanded Capacity None
4 Opening 0
N Passport N
N Passthrough N
Carry
Y Backpack Y
N Hip Belt Y
Y Sternum Strap Y
Inside
15in Laptop 15in
1 Main Compartments 2
N Organizer N
Outside
× Hard Shell ×
N Rain-fly N
2 Water Bottle Holder 2
Y Water Resistant Y
Material
630-denier 100% nylon, 450-denier 100% polyester (56% recycled) ripstop210/420/630D Nylon Dobby Blend

Osprey Quasar 28L

Front facing view of the Osprey Quasar 28L
Capacity28 L
Weight0.8 kg
Dimensions34×28×6 cm
Airline fit99%
Price$149

Key differences between the Patagonia Refugio Backpack 28L and Osprey Quasar 28L

Both have: compression straps, backpack straps, 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. 138 accept both. 0 accept only the Patagonia Refugio Backpack 28L, and 49 accept only the Osprey Quasar 28L.

Only the Osprey Quasar 28L fits

Air Baltic, Air China, Air Malta, Air Niugini, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Air Tahiti, American Eagle, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Belavia, Blue Air, Bulgaria Air, China Eastern, easyJet, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, flybe, Great Lakes Airlines, Gulf Air, Icelandair, InselAir, Juneyao Airlines, LC Perú, Lion Air Group, Luxair, Meridiana Fly, Nordwind Airlines, Ravn Alaska, Regional Express, Royal Brunei Airlines, Ryanair, S7, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Spring Airlines, Sun Express, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), TUI, Ukraine International, VIM Airlines (Closed), Virgin Australia, VivaColombia, Volaris, Volotea, Wizz Air, Xiamen.

Patagonia Refugio Backpack 28L vs. Osprey Quasar 28L: which should you pack?

The Patagonia Refugio Backpack 28L carries the same capacity as the Osprey Quasar 28L (28L vs. 28L), while the Patagonia Refugio Backpack 28L is the lighter pack at 0.666kg (vs. 0.8kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Osprey Quasar 28L fits 99% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Patagonia Refugio Backpack 28L; if you want to travel lighter, the Patagonia Refugio Backpack 28L is the better call.