Fjallraven Rucksack No. 21 Medium vs. DSPTCH Gym/Work Pack
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Fjallraven Rucksack No. 21 Medium
| Capacity | 20 L |
| Weight | 0.96 kg |
| Dimensions | 44×28×13 cm |
| Airline fit | 96% |
| Price | $180 |
Feature by feature
| Fjallraven Rucksack No. 21 Medium | Feature | DSPTCH Gym/Work Pack |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 3 | 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 |
| N | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2 | Water Bottle Holder | 2 |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| G-1000® HeavyDuty Eco: 65% polyester, 35% cotton | 1680D Ballistic Nylon with DWR coating |
DSPTCH Gym/Work Pack
| Capacity | 25 L |
| Weight | 1.7 kg |
| Dimensions | 51×31×18 cm |
| Airline fit | 89% |
| Price | $160 |
Key differences between the Fjallraven Rucksack No. 21 Medium and DSPTCH Gym/Work Pack
- Opening: Top flap on the Fjallraven Rucksack No. 21 Medium; Top zip on the DSPTCH Gym/Work Pack.
- Built-in organizer: No on the Fjallraven Rucksack No. 21 Medium; Yes on the DSPTCH Gym/Work Pack.
Both have: 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. 169 accept both. 12 accept only the Fjallraven Rucksack No. 21 Medium, and 0 accept only the DSPTCH Gym/Work Pack.
Only the Fjallraven Rucksack No. 21 Medium fits
Air Niugini, Air Tahiti, American Eagle, Belavia, easyJet, Etihad Airways, Great Lakes Airlines, Gulf Air, Qatar Airways, Ravn Alaska, Regional Express, Virgin Australia.
Fjallraven Rucksack No. 21 Medium vs. DSPTCH Gym/Work Pack: which should you pack?
The DSPTCH Gym/Work Pack carries 5L more than the Fjallraven Rucksack No. 21 Medium (20L vs. 25L), while the Fjallraven Rucksack No. 21 Medium is the lighter pack at 0.96kg (vs. 1.7kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Fjallraven Rucksack No. 21 Medium fits 96% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the DSPTCH Gym/Work Pack; if you want to travel lighter, the Fjallraven Rucksack No. 21 Medium is the better call.