Kathmandu Katabatic 28L Pack vs. Deuter Gigant SL
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Kathmandu Katabatic 28L Pack
| Capacity | 28 L |
| Weight | 0.906 kg |
| Dimensions | 52×29×28 cm |
| Airline fit | 14% |
| Price | $120 |
Feature by feature
| Kathmandu Katabatic 28L Pack | Feature | Deuter Gigant SL |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| Y | Compression | Y |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 4 | Opening | 4 |
| N | Passport | N |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| Y | Hip Belt | removable |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| N | Laptop | 17in |
| 1 | Main Compartments | 3 |
| Y | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| optional | Rain-fly | optional |
| 2 | Water Bottle Holder | 1 |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 100% Polyester | 300D PES Ripstop |
Key differences between the Kathmandu Katabatic 28L Pack and Deuter Gigant SL
- Hip belt: Yes on the Kathmandu Katabatic 28L Pack; Removable on the Deuter Gigant SL.
- Laptop sleeve: No on the Kathmandu Katabatic 28L Pack; 17in on the Deuter Gigant SL.
- Main compartments: 1 on the Kathmandu Katabatic 28L Pack; 3 on the Deuter Gigant SL.
- Water bottle pockets: 2 on the Kathmandu Katabatic 28L Pack; 1 on the Deuter Gigant SL.
Both have: compression straps, backpack straps, sternum strap, built-in organizer, rain cover, water resistant.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 27 accept both. 0 accept only the Kathmandu Katabatic 28L Pack, and 110 accept only the Deuter Gigant SL.
Only the Deuter Gigant SL fits
Aegean Airlines, Aer Lingus, Aeroflot, Aerolineas Argentinas, Aeromexico, Air Asia, Air Astana, Air Canada, Air Caraibes, Air France, Air India, Air Macau, Air Mauritius, Air Nostrum, Air Wisconsin, AirAsiaX, Alaska Airlines, All Nipon Airways, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, ANA, Atlas Global, Austrian, Avianca , Azerbaijan Airlines, Bahamasair, Bangkok Airways, Biman Bangladesh, Boliviana de Aviacion, British Airways, Brussels Airlines, Cambodia Angkor Air, Cathay Pacific, Cayman Airways, Cebu Pacific, China Airlines, CommutAir, Conviasa, Copa Airlines, Czech Airlines, Delta Airlines, Dragonair, EL AL, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, Eurowings, EVA Air, Fiji Airways, Finnair, Flair Air, Frontier Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, Gol Linhas Aereas, Hawaiian Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Iberia, Indigo, Interjet, Iran Air, Iran Aseman Air, Japan Airlines, Jet Airways, Jet2, jetBlue Airways, Jetstar Airways, Jetstar Asia, Kenya Airways, KLM, Kulula, Kuwait Air, LATAM , LOT Polish, Lufthansa, Mahan Air, Malaysia Airlines, Mango, Mesa Airlines, Middle East Airlines, Monarch Airlines, Norwegian, Oman Air, Onur Air, Pakistan International, Peach, PenAir, Porter Airlines, Qantas Airways, Qatar Airways, Republic Airways, Royal Jordanian, SAS Scandinavian, Scoot, Sky Airlines, Skywest, Inc., South African Airways, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, SriLankan Airlines, Swiss Int'l Air Lines, Thai Airways, Tiger Airways, Trans States, Travel Service Airlines, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, Uzbekistan Air, Vietnam Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, WestJet, WOW Airlines.
Kathmandu Katabatic 28L Pack vs. Deuter Gigant SL: which should you pack?
The Deuter Gigant SL carries 4L more than the Kathmandu Katabatic 28L Pack (28L vs. 32L), while the Kathmandu Katabatic 28L Pack is the lighter pack at 0.906kg (vs. 1.08kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Deuter Gigant SL fits 72% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Deuter Gigant SL; if you want to travel lighter, the Kathmandu Katabatic 28L Pack is the better call.