Kathmandu Katabatic 28L Pack vs. Deuter Trans Alpine Pro 26 SL

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

Kathmandu Katabatic 28L Pack

Front facing view of the Kathmandu Katabatic 28L Pack
Capacity28 L
Weight0.906 kg
Dimensions52×29×28 cm
Airline fit14%
Price$120

Feature by feature

Kathmandu Katabatic 28L PackFeatureDeuter Trans Alpine Pro 26 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 Y
Y Sternum Strap Y
Inside
N Laptop N
1 Main Compartments 1
Y Organizer Y
Outside
× Hard Shell ×
optional Rain-fly Y
2 Water Bottle Holder 2
Y Water Resistant Y
Material
100% Polyester600D PES, 100D PA Ripstop

Deuter Trans Alpine Pro 26 SL

Front facing view of the Deuter Trans Alpine Pro 26 SL
Capacity26 L
Weight1.45 kg
Dimensions51×27×20 cm
Airline fit90%
Price$201

Key differences between the Kathmandu Katabatic 28L Pack and Deuter Trans Alpine Pro 26 SL

Both have: compression straps, backpack straps, hip belt, sternum strap, built-in organizer, 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. 27 accept both. 0 accept only the Kathmandu Katabatic 28L Pack, and 143 accept only the Deuter Trans Alpine Pro 26 SL.

Only the Deuter Trans Alpine Pro 26 SL fits

Aegean Airlines, Aer Lingus, Aeroflot, Aerolineas Argentinas, Aeromexico, Air Asia, Air Astana, Air Baltic, Air Canada, Air Caraibes, Air China, Air France, Air India, Air Macau, Air Malta, Air Mauritius, Air Nostrum, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Air Wisconsin, AirAsiaX, Alaska Airlines, All Nipon Airways, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, ANA, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Atlas Global, Austrian, Avianca , Azerbaijan Airlines, Bahamasair, Bangkok Airways, Biman Bangladesh, Blue Air, Boliviana de Aviacion, British Airways, Brussels Airlines, Bulgaria Air, Cambodia Angkor Air, Cathay Pacific, Cayman Airways, Cebu Pacific, China Airlines, China Eastern, CommutAir, Conviasa, Copa Airlines, Czech Airlines, Delta Airlines, Dragonair, EL AL, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Eurowings, EVA Air, Fiji Airways, Finnair, Flair Air, flybe, Frontier Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, Gol Linhas Aereas, Great Lakes Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Iberia, Icelandair, Indigo, InselAir, Interjet, Iran Air, Iran Aseman Air, Japan Airlines, Jet Airways, Jet2, jetBlue Airways, Jetstar Airways, Jetstar Asia, Juneyao Airlines, Kenya Airways, KLM, Kulula, Kuwait Air, LATAM , Liat Airlines, LOT Polish, Lufthansa, Luxair, Mahan Air, Malaysia Airlines, Mango, Meridiana Fly, Mesa Airlines, Middle East Airlines, Monarch Airlines, Nordwind Airlines, Norwegian, Oman Air, Onur Air, Pakistan International, Peach, PenAir, Porter Airlines, Qantas Airways, Republic Airways, Royal Brunei Airlines, Royal Jordanian, Ryanair, S7, SAS Scandinavian, Scoot, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Sky Airlines, Skywest, Inc., South African Airways, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, SriLankan Airlines, Sun Express, Swiss Int'l Air Lines, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Thai Airways, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), Tiger Airways, Trans States, Travel Service Airlines, TUI, Turkish Airlines, Ukraine International, United Airlines, Uzbekistan Air, Vietnam Airlines, VIM Airlines (Closed), Virgin Atlantic, Volotea, WestJet, WOW Airlines, Xiamen.

Kathmandu Katabatic 28L Pack vs. Deuter Trans Alpine Pro 26 SL: which should you pack?

The Kathmandu Katabatic 28L Pack carries 2L more than the Deuter Trans Alpine Pro 26 SL (28L vs. 26L), while the Kathmandu Katabatic 28L Pack is the lighter pack at 0.906kg (vs. 1.45kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Deuter Trans Alpine Pro 26 SL fits 90% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Kathmandu Katabatic 28L Pack; if you want to travel lighter, the Kathmandu Katabatic 28L Pack is the better call.