Millican Smith 18L vs. Tom Bihn Aeronaut 30L
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Millican Smith 18L
| Capacity | 18 L |
| Weight | 0.9 kg |
| Dimensions | 50×28×10 cm |
| Airline fit | 92% |
| Price | $130 |
Feature by feature
| Millican Smith 18L | Feature | Tom Bihn Aeronaut 30L |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 2 | Opening | 0 |
| side | Passport | side |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | hideable |
| removable | Hip Belt | removable |
| removable | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | N |
| 3 | Main Compartments | 5 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| N | Water Bottle Holder | N |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| Weatherproof Bionic Canvas | 1050 denier ballistic nylon OR ultralight 400d Halcyon/420d nylon ripstop 200 denier Halcyon/nylon ripstop fabric lining |
Tom Bihn Aeronaut 30L
| Capacity | 30 L |
| Weight | 1.3 kg |
| Dimensions | 50×32×20 cm |
| Airline fit | 91% |
| Price | $330 |
Key differences between the Millican Smith 18L and Tom Bihn Aeronaut 30L
- Opening: Rolltop on the Millican Smith 18L; Other on the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 30L.
- Backpack straps: Yes on the Millican Smith 18L; Hideable on the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 30L.
- Laptop sleeve: 15in on the Millican Smith 18L; No on the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 30L.
- Main compartments: 3 on the Millican Smith 18L; 5 on the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 30L.
Both have: passport pocket, hip belt, sternum strap, water resistant.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 172 accept both. 2 accept only the Millican Smith 18L, and 0 accept only the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 30L.
Only the Millican Smith 18L fits
Air Niugini, Great Lakes Airlines.
Millican Smith 18L vs. Tom Bihn Aeronaut 30L: which should you pack?
The Tom Bihn Aeronaut 30L carries 12L more than the Millican Smith 18L (18L vs. 30L), while the Millican Smith 18L is the lighter pack at 0.9kg (vs. 1.3kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Millican Smith 18L fits 92% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 30L; if you want to travel lighter, the Millican Smith 18L is the better call.