Aer Travel Pack 2 vs. Alpaka Gear Traverse Backpack
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Feature by feature
| Aer Travel Pack 2 | Feature | Alpaka Gear Traverse Backpack |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 4 | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 1 |
| top | Passport | top |
| Y | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| optional | Hip Belt | N |
| removable | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 16in | Laptop | 16in |
| 5 | Main Compartments | 5 |
| Y | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 1, side | Water Bottle Holder | 1, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| Grey: 900D eco-dyed polyester Black / Blue: 1680D Cordura® ballistic nylon exterior | Axoflux 400D ripstop nylon |
Alpaka Gear Traverse Backpack
| Capacity | 30 L |
| Weight | 1.5 kg |
| Dimensions | 47×28×18 cm |
| Airline fit | 93% |
| Price | $200 |
Key differences between the Aer Travel Pack 2 and Alpaka Gear Traverse Backpack
- Compression straps: 4 on the Aer Travel Pack 2; No on the Alpaka Gear Traverse Backpack.
- Hip belt: Optional on the Aer Travel Pack 2; No on the Alpaka Gear Traverse Backpack.
- Sternum strap: Removable on the Aer Travel Pack 2; Yes on the Alpaka Gear Traverse Backpack.
Both have: passport pocket, luggage passthrough, backpack straps, laptop sleeve, 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. 130 accept both. 0 accept only the Aer Travel Pack 2, and 46 accept only the Alpaka Gear Traverse Backpack.
Only the Alpaka Gear Traverse Backpack fits
Air Baltic, Air China, Air Malta, Air Niugini, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Belavia, Blue Air, Bulgaria Air, China Eastern, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, Etihad Airways, flybe, Great Lakes Airlines, Icelandair, InselAir, Juneyao Airlines, Liat Airlines, Luxair, Meridiana Fly, Nordwind Airlines, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, Regional Express, Royal Brunei Airlines, Royal Jordanian, Ryanair, S7, Scoot, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Sun Express, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), Tiger Airways, TUI, Ukraine International, VIM Airlines (Closed), Virgin Australia, Volotea, WestJet, Xiamen.
Aer Travel Pack 2 vs. Alpaka Gear Traverse Backpack: which should you pack?
The Aer Travel Pack 2 carries 3L more than the Alpaka Gear Traverse Backpack (33L vs. 30L), while the Alpaka Gear Traverse Backpack is the lighter pack at 1.5kg (vs. 1.7kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Alpaka Gear Traverse Backpack fits 93% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Aer Travel Pack 2; if you want to travel lighter, the Alpaka Gear Traverse Backpack is the better call.