Exped Skyline 25 vs. Salkan "The Backpacker"
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Feature by feature
| Exped Skyline 25 | Feature | Salkan "The Backpacker" |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | removable |
| None | Expanded Capacity | 55L |
| 4 | Opening | 3 |
| N | Passport | N |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| Y | Hip Belt | Y |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| N | Laptop | 15in |
| 1 | Main Compartments | 3 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| Y | Rain-fly | Y |
| 2 | Water Bottle Holder | 4 |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 210 D Robic HD Ripstop nylon, PU coated, 1'500 mm water column | 900D COTNA Polyester with wax finish |
Salkan "The Backpacker"
| Capacity | 45 L |
| Weight | 3.4 kg |
| Dimensions | 66×32×22 cm |
| Airline fit | 1% |
| Price | $345 |
Key differences between the Exped Skyline 25 and Salkan "The Backpacker"
- Compression straps: No on the Exped Skyline 25; Removable on the Salkan "The Backpacker".
- Opening: Top zip on the Exped Skyline 25; Top flap on the Salkan "The Backpacker".
- Laptop sleeve: No on the Exped Skyline 25; 15in on the Salkan "The Backpacker".
- Main compartments: 1 on the Exped Skyline 25; 3 on the Salkan "The Backpacker".
- Water bottle pockets: 2 on the Exped Skyline 25; 4 on the Salkan "The Backpacker".
Both have: backpack straps, hip belt, sternum strap, 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. 2 accept both. 73 accept only the Exped Skyline 25, and 0 accept only the Salkan "The Backpacker".
Only the Exped Skyline 25 fits
Adria Airways, Aegean Airlines, Aer Lingus, Aeroflot, Aerolineas Argentinas, Aeromexico, Air Astana, Air Caraibes, Air Europa, Air France, Air India, Air Koryo, Air Mauritius, Air New Zealand, Air Nostrum, Air Tahiti Nui, All Nipon Airways, ANA, Atlas Global, Azul Linhas, Boliviana de Aviacion, British Airways, Caribbean Airlines, China Southern, Conviasa, Copa Airlines, Croatia Air, Cubana de Aviacion, Czech Airlines, EL AL, Finnair, Frontier Airlines, Gol Linhas Aereas, Great Lakes Airlines, Hainan Airlines, Iberia, Indigo, Interjet, Iran Air, Iran Aseman Air, Island Air, Japan Airlines, Jet Airways, Jet2, Kenya Airways, KLM, Korean Air, Kuwait Air, LATAM , Middle East Airlines, Monarch Airlines, Onur Air, Peach, PenAir, Philippine Airlines, Royal Air Morocco, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Sichuan Airlines, SilkAir, Silver Airways, Singapore Airlines, Sky Airlines, Southwest Airlines, SpiceJet, Spirit Airlines, Sun Country, TAAG Angola, TAM Airlines, Thai Airways, Travel Service Airlines, Ural Airlines, Uzbekistan Air, WOW Airlines.
Exped Skyline 25 vs. Salkan "The Backpacker": which should you pack?
The Salkan "The Backpacker" carries 20L more than the Exped Skyline 25 (25L vs. 45L), while the Exped Skyline 25 is the lighter pack at 1.03kg (vs. 3.4kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Exped Skyline 25 fits 40% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Salkan "The Backpacker"; if you want to travel lighter, the Exped Skyline 25 is the better call.