Deuter Freerider 28 SL vs. Deuter Freerider Pro 32+ SL

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

Deuter Freerider 28 SL

Front facing view of the Deuter Freerider 28 SL
Capacity28 L
Weight0.98 kg
Dimensions52×34×18 cm
Airline fit88%

Feature by feature

Deuter Freerider 28 SLFeatureDeuter Freerider Pro 32+ SL
Storage
Y Compression N
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 N
1 Main Compartments 1
Y Organizer Y
Outside
× Hard Shell ×
N Rain-fly N
N Water Bottle Holder N
Y Water Resistant Y
Material
330D PA 6.6 Ripstop, 210D PA Ripstop420D PA Ripstop Clear TPU, 330D PA 6.6 Ripstop

Deuter Freerider Pro 32+ SL

Front facing view of the Deuter Freerider Pro 32+ SL
Capacity32 L
Weight1.26 kg
Dimensions56×35×18 cm
Airline fit46%
Price$144

Key differences between the Deuter Freerider 28 SL and Deuter Freerider Pro 32+ SL

Both have: backpack straps, sternum strap, built-in organizer, water resistant.

Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on

We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 87 accept both. 80 accept only the Deuter Freerider 28 SL, and 0 accept only the Deuter Freerider Pro 32+ SL.

Only the Deuter Freerider 28 SL fits

Aer Lingus, Aeroflot, Aerolineas Argentinas, Aeromexico, Air Baltic, Air Canada, Air Caraibes, Air China, Air France, Air India, Air Malta, Air Mauritius, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, All Nipon Airways, ANA, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Austrian, Azerbaijan Airlines, Blue Air, Boliviana de Aviacion, Brussels Airlines, Bulgaria Air, Cayman Airways, China Eastern, Czech Airlines, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Eurowings, Fiji Airways, Flair Air, flybe, Gol Linhas Aereas, Iberia, Icelandair, Indigo, InselAir, Interjet, Iran Air, Japan Airlines, Jet Airways, Juneyao Airlines, Kenya Airways, KLM, LATAM , Liat Airlines, LOT Polish, Lufthansa, Luxair, Mahan Air, Meridiana Fly, Mesa Airlines, Nordwind Airlines, Norwegian, Pakistan International, Peach, Porter Airlines, Royal Brunei Airlines, Ryanair, S7, SAS Scandinavian, Scoot, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Sky Airlines, Sun Express, Swiss Int'l Air Lines, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), Tiger Airways, TUI, Turkish Airlines, Ukraine International, VIM Airlines (Closed), Volotea, WestJet, Xiamen.

Deuter Freerider 28 SL vs. Deuter Freerider Pro 32+ SL: which should you pack?

The Deuter Freerider Pro 32+ SL carries 4L more than the Deuter Freerider 28 SL (28L vs. 32L), while the Deuter Freerider 28 SL is the lighter pack at 0.98kg (vs. 1.26kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Deuter Freerider 28 SL fits 88% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Deuter Freerider Pro 32+ SL; if you want to travel lighter, the Deuter Freerider 28 SL is the better call.