Osprey Hikelite 26 vs. REI Co-op Trail 40
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Osprey Hikelite 26
| Capacity | 26 L |
| Weight | 0.8 kg |
| Dimensions | 51×36×31 cm |
| Airline fit | 2% |
| Price | $115 |
Feature by feature
| Osprey Hikelite 26 | Feature | REI Co-op Trail 40 |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 4 | Compression | 4 |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 1 |
| top | Passport | top |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | Y |
| Y | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| N | Laptop | N |
| 2 | Main Compartments | 5 |
| N | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| Y | Rain-fly | Y |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | 2, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| bluesign® APPROVED 100% recycled 100D high-tenacity bird eye nylon, DWR treatments made without PFAS | 210-denier ripstop nylon |
REI Co-op Trail 40
| Capacity | 40 L |
| Weight | 1.2 kg |
| Dimensions | 56×30×23 cm |
| Airline fit | 47% |
| Price | $130 |
Key differences between the Osprey Hikelite 26 and REI Co-op Trail 40
- Hip belt: Removable on the Osprey Hikelite 26; Yes on the REI Co-op Trail 40.
- Sternum strap: Yes on the Osprey Hikelite 26; Removable on the REI Co-op Trail 40.
- Main compartments: 2 on the Osprey Hikelite 26; 5 on the REI Co-op Trail 40.
- Built-in organizer: No on the Osprey Hikelite 26; Yes on the REI Co-op Trail 40.
Both have: compression straps, passport pocket, backpack straps, rain cover, 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. 4 accept both. 0 accept only the Osprey Hikelite 26, and 84 accept only the REI Co-op Trail 40.
Only the REI Co-op Trail 40 fits
Aegean Airlines, Air Asia, Air Astana, Air Europa, Air Koryo, Air Macau, Air Nostrum, Air Tahiti Nui, Air Wisconsin, AirAsiaX, Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Atlas Global, Avianca , Azul Linhas, Bahamasair, Bangkok Airways, Biman Bangladesh, British Airways, Cambodia Angkor Air, Caribbean Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Cayman Airways, Cebu Pacific, China Airlines, China Southern, CommutAir, Conviasa, Copa Airlines, Croatia Air, Cubana de Aviacion, Delta Airlines, Dragonair, EL AL, EVA Air, Finnair, Frontier Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, Hainan Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Iran Aseman Air, Island Air, Jet2, jetBlue Airways, Jetstar Airways, Jetstar Asia, Korean Air, Kulula, Kuwait Air, Malaysia Airlines, Mango, Middle East Airlines, Monarch Airlines, Onur Air, PenAir, Philippine Airlines, Qantas Airways, Republic Airways, Royal Air Morocco, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Sichuan Airlines, SilkAir, Silver Airways, Singapore Airlines, Skywest, Inc., South African Airways, Southwest Airlines, SpiceJet, Spirit Airlines, SriLankan Airlines, Sun Country, TAAG Angola, TAM Airlines, Thai Airways, Trans States, Travel Service Airlines, United Airlines, Ural Airlines, Uzbekistan Air, Vietnam Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, WOW Airlines.
Osprey Hikelite 26 vs. REI Co-op Trail 40: which should you pack?
The REI Co-op Trail 40 carries 14L more than the Osprey Hikelite 26 (26L vs. 40L), while the Osprey Hikelite 26 is the lighter pack at 0.8kg (vs. 1.2kg). For carry-on flexibility, the REI Co-op Trail 40 fits 47% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the REI Co-op Trail 40; if you want to travel lighter, the Osprey Hikelite 26 is the better call.