---
url: "https://onebag.travel/compare/hs9q833p2l/osprey-tropos-32/pbve2yi4j0/the-north-face-borealis-backpack/"
title: "Osprey Tropos 32 vs The North Face Borealis Backpack"
description: "Osprey Tropos 32 vs The North Face Borealis Backpack: capacity, weight, dimensions and how many airlines accept each as a carry-on, side by side."
source: "https://onebag.travel/compare/hs9q833p2l/osprey-tropos-32/pbve2yi4j0/the-north-face-borealis-backpack/"
---
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3.  Osprey Tropos 32 vs. The North Face Borealis Backpack

# Osprey Tropos 32 vs. The North Face Borealis Backpack

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

## [Osprey Tropos 32](https://onebag.travel/carryon/hs9q833p2l/osprey-tropos-32/)

by [Osprey](https://onebag.travel/carryons/?brands=Osprey)

![Front facing view of the Osprey Tropos 32](https://res.cloudinary.com/obt/image/upload/c_fill,w_400/v1788990496/carryons/osprey-tropos-32-hs9q833p2l.webp)

<table class="table table-sm cmp-spec mt-2"><tbody><tr><td>Capacity</td><td>32 L</td></tr><tr><td>Weight</td><td>1.3 kg</td></tr><tr><td>Dimensions</td><td>54×32×28 cm</td></tr><tr><td>Airline fit</td><td>14%</td></tr><tr><td>Price</td><td>$200</td></tr></tbody></table>

## Feature by feature

| Osprey Tropos 32 | Feature | The North Face Borealis Backpack |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Storage |
| 4 | Compression | 4 |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 4 |
| top | Passport | top |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry |
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| Y | Hip Belt | removable |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside |
| 15in | Laptop | 16in |
| 4 | Main Compartments | 4 |
| Y | Organizer | Y |
| Outside |
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | 2, side |
| N | Water Resistant | N |

<table class="cmp-material"><tbody><tr><td colspan="2">Material</td></tr><tr><td>bluesign® APPROVED 210D recycled honey comb contrast nylon, PFAS-free DWR</td><td>210D recycled nylon ripstop with non-PFC durable water-repellent (non-PFC DWR) finish</td></tr></tbody></table>

## [The North Face Borealis Backpack](https://onebag.travel/carryon/pbve2yi4j0/the-north-face-borealis-backpack/)

by [North Face](https://onebag.travel/carryons/?brands=North Face)

![Front facing view of the The North Face Borealis Backpack](https://res.cloudinary.com/obt/image/upload/c_fill,w_400/v1618892700/carryons/The_North_Face_Borealis_yjcf2c.webp)

<table class="table table-sm cmp-spec mt-2"><tbody><tr><td>Capacity</td><td>28 L</td></tr><tr><td>Weight</td><td>1.1 kg</td></tr><tr><td>Dimensions</td><td>50×31×17 cm</td></tr><tr><td>Airline fit</td><td>91%</td></tr><tr><td>Price</td><td>$100</td></tr></tbody></table>

## Key differences between the Osprey Tropos 32 and The North Face Borealis Backpack

-   **Opening:** Other on the Osprey Tropos 32; Top zip on the The North Face Borealis Backpack.
-   **Hip belt:** Yes on the Osprey Tropos 32; Removable on the The North Face Borealis Backpack.
-   **Laptop sleeve:** 15in on the Osprey Tropos 32; 16in on the The North Face Borealis Backpack.

Both have: compression straps, passport pocket, backpack straps, sternum strap, built-in organizer, water bottle pockets.

## Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on

We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 26 accept both. 0 accept only the Osprey Tropos 32, and 146 accept only the The North Face Borealis Backpack.

### Only the The North Face Borealis Backpack fits

Aegean Airlines, Aer Lingus, Aeroflot, Aerolineas Argentinas, Aeromexico, Air Asia, Air Astana, Air Baltic, Air Canada, Air Caraibes, Air China, Air France, Air India, Air Macau, Air Malta, Air Mauritius, Air Nostrum, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Air Wisconsin, AirAsiaX, Alaska Airlines, All Nipon Airways, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, ANA, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Atlas Global, Austrian, Avianca , Azerbaijan Airlines, Bahamasair, Bangkok Airways, Belavia, Biman Bangladesh, Blue Air, Boliviana de Aviacion, British Airways, Brussels Airlines, Bulgaria Air, Cambodia Angkor Air, Cathay Pacific, Cayman Airways, Cebu Pacific, China Airlines, China Eastern, CommutAir, Conviasa, Copa Airlines, Croatia Air, Czech Airlines, Delta Airlines, Dragonair, EL AL, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, Eurowings, EVA Air, Fiji Airways, Finnair, Flair Air, flybe, Frontier Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, Gol Linhas Aereas, Hawaiian Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Iberia, Icelandair, Indigo, InselAir, Interjet, Iran Air, Iran Aseman Air, Japan Airlines, Jet Airways, Jet2, jetBlue Airways, Jetstar Airways, Jetstar Asia, Juneyao Airlines, Kenya Airways, KLM, Kulula, Kuwait Air, LATAM , Liat Airlines, LOT Polish, Lufthansa, Luxair, Mahan Air, Malaysia Airlines, Mango, Meridiana Fly, Mesa Airlines, Middle East Airlines, Monarch Airlines, Nordwind Airlines, Norwegian, Oman Air, Onur Air, Pakistan International, Peach, PenAir, Porter Airlines, Qantas Airways, Qatar Airways, Republic Airways, Royal Brunei Airlines, Royal Jordanian, Ryanair, S7, SAS Scandinavian, Scoot, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Sky Airlines, Skywest, Inc., South African Airways, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, SriLankan Airlines, Sun Express, Swiss Int'l Air Lines, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Thai Airways, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), Tiger Airways, Trans States, Travel Service Airlines, TUI, Turkish Airlines, Ukraine International, United Airlines, Uzbekistan Air, Vietnam Airlines, VIM Airlines (Closed), Virgin Atlantic, Volotea, WestJet, WOW Airlines, Xiamen.

## Osprey Tropos 32 vs. The North Face Borealis Backpack: which should you pack?

The **Osprey Tropos 32** carries 4L more than the **The North Face Borealis Backpack** (32L vs. 28L), while the **The North Face Borealis Backpack** is the lighter pack at 1.1kg (vs. 1.3kg). For carry-on flexibility, the **The North Face Borealis Backpack** fits 91% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Osprey Tropos 32; if you want to travel lighter, the The North Face Borealis Backpack is the better call.