MixedWorks Swift vs. Quechua NH 500 Hiking Backpack
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Feature by feature
| MixedWorks Swift | Feature | Quechua NH 500 Hiking Backpack |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | 27L |
| 4 | Opening | 2 |
| N | Passport | front |
| N | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| N | Hip Belt | N |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 15in |
| 1 | Main Compartments | 1 |
| Y | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| N | Water Bottle Holder | 2, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| Cordura 1000 outer shell | 100% Polyester |
Quechua NH 500 Hiking Backpack
| Capacity | 23 L |
| Weight | 0.8 kg |
| Dimensions | 46×28×22 cm |
| Airline fit | 75% |
| Price | $60 |
Key differences between the MixedWorks Swift and Quechua NH 500 Hiking Backpack
- Opening: Top zip on the MixedWorks Swift; Rolltop on the Quechua NH 500 Hiking Backpack.
- Passport pocket: No on the MixedWorks Swift; Front on the Quechua NH 500 Hiking Backpack.
- Luggage passthrough: No on the MixedWorks Swift; Yes on the Quechua NH 500 Hiking Backpack.
- Water bottle pockets: No on the MixedWorks Swift; 2, side on the Quechua NH 500 Hiking Backpack.
Both have: backpack straps, sternum strap, laptop sleeve, 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. 133 accept both. 34 accept only the MixedWorks Swift, and 8 accept only the Quechua NH 500 Hiking Backpack.
Only the MixedWorks Swift fits
Air Baltic, Air China, Air Malta, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Blue Air, Bulgaria Air, China Eastern, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, flybe, Icelandair, InselAir, Juneyao Airlines, Liat Airlines, Luxair, Meridiana Fly, Nordwind Airlines, Royal Brunei Airlines, Ryanair, S7, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Sun Express, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), TUI, Ukraine International, VIM Airlines (Closed), Volotea, Xiamen.
Only the Quechua NH 500 Hiking Backpack fits
Etihad Airways, Great Lakes Airlines, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, Ravn Alaska, Regional Express, Royal Jordanian, Virgin Australia.
MixedWorks Swift vs. Quechua NH 500 Hiking Backpack: which should you pack?
The MixedWorks Swift carries 1L more than the Quechua NH 500 Hiking Backpack (24L vs. 23L), while the Quechua NH 500 Hiking Backpack is the lighter pack at 0.8kg (vs. 1kg). For carry-on flexibility, the MixedWorks Swift fits 88% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the MixedWorks Swift; if you want to travel lighter, the Quechua NH 500 Hiking Backpack is the better call.