Deuter Gigant SL vs. Deuter Giga EL
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Feature by feature
| Deuter Gigant SL | Feature | Deuter Giga EL |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| Y | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 4 | Opening | 4 |
| N | Passport | N |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | removable |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 17in | Laptop | 17in |
| 3 | Main Compartments | 1 |
| Y | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| optional | Rain-fly | removable |
| 1 | Water Bottle Holder | 2 |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 300D PES Ripstop | 300D PES Ripstop |
Key differences between the Deuter Gigant SL and Deuter Giga EL
- Compression straps: Yes on the Deuter Gigant SL; No on the Deuter Giga EL.
- Main compartments: 3 on the Deuter Gigant SL; 1 on the Deuter Giga EL.
- Rain cover: Optional on the Deuter Gigant SL; Removable on the Deuter Giga EL.
- Water bottle pockets: 1 on the Deuter Gigant SL; 2 on the Deuter Giga EL.
Both have: backpack straps, hip belt, 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. 135 accept both. 2 accept only the Deuter Gigant SL, and 34 accept only the Deuter Giga EL.
Only the Deuter Gigant SL fits
Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways.
Only the Deuter Giga EL 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.
Deuter Gigant SL vs. Deuter Giga EL: which should you pack?
The Deuter Gigant SL carries the same capacity as the Deuter Giga EL (32L vs. 32L), while the Deuter Giga EL is the lighter pack at 1.05kg (vs. 1.08kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Deuter Giga EL fits 89% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Deuter Gigant SL; if you want to travel lighter, the Deuter Giga EL is the better call.