Matador Beast28 Packable Backpack vs. ILE Default Mini

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

Matador Beast28 Packable Backpack

Front facing view of the Matador Beast28 Packable Backpack
Capacity28 L
Weight0.7 kg
Dimensions56×28×18 cm
Airline fit47%
Price$150

Feature by feature

Matador Beast28 Packable BackpackFeatureILE Default Mini
Storage
4 Compression 4
None Expanded Capacity None
1 Opening 2
top Passport
N Passthrough N
Carry
Y Backpack Y
removable Hip Belt removable
removable Sternum Strap removable
Inside
N Laptop 15in
2 Main Compartments 2
N Organizer N
Outside
× Hard Shell ×
N Rain-fly N
2, side Water Bottle Holder 2, side
Y Water Resistant Y
Material
210D Robic® high tenacity nylon, UTS coated, DWR finish1000D Cordura or xpac 1.45kg x-pac; 1.65kg cordura

ILE Default Mini

by ILE
Front facing view of the ILE Default Mini
Capacity25 L
Weight1.5 kg
Dimensions51×31×15 cm
Airline fit89%
Price$275

Key differences between the Matador Beast28 Packable Backpack and ILE Default Mini

Both have: compression straps, backpack straps, hip belt, sternum strap, 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. 88 accept both. 1 accept only the Matador Beast28 Packable Backpack, and 81 accept only the ILE Default Mini.

Only the Matador Beast28 Packable Backpack fits

Great Lakes Airlines.

Only the ILE Default Mini 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, 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, Oman Air, Pakistan International, Peach, Porter Airlines, Royal Brunei Airlines, Royal Jordanian, 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.

Matador Beast28 Packable Backpack vs. ILE Default Mini: which should you pack?

The Matador Beast28 Packable Backpack carries 3L more than the ILE Default Mini (28L vs. 25L), while the Matador Beast28 Packable Backpack is the lighter pack at 0.7kg (vs. 1.5kg). For carry-on flexibility, the ILE Default Mini fits 89% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Matador Beast28 Packable Backpack; if you want to travel lighter, the Matador Beast28 Packable Backpack is the better call.