Matador Beast28 Packable Backpack vs. Remote Equipment Alpha 31 Pack
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Matador Beast28 Packable Backpack
| Capacity | 28 L |
| Weight | 0.7 kg |
| Dimensions | 56×28×18 cm |
| Airline fit | 47% |
| Price | $150 |
Feature by feature
| Matador Beast28 Packable Backpack | Feature | Remote Equipment Alpha 31 Pack |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 4 | Compression | 4 |
| None | Expanded Capacity | 36L |
| 1 | Opening | 2 |
| top | Passport | top |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | removable |
| removable | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| N | Laptop | 16in |
| 2 | Main Compartments | 6 |
| 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 finish | Challenge Outdoor EPX600 |
Remote Equipment Alpha 31 Pack
| Capacity | 31 L |
| Weight | 1.5 kg |
| Dimensions | 54×29×20 cm |
| Airline fit | 88% |
| Price | $400 |
Key differences between the Matador Beast28 Packable Backpack and Remote Equipment Alpha 31 Pack
- Opening: Clamshell on the Matador Beast28 Packable Backpack; Rolltop on the Remote Equipment Alpha 31 Pack.
- Sternum strap: Removable on the Matador Beast28 Packable Backpack; Yes on the Remote Equipment Alpha 31 Pack.
- Laptop sleeve: No on the Matador Beast28 Packable Backpack; 16in on the Remote Equipment Alpha 31 Pack.
- Main compartments: 2 on the Matador Beast28 Packable Backpack; 6 on the Remote Equipment Alpha 31 Pack.
Both have: compression straps, passport pocket, backpack straps, hip belt, 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 78 accept only the Remote Equipment Alpha 31 Pack.
Only the Matador Beast28 Packable Backpack fits
Great Lakes Airlines.
Only the Remote Equipment Alpha 31 Pack 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, Pakistan International, Peach, Porter Airlines, Royal Brunei Airlines, 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, Xiamen.
Matador Beast28 Packable Backpack vs. Remote Equipment Alpha 31 Pack: which should you pack?
The Remote Equipment Alpha 31 Pack carries 3L more than the Matador Beast28 Packable Backpack (28L vs. 31L), while the Matador Beast28 Packable Backpack is the lighter pack at 0.7kg (vs. 1.5kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Remote Equipment Alpha 31 Pack fits 88% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Remote Equipment Alpha 31 Pack; if you want to travel lighter, the Matador Beast28 Packable Backpack is the better call.