Matador Beast28 Packable Backpack vs. Airback Original
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 | Airback Original |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 4 | Compression | 4 |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 1 |
| top | Passport | top |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | |
| removable | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| N | Laptop | 17in |
| 2 | Main Compartments | 4 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | 1, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 210D Robic® high tenacity nylon, UTS coated, DWR finish | 100% Recycled Nylon 900D Face wax coating & Back PU coating, GRS certified, PFC free |
Airback Original
| Capacity | 22 L |
| Weight | 1.7 kg |
| Dimensions | 49×32×15 cm |
| Airline fit | 91% |
| Price | $220 |
Key differences between the Matador Beast28 Packable Backpack and Airback Original
- Laptop sleeve: No on the Matador Beast28 Packable Backpack; 17in on the Airback Original.
- Main compartments: 2 on the Matador Beast28 Packable Backpack; 4 on the Airback Original.
- Water bottle pockets: 2, side on the Matador Beast28 Packable Backpack; 1, side on the Airback Original.
Both have: compression straps, passport pocket, backpack straps, sternum strap, 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 84 accept only the Airback Original.
Only the Matador Beast28 Packable Backpack fits
Great Lakes Airlines.
Only the Airback Original 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, Belavia, Blue Air, Boliviana de Aviacion, Brussels Airlines, Bulgaria Air, China Eastern, Czech Airlines, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, 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, Qatar Airways, 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. Airback Original: which should you pack?
The Matador Beast28 Packable Backpack carries 6L more than the Airback Original (28L vs. 22L), while the Matador Beast28 Packable Backpack is the lighter pack at 0.7kg (vs. 1.7kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Airback Original fits 91% 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.