Matador Beast28 Packable Backpack vs. Fjallraven Vardag 28
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 | Fjallraven Vardag 28 |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 4 | Compression | 2 |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 4 |
| top | Passport | top |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | removable |
| removable | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| N | Laptop | 15in |
| 2 | Main Compartments | 3 |
| 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 | 100% polyester 600D (recycled) |
Fjallraven Vardag 28
| Capacity | 28 L |
| Weight | 0.8 kg |
| Dimensions | 50×29×18 cm |
| Airline fit | 92% |
| Price | $100 |
Key differences between the Matador Beast28 Packable Backpack and Fjallraven Vardag 28
- Compression straps: 4 on the Matador Beast28 Packable Backpack; 2 on the Fjallraven Vardag 28.
- Opening: Clamshell on the Matador Beast28 Packable Backpack; Top zip on the Fjallraven Vardag 28.
- Laptop sleeve: No on the Matador Beast28 Packable Backpack; 15in on the Fjallraven Vardag 28.
- Main compartments: 2 on the Matador Beast28 Packable Backpack; 3 on the Fjallraven Vardag 28.
Both have: passport pocket, 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 85 accept only the Fjallraven Vardag 28.
Only the Matador Beast28 Packable Backpack fits
Great Lakes Airlines.
Only the Fjallraven Vardag 28 fits
Aer Lingus, Aeroflot, Aerolineas Argentinas, Aeromexico, Air Baltic, Air Canada, Air Caraibes, Air China, Air France, Air India, Air Malta, Air Mauritius, Air Niugini, 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. Fjallraven Vardag 28: which should you pack?
The Matador Beast28 Packable Backpack carries the same capacity as the Fjallraven Vardag 28 (28L vs. 28L), while the Matador Beast28 Packable Backpack is the lighter pack at 0.7kg (vs. 0.8kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Fjallraven Vardag 28 fits 92% 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.