Kathmandu Parker Pack vs. Deuter Giga EL
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Kathmandu Parker Pack
| Capacity | 28 L |
| Weight | 0.89 kg |
| Dimensions | 50×29×24 cm |
| Airline fit | 41% |
| Price | $90 |
Feature by feature
| Kathmandu Parker Pack | Feature | Deuter Giga EL |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 4 | Opening | 4 |
| N | Passport | N |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| N | Hip Belt | removable |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 17in | Laptop | 17in |
| 2 | Main Compartments | 1 |
| Y | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| optional | Rain-fly | removable |
| N | Water Bottle Holder | 2 |
| N | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 100% Recycled Polyester | 300D PES Ripstop |
Key differences between the Kathmandu Parker Pack and Deuter Giga EL
- Hip belt: No on the Kathmandu Parker Pack; Removable on the Deuter Giga EL.
- Main compartments: 2 on the Kathmandu Parker Pack; 1 on the Deuter Giga EL.
- Rain cover: Optional on the Kathmandu Parker Pack; Removable on the Deuter Giga EL.
- Water bottle pockets: No on the Kathmandu Parker Pack; 2 on the Deuter Giga EL.
- Water resistant: No on the Kathmandu Parker Pack; Yes on the Deuter Giga EL.
Both have: backpack straps, sternum strap, laptop sleeve, built-in organizer.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 75 accept both. 2 accept only the Kathmandu Parker Pack, and 94 accept only the Deuter Giga EL.
Only the Kathmandu Parker Pack fits
Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways.
Only the Deuter Giga EL fits
Air Asia, Air Baltic, Air Canada, Air China, Air Macau, Air Malta, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Air Wisconsin, AirAsiaX, Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Austrian, Avianca , Azerbaijan Airlines, Bahamasair, Bangkok Airways, Biman Bangladesh, Blue Air, Brussels Airlines, Bulgaria Air, Cambodia Angkor Air, Cathay Pacific, Cayman Airways, Cebu Pacific, China Airlines, China Eastern, CommutAir, Delta Airlines, Dragonair, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Eurowings, EVA Air, Fiji Airways, Flair Air, flybe, Garuda Indonesia, Hawaiian Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Icelandair, InselAir, jetBlue Airways, Jetstar Airways, Jetstar Asia, Juneyao Airlines, Kulula, Liat Airlines, LOT Polish, Lufthansa, Luxair, Mahan Air, Malaysia Airlines, Mango, Meridiana Fly, Mesa Airlines, Nordwind Airlines, Norwegian, Pakistan International, Porter Airlines, Qantas Airways, Republic Airways, Royal Brunei Airlines, Royal Jordanian, Ryanair, S7, SAS Scandinavian, Scoot, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Skywest, Inc., South African Airways, SriLankan Airlines, Sun Express, Swiss Int'l Air Lines, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), Tiger Airways, Trans States, TUI, Turkish Airlines, Ukraine International, United Airlines, Vietnam Airlines, VIM Airlines (Closed), Virgin Atlantic, Volotea, WestJet, Xiamen.
Kathmandu Parker Pack vs. Deuter Giga EL: which should you pack?
The Deuter Giga EL carries 4L more than the Kathmandu Parker Pack (28L vs. 32L), while the Kathmandu Parker Pack is the lighter pack at 0.89kg (vs. 1.05kg). 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 Giga EL; if you want to travel lighter, the Kathmandu Parker Pack is the better call.