Kathmandu Parker Pack vs. Waterfield Pro Executive Laptop Backpack
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 | Waterfield Pro Executive Laptop Backpack |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 4 | Opening | 4 |
| N | Passport | N |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| N | Hip Belt | N |
| Y | Sternum Strap | N |
| Inside | ||
| 17in | Laptop | 15in |
| 2 | Main Compartments | 2 |
| Y | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| optional | Rain-fly | N |
| N | Water Bottle Holder | N |
| N | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 100% Recycled Polyester | 1050 Denier black Ballistic nylon/ Full-grain leather accents |
Waterfield Pro Executive Laptop Backpack
| Capacity | 25.5 L |
| Weight | 1.41 kg |
| Dimensions | 41.91×34.29×17.78 cm |
| Airline fit | 93% |
| Price | $350 |
Key differences between the Kathmandu Parker Pack and Waterfield Pro Executive Laptop Backpack
- Sternum strap: Yes on the Kathmandu Parker Pack; No on the Waterfield Pro Executive Laptop Backpack.
- Laptop sleeve: 17in on the Kathmandu Parker Pack; 15in on the Waterfield Pro Executive Laptop Backpack.
- Built-in organizer: Yes on the Kathmandu Parker Pack; No on the Waterfield Pro Executive Laptop Backpack.
- Rain cover: Optional on the Kathmandu Parker Pack; No on the Waterfield Pro Executive Laptop Backpack.
- Water resistant: No on the Kathmandu Parker Pack; Yes on the Waterfield Pro Executive Laptop Backpack.
Both have: backpack straps.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 77 accept both. 0 accept only the Kathmandu Parker Pack, and 99 accept only the Waterfield Pro Executive Laptop Backpack.
Only the Waterfield Pro Executive Laptop Backpack fits
Air Asia, Air Baltic, Air Canada, Air China, Air Macau, Air Malta, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Air Tahiti, Air Wisconsin, AirAsiaX, Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, American Eagle, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Austrian, Avianca , Azerbaijan Airlines, Bahamasair, Bangkok Airways, Belavia, Biman Bangladesh, Blue Air, Brussels Airlines, Bulgaria Air, Cambodia Angkor Air, Cathay Pacific, Cebu Pacific, China Airlines, China Eastern, CommutAir, Delta Airlines, Dragonair, easyJet, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Eurowings, EVA Air, Fiji Airways, Flair Air, flybe, Garuda Indonesia, Gulf Air, 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, Ravn Alaska, 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. Waterfield Pro Executive Laptop Backpack: which should you pack?
The Kathmandu Parker Pack carries 2.5L more than the Waterfield Pro Executive Laptop Backpack (28L vs. 25.5L), while the Kathmandu Parker Pack is the lighter pack at 0.89kg (vs. 1.41kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Waterfield Pro Executive Laptop Backpack fits 93% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Kathmandu Parker Pack; if you want to travel lighter, the Kathmandu Parker Pack is the better call.