Almond Oak Expandable Travel Backpack vs. Alpaka Gear Traverse Backpack
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Almond Oak Expandable Travel Backpack
| Capacity | 25 L |
| Weight | 0.9 kg |
| Dimensions | 43×33×18 cm |
| Airline fit | 95% |
| Price | $130 |
Feature by feature
| Almond Oak Expandable Travel Backpack | Feature | Alpaka Gear Traverse Backpack |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| 30L | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 1 |
| back | Passport | top |
| Y | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| N | Hip Belt | N |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 16in | Laptop | 16in |
| 4 | Main Compartments | 5 |
| N | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 1, side | Water Bottle Holder | 1, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 280D Nylon PU-coated | Axoflux 400D ripstop nylon |
Alpaka Gear Traverse Backpack
| Capacity | 30 L |
| Weight | 1.5 kg |
| Dimensions | 47×28×18 cm |
| Airline fit | 93% |
| Price | $200 |
Key differences between the Almond Oak Expandable Travel Backpack and Alpaka Gear Traverse Backpack
- Passport pocket: Back on the Almond Oak Expandable Travel Backpack; Top on the Alpaka Gear Traverse Backpack.
- Main compartments: 4 on the Almond Oak Expandable Travel Backpack; 5 on the Alpaka Gear Traverse Backpack.
- Built-in organizer: No on the Almond Oak Expandable Travel Backpack; Yes on the Alpaka Gear Traverse Backpack.
Both have: luggage passthrough, backpack straps, sternum strap, laptop sleeve, 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. 174 accept both. 5 accept only the Almond Oak Expandable Travel Backpack, and 2 accept only the Alpaka Gear Traverse Backpack.
Only the Almond Oak Expandable Travel Backpack fits
Air Tahiti, American Eagle, easyJet, Gulf Air, Ravn Alaska.
Only the Alpaka Gear Traverse Backpack fits
Air Niugini, Great Lakes Airlines.
Almond Oak Expandable Travel Backpack vs. Alpaka Gear Traverse Backpack: which should you pack?
The Alpaka Gear Traverse Backpack carries 5L more than the Almond Oak Expandable Travel Backpack (25L vs. 30L), while the Almond Oak Expandable Travel Backpack is the lighter pack at 0.9kg (vs. 1.5kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Almond Oak Expandable Travel Backpack fits 95% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Alpaka Gear Traverse Backpack; if you want to travel lighter, the Almond Oak Expandable Travel Backpack is the better call.