Yeti Ranchero 27L vs. Matador ReFraction

Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.

Yeti Ranchero 27L

by Yeti
Front facing view of the Yeti Ranchero 27L
Capacity27 L
Weight1.7 kg
Dimensions51×29×25 cm
Airline fit39%
Price$275

Feature by feature

Yeti Ranchero 27LFeatureMatador ReFraction
Storage
2 Compression N
None Expanded Capacity None
0 Opening 0
top Passport top
Y Passthrough Y
Carry
Y Backpack Y
Hip Belt N
removable Sternum Strap removable
Inside
15in Laptop N
2 Main Compartments 2
N Organizer N
Outside
× Hard Shell ×
N Rain-fly N
2, side Water Bottle Holder 2, side
Y Water Resistant Y
Material
TuffSkin nylon.Recycled nylon, Bluesign® approved

Matador ReFraction

Front facing view of the Matador ReFraction
Capacity16 L
Weight0.2 kg
Dimensions43×25×19 cm
Airline fit96%
Price$60

Key differences between the Yeti Ranchero 27L and Matador ReFraction

Both have: passport pocket, luggage passthrough, backpack straps, 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. 73 accept both. 0 accept only the Yeti Ranchero 27L, and 108 accept only the Matador ReFraction.

Only the Matador ReFraction fits

Aer Lingus, Air Asia, Air Baltic, Air Canada, Air China, Air Macau, Air Malta, Air Niugini, 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, Cayman Airways, Cebu Pacific, China Airlines, China Eastern, CommutAir, Delta Airlines, Dragonair, easyJet, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, Eurowings, EVA Air, Fiji Airways, Flair Air, flybe, Garuda Indonesia, Great Lakes Airlines, 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, Oman Air, Pakistan International, Porter Airlines, Qantas Airways, Qatar Airways, Ravn Alaska, Regional Express, 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, Virgin Australia, Volotea, WestJet, Xiamen.

Yeti Ranchero 27L vs. Matador ReFraction: which should you pack?

The Yeti Ranchero 27L carries 11L more than the Matador ReFraction (27L vs. 16L), while the Matador ReFraction is the lighter pack at 0.2kg (vs. 1.7kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Matador ReFraction fits 96% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Yeti Ranchero 27L; if you want to travel lighter, the Matador ReFraction is the better call.