Nomatic Navigator Collapsible Backpack vs. Aer City Pack X-Pac
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Nomatic Navigator Collapsible Backpack
| Capacity | 17 L |
| Weight | 0.4 kg |
| Dimensions | 48×27×15 cm |
| Airline fit | 93% |
| Price | $100 |
Feature by feature
| Nomatic Navigator Collapsible Backpack | Feature | Aer City Pack X-Pac |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| 20L | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 4 | Opening | 1 |
| top | Passport | top |
| Y | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| N | Hip Belt | N |
| removable | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| 16in | Laptop | 16in |
| 2 | Main Compartments | 4 |
| N | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | 2, side |
| N | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| Wear- and water-resistant nylon | VX-42 X-Pac |
Key differences between the Nomatic Navigator Collapsible Backpack and Aer City Pack X-Pac
- Opening: Top zip on the Nomatic Navigator Collapsible Backpack; Clamshell on the Aer City Pack X-Pac.
- Main compartments: 2 on the Nomatic Navigator Collapsible Backpack; 4 on the Aer City Pack X-Pac.
- Built-in organizer: No on the Nomatic Navigator Collapsible Backpack; Yes on the Aer City Pack X-Pac.
- Water resistant: No on the Nomatic Navigator Collapsible Backpack; Yes on the Aer City Pack X-Pac.
Both have: passport pocket, luggage passthrough, backpack straps, sternum strap, laptop sleeve, water bottle pockets.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 175 accept both. 1 accept only the Nomatic Navigator Collapsible Backpack, and 3 accept only the Aer City Pack X-Pac.
Only the Nomatic Navigator Collapsible Backpack fits
Great Lakes Airlines.
Only the Aer City Pack X-Pac fits
American Eagle, easyJet, Ravn Alaska.
Nomatic Navigator Collapsible Backpack vs. Aer City Pack X-Pac: which should you pack?
The Nomatic Navigator Collapsible Backpack carries 3L more than the Aer City Pack X-Pac (17L vs. 14L), while the Nomatic Navigator Collapsible Backpack is the lighter pack at 0.4kg (vs. 1.1kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Aer City Pack X-Pac fits 94% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Nomatic Navigator Collapsible Backpack; if you want to travel lighter, the Nomatic Navigator Collapsible Backpack is the better call.