Eagle Creek Wayfinder 30L vs. Patagonia Paxat Backpack 32L
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Eagle Creek Wayfinder 30L
| Capacity | 40 L |
| Weight | 0.9 kg |
| Dimensions | 51×35×20 cm |
| Airline fit | 89% |
| Price | $100 |
Feature by feature
| Eagle Creek Wayfinder 30L | Feature | Patagonia Paxat Backpack 32L |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | Y |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 4 | Opening | 4 |
| N | Passport | N |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| hideable | Hip Belt | N |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 17in | Laptop | 15in |
| 5 | Main Compartments | 3 |
| Y | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2 | Water Bottle Holder | 2 |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 300D Dual-Diamond Heather Ripstop, 500D Poly RPVB Coating | 630-denier 100% nylon, 450-denier 100% polyester |
Patagonia Paxat Backpack 32L
| Capacity | 32 L |
| Weight | 0.9 kg |
| Dimensions | 51×31×23 cm |
| Airline fit | 71% |
| Price | $119 |
Key differences between the Eagle Creek Wayfinder 30L and Patagonia Paxat Backpack 32L
- Compression straps: No on the Eagle Creek Wayfinder 30L; Yes on the Patagonia Paxat Backpack 32L.
- Hip belt: Hideable on the Eagle Creek Wayfinder 30L; No on the Patagonia Paxat Backpack 32L.
- Laptop sleeve: 17in on the Eagle Creek Wayfinder 30L; 15in on the Patagonia Paxat Backpack 32L.
- Main compartments: 5 on the Eagle Creek Wayfinder 30L; 3 on the Patagonia Paxat Backpack 32L.
Both have: backpack straps, sternum strap, built-in organizer, 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. 133 accept both. 35 accept only the Eagle Creek Wayfinder 30L, and 1 accept only the Patagonia Paxat Backpack 32L.
Only the Eagle Creek Wayfinder 30L fits
Air Baltic, Air China, Air Malta, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Blue Air, Bulgaria Air, China Eastern, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, flybe, Icelandair, InselAir, Juneyao Airlines, Liat Airlines, Luxair, Meridiana Fly, Nordwind Airlines, Pakistan International, Royal Brunei Airlines, Ryanair, S7, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Sun Express, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), TUI, Ukraine International, VIM Airlines (Closed), Volotea, Xiamen.
Only the Patagonia Paxat Backpack 32L fits
Cayman Airways.
Eagle Creek Wayfinder 30L vs. Patagonia Paxat Backpack 32L: which should you pack?
The Eagle Creek Wayfinder 30L carries 8L more than the Patagonia Paxat Backpack 32L (40L vs. 32L), while the Eagle Creek Wayfinder 30L is the lighter pack at 0.9kg (vs. 0.9kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Eagle Creek Wayfinder 30L fits 89% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Eagle Creek Wayfinder 30L; if you want to travel lighter, the Eagle Creek Wayfinder 30L is the better call.