Eagle Creek Wayfinder 30L vs. Cotopaxi Cusco Backpack 26L
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 | Cotopaxi Cusco Backpack 26L |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| 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 | 1 |
| 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 | 100% repurposed 600D polyester |
Cotopaxi Cusco Backpack 26L
| Capacity | 26 L |
| Weight | 0.7 kg |
| Dimensions | 53×33×23 cm |
| Airline fit | 70% |
| Price | $110 |
Key differences between the Eagle Creek Wayfinder 30L and Cotopaxi Cusco Backpack 26L
- Hip belt: Hideable on the Eagle Creek Wayfinder 30L; No on the Cotopaxi Cusco Backpack 26L.
- Laptop sleeve: 17in on the Eagle Creek Wayfinder 30L; 15in on the Cotopaxi Cusco Backpack 26L.
- Main compartments: 5 on the Eagle Creek Wayfinder 30L; 1 on the Cotopaxi Cusco Backpack 26L.
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. 131 accept both. 37 accept only the Eagle Creek Wayfinder 30L, and 1 accept only the Cotopaxi Cusco Backpack 26L.
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, Oman Air, Pakistan International, Royal Brunei Airlines, Royal Jordanian, 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 Cotopaxi Cusco Backpack 26L fits
Cayman Airways.
Eagle Creek Wayfinder 30L vs. Cotopaxi Cusco Backpack 26L: which should you pack?
The Eagle Creek Wayfinder 30L carries 14L more than the Cotopaxi Cusco Backpack 26L (40L vs. 26L), while the Cotopaxi Cusco Backpack 26L is the lighter pack at 0.7kg (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 Cotopaxi Cusco Backpack 26L is the better call.