Nordace Urban Max vs. Arc'teryx Blade 28
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Nordace Urban Max
| Capacity | 20 L |
| Weight | 1.05 kg |
| Dimensions | 43×30×18 cm |
| Airline fit | 95% |
| Price | $135 |
Feature by feature
| Nordace Urban Max | Feature | Arc'teryx Blade 28 |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 1 |
| Y | Passport | back |
| Y | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | hideable |
| N | Hip Belt | N |
| N | Sternum Strap | N |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 15in |
| 1 | Main Compartments | 4 |
| Y | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| N | Water Bottle Holder | N |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| Polyester | N210p-HT nylon 6,6 N630p-HT nylon 6,6 |
Arc'teryx Blade 28
| Capacity | 28 L |
| Weight | 1.5 kg |
| Dimensions | 54×31×16 cm |
| Airline fit | 88% |
| Price | $160 |
Key differences between the Nordace Urban Max and Arc'teryx Blade 28
- Passport pocket: Yes on the Nordace Urban Max; Back on the Arc'teryx Blade 28.
- Backpack straps: Yes on the Nordace Urban Max; Hideable on the Arc'teryx Blade 28.
- Main compartments: 1 on the Nordace Urban Max; 4 on the Arc'teryx Blade 28.
Both have: luggage passthrough, laptop sleeve, built-in organizer, water resistant.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 166 accept both. 14 accept only the Nordace Urban Max, and 0 accept only the Arc'teryx Blade 28.
Only the Nordace Urban Max fits
Air Niugini, Air Tahiti, American Eagle, Belavia, easyJet, Etihad Airways, Gulf Air, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, Ravn Alaska, Regional Express, Royal Jordanian, Virgin Australia, WestJet.
Nordace Urban Max vs. Arc'teryx Blade 28: which should you pack?
The Arc'teryx Blade 28 carries 8L more than the Nordace Urban Max (20L vs. 28L), while the Nordace Urban Max is the lighter pack at 1.05kg (vs. 1.5kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Nordace Urban Max fits 95% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Arc'teryx Blade 28; if you want to travel lighter, the Nordace Urban Max is the better call.