Remote Equipment Alpha 31 Pack vs. The North Face Borealis Backpack
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Remote Equipment Alpha 31 Pack
| Capacity | 31 L |
| Weight | 1.5 kg |
| Dimensions | 54×29×20 cm |
| Airline fit | 88% |
| Price | $400 |
Feature by feature
| Remote Equipment Alpha 31 Pack | Feature | The North Face Borealis Backpack |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 4 | Compression | 4 |
| 36L | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 2 | Opening | 4 |
| top | Passport | top |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | removable |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 16in | Laptop | 16in |
| 6 | Main Compartments | 4 |
| N | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | 2, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | N |
| Material | |
| Challenge Outdoor EPX600 | 210D recycled nylon ripstop with non-PFC durable water-repellent (non-PFC DWR) finish |
The North Face Borealis Backpack
| Capacity | 28 L |
| Weight | 1.1 kg |
| Dimensions | 50×31×17 cm |
| Airline fit | 91% |
| Price | $100 |
Key differences between the Remote Equipment Alpha 31 Pack and The North Face Borealis Backpack
- Opening: Rolltop on the Remote Equipment Alpha 31 Pack; Top zip on the The North Face Borealis Backpack.
- Main compartments: 6 on the Remote Equipment Alpha 31 Pack; 4 on the The North Face Borealis Backpack.
- Built-in organizer: No on the Remote Equipment Alpha 31 Pack; Yes on the The North Face Borealis Backpack.
- Water resistant: Yes on the Remote Equipment Alpha 31 Pack; No on the The North Face Borealis Backpack.
Both have: compression straps, passport pocket, backpack straps, hip belt, 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. 166 accept both. 0 accept only the Remote Equipment Alpha 31 Pack, and 6 accept only the The North Face Borealis Backpack.
Only the The North Face Borealis Backpack fits
Belavia, Etihad Airways, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, Royal Jordanian, WestJet.
Remote Equipment Alpha 31 Pack vs. The North Face Borealis Backpack: which should you pack?
The Remote Equipment Alpha 31 Pack carries 3L more than the The North Face Borealis Backpack (31L vs. 28L), while the The North Face Borealis Backpack is the lighter pack at 1.1kg (vs. 1.5kg). For carry-on flexibility, the The North Face Borealis Backpack fits 91% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Remote Equipment Alpha 31 Pack; if you want to travel lighter, the The North Face Borealis Backpack is the better call.