Aer City Pack vs. Day Owl Backpack Pro
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Feature by feature
| Aer City Pack | Feature | Day Owl Backpack Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 1 |
| top | Passport | top, back |
| Y | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| N | Hip Belt | N |
| removable | Sternum Strap | N |
| Inside | ||
| 16in | Laptop | 16in |
| 4 | Main Compartments | 6 |
| Y | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 1, side | Water Bottle Holder | 1, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 1680D Cordura® ballistic nylon exterior | waxed canvas |
Day Owl Backpack Pro
| Capacity | 21 L |
| Weight | 1.1 kg |
| Dimensions | 43×31×13 cm |
| Airline fit | 95% |
| Price | $155 |
Key differences between the Aer City Pack and Day Owl Backpack Pro
- Passport pocket: Top on the Aer City Pack; Top, back on the Day Owl Backpack Pro.
- Sternum strap: Removable on the Aer City Pack; No on the Day Owl Backpack Pro.
- Main compartments: 4 on the Aer City Pack; 6 on the Day Owl Backpack Pro.
Both have: luggage passthrough, backpack straps, laptop sleeve, 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. 177 accept both. 1 accept only the Aer City Pack, and 2 accept only the Day Owl Backpack Pro.
Only the Aer City Pack fits
Air Niugini.
Only the Day Owl Backpack Pro fits
Air Tahiti, Gulf Air.
Aer City Pack vs. Day Owl Backpack Pro: which should you pack?
The Day Owl Backpack Pro carries 7L more than the Aer City Pack (14L vs. 21L), while the Aer City Pack is the lighter pack at 1.1kg (vs. 1.1kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Day Owl Backpack Pro fits 95% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Day Owl Backpack Pro; if you want to travel lighter, the Aer City Pack is the better call.