Aer City Pack vs. Able Carry Max Backpack
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Feature by feature
| Aer City Pack | Feature | Able Carry Max Backpack |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 1 |
| top | Passport | top |
| Y | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| N | Hip Belt | N |
| removable | Sternum Strap | hideable |
| Inside | ||
| 16in | Laptop | 17in |
| 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 | X-Pac Fabric and Cordura 1000D Nylon Weight: 1.7kg xpac; 1.6 cordura ripstop |
Able Carry Max Backpack
| Capacity | 30 L |
| Weight | 1.7 kg |
| Dimensions | 52×32×20 cm |
| Airline fit | 88% |
| Price | $278 |
Key differences between the Aer City Pack and Able Carry Max Backpack
- Sternum strap: Removable on the Aer City Pack; Hideable on the Able Carry Max Backpack.
- Laptop sleeve: 16in on the Aer City Pack; 17in on the Able Carry Max Backpack.
- Main compartments: 4 on the Aer City Pack; 6 on the Able Carry Max Backpack.
Both have: passport pocket, luggage passthrough, backpack straps, 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. 167 accept both. 11 accept only the Aer City Pack, and 0 accept only the Able Carry Max Backpack.
Only the Aer City Pack fits
Air Niugini, American Eagle, Belavia, easyJet, Etihad Airways, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, Ravn Alaska, Regional Express, Royal Jordanian, Virgin Australia.
Aer City Pack vs. Able Carry Max Backpack: which should you pack?
The Able Carry Max Backpack carries 16L more than the Aer City Pack (14L vs. 30L), while the Aer City Pack is the lighter pack at 1.1kg (vs. 1.7kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Aer City Pack fits 94% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Able Carry Max Backpack; if you want to travel lighter, the Aer City Pack is the better call.