Deuter Freerider 30 vs. Fjallraven Vardag 28
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Deuter Freerider 30
| Capacity | 30 L |
| Weight | 1 kg |
| Dimensions | 56×33×18 cm |
| Airline fit | 47% |
| Price | $185 |
Feature by feature
| Deuter Freerider 30 | Feature | Fjallraven Vardag 28 |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 2 | Compression | 2 |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 4 | Opening | 4 |
| top | Passport | top |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| Y | Hip Belt | removable |
| Y | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| N | Laptop | 15in |
| 3 | Main Compartments | 3 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| N | Water Bottle Holder | 2, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 330D PA 6.6 Ripstop, 210D PA Ripstop | 100% polyester 600D (recycled) |
Fjallraven Vardag 28
| Capacity | 28 L |
| Weight | 0.8 kg |
| Dimensions | 50×29×18 cm |
| Airline fit | 92% |
| Price | $100 |
Key differences between the Deuter Freerider 30 and Fjallraven Vardag 28
- Hip belt: Yes on the Deuter Freerider 30; Removable on the Fjallraven Vardag 28.
- Sternum strap: Yes on the Deuter Freerider 30; Removable on the Fjallraven Vardag 28.
- Laptop sleeve: No on the Deuter Freerider 30; 15in on the Fjallraven Vardag 28.
- Water bottle pockets: No on the Deuter Freerider 30; 2, side on the Fjallraven Vardag 28.
Both have: compression straps, passport pocket, backpack straps, water resistant.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 88 accept both. 0 accept only the Deuter Freerider 30, and 85 accept only the Fjallraven Vardag 28.
Only the Fjallraven Vardag 28 fits
Aer Lingus, Aeroflot, Aerolineas Argentinas, Aeromexico, Air Baltic, Air Canada, Air Caraibes, Air China, Air France, Air India, Air Malta, Air Mauritius, Air Niugini, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, All Nipon Airways, ANA, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Austrian, Azerbaijan Airlines, Belavia, Blue Air, Boliviana de Aviacion, Brussels Airlines, Bulgaria Air, China Eastern, Czech Airlines, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, Eurowings, Fiji Airways, Flair Air, flybe, Gol Linhas Aereas, Iberia, Icelandair, Indigo, InselAir, Interjet, Iran Air, Japan Airlines, Jet Airways, Juneyao Airlines, Kenya Airways, KLM, LATAM , Liat Airlines, LOT Polish, Lufthansa, Luxair, Mahan Air, Meridiana Fly, Mesa Airlines, Nordwind Airlines, Norwegian, Oman Air, Pakistan International, Peach, Porter Airlines, Qatar Airways, Royal Brunei Airlines, Royal Jordanian, Ryanair, S7, SAS Scandinavian, Scoot, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Sky Airlines, Sun Express, Swiss Int'l Air Lines, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), Tiger Airways, TUI, Turkish Airlines, Ukraine International, VIM Airlines (Closed), Volotea, WestJet, Xiamen.
Deuter Freerider 30 vs. Fjallraven Vardag 28: which should you pack?
The Deuter Freerider 30 carries 2L more than the Fjallraven Vardag 28 (30L vs. 28L), while the Fjallraven Vardag 28 is the lighter pack at 0.8kg (vs. 1kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Fjallraven Vardag 28 fits 92% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Deuter Freerider 30; if you want to travel lighter, the Fjallraven Vardag 28 is the better call.