Fjallraven Farden Carry-on vs. Airback Original
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Fjallraven Farden Carry-on
| Capacity | 42 L |
| Weight | 1.4 kg |
| Dimensions | 55×35×23 cm |
| Airline fit | 67% |
| Price | $205 |
Feature by feature
| Fjallraven Farden Carry-on | Feature | Airback Original |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 4 | Compression | 4 |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 1 |
| top | Passport | top |
| Y | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| optional | Hip Belt | |
| removable | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| 16in | Laptop | 17in |
| 4 | Main Compartments | 4 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 3, side | Water Bottle Holder | 1, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 100% polyamide 500D | 100% Recycled Nylon 900D Face wax coating & Back PU coating, GRS certified, PFC free |
Airback Original
| Capacity | 22 L |
| Weight | 1.7 kg |
| Dimensions | 49×32×15 cm |
| Airline fit | 91% |
| Price | $220 |
Key differences between the Fjallraven Farden Carry-on and Airback Original
- Luggage passthrough: Yes on the Fjallraven Farden Carry-on; No on the Airback Original.
- Laptop sleeve: 16in on the Fjallraven Farden Carry-on; 17in on the Airback Original.
- Water bottle pockets: 3, side on the Fjallraven Farden Carry-on; 1, side on the Airback Original.
Both have: compression straps, passport pocket, backpack straps, sternum strap, water resistant.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 127 accept both. 0 accept only the Fjallraven Farden Carry-on, and 45 accept only the Airback Original.
Only the Airback Original fits
Air Baltic, Air China, Air Malta, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Belavia, Blue Air, Bulgaria Air, Cayman Airways, China Eastern, Croatia Air, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, Etihad Airways, flybe, Icelandair, InselAir, Juneyao Airlines, Liat Airlines, Luxair, Meridiana Fly, Nordwind Airlines, Oman Air, Pakistan International, Qatar Airways, Royal Brunei Airlines, Royal Jordanian, Ryanair, S7, Scoot, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Sun Express, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), Tiger Airways, TUI, Ukraine International, VIM Airlines (Closed), Volotea, WestJet, Xiamen.
Fjallraven Farden Carry-on vs. Airback Original: which should you pack?
The Fjallraven Farden Carry-on carries 20L more than the Airback Original (42L vs. 22L), while the Fjallraven Farden Carry-on is the lighter pack at 1.4kg (vs. 1.7kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Airback Original fits 91% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Fjallraven Farden Carry-on; if you want to travel lighter, the Fjallraven Farden Carry-on is the better call.