5.11 Rush 72 2.0 Backpack 55L vs. Airback Original

Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.

5.11 Rush 72 2.0 Backpack 55L

by 5.11
Front facing view of the 5.11 Rush 72 2.0 Backpack 55L
Capacity55 L
Weight2.4 kg
Dimensions58×34×22 cm
Airline fit16%
Price$190

Feature by feature

5.11 Rush 72 2.0 Backpack 55LFeatureAirback Original
Storage
4 Compression 4
None Expanded Capacity None
1 Opening 1
top Passport top
N Passthrough N
Carry
Y Backpack Y
Y Hip Belt
removable Sternum Strap removable
Inside
15in Laptop 17in
6 Main Compartments 4
N Organizer N
Outside
× Hard Shell ×
N Rain-fly N
2, side Water Bottle Holder 1, side
Y Water Resistant Y
Material
1050D nylon (MultiCam® 1000D nylon)100% Recycled Nylon 900D Face wax coating & Back PU coating, GRS certified, PFC free

Airback Original

Front facing view of the Airback Original
Capacity22 L
Weight1.7 kg
Dimensions49×32×15 cm
Airline fit91%
Price$220

Key differences between the 5.11 Rush 72 2.0 Backpack 55L and 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. 31 accept both. 0 accept only the 5.11 Rush 72 2.0 Backpack 55L, and 141 accept only the Airback Original.

Only the Airback Original fits

Aegean Airlines, Aer Lingus, Aeroflot, Aerolineas Argentinas, Aeromexico, Air Asia, Air Astana, Air Baltic, Air Canada, Air Caraibes, Air China, Air France, Air India, Air Macau, Air Malta, Air Mauritius, Air Nostrum, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Air Wisconsin, AirAsiaX, Alaska Airlines, All Nipon Airways, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, ANA, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Atlas Global, Austrian, Avianca , Azerbaijan Airlines, Bahamasair, Bangkok Airways, Belavia, Biman Bangladesh, Blue Air, Boliviana de Aviacion, British Airways, Brussels Airlines, Bulgaria Air, Cambodia Angkor Air, Cathay Pacific, Cebu Pacific, China Airlines, China Eastern, CommutAir, Copa Airlines, Croatia Air, Czech Airlines, Delta Airlines, Dragonair, EL AL, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, Eurowings, EVA Air, Fiji Airways, Finnair, Flair Air, flybe, Garuda Indonesia, Gol Linhas Aereas, Hawaiian Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Iberia, Icelandair, Indigo, InselAir, Interjet, Iran Air, Iran Aseman Air, Japan Airlines, Jet Airways, Jet2, jetBlue Airways, Jetstar Airways, Jetstar Asia, Juneyao Airlines, Kenya Airways, KLM, Kulula, Kuwait Air, LATAM , Liat Airlines, LOT Polish, Lufthansa, Luxair, Mahan Air, Malaysia Airlines, Mango, Meridiana Fly, Mesa Airlines, Middle East Airlines, Monarch Airlines, Nordwind Airlines, Norwegian, Oman Air, Onur Air, Pakistan International, Peach, Porter Airlines, Qantas Airways, Qatar Airways, Republic Airways, Royal Brunei Airlines, Royal Jordanian, Ryanair, S7, SAS Scandinavian, Scoot, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Sky Airlines, Skywest, Inc., South African Airways, Spirit Airlines, SriLankan Airlines, Sun Express, Swiss Int'l Air Lines, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Thai Airways, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), Tiger Airways, Trans States, Travel Service Airlines, TUI, Turkish Airlines, Ukraine International, United Airlines, Uzbekistan Air, Vietnam Airlines, VIM Airlines (Closed), Virgin Atlantic, Volotea, WestJet, WOW Airlines, Xiamen.

5.11 Rush 72 2.0 Backpack 55L vs. Airback Original: which should you pack?

The 5.11 Rush 72 2.0 Backpack 55L carries 33L more than the Airback Original (55L vs. 22L), while the Airback Original is the lighter pack at 1.7kg (vs. 2.4kg). 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 5.11 Rush 72 2.0 Backpack 55L; if you want to travel lighter, the Airback Original is the better call.