Patagonia Guidewater Backpack 29L vs. Kathmandu Dash 20L Lightweight Backpack
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Patagonia Guidewater Backpack 29L
| Capacity | 29 L |
| Weight | 0.96 kg |
| Dimensions | 54×35×23 cm |
| Airline fit | 69% |
Feature by feature
| Patagonia Guidewater Backpack 29L | Feature | Kathmandu Dash 20L Lightweight Backpack |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 4 | Opening | 3 |
| N | Passport | N |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| Y | Hip Belt | Y |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| N | Laptop | N |
| 1 | Main Compartments | 1 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | optional |
| N | Water Bottle Holder | 1 |
| Water Resistant | N | |
| Material | |
| 00% recycled nylon plain weave | 210 Nylon HT Rip Stop Cordura™, 210 Polyester Oxford |
Kathmandu Dash 20L Lightweight Backpack
| Capacity | 20 L |
| Weight | 0.44 kg |
| Dimensions | 46×25×22 cm |
| Airline fit | 75% |
| Price | $100 |
Key differences between the Patagonia Guidewater Backpack 29L and Kathmandu Dash 20L Lightweight Backpack
- Opening: Top zip on the Patagonia Guidewater Backpack 29L; Top flap on the Kathmandu Dash 20L Lightweight Backpack.
- Rain cover: No on the Patagonia Guidewater Backpack 29L; Optional on the Kathmandu Dash 20L Lightweight Backpack.
- Water bottle pockets: No on the Patagonia Guidewater Backpack 29L; 1 on the Kathmandu Dash 20L Lightweight Backpack.
Both have: backpack straps, hip belt, sternum strap.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 130 accept both. 0 accept only the Patagonia Guidewater Backpack 29L, and 11 accept only the Kathmandu Dash 20L Lightweight Backpack.
Only the Kathmandu Dash 20L Lightweight Backpack fits
Cayman Airways, Etihad Airways, Great Lakes Airlines, Oman Air, Pakistan International, Qatar Airways, Ravn Alaska, Regional Express, Royal Jordanian, Virgin Australia, WestJet.
Patagonia Guidewater Backpack 29L vs. Kathmandu Dash 20L Lightweight Backpack: which should you pack?
The Patagonia Guidewater Backpack 29L carries 9L more than the Kathmandu Dash 20L Lightweight Backpack (29L vs. 20L), while the Kathmandu Dash 20L Lightweight Backpack is the lighter pack at 0.44kg (vs. 0.96kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Kathmandu Dash 20L Lightweight Backpack fits 75% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Patagonia Guidewater Backpack 29L; if you want to travel lighter, the Kathmandu Dash 20L Lightweight Backpack is the better call.