Tortuga Expandable Backpack vs. tomtoc Travel Backpack 28L
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Tortuga Expandable Backpack
| Capacity | 27 L |
| Weight | 1.6 kg |
| Dimensions | 49×32×18 cm |
| Airline fit | 91% |
| Price | $250 |
Feature by feature
| Tortuga Expandable Backpack | Feature | tomtoc Travel Backpack 28L |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 4 | Compression | 4 |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 1 |
| top, front | Passport | top |
| Y | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| Y, hideable | Backpack | Y |
| Y, removable | Hip Belt | N |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 16in | Laptop | 16in |
| 4 | Main Compartments | 3 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 1, side | Water Bottle Holder | 2, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 630D CORDURA | |
tomtoc Travel Backpack 28L
| Capacity | 28 L |
| Weight | 1 kg |
| Dimensions | 45×30×20 cm |
| Airline fit | 95% |
| Price | $90 |
Key differences between the Tortuga Expandable Backpack and tomtoc Travel Backpack 28L
- Passport pocket: Top, front on the Tortuga Expandable Backpack; Top on the tomtoc Travel Backpack 28L.
- Backpack straps: Y, hideable on the Tortuga Expandable Backpack; Yes on the tomtoc Travel Backpack 28L.
- Hip belt: Y, removable on the Tortuga Expandable Backpack; No on the tomtoc Travel Backpack 28L.
- Main compartments: 4 on the Tortuga Expandable Backpack; 3 on the tomtoc Travel Backpack 28L.
- Water bottle pockets: 1, side on the Tortuga Expandable Backpack; 2, side on the tomtoc Travel Backpack 28L.
Both have: compression straps, luggage passthrough, sternum strap, laptop sleeve, water resistant.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 172 accept both. 0 accept only the Tortuga Expandable Backpack, and 8 accept only the tomtoc Travel Backpack 28L.
Only the tomtoc Travel Backpack 28L fits
Air Niugini, Air Tahiti, American Eagle, easyJet, Gulf Air, Ravn Alaska, Regional Express, Virgin Australia.
Tortuga Expandable Backpack vs. tomtoc Travel Backpack 28L: which should you pack?
The tomtoc Travel Backpack 28L carries 1L more than the Tortuga Expandable Backpack (27L vs. 28L), while the tomtoc Travel Backpack 28L is the lighter pack at 1kg (vs. 1.6kg). For carry-on flexibility, the tomtoc Travel Backpack 28L fits 95% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the tomtoc Travel Backpack 28L; if you want to travel lighter, the tomtoc Travel Backpack 28L is the better call.