5.11 Skyweight 36L Pack vs. Osprey Aether 55
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
5.11 Skyweight 36L Pack
| Capacity | 36 L |
| Weight | 1.1 kg |
| Dimensions | 56×33×22 cm |
| Airline fit | 47% |
| Price | $200 |
Feature by feature
| 5.11 Skyweight 36L Pack | Feature | Osprey Aether 55 |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 4 | Compression | >5 |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 0 |
| top | Passport | top |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | Y |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| N | Laptop | N |
| 4 | Main Compartments | 4 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| Y | Rain-fly | Y |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | 2, side |
| N | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 330D ripstop nylon | bluesign® APPROVED 420HD nylon packcloth, PFC-free DWR |
Key differences between the 5.11 Skyweight 36L Pack and Osprey Aether 55
- Compression straps: 4 on the 5.11 Skyweight 36L Pack; >5 on the Osprey Aether 55.
- Opening: Clamshell on the 5.11 Skyweight 36L Pack; Other on the Osprey Aether 55.
- Hip belt: Removable on the 5.11 Skyweight 36L Pack; Yes on the Osprey Aether 55.
- Water resistant: No on the 5.11 Skyweight 36L Pack; Yes on the Osprey Aether 55.
Both have: passport pocket, backpack straps, sternum strap, rain cover, water bottle pockets.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 1 accept both. 87 accept only the 5.11 Skyweight 36L Pack, and 0 accept only the Osprey Aether 55.
Only the 5.11 Skyweight 36L Pack fits
Adria Airways, Aegean Airlines, Air Asia, Air Astana, Air Europa, Air Koryo, Air Macau, Air New Zealand, Air Nostrum, Air Tahiti Nui, Air Wisconsin, AirAsiaX, Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Atlas Global, Avianca , Azul Linhas, Bahamasair, Bangkok Airways, Biman Bangladesh, British Airways, Cambodia Angkor Air, Caribbean Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Cayman Airways, Cebu Pacific, China Airlines, China Southern, CommutAir, Conviasa, Copa Airlines, Croatia Air, Cubana de Aviacion, Delta Airlines, Dragonair, EL AL, EVA Air, Finnair, Frontier Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, Hainan Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Iran Aseman Air, Island Air, Jet2, jetBlue Airways, Jetstar Airways, Jetstar Asia, Korean Air, Kulula, Kuwait Air, Malaysia Airlines, Mango, Middle East Airlines, Monarch Airlines, Onur Air, PenAir, Philippine Airlines, Qantas Airways, Republic Airways, Royal Air Morocco, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Sichuan Airlines, SilkAir, Silver Airways, Singapore Airlines, Skywest, Inc., South African Airways, Southwest Airlines, SpiceJet, Spirit Airlines, SriLankan Airlines, Sun Country, TAAG Angola, TAM Airlines, Thai Airways, Trans States, Travel Service Airlines, United Airlines, Ural Airlines, Uzbekistan Air, Vietnam Airlines, Virgin America, Virgin Atlantic, WOW Airlines.
5.11 Skyweight 36L Pack vs. Osprey Aether 55: which should you pack?
The Osprey Aether 55 carries 19L more than the 5.11 Skyweight 36L Pack (36L vs. 55L), while the 5.11 Skyweight 36L Pack is the lighter pack at 1.1kg (vs. 2.2kg). For carry-on flexibility, the 5.11 Skyweight 36L Pack fits 47% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Osprey Aether 55; if you want to travel lighter, the 5.11 Skyweight 36L Pack is the better call.