Exped Impulse 30 vs. Tortuga Setout Backpack 45L
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Feature by feature
| Exped Impulse 30 | Feature | Tortuga Setout Backpack 45L |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| Y | Compression | Y |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 4 | Opening | 4 |
| N | Passport | N |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | hideable |
| removable | Hip Belt | removable |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| N | Laptop | 17in |
| 1 | Main Compartments | 3 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2 | Water Bottle Holder | 1 |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 210 D Robic HD Ripstop Nylon Carbonate PU, 2'500 mm water column | 900D polyester |
Tortuga Setout Backpack 45L
| Capacity | 45 L |
| Weight | 1.77 kg |
| Dimensions | 55.88×35.56×22.86 cm |
| Airline fit | 45% |
| Price | $229 |
Key differences between the Exped Impulse 30 and Tortuga Setout Backpack 45L
- Backpack straps: Yes on the Exped Impulse 30; Hideable on the Tortuga Setout Backpack 45L.
- Laptop sleeve: No on the Exped Impulse 30; 17in on the Tortuga Setout Backpack 45L.
- Main compartments: 1 on the Exped Impulse 30; 3 on the Tortuga Setout Backpack 45L.
- Water bottle pockets: 2 on the Exped Impulse 30; 1 on the Tortuga Setout Backpack 45L.
Both have: compression straps, hip belt, 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. 85 accept both. 45 accept only the Exped Impulse 30, and 0 accept only the Tortuga Setout Backpack 45L.
Only the Exped Impulse 30 fits
Aer Lingus, Aeroflot, Aerolineas Argentinas, Aeromexico, Air Canada, Air Caraibes, Air France, Air India, Air Mauritius, All Nipon Airways, ANA, Austrian, Azerbaijan Airlines, Boliviana de Aviacion, Brussels Airlines, Caribbean Airlines, Cayman Airways, Croatia Air, Czech Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, Eurowings, Fiji Airways, Flair Air, Gol Linhas Aereas, Iberia, Indigo, Interjet, Iran Air, Japan Airlines, Jet Airways, Kenya Airways, KLM, LATAM , LOT Polish, Lufthansa, Mahan Air, Mesa Airlines, Norwegian, Pakistan International, Peach, Porter Airlines, SAS Scandinavian, Sky Airlines, Swiss Int'l Air Lines, Turkish Airlines.
Exped Impulse 30 vs. Tortuga Setout Backpack 45L: which should you pack?
The Tortuga Setout Backpack 45L carries 15L more than the Exped Impulse 30 (30L vs. 45L), and the two are closely matched on weight. For carry-on flexibility, the Exped Impulse 30 fits 69% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Tortuga Setout Backpack 45L; if you want to travel lighter, the Tortuga Setout Backpack 45L is the better call.