Kathmandu Litehaul 38L Carry-On Pack vs. Tortuga Setout Backpack 45L
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Kathmandu Litehaul 38L Carry-On Pack
| Capacity | 38 L |
| Weight | 1.31 kg |
| Dimensions | 55.88×32×28.45 cm |
| Airline fit | 2% |
| Price | $150 |
Feature by feature
| Kathmandu Litehaul 38L Carry-On Pack | 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 |
| hideable | Hip Belt | removable |
| hideable | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 17in | Laptop | 17in |
| 2 | Main Compartments | 3 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 1 | Water Bottle Holder | 1 |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| Recycled Polyester/Nylon | 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 Kathmandu Litehaul 38L Carry-On Pack and Tortuga Setout Backpack 45L
- Backpack straps: Yes on the Kathmandu Litehaul 38L Carry-On Pack; Hideable on the Tortuga Setout Backpack 45L.
- Hip belt: Hideable on the Kathmandu Litehaul 38L Carry-On Pack; Removable on the Tortuga Setout Backpack 45L.
- Sternum strap: Hideable on the Kathmandu Litehaul 38L Carry-On Pack; Yes on the Tortuga Setout Backpack 45L.
- Main compartments: 2 on the Kathmandu Litehaul 38L Carry-On Pack; 3 on the Tortuga Setout Backpack 45L.
Both have: compression straps, laptop sleeve, water bottle pockets, water resistant.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 4 accept both. 0 accept only the Kathmandu Litehaul 38L Carry-On Pack, and 81 accept only the Tortuga Setout Backpack 45L.
Only the Tortuga Setout Backpack 45L fits
Aegean Airlines, Air Asia, Air Astana, Air Europa, Air Koryo, Air Macau, 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, Cathay Pacific, Cebu Pacific, China Airlines, China Southern, CommutAir, Conviasa, Copa Airlines, 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 Atlantic, WOW Airlines.
Kathmandu Litehaul 38L Carry-On Pack vs. Tortuga Setout Backpack 45L: which should you pack?
The Tortuga Setout Backpack 45L carries 7L more than the Kathmandu Litehaul 38L Carry-On Pack (38L vs. 45L), while the Kathmandu Litehaul 38L Carry-On Pack is the lighter pack at 1.31kg (vs. 1.77kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Tortuga Setout Backpack 45L fits 45% 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 Kathmandu Litehaul 38L Carry-On Pack is the better call.