Alpaka Gear Elements Travel Backpack vs. Aer City Pack Pro
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Alpaka Gear Elements Travel Backpack
| Capacity | 35 L |
| Weight | 1.6 kg |
| Dimensions | 52×31×20 cm |
| Airline fit | 88% |
| Price | $260 |
Feature by feature
| Alpaka Gear Elements Travel Backpack | Feature | Aer City Pack Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 2 | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 1 |
| front, side | Passport | top, side |
| Y | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| hideable | Hip Belt | N |
| removable | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| 16in | Laptop | 16in |
| 3 | Main Compartments | 5 |
| Y | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 1, side | Water Bottle Holder | 1, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| X-Pac VX42 in Black Axoflux Recycled Fabric (POLY 600D) in Black, Army Green & Blue | 1680D Cordura® ballistic nylon exterior, or xPac |
Key differences between the Alpaka Gear Elements Travel Backpack and Aer City Pack Pro
- Compression straps: 2 on the Alpaka Gear Elements Travel Backpack; No on the Aer City Pack Pro.
- Passport pocket: Front, side on the Alpaka Gear Elements Travel Backpack; Top, side on the Aer City Pack Pro.
- Hip belt: Hideable on the Alpaka Gear Elements Travel Backpack; No on the Aer City Pack Pro.
- Main compartments: 3 on the Alpaka Gear Elements Travel Backpack; 5 on the Aer City Pack Pro.
Both have: luggage passthrough, backpack straps, sternum strap, laptop sleeve, built-in organizer, 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. 167 accept both. 0 accept only the Alpaka Gear Elements Travel Backpack, and 10 accept only the Aer City Pack Pro.
Only the Aer City Pack Pro fits
American Eagle, Belavia, easyJet, Etihad Airways, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, Ravn Alaska, Regional Express, Royal Jordanian, Virgin Australia.
Alpaka Gear Elements Travel Backpack vs. Aer City Pack Pro: which should you pack?
The Alpaka Gear Elements Travel Backpack carries 11L more than the Aer City Pack Pro (35L vs. 24L), while the Aer City Pack Pro is the lighter pack at 1.2kg (vs. 1.6kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Aer City Pack Pro fits 94% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Alpaka Gear Elements Travel Backpack; if you want to travel lighter, the Aer City Pack Pro is the better call.