Exped Core 35 vs. Peak Design Outdoor Backpack 45L
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Feature by feature
| Exped Core 35 | Feature | Peak Design Outdoor Backpack 45L |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | 45L |
| 3 | Opening | 1 |
| N | Passport | N |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | removable |
| Y | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| N | Laptop | 16in |
| 1 | Main Compartments | 1 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| N | Water Bottle Holder | 4, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 1680 D Ballistic nylon, PU coated, 1'500 mm water column | Ultralight Terra Shell™ 210D ripstop |
Peak Design Outdoor Backpack 45L
| Capacity | 35 L |
| Weight | 1.6 kg |
| Dimensions | 56×31×17 cm |
| Airline fit | 47% |
| Price | $330 |
Key differences between the Exped Core 35 and Peak Design Outdoor Backpack 45L
- Opening: Top flap on the Exped Core 35; Clamshell on the Peak Design Outdoor Backpack 45L.
- Sternum strap: Yes on the Exped Core 35; Removable on the Peak Design Outdoor Backpack 45L.
- Laptop sleeve: No on the Exped Core 35; 16in on the Peak Design Outdoor Backpack 45L.
- Water bottle pockets: No on the Exped Core 35; 4, side on the Peak Design Outdoor Backpack 45L.
Both have: backpack straps, hip belt, water resistant.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 24 accept both. 0 accept only the Exped Core 35, and 64 accept only the Peak Design Outdoor Backpack 45L.
Only the Peak Design Outdoor Backpack 45L fits
Aegean Airlines, Air Asia, Air Astana, Air Macau, Air Nostrum, Air Wisconsin, AirAsiaX, Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Atlas Global, Avianca , Bahamasair, Bangkok Airways, Biman Bangladesh, British Airways, Cambodia Angkor Air, Caribbean Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Cayman Airways, Cebu Pacific, China Airlines, CommutAir, Conviasa, Copa Airlines, Croatia Air, Delta Airlines, Dragonair, EL AL, EVA Air, Finnair, Frontier Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, Hawaiian Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Iran Aseman Air, Jet2, jetBlue Airways, Jetstar Airways, Jetstar Asia, Kulula, Kuwait Air, Malaysia Airlines, Mango, Middle East Airlines, Monarch Airlines, Onur Air, PenAir, Qantas Airways, Republic Airways, Skywest, Inc., South African Airways, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, SriLankan Airlines, Sun Country, Thai Airways, Trans States, Travel Service Airlines, United Airlines, Uzbekistan Air, Vietnam Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, WOW Airlines.
Exped Core 35 vs. Peak Design Outdoor Backpack 45L: which should you pack?
The Exped Core 35 carries the same capacity as the Peak Design Outdoor Backpack 45L (35L vs. 35L), while the Exped Core 35 is the lighter pack at 0.1kg (vs. 1.6kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Peak Design Outdoor Backpack 45L fits 47% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Exped Core 35; if you want to travel lighter, the Exped Core 35 is the better call.