Exped Core 35 vs. Kathmandu Dash 20L Lightweight Backpack
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Feature by feature
| Exped Core 35 | Feature | Kathmandu Dash 20L Lightweight Backpack |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 3 | Opening | 3 |
| N | Passport | N |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | Y |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| N | Laptop | N |
| 1 | Main Compartments | 1 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | optional |
| N | Water Bottle Holder | 1 |
| Y | Water Resistant | N |
| Material | |
| 1680 D Ballistic nylon, PU coated, 1'500 mm water column | 210 Nylon HT Rip Stop Cordura™, 210 Polyester Oxford |
Kathmandu Dash 20L Lightweight Backpack
| Capacity | 20 L |
| Weight | 0.44 kg |
| Dimensions | 46×25×22 cm |
| Airline fit | 75% |
| Price | $100 |
Key differences between the Exped Core 35 and Kathmandu Dash 20L Lightweight Backpack
- Hip belt: Removable on the Exped Core 35; Yes on the Kathmandu Dash 20L Lightweight Backpack.
- Rain cover: No on the Exped Core 35; Optional on the Kathmandu Dash 20L Lightweight Backpack.
- Water bottle pockets: No on the Exped Core 35; 1 on the Kathmandu Dash 20L Lightweight Backpack.
- Water resistant: Yes on the Exped Core 35; No on the Kathmandu Dash 20L Lightweight Backpack.
Both have: backpack straps, sternum strap.
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 117 accept only the Kathmandu Dash 20L Lightweight Backpack.
Only the Kathmandu Dash 20L Lightweight Backpack fits
Aegean Airlines, Aer Lingus, Aeroflot, Aerolineas Argentinas, Aeromexico, Air Asia, Air Astana, Air Canada, Air Caraibes, Air France, Air India, Air Macau, Air Mauritius, Air Nostrum, Air Wisconsin, AirAsiaX, Alaska Airlines, All Nipon Airways, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, ANA, Atlas Global, Austrian, Avianca , Azerbaijan Airlines, Bahamasair, Bangkok Airways, Biman Bangladesh, Boliviana de Aviacion, British Airways, Brussels Airlines, Cambodia Angkor Air, Caribbean Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Cayman Airways, Cebu Pacific, China Airlines, CommutAir, Conviasa, Copa Airlines, Croatia Air, Czech Airlines, Delta Airlines, Dragonair, EL AL, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, Eurowings, EVA Air, Fiji Airways, Finnair, Flair Air, Frontier Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, Gol Linhas Aereas, Great Lakes Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Iberia, Indigo, Interjet, Iran Air, Iran Aseman Air, Japan Airlines, Jet Airways, Jet2, jetBlue Airways, Jetstar Airways, Jetstar Asia, Kenya Airways, KLM, Kulula, Kuwait Air, LATAM , LOT Polish, Lufthansa, Mahan Air, Malaysia Airlines, Mango, Mesa Airlines, Middle East Airlines, Monarch Airlines, Norwegian, Oman Air, Onur Air, Pakistan International, Peach, PenAir, Porter Airlines, Qantas Airways, Qatar Airways, Ravn Alaska, Regional Express, Republic Airways, Royal Jordanian, SAS Scandinavian, Scoot, Sky Airlines, Skywest, Inc., South African Airways, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, SriLankan Airlines, Sun Country, Swiss Int'l Air Lines, Thai Airways, Tiger Airways, Trans States, Travel Service Airlines, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, Uzbekistan Air, Vietnam Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Australia, WestJet, WOW Airlines.
Exped Core 35 vs. Kathmandu Dash 20L Lightweight Backpack: which should you pack?
The Exped Core 35 carries 15L more than the Kathmandu Dash 20L Lightweight Backpack (35L vs. 20L), while the Exped Core 35 is the lighter pack at 0.1kg (vs. 0.44kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Kathmandu Dash 20L Lightweight Backpack fits 75% 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.