Able Carry Max EDC vs. Thule Aion 40L
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Able Carry Max EDC
| Capacity | 26 L |
| Weight | 1.5 kg |
| Dimensions | 50×30×19 cm |
| Airline fit | 92% |
| Price | $280 |
Feature by feature
| Able Carry Max EDC | Feature | Thule Aion 40L |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 1 |
| top | Passport | top |
| Y | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| optional | Hip Belt | optional |
| removable | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 17in | Laptop | 16in |
| 6 | Main Compartments | 4 |
| Y | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 1, side | Water Bottle Holder | 1, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| Ripstop - 1.47kg / 3.2lbs X-Pac - 1.55kg / 3.4lbs | |
Key differences between the Able Carry Max EDC and Thule Aion 40L
- Sternum strap: Removable on the Able Carry Max EDC; Yes on the Thule Aion 40L.
- Laptop sleeve: 17in on the Able Carry Max EDC; 16in on the Thule Aion 40L.
- Main compartments: 6 on the Able Carry Max EDC; 4 on the Thule Aion 40L.
Both have: passport pocket, luggage passthrough, backpack straps, hip belt, 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. 132 accept both. 41 accept only the Able Carry Max EDC, and 0 accept only the Thule Aion 40L.
Only the Able Carry Max EDC fits
Air Baltic, Air China, Air Malta, Air Niugini, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Belavia, Blue Air, Bulgaria Air, China Eastern, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, Etihad Airways, flybe, Icelandair, InselAir, Juneyao Airlines, Liat Airlines, Luxair, Meridiana Fly, Nordwind Airlines, Oman Air, Pakistan International, Qatar Airways, Royal Brunei Airlines, Royal Jordanian, Ryanair, S7, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Sun Express, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), TUI, Ukraine International, VIM Airlines (Closed), Volotea, Xiamen.
Able Carry Max EDC vs. Thule Aion 40L: which should you pack?
The Thule Aion 40L carries 14L more than the Able Carry Max EDC (26L vs. 40L), while the Able Carry Max EDC is the lighter pack at 1.5kg (vs. 1.5kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Able Carry Max EDC fits 92% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Thule Aion 40L; if you want to travel lighter, the Able Carry Max EDC is the better call.