Away The Backpack vs. Waterfield Bolt
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Away The Backpack
| Capacity | 25.5 L |
| Weight | 1.3 kg |
| Dimensions | 44.5×31.5×18.2 cm |
| Airline fit | 95% |
| Price | $206 |
Feature by feature
| Away The Backpack | Feature | Waterfield Bolt |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 4 | Opening | 4 |
| Y | Passport | front |
| Y | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| N | Hip Belt | N |
| N | Sternum Strap | N |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 15in |
| 3 | Main Compartments | 3 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 1 | Water Bottle Holder | 2, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| Nylon, leather | Durable waxed canvas OR 1050 Denier Ballistic nylon |
Waterfield Bolt
| Capacity | 17 L |
| Weight | 1.5 kg |
| Dimensions | 41×32×13 cm |
| Airline fit | 95% |
| Price | $370 |
Key differences between the Away The Backpack and Waterfield Bolt
- Passport pocket: Yes on the Away The Backpack; Front on the Waterfield Bolt.
- Water bottle pockets: 1 on the Away The Backpack; 2, side on the Waterfield Bolt.
Both have: luggage passthrough, backpack straps, laptop sleeve, water resistant.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 179 accept both. Every airline that takes one takes the other.
Away The Backpack vs. Waterfield Bolt: which should you pack?
The Away The Backpack carries 8.5L more than the Waterfield Bolt (25.5L vs. 17L), while the Away The Backpack is the lighter pack at 1.3kg (vs. 1.5kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Away The Backpack fits 95% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Away The Backpack; if you want to travel lighter, the Away The Backpack is the better call.