Carry-On Backpack: 5 Amazon.ca Picks for Air Canada, WestJet and Porter
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Which bag should you take, for a weekend away or a three-week trip? It's always a puzzle, and airline rules don't make your life any easier. So we picked the most interesting backpacks on Amazon.ca right now to help you see clearly.
A backpack up to 55 x 36 x 23 cm fits as a carry-on on Air Canada, WestJet, Porter, Air Transat and Flair. We picked 5 models sold on Amazon.ca for $36 to $174, all within that size and backed by thousands of ratings.
A backpack keeps your hands free in the airport and squeezes into the sizer more easily than a hard-shell suitcase. Watch out for basic fares, though, which exclude the carry-on: the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card then gives you a free first checked bag on Air Canada flights, and we run the numbers below.
Featured
- Annual feeNo annual fee the first year
- $0 $139
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$1,000Annual fee rebated$139Total$1,139Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $1,139
- Welcome offerAfter $12,000 in 12 months
- Up to 50,000 points
Apply Now
on TD's website
Our picks at a glance, by profile:
- Best value: MATEIN 40 L, $42.99
- For a 17-inch laptop: Lubardy 40 L, $67.75
- Most durable: tomtoc 40 L, $174.01
- Cheapest: ZOMFELT 35 L, $35.99
Carry-on size limits in Canada
Good news: the five major Canadian airlines apply nearly the same limit. Here are the maximum dimensions they publish; Air Canada specifies that wheels and handles are included:
- Air Canada: 55 x 40 x 23 cm
- Porter: 55 x 40 x 23 cm
- Air Transat: 55 x 40 x 23 cm
- Flair: 55 x 40 x 23 cm, and 10 kg maximum
- WestJet: 56 x 36 x 23 cm
As you can see, only WestJet stands out, with a 36 cm width instead of 40 cm. Our guide to carry-on dimensions in Canada also covers each airline's personal item.
The size that fits everywhere: 55 x 36 x 23 cm
If you combine all five limits, you get a single template: 55 x 36 x 23 cm. A backpack within those three measurements fits every Canadian airline, WestJet included.
The 23 cm depth is the measurement agents check most. A soft backpack exceeds it quickly when you overstuff it or open its expansion zipper.
When a basic fare excludes the carry-on
On the cheapest fares, your carry-on backpack is no longer included. Here is what the airlines apply on most domestic and sun flights:
- Air Canada, Economy Basic: within Canada and to the U.S., Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, only the personal item is included. A carry-on checked at the gate costs $65 to $78, taxes included.
- WestJet, UltraBasic: personal item only, except to Europe and Asia.
- Porter, Basic: the Basic Express add-on gives you a standard carry-on, starting at $50.
- Air Transat, Eco Budget: no carry-on to the South, Florida and within Canada.
- Flair: the carry-on is sold separately, from $49 to $109 per flight.
So check your fare before you leave with a 40-litre bag: on the wrong fare, it costs you a fee on every flight.
- Annual feeNo annual fee the first year
- $0 $199
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$1,050Annual fee rebated$199Total$1,249Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $1,249
- Welcome offer+ one round-trip companion passAfter $18,000 in 12 months
- Up to 70,000 points
- Ends Oct 31, 2026
Apply Now
on BMO's website
The 5 backpacks we picked on Amazon.ca
We kept bags whose manufacturer publishes precise dimensions, with at least 1,800 ratings and no more than 7% of reviews at 1 or 2 stars. You'll find their measurements and prices in the table below.
| Backpack | Dimensions | Weight | Price | Amazon.ca rating | Laptop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MATEIN 40 L | 48 x 33 x 20 cm | 890 g | $42.99 | 4.6 out of 5 (14,036 ratings) | No |
| Taygeer 35 L | 43 x 28 x 18 cm | 790 g | $59.99 ($42.49 for Prime members) | 4.5 out of 5 (32,748 ratings) | 15.6 in |
| Lubardy 40 L | 52 x 34 x 20 cm | 1.1 kg | $67.75 | 4.7 out of 5 (2,503 ratings) | 17.3 in |
| tomtoc 40 L | 52 x 33 x 23 cm | 1.2 kg | $174.01 | 4.6 out of 5 (5,426 ratings) | 17 in |
| ZOMFELT 35 L | 45 x 32 x 20 cm | 800 g | $35.99 | 4.5 out of 5 (1,865 ratings) | 15.6 in |
1. MATEIN 40 L: the best value
The MATEIN travel backpack measures 48 x 33 x 20 cm and weighs 890 g. It has more than 14,000 ratings on Amazon.ca, with an average of 4.6 out of 5, and sells for $42.99 with a 10% discount.
On the other hand, it has no padded laptop compartment. Its expansion zipper also takes it to 40 litres: keep it closed at boarding to stay under 23 cm.
See the MATEIN 40 L price on Amazon.ca
2. Taygeer 35 L: the most reviewed
The Taygeer travel backpack measures 43 x 28 x 18 cm and weighs 790 g. It has more than 32,000 ratings, with an average of 4.5 out of 5, and sells for $59.99, or $42.49 for Prime members during the October 2026 Prime Big Deal Days.
You get a sleeve for a 15.6-inch laptop, a waterproof pocket and a shoe bag. However, several buyers report zippers and seams that wear out over time.
See the Taygeer 35 L price on Amazon.ca
3. Lubardy 40 L: the highest rated
The Lubardy travel backpack earns the best rating in our selection: 4.7 out of 5, from more than 2,500 ratings. It measures 52 x 34 x 20 cm, weighs 1.1 kg and sells for $67.75.
It holds a 17.3-inch laptop and comes with 3 packing bags. You'll pay full price, though: it has no discount during the October 2026 Prime Big Deal Days.
See the Lubardy 40 L price on Amazon.ca
4. tomtoc 40 L: the most durable
The tomtoc travel backpack measures 52 x 33 x 23 cm and weighs 1.2 kg. Its YKK zippers, recycled fabric and chest strap make it the sturdiest model in our selection, rated 4.6 out of 5 from more than 5,400 ratings.
At $174.01, import fees included, however, it costs about 4 times as much as the MATEIN. Its 23 cm depth also hits the limit exactly: don't stuff it past its seams.
See the tomtoc 40 L price on Amazon.ca
5. ZOMFELT 35 L: the cheapest
The ZOMFELT travel backpack sells for $35.99. It measures 45 x 32 x 20 cm, weighs 800 g and opens 180 degrees like a suitcase.
It has fewer ratings than the others, about 1,860, and 7% of reviews at 1 or 2 stars. We recommend it mainly for occasional trips.
See the ZOMFELT 35 L price on Amazon.ca
How to choose based on your trip
The way you travel decides the right bag. Here are our picks by profile:
- You want the best price for a solid bag: the MATEIN 40 L, under $45.
- You travel with a 17-inch laptop: the Lubardy 40 L or the tomtoc 40 L.
- You travel often and want a bag that lasts: the tomtoc 40 L.
- You're off for a weekend with spare shoes: the Taygeer 35 L and its shoe bag.
- You travel two or three times a year: the ZOMFELT 35 L.
Finally, keep in mind that a soft bag bulges as you fill it. Measure it full, handles included, before you leave: the gate agent tests the packed bag in the sizer, not the empty one.
A free bag on a basic fare
A basic fare stays a good deal if a credit card covers your baggage fees. Take a couple flying Toronto–Vancouver round trip on Air Canada Economy Basic, with a 40-litre backpack each:
- Without the card: 4 checked bags at $35 plus tax, or $140 plus tax
- With the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card: $0, for you and up to 8 people on the same booking
- Card annual fee: $0 the first year, then $139
Air Canada states that this benefit applies to bags dropped at the designated check-in counter before security, on flights operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge and Air Canada Express. The published conditions list no exclusion for Economy Basic. Our article on the free checked bag with an Aeroplan credit card walks you through the steps.
If you fly Porter or WestJet instead, two cards play a similar role:
- BMO VIPorter World Elite® Mastercard®: a free carry-on and a free checked bag on every Porter fare type, Basic included. $199 annual fee, waived the first year.
- WestJet RBC® World Elite Mastercard‡: a free first checked bag for you and up to 8 guests, if you pay for the ticket with the card. $139 annual fee.
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0 | |||
| $0 | |||
| $139 |
To compare every option, see our list of the best travel credit cards in Canada.
Buy your bag during Prime Big Deal Days
Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days run October 6 and 7, 2026 in Canada, and the Taygeer 35 L from our selection drops to $42.49 for Prime members, instead of $59.99. We track the best offers in our article on Prime Big Deal Days deals.
Before you pay, also pick the card that earns you the most on Amazon.ca. Our analysis of the Amazon credit card shows when a 2% card on everything beats it.
Carry-On Backpack - Frequently Asked Questions
What size backpack is allowed as a carry-on?
Air Canada, Porter, Air Transat and Flair accept a carry-on of up to 55 x 40 x 23 cm. WestJet limits the width to 36 cm. A 55 x 36 x 23 cm backpack therefore fits all five airlines.
Does a 40-litre backpack fit as a carry-on?
Yes, if its outside dimensions meet the airline's limit. Volume doesn't matter: the bag's measurements, handles included, decide. An expandable bag must stay closed to stay under 23 cm deep.
Can I bring a carry-on backpack on a basic fare?
Only if it fits under the seat as a personal item. On Air Canada, that item can't exceed 43 x 33 x 16 cm. A 40-litre backpack exceeds that limit and becomes a paid bag.
Do wheels and handles count in the dimensions?
Yes. Air Canada explicitly includes wheels and handles in its maximum dimensions. So measure your bag with its straps and handles, once packed.
Is there a weight limit for a carry-on?
Flair limits the carry-on to 10 kg. Air Canada sets no weight limit, but you must be able to stow your bag in the overhead bin yourself.
What happens if my bag is too big at the gate?
The agent asks you to check it, for a fee. On Air Canada, a bag checked at the gate on Economy Basic costs $65 to $78, taxes included.
Which backpack should I choose for WestJet?
Aim for a width of 36 cm or less. All 5 bags in our selection meet that limit, since the widest measures 34 cm.
Which credit card avoids baggage fees on a basic fare?
On Air Canada, an eligible Aeroplan card such as the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card covers your first checked bag. On Porter, the BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard includes a carry-on on every fare, and on WestJet, the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard covers your first checked bag.