Gossamer Gear Aero Jet Review: Best Small Carry-On?

Planning our trip to Peru’s Chachapoyas region forced me to rethink my carry-on strategy. The only airline serving the area allows bags just 15 x 12 x 8 inches with an 11-pound weight limit — far stricter than what most international carriers permit. My usual 40L GoRuck GR2 wasn’t even close to qualifying.

Enter the Gossamer Gear Aero Jet, a 35L travel backpack built with ultralight principles in mind. I took it to Peru to see whether it could handle strict airline limits without sacrificing the gear I actually travel with.

Gossamer Gear Aero Jet – Quick Specs

• Capacity: 35L
• Weight: ~2.2 lbs (about half the weight of my GR2)
• Material: 210D Recycled Robic Nylon
• Carry-on compatibility: Designed to meet strict airline size limits
• Laptop sleeve: Floating padded sleeve
• Water resistance: Weather-resistant materials and zippers

The Problem: My Usual Travel Setup Didn’t Fit

Since our big retirement trip in 2018, my GoRuck has seen a lot of miles. It’s as bombproof as advertised. Unfortunately, for this trip, it was massive — weighing 4.5 pounds empty and outside every size requirement.

I am not an ultralight packer. With computers, camera gear, chargers, a water bottle, and other essentials, my bag can get as heavy as 18 pounds.

Angie was in good shape. Her Wy’east Ultralight Backpack from Six Moon Designs weighs 28 ounces and meets two of the three size requirements, and she loves it.

I needed something smaller — but not stripped down. The challenge wasn’t just fitting the airline limits. It was carrying the gear I actually use.

The Solution: Gossamer Gear’s Travel Collection

After doing a bunch of research, I saw that Gossamer Gear, an ultralight backpacking equipment company, had recently released a travel collection that included duffels and backpacks. One item especially caught my attention: the Aero Jet backpack. It seemed like a good fit, so I contacted Gossamer Gear, and they agreed to let me try one out in Peru.

Gossamer Gear Aero Jet Specifications & First Impressions

The Aero Jet is smaller in every dimension than the GR2 and holds 35 liters. Made from 210D Recycled Robic Nylon, it has good weather resistance and weighs about half as much as the GR2.

Aero Jet Interior Organization 

The Aero Jet has three zippered compartments: a front pocket for quick access, a large main compartment, and a “tech” pocket with a floating laptop sleeve.

Front Pocket

The handy pocket is located at the front of the pack with a single zippered opening.

Main Compartment

Behind the front pocket is the main compartment, which opens fully and lays flat. The main pocket is covered with mesh and a three-sided zipper, allowing full access to the space.

The shape of the pack means the bottom of the main pocket is deeper (5 inches) than the top (3 inches). This took some getting used to while packing, but the shape helps the pack look smaller than 35 liters.

The inside of the flap includes two mesh zippered pockets and another wraparound zipper that allows flat or soft items to be stored behind those pockets. 

Tech Pocket & Laptop Sleeve

The tech pocket opens about six inches down on either side of the pack. There are two vertical padded pockets (one full depth and one about half depth) and a zippered pocket. Either vertical pocket can be used for a laptop or flat electronic devices, and both sit above the bottom of the pack for added protection.

The real question, of course, was whether the Aero Jet could actually handle airline size limits while still carrying the gear I normally travel with.

Travel Test: Airline & Trail Performance in Peru

I used the Aero Jet throughout our trip in northern Peru, including flights on a regional airline with strict baggage limits and several days of hiking and day trips.

Because the Aero Jet is about 1.5 inches smaller in every dimension than my usual pack, I had to rethink what I carried on. It wasn’t as difficult as I expected. The binoculars went into the checked bag, and I removed my padded camera insert from my shoulder bag. By reducing miscellaneous items like snacks and travel medications, I cut about four pounds from my load.

That brought me within ounces of the airline weight limit.

The bag’s streamlined shape lowered its profile on my back. Even though it carried nearly the same gear, I didn’t receive a single oversize bag question from airline staff. It was also easier to move through crowds and stores without feeling like I would knock something over.

On the regional Peruvian flight, we couldn’t put anything under the seat in front of us, so everything had to go in the overhead bin. The bins were much smaller than what we’re used to. My GR2 would not have fit. The Aero Jet fit without issue.

Rain & Hiking Test: Gocta Waterfall

I also tested the Aero Jet during an early morning trek to the 771-meter-tall Gocta Waterfall. After on-and-off showers, I was happy to see that my camera gear stayed dry. When the rain cleared, we were treated to spectacular views of the falls.

We hiked eight miles on steep terrain that day. With water, food, first aid kit, camera gear, and other essentials, my pack weighed about 10 pounds. The Aero Jet performed well as a day pack. It was comfortable, balanced, and did not dig into my shoulders.

What I Loved (and What I Didn’t)

There were several features of the Aero Jet that I really liked. The zippered pockets on the flap of the main compartment turned out to be especially useful. There are two pockets on the flap, along with a zipper that runs around three sides of the panel, creating a large pocket behind them. This was perfect for items like fleeces, gloves, and beanies that come on and off throughout the day. Keeping them there protected them from rain and made them easy to access when temperatures dipped. It’s a clever way to use pack space that is often wasted.

The laptop sleeve is also excellent. It is well padded, secure, and sits above the bottom of the pack. I never had concerns about damage if I set the pack down or dropped it.

Overall, the Aero Jet is lightweight, well organized, and comfortable to carry. It handled airline travel and an eight-mile hike to Gocta Waterfall without any issues.

There were a couple of elements I didn’t love. The zippered mesh cover over the main pocket was frustrating for the way I pack. I can see how it would work well if you use packing cubes and don’t access them often, but I prefer to reach directly into the bag. If the cover was zipped, it limited access, and if it was left open, it tended to get in the way.

I also didn’t care for the short zipper on the tech pocket. It creates a very deep space in front of the laptop sleeve. While that can work well for longer items, smaller things like bandanas, snacks, or charging cords tend to slip to the bottom where they are harder to reach.

Bottom Line for the Gossamer Gear Aero Jet: Highly Recommended

If you are a one-bag traveler, student, or commuter looking for a lightweight backpack that fits strict airline carry-on limits, the Gossamer Gear Aero Jet is a strong option.

But it’s also a great solution for travelers like me — people who normally travel with a larger bag but occasionally run into strict airline size or weight restrictions. In those situations, the Aero Jet makes it possible to scale down without giving up the gear you rely on. After this trip, I’m tempted to start using it even on flights where the restrictions aren’t so onerous.

It solved my carry-on problem, carried my gear comfortably, and fit into overhead bins that my usual pack could never manage. I think you’ll be happy to use this pack.