Mountainsmith Divide EVO Daypack vs. Bellroy Apex Backpack
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Mountainsmith Divide EVO Daypack
| Capacity | 16 L |
| Weight | 0.7 kg |
| Dimensions | 44×29×15 cm |
| Airline fit | 95% |
| Price | $130 |
Feature by feature
| Mountainsmith Divide EVO Daypack | Feature | Bellroy Apex Backpack |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 0 |
| front | Passport | N |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| N | Hip Belt | N |
| removable | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 15in |
| 3 | Main Compartments | 1 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | 1 |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 500d Nylon Cordura | Recycled Baida Nylon and premium, environmentally certified leather |
Bellroy Apex Backpack
| Capacity | 26 L |
| Weight | 1.4 kg |
| Dimensions | 55×33×20 cm |
| Airline fit | 86% |
| Price | $449 |
Key differences between the Mountainsmith Divide EVO Daypack and Bellroy Apex Backpack
- Passport pocket: Front on the Mountainsmith Divide EVO Daypack; No on the Bellroy Apex Backpack.
- Main compartments: 3 on the Mountainsmith Divide EVO Daypack; 1 on the Bellroy Apex Backpack.
- Water bottle pockets: 2, side on the Mountainsmith Divide EVO Daypack; 1 on the Bellroy Apex Backpack.
Both have: backpack straps, sternum strap, 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. 163 accept both. 17 accept only the Mountainsmith Divide EVO Daypack, and 0 accept only the Bellroy Apex Backpack.
Only the Mountainsmith Divide EVO Daypack fits
Air Niugini, Air Tahiti, American Eagle, Belavia, easyJet, Etihad Airways, Gulf Air, Liat Airlines, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, Ravn Alaska, Regional Express, Royal Jordanian, Scoot, Tiger Airways, Virgin Australia, WestJet.
Mountainsmith Divide EVO Daypack vs. Bellroy Apex Backpack: which should you pack?
The Bellroy Apex Backpack carries 10L more than the Mountainsmith Divide EVO Daypack (16L vs. 26L), while the Mountainsmith Divide EVO Daypack is the lighter pack at 0.7kg (vs. 1.4kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Mountainsmith Divide EVO Daypack fits 95% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Bellroy Apex Backpack; if you want to travel lighter, the Mountainsmith Divide EVO Daypack is the better call.