Ortlieb Velocity vs. Tom Bihn Smart Alec
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Ortlieb Velocity
| Capacity | 23 L |
| Weight | 0.88 kg |
| Dimensions | 50×30×16 cm |
| Airline fit | 92% |
| Price | $135 |
Feature by feature
| Ortlieb Velocity | Feature | Tom Bihn Smart Alec |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 2 | Opening | 0 |
| N | Passport | |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | removable |
| removable | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 17in |
| 1 | Main Compartments | 0 |
| N | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| N | Water Bottle Holder | N |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| PD620, PS620C | |
Tom Bihn Smart Alec
| Capacity | 26 L |
| Weight | 0.9 kg |
| Dimensions | 47×30×21 cm |
| Airline fit | 74% |
| Price | $190 |
Key differences between the Ortlieb Velocity and Tom Bihn Smart Alec
- Opening: Rolltop on the Ortlieb Velocity; Other on the Tom Bihn Smart Alec.
- Laptop sleeve: 15in on the Ortlieb Velocity; 17in on the Tom Bihn Smart Alec.
- Built-in organizer: No on the Ortlieb Velocity; Yes on the Tom Bihn Smart Alec.
Both have: backpack straps, hip belt, sternum strap, water resistant.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 138 accept both. 35 accept only the Ortlieb Velocity, and 2 accept only the Tom Bihn Smart Alec.
Only the Ortlieb Velocity 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, flybe, Icelandair, InselAir, Juneyao Airlines, Luxair, Meridiana Fly, Nordwind Airlines, Royal Brunei Airlines, Ryanair, S7, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Sun Express, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), TUI, Ukraine International, VIM Airlines (Closed), Volotea, Xiamen.
Only the Tom Bihn Smart Alec fits
Regional Express, Virgin Australia.
Ortlieb Velocity vs. Tom Bihn Smart Alec: which should you pack?
The Tom Bihn Smart Alec carries 3L more than the Ortlieb Velocity (23L vs. 26L), while the Ortlieb Velocity is the lighter pack at 0.88kg (vs. 0.9kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Ortlieb Velocity fits 92% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Tom Bihn Smart Alec; if you want to travel lighter, the Ortlieb Velocity is the better call.