Ortlieb Velocity vs. Exped Cloudburst 25
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 | Exped Cloudburst 25 |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 2 | Opening | 2 |
| N | Passport | N |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | removable |
| removable | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | N |
| 1 | Main Compartments | 1 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| N | Water Bottle Holder | N |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| PD620, PS620C | recycled 70 D taffeta nylon PU coated bluesign® approved fabric PFAS free |
Exped Cloudburst 25
| Capacity | 25 L |
| Weight | 0.3 kg |
| Dimensions | 53×28×20 cm |
| Airline fit | 89% |
| Price | $80 |
Key differences between the Ortlieb Velocity and Exped Cloudburst 25
- Sternum strap: Removable on the Ortlieb Velocity; Yes on the Exped Cloudburst 25.
- Laptop sleeve: 15in on the Ortlieb Velocity; No on the Exped Cloudburst 25.
Both have: backpack straps, hip belt, water resistant.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 167 accept both. 6 accept only the Ortlieb Velocity, and 1 accept only the Exped Cloudburst 25.
Only the Ortlieb Velocity fits
Air Niugini, Belavia, Etihad Airways, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, Royal Jordanian.
Only the Exped Cloudburst 25 fits
Great Lakes Airlines.
Ortlieb Velocity vs. Exped Cloudburst 25: which should you pack?
The Exped Cloudburst 25 carries 2L more than the Ortlieb Velocity (23L vs. 25L), while the Exped Cloudburst 25 is the lighter pack at 0.3kg (vs. 0.88kg). 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 Exped Cloudburst 25; if you want to travel lighter, the Exped Cloudburst 25 is the better call.