Bellroy Classic Backpack Plus vs. Away The Zip Backpack
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Bellroy Classic Backpack Plus
| Capacity | 22 L |
| Weight | 1 kg |
| Dimensions | 52×30×21 cm |
| Airline fit | 71% |
| Price | $179 |
Feature by feature
| Bellroy Classic Backpack Plus | Feature | Away The Zip Backpack |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 4 | Opening | 4 |
| Y | Passport | Y |
| N | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| N | Hip Belt | N |
| N | Sternum Strap | N |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 14in |
| 1 | Main Compartments | 1 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| N | Water Bottle Holder | 1 |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| Venture-weave polyester and leather | Nylon with leather |
Away The Zip Backpack
| Capacity | 20 L |
| Weight | 1.1 kg |
| Dimensions | 45×30.5×15 cm |
| Airline fit | 95% |
| Price | $236 |
Key differences between the Bellroy Classic Backpack Plus and Away The Zip Backpack
- Luggage passthrough: No on the Bellroy Classic Backpack Plus; Yes on the Away The Zip Backpack.
- Laptop sleeve: 15in on the Bellroy Classic Backpack Plus; 14in on the Away The Zip Backpack.
- Water bottle pockets: No on the Bellroy Classic Backpack Plus; 1 on the Away The Zip Backpack.
Both have: passport pocket, backpack straps, water resistant.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 134 accept both. 0 accept only the Bellroy Classic Backpack Plus, and 45 accept only the Away The Zip Backpack.
Only the Away The Zip Backpack fits
Air Baltic, Air China, Air Malta, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Air Tahiti, American Eagle, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Belavia, Blue Air, Bulgaria Air, China Eastern, easyJet, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, Etihad Airways, flybe, Gulf Air, Icelandair, InselAir, Juneyao Airlines, Luxair, Meridiana Fly, Nordwind Airlines, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, Ravn Alaska, Regional Express, Royal Brunei Airlines, Royal Jordanian, Ryanair, S7, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Sun Express, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), TUI, Ukraine International, VIM Airlines (Closed), Virgin Australia, Volotea, Xiamen.
Bellroy Classic Backpack Plus vs. Away The Zip Backpack: which should you pack?
The Bellroy Classic Backpack Plus carries 2L more than the Away The Zip Backpack (22L vs. 20L), while the Bellroy Classic Backpack Plus is the lighter pack at 1kg (vs. 1.1kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Away The Zip Backpack fits 95% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Bellroy Classic Backpack Plus; if you want to travel lighter, the Bellroy Classic Backpack Plus is the better call.