Bellroy Classic Backpack Plus vs. Nordace Urban Max
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 | Nordace Urban Max |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 4 | Opening | 1 |
| Y | Passport | Y |
| N | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| N | Hip Belt | N |
| N | Sternum Strap | N |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 15in |
| 1 | Main Compartments | 1 |
| N | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| N | Water Bottle Holder | N |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| Venture-weave polyester and leather | Polyester |
Nordace Urban Max
| Capacity | 20 L |
| Weight | 1.05 kg |
| Dimensions | 43×30×18 cm |
| Airline fit | 95% |
| Price | $135 |
Key differences between the Bellroy Classic Backpack Plus and Nordace Urban Max
- Opening: Top zip on the Bellroy Classic Backpack Plus; Clamshell on the Nordace Urban Max.
- Luggage passthrough: No on the Bellroy Classic Backpack Plus; Yes on the Nordace Urban Max.
- Built-in organizer: No on the Bellroy Classic Backpack Plus; Yes on the Nordace Urban Max.
Both have: passport pocket, backpack straps, 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. 134 accept both. 0 accept only the Bellroy Classic Backpack Plus, and 46 accept only the Nordace Urban Max.
Only the Nordace Urban Max fits
Air Baltic, Air China, Air Malta, Air Niugini, 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. Nordace Urban Max: which should you pack?
The Bellroy Classic Backpack Plus carries 2L more than the Nordace Urban Max (22L vs. 20L), while the Bellroy Classic Backpack Plus is the lighter pack at 1kg (vs. 1.05kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Nordace Urban Max 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.