Ortlieb Commuter Daypack High Visibility vs. Ortlieb Messenger Bag

Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.

Ortlieb Commuter Daypack High Visibility

Front facing view of the Ortlieb Commuter Daypack High Visibility
Capacity21 L
Weight0.86 kg
Dimensions50×30×15.5 cm
Airline fit92%
Price$250

Feature by feature

Ortlieb Commuter Daypack High VisibilityFeatureOrtlieb Messenger Bag
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 removable
Inside
15in Laptop N
1 Main Compartments 1
Y Organizer N
Outside
× Hard Shell ×
N Rain-fly N
N Water Bottle Holder N
Y Water Resistant Y
Material
PS50CXPD620, PS620C

Ortlieb Messenger Bag

Front facing view of the Ortlieb Messenger Bag
Capacity39 L
Weight1.3 kg
Dimensions50×39×15 cm
Airline fit59%
Price$140

Key differences between the Ortlieb Commuter Daypack High Visibility and Ortlieb Messenger Bag

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. 111 accept both. 62 accept only the Ortlieb Commuter Daypack High Visibility, and 0 accept only the Ortlieb Messenger Bag.

Only the Ortlieb Commuter Daypack High Visibility fits

Aerolineas Argentinas, Air Asia, Air France, Air India, Air Macau, Air Mauritius, Air Niugini, Air Wisconsin, AirAsiaX, Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Avianca , Bahamasair, Bangkok Airways, Biman Bangladesh, Boliviana de Aviacion, Cambodia Angkor Air, Cathay Pacific, Cayman Airways, Cebu Pacific, China Airlines, CommutAir, Conviasa, Copa Airlines, Delta Airlines, Dragonair, Emirates Airlines, EVA Air, flybe, Garuda Indonesia, Hawaiian Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Indigo, InselAir, Jet Airways, jetBlue Airways, Jetstar Airways, Jetstar Asia, Kenya Airways, KLM, Kulula, LATAM , Liat Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Mango, Pakistan International, Qantas Airways, Qatar Airways, Republic Airways, Royal Brunei Airlines, Scoot, Sky Airlines, Skywest, Inc., South African Airways, SriLankan Airlines, Tiger Airways, Trans States, United Airlines, Vietnam Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, WestJet.

Ortlieb Commuter Daypack High Visibility vs. Ortlieb Messenger Bag: which should you pack?

The Ortlieb Messenger Bag carries 18L more than the Ortlieb Commuter Daypack High Visibility (21L vs. 39L), while the Ortlieb Commuter Daypack High Visibility is the lighter pack at 0.86kg (vs. 1.3kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Ortlieb Commuter Daypack High Visibility fits 92% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Ortlieb Messenger Bag; if you want to travel lighter, the Ortlieb Commuter Daypack High Visibility is the better call.