KS Ultralight Tao vs. Ortlieb Messenger Bag
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
KS Ultralight Tao
| Capacity | 35 L |
| Weight | 0.3 kg |
| Dimensions | 71×30×18 cm |
| Airline fit | 1% |
| Price | $150 |
Feature by feature
| KS Ultralight Tao | Feature | Ortlieb Messenger Bag |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 2 |
| top | Passport | N |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | removable |
| removable | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| N | Laptop | N |
| 2 | Main Compartments | 1 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| N | Water Bottle Holder | N |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| X-pac VX 07YKK "waterproof zip" | PD620, PS620C |
Ortlieb Messenger Bag
| Capacity | 39 L |
| Weight | 1.3 kg |
| Dimensions | 50×39×15 cm |
| Airline fit | 59% |
| Price | $140 |
Key differences between the KS Ultralight Tao and Ortlieb Messenger Bag
- Opening: Other on the KS Ultralight Tao; Rolltop on the Ortlieb Messenger Bag.
- Passport pocket: Top on the KS Ultralight Tao; No on the Ortlieb Messenger Bag.
- Main compartments: 2 on the KS Ultralight Tao; 1 on the 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. 2 accept both. 0 accept only the KS Ultralight Tao, and 109 accept only the Ortlieb Messenger Bag.
Only the Ortlieb Messenger Bag fits
Adria Airways, Aegean Airlines, Aer Lingus, Aeroflot, Aeromexico, Air Astana, Air Baltic, Air Canada, Air Caraibes, Air China, Air Europa, Air Koryo, Air Malta, Air New Zealand, Air Nostrum, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Air Tahiti Nui, All Nipon Airways, ANA, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Atlas Global, Austrian, Azerbaijan Airlines, Azul Linhas, Belavia, Blue Air, British Airways, Brussels Airlines, Bulgaria Air, Caribbean Airlines, China Eastern, China Southern, Croatia Air, Cubana de Aviacion, Czech Airlines, EL AL, Enter Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, Eurowings, Fiji Airways, Finnair, Flair Air, Frontier Airlines, Gol Linhas Aereas, Hainan Airlines, Iberia, Icelandair, Interjet, Iran Air, Iran Aseman Air, Island Air, Japan Airlines, Jet2, Juneyao Airlines, Korean Air, Kuwait Air, LOT Polish, Lufthansa, Luxair, Mahan Air, Meridiana Fly, Mesa Airlines, Middle East Airlines, Monarch Airlines, Nordwind Airlines, Norwegian, Oman Air, Onur Air, Peach, PenAir, Philippine Airlines, Porter Airlines, Royal Air Morocco, Royal Jordanian, Ryanair, S7, SAS Scandinavian, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Sichuan Airlines, SilkAir, Silver Airways, Singapore Airlines, Southwest Airlines, SpiceJet, Spirit Airlines, Sun Country, Sun Express, Swiss Int'l Air Lines, TAAG Angola, TAM Airlines, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Thai Airways, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), Travel Service Airlines, TUI, Turkish Airlines, Ukraine International, Ural Airlines, Uzbekistan Air, VIM Airlines (Closed), Volotea, WOW Airlines, Xiamen.
KS Ultralight Tao vs. Ortlieb Messenger Bag: which should you pack?
The Ortlieb Messenger Bag carries 4L more than the KS Ultralight Tao (35L vs. 39L), while the KS Ultralight Tao is the lighter pack at 0.3kg (vs. 1.3kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Ortlieb Messenger Bag fits 59% 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 KS Ultralight Tao is the better call.