Bellroy Apex Backpack vs. Ortlieb Commuter Daypack City
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Bellroy Apex Backpack
| Capacity | 26 L |
| Weight | 1.4 kg |
| Dimensions | 55×33×20 cm |
| Airline fit | 86% |
| Price | $449 |
Feature by feature
| Bellroy Apex Backpack | Feature | Ortlieb Commuter Daypack City |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 0 |
| N | Passport | N |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| N | Hip Belt | removable |
| removable | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 15in |
| 1 | Main Compartments | 1 |
| N | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 1 | Water Bottle Holder | N |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| Recycled Baida Nylon and premium, environmentally certified leather | PS33 |
Ortlieb Commuter Daypack City
| Capacity | 21 L |
| Weight | 0.75 kg |
| Dimensions | 50×30×15.5 cm |
| Airline fit | 92% |
| Price | $160 |
Key differences between the Bellroy Apex Backpack and Ortlieb Commuter Daypack City
- Hip belt: No on the Bellroy Apex Backpack; Removable on the Ortlieb Commuter Daypack City.
- Built-in organizer: No on the Bellroy Apex Backpack; Yes on the Ortlieb Commuter Daypack City.
- Water bottle pockets: 1 on the Bellroy Apex Backpack; No on the Ortlieb Commuter Daypack City.
Both have: backpack straps, sternum strap, 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. 163 accept both. 0 accept only the Bellroy Apex Backpack, and 10 accept only the Ortlieb Commuter Daypack City.
Only the Ortlieb Commuter Daypack City fits
Air Niugini, Belavia, Etihad Airways, Liat Airlines, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, Royal Jordanian, Scoot, Tiger Airways, WestJet.
Bellroy Apex Backpack vs. Ortlieb Commuter Daypack City: which should you pack?
The Bellroy Apex Backpack carries 5L more than the Ortlieb Commuter Daypack City (26L vs. 21L), while the Ortlieb Commuter Daypack City is the lighter pack at 0.75kg (vs. 1.4kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Ortlieb Commuter Daypack City fits 92% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Bellroy Apex Backpack; if you want to travel lighter, the Ortlieb Commuter Daypack City is the better call.