Bellroy Apex Backpack vs. Millican Mathew
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 | Millican Mathew |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 0 |
| N | Passport | N |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | |
| N | Hip Belt | N |
| removable | Sternum Strap | N |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 15in |
| 1 | Main Compartments | 4 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | |
| 1 | Water Bottle Holder | |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| Recycled Baida Nylon and premium, environmentally certified leather | 100% organic cotton canvas outer (weatherproofed)Waterproof 100% recycled polyester rain cover100% organic cotton lining70% vegetable tanned leather. |
Millican Mathew
| Capacity | 22 L |
| Weight | 1.2 kg |
| Dimensions | 40×33×15 cm |
| Airline fit | 96% |
| Price | $180 |
Key differences between the Bellroy Apex Backpack and Millican Mathew
- Sternum strap: Removable on the Bellroy Apex Backpack; No on the Millican Mathew.
- Main compartments: 1 on the Bellroy Apex Backpack; 4 on the Millican Mathew.
Both have: 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 18 accept only the Millican Mathew.
Only the Millican Mathew fits
Air Tahiti, American Eagle, Belavia, easyJet, Etihad Airways, Gulf Air, Liat Airlines, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, Ravn Alaska, Regional Express, Royal Jordanian, Scoot, Tiger Airways, Virgin Australia, VivaColombia, Volaris, WestJet.
Bellroy Apex Backpack vs. Millican Mathew: which should you pack?
The Bellroy Apex Backpack carries 4L more than the Millican Mathew (26L vs. 22L), while the Millican Mathew is the lighter pack at 1.2kg (vs. 1.4kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Millican Mathew fits 96% 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 Millican Mathew is the better call.