Bellroy Apex Backpack vs. Rehose Barrel
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 | Rehose Barrel |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 0 |
| N | Passport | top |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | |
| N | Hip Belt | N |
| removable | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 15in |
| 1 | Main Compartments | 3 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 1 | Water Bottle Holder | |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| Recycled Baida Nylon and premium, environmentally certified leather | 1000D Cordura black500D Cordura colored lining |
Rehose Barrel
| Capacity | 28 L |
| Weight | 0 kg |
| Dimensions | 51×30×21 cm |
| Airline fit | 72% |
| Price | $210 |
Key differences between the Bellroy Apex Backpack and Rehose Barrel
- Passport pocket: No on the Bellroy Apex Backpack; Top on the Rehose Barrel.
- Main compartments: 1 on the Bellroy Apex Backpack; 3 on the Rehose Barrel.
Both have: 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. 130 accept both. 33 accept only the Bellroy Apex Backpack, and 6 accept only the Rehose Barrel.
Only the Bellroy Apex Backpack fits
Air Baltic, Air China, Air Malta, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Blue Air, Bulgaria Air, China Eastern, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, flybe, Icelandair, InselAir, Juneyao Airlines, Luxair, Meridiana Fly, Nordwind Airlines, Royal Brunei Airlines, Ryanair, S7, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Sun Express, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), TUI, Ukraine International, VIM Airlines (Closed), Volotea, Xiamen.
Only the Rehose Barrel fits
Liat Airlines, Oman Air, Royal Jordanian, Scoot, Tiger Airways, WestJet.
Bellroy Apex Backpack vs. Rehose Barrel: which should you pack?
The Rehose Barrel carries 2L more than the Bellroy Apex Backpack (26L vs. 28L), and the two are closely matched on weight. For carry-on flexibility, the Bellroy Apex Backpack fits 86% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Rehose Barrel; if you want to travel lighter, the Bellroy Apex Backpack is the better call.