Tom Bihn Aeronaut 30L vs. Ortlieb Messenger Bag
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Tom Bihn Aeronaut 30L
| Capacity | 30 L |
| Weight | 1.3 kg |
| Dimensions | 50×32×20 cm |
| Airline fit | 91% |
| Price | $330 |
Feature by feature
| Tom Bihn Aeronaut 30L | Feature | Ortlieb Messenger Bag |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 2 |
| side | Passport | N |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| hideable | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | removable |
| removable | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| N | Laptop | N |
| 5 | Main Compartments | 1 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| N | Water Bottle Holder | N |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 1050 denier ballistic nylon OR ultralight 400d Halcyon/420d nylon ripstop 200 denier Halcyon/nylon ripstop fabric lining | 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 Tom Bihn Aeronaut 30L and Ortlieb Messenger Bag
- Opening: Other on the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 30L; Rolltop on the Ortlieb Messenger Bag.
- Passport pocket: Side on the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 30L; No on the Ortlieb Messenger Bag.
- Backpack straps: Hideable on the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 30L; Yes on the Ortlieb Messenger Bag.
- Main compartments: 5 on the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 30L; 1 on the Ortlieb Messenger Bag.
Both have: 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. 61 accept only the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 30L, and 0 accept only the Ortlieb Messenger Bag.
Only the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 30L fits
Aerolineas Argentinas, Air Asia, Air France, Air India, Air Macau, Air Mauritius, 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.
Tom Bihn Aeronaut 30L vs. Ortlieb Messenger Bag: which should you pack?
The Ortlieb Messenger Bag carries 9L more than the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 30L (30L vs. 39L), while the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 30L is the lighter pack at 1.3kg (vs. 1.3kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 30L fits 91% 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 Tom Bihn Aeronaut 30L is the better call.