Fjallraven High Coast Rolltop 26 vs. Ortlieb Messenger Bag

Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.

Fjallraven High Coast Rolltop 26

Front facing view of the Fjallraven High Coast Rolltop 26
Capacity26 L
Weight0.475 kg
Dimensions48×26×20 cm
Airline fit93%
Price$110

Feature by feature

Fjallraven High Coast Rolltop 26FeatureOrtlieb Messenger Bag
Storage
N Compression N
None Expanded Capacity None
2 Opening 2
N Passport N
N Passthrough N
Carry
Y Backpack Y
removable Hip Belt removable
removable Sternum Strap removable
Inside
N Laptop N
1 Main Compartments 1
N Organizer N
Outside
× Hard Shell ×
N Rain-fly N
2 Water Bottle Holder N
Y Water Resistant Y
Material
100% polyamide 210DPD620, PS620C

Ortlieb Messenger Bag

Front facing view of the Ortlieb Messenger Bag
Capacity39 L
Weight1.3 kg
Dimensions50×39×15 cm
Airline fit59%
Price$140

Key differences between the Fjallraven High Coast Rolltop 26 and 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. 111 accept both. 65 accept only the Fjallraven High Coast Rolltop 26, and 0 accept only the Ortlieb Messenger Bag.

Only the Fjallraven High Coast Rolltop 26 fits

Aerolineas Argentinas, Air Asia, Air France, Air India, Air Macau, Air Mauritius, Air Niugini, 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, Great Lakes Airlines, 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, Regional Express, 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, Virgin Australia, WestJet.

Fjallraven High Coast Rolltop 26 vs. Ortlieb Messenger Bag: which should you pack?

The Ortlieb Messenger Bag carries 13L more than the Fjallraven High Coast Rolltop 26 (26L vs. 39L), while the Fjallraven High Coast Rolltop 26 is the lighter pack at 0.475kg (vs. 1.3kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Fjallraven High Coast Rolltop 26 fits 93% 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 Fjallraven High Coast Rolltop 26 is the better call.