Tom Bihn Smart Alec vs. Ortlieb Commuter Daypack Urban Line
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Tom Bihn Smart Alec
| Capacity | 26 L |
| Weight | 0.9 kg |
| Dimensions | 47×30×21 cm |
| Airline fit | 74% |
| Price | $190 |
Feature by feature
| Tom Bihn Smart Alec | Feature | Ortlieb Commuter Daypack Urban Line |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 2 |
| Passport | N | |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | removable |
| removable | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| 17in | Laptop | 15in |
| 0 | Main Compartments | 1 |
| Y | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| N | Water Bottle Holder | N |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| PS55C | |
Ortlieb Commuter Daypack Urban Line
| Capacity | 21 L |
| Weight | 0.74 kg |
| Dimensions | 50×30×15.5 cm |
| Airline fit | 92% |
| Price | $200 |
Key differences between the Tom Bihn Smart Alec and Ortlieb Commuter Daypack Urban Line
- Opening: Other on the Tom Bihn Smart Alec; Rolltop on the Ortlieb Commuter Daypack Urban Line.
- Laptop sleeve: 17in on the Tom Bihn Smart Alec; 15in on the Ortlieb Commuter Daypack Urban Line.
Both have: backpack straps, hip belt, sternum strap, built-in organizer, water resistant.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 138 accept both. 2 accept only the Tom Bihn Smart Alec, and 35 accept only the Ortlieb Commuter Daypack Urban Line.
Only the Tom Bihn Smart Alec fits
Regional Express, Virgin Australia.
Only the Ortlieb Commuter Daypack Urban Line fits
Air Baltic, Air China, Air Malta, Air Niugini, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Belavia, 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.
Tom Bihn Smart Alec vs. Ortlieb Commuter Daypack Urban Line: which should you pack?
The Tom Bihn Smart Alec carries 5L more than the Ortlieb Commuter Daypack Urban Line (26L vs. 21L), while the Ortlieb Commuter Daypack Urban Line is the lighter pack at 0.74kg (vs. 0.9kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Ortlieb Commuter Daypack Urban Line fits 92% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Tom Bihn Smart Alec; if you want to travel lighter, the Ortlieb Commuter Daypack Urban Line is the better call.