Ortlieb Messenger Bag vs. Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45L
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Ortlieb Messenger Bag
| Capacity | 39 L |
| Weight | 1.3 kg |
| Dimensions | 50×39×15 cm |
| Airline fit | 59% |
| Price | $140 |
Feature by feature
| Ortlieb Messenger Bag | Feature | Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45L |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 2 | Opening | 1 |
| N | Passport | side |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | hideable |
| removable | Hip Belt | removable |
| removable | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| N | Laptop | N |
| 1 | Main Compartments | 5 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| N | Water Bottle Holder | N |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| PD620, PS620C | 1050 denier ballistic nylon OR ultralight 400d Halcyon/420d nylon ripstop 200 denier Halcyon/nylon ripstop fabric lining |
Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45L
| Capacity | 45 L |
| Weight | 1.4 kg |
| Dimensions | 56×36×23 cm |
| Airline fit | 45% |
| Price | $340 |
Key differences between the Ortlieb Messenger Bag and Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45L
- Opening: Rolltop on the Ortlieb Messenger Bag; Clamshell on the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45L.
- Passport pocket: No on the Ortlieb Messenger Bag; Side on the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45L.
- Backpack straps: Yes on the Ortlieb Messenger Bag; Hideable on the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45L.
- Main compartments: 1 on the Ortlieb Messenger Bag; 5 on the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45L.
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. 46 accept both. 65 accept only the Ortlieb Messenger Bag, and 39 accept only the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45L.
Only the Ortlieb Messenger Bag fits
Aer Lingus, Aeroflot, Aeromexico, Air Baltic, Air Canada, Air Caraibes, Air China, Air Malta, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, All Nipon Airways, ANA, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Austrian, Azerbaijan Airlines, Belavia, Blue Air, Brussels Airlines, Bulgaria Air, Caribbean Airlines, China Eastern, Croatia Air, Czech Airlines, Enter Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, Eurowings, Fiji Airways, Flair Air, Gol Linhas Aereas, Iberia, Icelandair, Interjet, Iran Air, Japan Airlines, Juneyao Airlines, LOT Polish, Lufthansa, Luxair, Mahan Air, Meridiana Fly, Mesa Airlines, Nordwind Airlines, Norwegian, Oman Air, Peach, Porter Airlines, Royal Jordanian, Ryanair, S7, SAS Scandinavian, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Sun Express, Swiss Int'l Air Lines, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), TUI, Turkish Airlines, Ukraine International, VIM Airlines (Closed), Volotea, Xiamen.
Only the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45L fits
Air Asia, Air Macau, Air Wisconsin, AirAsiaX, Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Avianca , Bahamasair, Bangkok Airways, Biman Bangladesh, Cambodia Angkor Air, Cathay Pacific, Cebu Pacific, China Airlines, CommutAir, Conviasa, Copa Airlines, Delta Airlines, Dragonair, EVA Air, Garuda Indonesia, Hawaiian Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, jetBlue Airways, Jetstar Airways, Jetstar Asia, Kulula, Malaysia Airlines, Mango, Qantas Airways, Republic Airways, Skywest, Inc., South African Airways, SriLankan Airlines, Trans States, United Airlines, Vietnam Airlines, Virgin Atlantic.
Ortlieb Messenger Bag vs. Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45L: which should you pack?
The Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45L carries 6L more than the Ortlieb Messenger Bag (39L vs. 45L), while the Ortlieb Messenger Bag is the lighter pack at 1.3kg (vs. 1.4kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Ortlieb Messenger Bag fits 59% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45L; if you want to travel lighter, the Ortlieb Messenger Bag is the better call.