Ortlieb Messenger Bag vs. Ortleib Light-Pack
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 | Ortleib Light-Pack |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 2 | Opening | 2 |
| N | Passport | |
| 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 |
| N | Water Bottle Holder | 2, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| PD620, PS620C | polyurethane-coated nylon fabric |
Ortleib Light-Pack
| Capacity | 25 L |
| Weight | 0.3 kg |
| Dimensions | 47×26×15 cm |
| Airline fit | 93% |
| Price | $140 |
Key differences between the Ortlieb Messenger Bag and Ortleib Light-Pack
- Water bottle pockets: No on the Ortlieb Messenger Bag; 2, side on the Ortleib Light-Pack.
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. 0 accept only the Ortlieb Messenger Bag, and 65 accept only the Ortleib Light-Pack.
Only the Ortleib Light-Pack 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.
Ortlieb Messenger Bag vs. Ortleib Light-Pack: which should you pack?
The Ortlieb Messenger Bag carries 14L more than the Ortleib Light-Pack (39L vs. 25L), while the Ortleib Light-Pack is the lighter pack at 0.3kg (vs. 1.3kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Ortleib Light-Pack 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 Ortleib Light-Pack is the better call.