Ortlieb Messenger Bag vs. Exped Serac 25
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 | Exped Serac 25 |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 2 | Opening | 3 |
| N | Passport | N |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | removable |
| removable | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| N | Laptop | N |
| 1 | Main Compartments | 1 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| N | Water Bottle Holder | N |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| PD620, PS620C | 420 D ripstop nylon, TPU film laminate, >10'000 mm water column |
Key differences between the Ortlieb Messenger Bag and Exped Serac 25
- Opening: Rolltop on the Ortlieb Messenger Bag; Top flap on the Exped Serac 25.
- Sternum strap: Removable on the Ortlieb Messenger Bag; Yes on the Exped Serac 25.
Both have: backpack straps, hip belt, water resistant.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 78 accept both. 33 accept only the Ortlieb Messenger Bag, and 53 accept only the Exped Serac 25.
Only the Ortlieb Messenger Bag fits
Air Baltic, Air China, Air Malta, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Belavia, Blue Air, Bulgaria Air, China Eastern, Enter Air, Etihad Airways, Icelandair, Juneyao Airlines, Luxair, Meridiana Fly, Nordwind Airlines, Oman Air, Royal Jordanian, Ryanair, S7, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Sun Express, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), TUI, Ukraine International, VIM Airlines (Closed), Volotea, Xiamen.
Only the Exped Serac 25 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, EVA Air, Garuda Indonesia, Great Lakes Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Indigo, Jet Airways, jetBlue Airways, Jetstar Airways, Jetstar Asia, Kenya Airways, KLM, Kulula, LATAM , Malaysia Airlines, Mango, Pakistan International, Qantas Airways, Republic Airways, Sky Airlines, Skywest, Inc., South African Airways, SriLankan Airlines, Trans States, United Airlines, Vietnam Airlines, Virgin Atlantic.
Ortlieb Messenger Bag vs. Exped Serac 25: which should you pack?
The Ortlieb Messenger Bag carries 14L more than the Exped Serac 25 (39L vs. 25L), while the Exped Serac 25 is the lighter pack at 0.765kg (vs. 1.3kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Exped Serac 25 fits 69% 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 Exped Serac 25 is the better call.