Ortlieb Messenger Bag vs. Exped Core 35
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 Core 35 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 1680 D Ballistic nylon, PU coated, 1'500 mm water column |
Key differences between the Ortlieb Messenger Bag and Exped Core 35
- Opening: Rolltop on the Ortlieb Messenger Bag; Top flap on the Exped Core 35.
- Sternum strap: Removable on the Ortlieb Messenger Bag; Yes on the Exped Core 35.
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. 24 accept both. 87 accept only the Ortlieb Messenger Bag, and 0 accept only the Exped Core 35.
Only the Ortlieb Messenger Bag fits
Aegean Airlines, Aer Lingus, Aeroflot, Aeromexico, Air Astana, Air Baltic, Air Canada, Air Caraibes, Air China, Air Malta, Air Nostrum, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, All Nipon Airways, ANA, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Atlas Global, Austrian, Azerbaijan Airlines, Belavia, Blue Air, British Airways, Brussels Airlines, Bulgaria Air, Caribbean Airlines, China Eastern, Croatia Air, Czech Airlines, EL AL, Enter Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, Eurowings, Fiji Airways, Finnair, Flair Air, Frontier Airlines, Gol Linhas Aereas, Iberia, Icelandair, Interjet, Iran Air, Iran Aseman Air, Japan Airlines, Jet2, Juneyao Airlines, Kuwait Air, LOT Polish, Lufthansa, Luxair, Mahan Air, Meridiana Fly, Mesa Airlines, Middle East Airlines, Monarch Airlines, Nordwind Airlines, Norwegian, Oman Air, Onur Air, Peach, PenAir, Porter Airlines, Royal Jordanian, Ryanair, S7, SAS Scandinavian, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Sun Country, Sun Express, Swiss Int'l Air Lines, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Thai Airways, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), Travel Service Airlines, TUI, Turkish Airlines, Ukraine International, Uzbekistan Air, VIM Airlines (Closed), Volotea, WOW Airlines, Xiamen.
Ortlieb Messenger Bag vs. Exped Core 35: which should you pack?
The Ortlieb Messenger Bag carries 4L more than the Exped Core 35 (39L vs. 35L), while the Exped Core 35 is the lighter pack at 0.1kg (vs. 1.3kg). 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 Ortlieb Messenger Bag; if you want to travel lighter, the Exped Core 35 is the better call.