Ortlieb Messenger Bag vs. Peak Design Outdoor Backpack 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 | Peak Design Outdoor Backpack 45L |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | 45L |
| 2 | Opening | 1 |
| N | Passport | N |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | removable |
| removable | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| N | Laptop | 16in |
| 1 | Main Compartments | 1 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| N | Water Bottle Holder | 4, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| PD620, PS620C | Ultralight Terra Shell™ 210D ripstop |
Peak Design Outdoor Backpack 45L
| Capacity | 35 L |
| Weight | 1.6 kg |
| Dimensions | 56×31×17 cm |
| Airline fit | 47% |
| Price | $330 |
Key differences between the Ortlieb Messenger Bag and Peak Design Outdoor Backpack 45L
- Opening: Rolltop on the Ortlieb Messenger Bag; Clamshell on the Peak Design Outdoor Backpack 45L.
- Laptop sleeve: No on the Ortlieb Messenger Bag; 16in on the Peak Design Outdoor Backpack 45L.
- Water bottle pockets: No on the Ortlieb Messenger Bag; 4, side on the Peak Design Outdoor Backpack 45L.
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. 48 accept both. 63 accept only the Ortlieb Messenger Bag, and 40 accept only the Peak Design Outdoor Backpack 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, China Eastern, 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 Peak Design Outdoor Backpack 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, Cayman Airways, 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. Peak Design Outdoor Backpack 45L: which should you pack?
The Ortlieb Messenger Bag carries 4L more than the Peak Design Outdoor Backpack 45L (39L vs. 35L), while the Ortlieb Messenger Bag is the lighter pack at 1.3kg (vs. 1.6kg). 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 Ortlieb Messenger Bag is the better call.