Ortlieb Messenger Bag vs. Ortlieb Commuter Daypack Urban Line
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 | Ortlieb Commuter Daypack Urban Line |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 2 | Opening | 2 |
| N | Passport | N |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | removable |
| removable | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| N | Laptop | 15in |
| 1 | Main Compartments | 1 |
| N | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| N | Water Bottle Holder | N |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| PD620, PS620C | PS55C |
Ortlieb Commuter Daypack Urban Line
| Capacity | 21 L |
| Weight | 0.74 kg |
| Dimensions | 50×30×15.5 cm |
| Airline fit | 92% |
| Price | $200 |
Key differences between the Ortlieb Messenger Bag and Ortlieb Commuter Daypack Urban Line
- Laptop sleeve: No on the Ortlieb Messenger Bag; 15in on the Ortlieb Commuter Daypack Urban Line.
- Built-in organizer: No on the Ortlieb Messenger Bag; Yes on the Ortlieb Commuter Daypack Urban Line.
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 62 accept only the Ortlieb Commuter Daypack Urban Line.
Only the Ortlieb Commuter Daypack Urban Line 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, 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, 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, WestJet.
Ortlieb Messenger Bag vs. Ortlieb Commuter Daypack Urban Line: which should you pack?
The Ortlieb Messenger Bag carries 18L more than the Ortlieb Commuter Daypack Urban Line (39L vs. 21L), while the Ortlieb Commuter Daypack Urban Line is the lighter pack at 0.74kg (vs. 1.3kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Ortlieb Commuter Daypack Urban Line fits 92% 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 Commuter Daypack Urban Line is the better call.