Millican Smith 15L vs. Ortlieb Velocity High Visibility
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Millican Smith 15L
| Capacity | 15 L |
| Weight | 0.8 kg |
| Dimensions | 45×28×10 cm |
| Airline fit | 96% |
| Price | $115 |
Feature by feature
| Millican Smith 15L | Feature | Ortlieb Velocity High Visibility |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 2 | Opening | 2 |
| side | Passport | N |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | removable |
| removable | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| 13in | Laptop | N |
| 3 | Main Compartments | 1 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| N | Water Bottle Holder | N |
| Y | Water Resistant | N |
| Material | |
| Weatherproof Bionic Canvas | PS50CX |
Ortlieb Velocity High Visibility
| Capacity | 23 L |
| Weight | 0.75 kg |
| Dimensions | 50×30×16 cm |
| Airline fit | 92% |
| Price | $175 |
Key differences between the Millican Smith 15L and Ortlieb Velocity High Visibility
- Passport pocket: Side on the Millican Smith 15L; No on the Ortlieb Velocity High Visibility.
- Laptop sleeve: 13in on the Millican Smith 15L; No on the Ortlieb Velocity High Visibility.
- Main compartments: 3 on the Millican Smith 15L; 1 on the Ortlieb Velocity High Visibility.
- Water resistant: Yes on the Millican Smith 15L; No on the Ortlieb Velocity High Visibility.
Both have: backpack straps, hip belt, sternum strap.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 173 accept both. 8 accept only the Millican Smith 15L, and 0 accept only the Ortlieb Velocity High Visibility.
Only the Millican Smith 15L fits
Air Tahiti, American Eagle, easyJet, Great Lakes Airlines, Gulf Air, Ravn Alaska, Regional Express, Virgin Australia.
Millican Smith 15L vs. Ortlieb Velocity High Visibility: which should you pack?
The Ortlieb Velocity High Visibility carries 8L more than the Millican Smith 15L (15L vs. 23L), while the Ortlieb Velocity High Visibility is the lighter pack at 0.75kg (vs. 0.8kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Millican Smith 15L fits 96% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Ortlieb Velocity High Visibility; if you want to travel lighter, the Ortlieb Velocity High Visibility is the better call.