---
url: "https://onebag.travel/compare/qhm5liyumb/exped-metro-30/qymzkhqn4t/ortlieb-vario/"
title: "Exped Metro 30 vs Ortlieb Vario - One Bag Travel"
description: "Exped Metro 30 vs Ortlieb Vario: capacity, weight, dimensions and how many airlines accept each as a carry-on, side by side."
source: "https://onebag.travel/compare/qhm5liyumb/exped-metro-30/qymzkhqn4t/ortlieb-vario/"
---
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3.  Exped Metro 30 vs. Ortlieb Vario

# Exped Metro 30 vs. Ortlieb Vario

Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.

## [Exped Metro 30](https://onebag.travel/carryon/qhm5liyumb/exped-metro-30/)

by [Exped](https://onebag.travel/carryons/?brands=Exped)

![Front facing view of the Exped Metro 30](https://res.cloudinary.com/obt/image/upload/c_fill,w_400/v1623861948/carryons/Exped_Metro_30_iwgcu4.webp)

<table class="table table-sm cmp-spec mt-2"><tbody><tr><td>Capacity</td><td>28 L</td></tr><tr><td>Weight</td><td>0.8 kg</td></tr><tr><td>Dimensions</td><td>56×29×19 cm</td></tr><tr><td>Airline fit</td><td>47%</td></tr><tr><td>Price</td><td>$119</td></tr></tbody></table>

## Feature by feature

| Exped Metro 30 | Feature | Ortlieb Vario |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Storage |
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 2 | Opening | 2 |
| N | Passport | N |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry |
| Y | Backpack | removable |
| hideable | Hip Belt | removable |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside |
| 15in | Laptop | 15in |
| 1 | Main Compartments | 1 |
| N | Organizer | Y |
| Outside |
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2 | Water Bottle Holder | 2 |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |

<table class="cmp-material"><tbody><tr><td colspan="2">Material</td></tr><tr><td>600 D ripstop polyester, PU coated, 1'200 mm water column</td><td>PS33</td></tr></tbody></table>

## [Ortlieb Vario](https://onebag.travel/carryon/qymzkhqn4t/ortlieb-vario/)

by [Ortlieb](https://onebag.travel/carryons/?brands=Ortlieb)

![Front facing view of the Ortlieb Vario](https://res.cloudinary.com/obt/image/upload/c_fill,w_400/v1631195641/carryons/Ortlieb_Vario_r31h7o.webp)

<table class="table table-sm cmp-spec mt-2"><tbody><tr><td>Capacity</td><td>23 L</td></tr><tr><td>Weight</td><td>1.3 kg</td></tr><tr><td>Dimensions</td><td>50×28×20 cm</td></tr><tr><td>Airline fit</td><td>92%</td></tr><tr><td>Price</td><td>$175</td></tr></tbody></table>

## Key differences between the Exped Metro 30 and Ortlieb Vario

-   **Backpack straps:** Yes on the Exped Metro 30; Removable on the Ortlieb Vario.
-   **Hip belt:** Hideable on the Exped Metro 30; Removable on the Ortlieb Vario.
-   **Built-in organizer:** No on the Exped Metro 30; Yes on the Ortlieb Vario.

Both have: sternum strap, laptop sleeve, water bottle pockets, water resistant.

## Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on

We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 88 accept both. 0 accept only the Exped Metro 30, and 86 accept only the Ortlieb Vario.

### Only the Ortlieb Vario fits

Aer Lingus, Aeroflot, Aerolineas Argentinas, Aeromexico, Air Baltic, Air Canada, Air Caraibes, Air China, Air France, Air India, Air Malta, Air Mauritius, Air Niugini, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, All Nipon Airways, ANA, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Austrian, Azerbaijan Airlines, Belavia, Blue Air, Boliviana de Aviacion, Brussels Airlines, Bulgaria Air, China Eastern, Czech Airlines, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, Eurowings, Fiji Airways, Flair Air, flybe, Gol Linhas Aereas, Great Lakes Airlines, Iberia, Icelandair, Indigo, InselAir, Interjet, Iran Air, Japan Airlines, Jet Airways, Juneyao Airlines, Kenya Airways, KLM, LATAM , Liat Airlines, LOT Polish, Lufthansa, Luxair, Mahan Air, Meridiana Fly, Mesa Airlines, Nordwind Airlines, Norwegian, Oman Air, Pakistan International, Peach, Porter Airlines, Qatar Airways, Royal Brunei Airlines, Royal Jordanian, Ryanair, S7, SAS Scandinavian, Scoot, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Sky Airlines, Sun Express, Swiss Int'l Air Lines, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), Tiger Airways, TUI, Turkish Airlines, Ukraine International, VIM Airlines (Closed), Volotea, WestJet, Xiamen.

## Exped Metro 30 vs. Ortlieb Vario: which should you pack?

The **Exped Metro 30** carries 5L more than the **Ortlieb Vario** (28L vs. 23L), while the **Exped Metro 30** is the lighter pack at 0.8kg (vs. 1.3kg). For carry-on flexibility, the **Ortlieb Vario** fits 92% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Exped Metro 30; if you want to travel lighter, the Exped Metro 30 is the better call.