Ortlieb Vario vs. Ortlieb Commuter Daypack Urban Line
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Feature by feature
| Ortlieb Vario | Feature | Ortlieb Commuter Daypack Urban Line |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 2 | Opening | 2 |
| N | Passport | N |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| removable | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | removable |
| Y | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 15in |
| 1 | Main Compartments | 1 |
| Y | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2 | Water Bottle Holder | N |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| PS33 | 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 Vario and Ortlieb Commuter Daypack Urban Line
- Backpack straps: Removable on the Ortlieb Vario; Yes on the Ortlieb Commuter Daypack Urban Line.
- Sternum strap: Yes on the Ortlieb Vario; Removable on the Ortlieb Commuter Daypack Urban Line.
- Water bottle pockets: 2 on the Ortlieb Vario; No on the Ortlieb Commuter Daypack Urban Line.
Both have: hip belt, laptop sleeve, built-in organizer, water resistant.
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. 1 accept only the Ortlieb Vario, and 0 accept only the Ortlieb Commuter Daypack Urban Line.
Only the Ortlieb Vario fits
Great Lakes Airlines.
Ortlieb Vario vs. Ortlieb Commuter Daypack Urban Line: which should you pack?
The Ortlieb Vario carries 2L more than the Ortlieb Commuter Daypack Urban Line (23L 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 Vario fits 92% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Ortlieb Vario; if you want to travel lighter, the Ortlieb Commuter Daypack Urban Line is the better call.