Osprey Porter 46 vs. REI Co-op Ruckpack 28
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Feature by feature
| Osprey Porter 46 | Feature | REI Co-op Ruckpack 28 |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| S | Compression | |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 4 | Opening | 0 |
| N | Passport | top |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| H | Backpack | |
| H | Hip Belt | R |
| H | Sternum Strap | |
| Inside | ||
| 1 | Laptop | 15 |
| 3 | Main Compartments | 2 |
| N | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | |
| 0 | Water Bottle Holder | |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| Nylon | 210-denier nylon ripstop |
REI Co-op Ruckpack 28
| Capacity | 28 L |
| Weight | 1.2 kg |
| Dimensions | 51×28×26 cm |
| Airline fit | 92% |
| Price | $100 |
Let's start with the Porter 46 from Osprey. It's a big bag - 23 inches tall, 36 wide, and 56 deep. Constructed from durable Nylon, it's no lightweight, tipping the scales at 1.5 pounds. It's aptly named for its 46-liter capacity, just begging to be stuffed full. It accommodates a 1-inch laptop in a dedicated compartment, and this pack isn't fussy about how it's carried; the side or top handles serve you well, and you can even clip on an optional shoulder strap. A reviewer claimed the Porter 46 to be both solid and savvy, specifically designed with the urban traveler in mind.
On the other side, we have the REI Co-op Ruckpack 28. This fellow stands taller with 51 inches in height, but is leaner with a width of 28 and depth of 26 inches. It trades a little weight for the height, at 1.2 pounds, and made with 210-denier nylon ripstop to hold its own in durability. Now, the Ruckpack’s capacity is lesser - 28 liters, which is still a lot for most, plus it includes a laptop compartment fit for a 15-inch machine.
Now let's drill down the differences in bullet point fashion:
- The Osprey Porter 46 is bigger in all dimensions, heavier, and has a larger capacity.
- The REI Co-op Ruckpack 28 stands taller, but is lighter and slimmer with less capacity.
- The Porter is made of Nylon, while Ruckpack is crafted with denser 210-denier nylon ripstop.
- The airlines seem to favor the Ruckpack, with a whopping 92% compatibility, far outpacing the Porter at 47%.
- The laptop compartments differ - Porter accommodates a 1-inch laptop, while the Ruckpack has space for a 15-inch laptop.
In summary, the Osprey Porter 46 is great for the heavy packer, not minding a little extra weight for the luxury of space and cool features like optional shoulder straps and dedicated laptop compartment. On the contrary, the REI Co-op Ruckpack 28 is a perfect companion for those who want to pack light, smart, and need a good level of compatibility with airlines. It also boasts a stronger material build, and despite the lesser capacity, carries a 15-inch laptop comfortably. Both these packs will hold their own in the outdoors, it all boils down to your packing personality!