Osprey Porter 46 vs. Deuter Speedlite 20

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

Osprey Porter 46

Front facing view of the Osprey Porter 46
Capacity46 L
Weight1.5 kg
Dimensions55×36×23 cm
Airline fit61%
Price$185

Feature by feature

Osprey Porter 46FeatureDeuter Speedlite 20
Storage
2 Compression Y
None Expanded Capacity None
1 Opening 4
top Passport top
Y Passthrough N
Carry
hideable Backpack Y
hideable Hip Belt hideable
Y Sternum Strap Y
Inside
16in Laptop N
4 Main Compartments 2
Y Organizer N
Outside
× Hard Shell ×
N Rain-fly N
N Water Bottle Holder 2
Y Water Resistant Y
Material
bluesign®-approved Recycled 500D Nylon Packcloth PFC Free DWR420D and 210D PA Nylon

Deuter Speedlite 20

Front facing view of the Deuter Speedlite 20
Capacity20 L
Weight0.3 kg
Dimensions49×26×19 cm
Airline fit92%
Price$75

Key differences between the Osprey Porter 46 and Deuter Speedlite 20

Both have: passport pocket, 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. 116 accept both. 0 accept only the Osprey Porter 46, and 58 accept only the Deuter Speedlite 20.

Only the Deuter Speedlite 20 fits

Aerolineas Argentinas, Air Baltic, Air China, Air France, Air India, Air Malta, Air Mauritius, Air Niugini, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Belavia, Blue Air, Boliviana de Aviacion, Bulgaria Air, Cayman Airways, China Eastern, Croatia Air, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, Etihad Airways, flybe, Great Lakes Airlines, Icelandair, Indigo, InselAir, Jet Airways, Juneyao Airlines, Kenya Airways, KLM, LATAM , Liat Airlines, Luxair, Meridiana Fly, Nordwind Airlines, Oman Air, Pakistan International, Qatar Airways, Royal Brunei Airlines, Royal Jordanian, Ryanair, S7, Scoot, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Sky Airlines, Sun Express, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), Tiger Airways, TUI, Ukraine International, VIM Airlines (Closed), Volotea, WestJet, Xiamen.

The Osprey Porter 46 and the Deuter Speedlite 20, two heavy-hitters in the carry-on backpack game. Both mark a tangibly different approach to design, functionality, and size. The Porter, a stalwart beast at 46 liters, is a hefty companion begging for a serious load. It’s the Moby Dick of daypacks. With a tough nylon skin and a laptop compartment ready to accommodate a 1 inch laptop, it’s ready for the thick of it. Reviewers praise its spacious capacity, its sleek compressions strap design, and its general air of being the 'real-deal' for mid-sized bearers. ‘Bulk it up or cinch it down', the Osprey comes out swinging.

The Deuter Speedlite 20, though half the size, refuses to be overshadowed. Slim, streamlined, it’s the racehorse that strikes for simplicity before all else. Weighing in at just 12 ounces, the Speedlite is a nimble featherweight that doesn't skimp on capability. Good things come in small packages, they say, and reviewers agree. From the V-designed even weight distribution, a well-cushioned back panel, to a price tag that doesn’t sting, the Speedlite isn’t bogged down by size.

Quick Comparison:

The Osprey Porter 46 and the Deuter Speedlite 20 each have their niche to fill. The Porter's size and durability make it a packhorse ready to saddle a load, a companion fit for a warehouse on wheels. Though it may miss out on some airlines due to its size, it more than makes up for with sheer capacity and heavy-duty toughness.

The Speedlite doesn’t pretend to be the hulking Porter. It’s a sleek, streamlined jackrabbits that doesn’t let size keep it down. From its lightweight design to an all-fit airline compatibility, this pint-sized dynamo ticks a lot of boxes. The Swiftsteed of carry-ons, the Speedlite proves not all champions need bulk.