Osprey Porter 46 vs. The North Face Router
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Feature by feature
| Osprey Porter 46 | Feature | The North Face Router |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| S | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 4 | Opening | 4 |
| N | Passport | N |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| H | Backpack | S |
| H | Hip Belt | S |
| H | Sternum Strap | S |
| Inside | ||
| 1 | Laptop | 15 |
| 3 | Main Compartments | 2 |
| N | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 0 | Water Bottle Holder | 2 |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| Nylon | 500D Nylon Oxford Slub, 420 D Nylon, 210D Cordura® Nylon Ripstop |
The North Face Router
| Capacity | 40 L |
| Weight | 1.5 kg |
| Dimensions | 54×35.6×26.7 cm |
| Airline fit | 19% |
| Price | $149 |
The Osprey Porter 46, made by Osprey, is an adaptable and resilient backpack, designed with substantial capacity in mind. It's built from sturdy Nylon material and known for its roominess -- boasting 46 liters of carrying ability. The pack is compatible with close to half the airlines (47% to be exact), making it fit for the frequent traveler. Its laptop compartment can accommodate equipment sized up to 1 inch. According to reviews, users highlight its durability, excellent value, large capacity, and smart design features. Particular kudos are given to the bag's efficient compression strap and its convenience due to the clamshell opening, making packing and unpacking a breeze.
Turning to look at the second contender, The North Face Router is made by The North Face. This backpack comes with a unique construction, combining 500D Nylon Oxford Slub, 420 D Nylon, and 210D Cordura® Nylon Ripstop for a strong, resilient design. Surprisingly, even though it's slightly larger than the Osprey Porter 46 in dimensions, its capacity is less, totaling 40 liters. In airline compatibility, it trails the Osprey Porter 46, being compatible with only 19% of airlines. The Router's laptop compartment fits a significantly larger unit, up to 15 inches. The Router does not elicit as many reviews as the Osprey Porter 46.
Here, we'll summarize the differences for a side-by-side comparison:
- The Osprey Porter 46 is of pure Nylon construction, while The North Face Router has a composite Nylon build.
- The Porter 46 has larger capacity (46L) as compared to The Router (40L).
- The Porter 46 is compatible with 47% of airlines versus the 19% compatibility of The Router.
- The laptop compartment in Porter 46 can fit a 1 inch laptop, whereas in The Router it fits up to a 15 inch laptop.
Closing remarks both backpacks weigh an equal 1.5 pounds, making them equal competitors in terms of load handling. Each pack comes with unique strengths. The Osprey Porter 46 tips the scale in favour of greater capacity, larger airline compatibility, and stellar reviews, suggesting satisfactory customer experience. Meanwhile, The North Face Router champions in robust composition and larger laptop carrying capacity, though reviewers remain largely silent. Your choice between the two would depend on your prioritized features whether it's size, design material, capacity, or airline compatibility. Choose wisely!