Osprey Porter 46 vs. Fjallraven Ulvö 23

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 46FeatureFjallraven Ulvö 23
Storage
2 Compression 2
None Expanded Capacity None
1 Opening 4
top Passport front
Y Passthrough N
Carry
hideable Backpack Y
hideable Hip Belt N
Y Sternum Strap removable
Inside
16in Laptop 15in
4 Main Compartments 2
Y Organizer N
Outside
× Hard Shell ×
N Rain-fly N
N Water Bottle Holder 2, side
Y Water Resistant Y
Material
bluesign®-approved Recycled 500D Nylon Packcloth PFC Free DWRBergshell®: 400D 100% polyamide

Fjallraven Ulvö 23

Front facing view of the Fjallraven Ulvö 23
Capacity23 L
Weight0.7 kg
Dimensions45×28×13 cm
Airline fit96%
Price$125

Key differences between the Osprey Porter 46 and Fjallraven Ulvö 23

Both have: compression straps, 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 65 accept only the Fjallraven Ulvö 23.

Only the Fjallraven Ulvö 23 fits

Aerolineas Argentinas, Air Baltic, Air China, Air France, Air India, Air Malta, Air Mauritius, Air Niugini, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Air Tahiti, American Eagle, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Belavia, Blue Air, Boliviana de Aviacion, Bulgaria Air, Cayman Airways, China Eastern, Croatia Air, easyJet, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, Etihad Airways, flybe, Great Lakes Airlines, Gulf Air, Icelandair, Indigo, InselAir, Jet Airways, Juneyao Airlines, Kenya Airways, KLM, LATAM , Liat Airlines, Luxair, Meridiana Fly, Nordwind Airlines, Oman Air, Pakistan International, Qatar Airways, Ravn Alaska, Regional Express, 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), Virgin Australia, Volotea, WestJet, Xiamen.

The Osprey Porter 46 and the Fjallraven Ulvö 23 are two of the leading carry-on backpacks in the adventure industry. While their functionality does cross over in a few aspects, they each come with their own unique selling points offering different advantages depending on the preference of users. Osprey's Porter 46 lives up to its name, boasting a hefty 46 liters of storage capacity. This large capacity is balanced out with a lightweight feel, only 1.5 pounds. Perfect for those packers who never seem to have enough room. It has a sturdy nylon construction and a laptop compartment that can fit a 1-inch laptop.

The Fjallraven Ulvö 23, on the other hand, is the more compact option of the two. With a 23-liter capacity, it can be ideal for somebody looking for a less bulky alternative. Its standout feature is its compatibility with 84% of airlines, notable compared to Porter's 47%. Coming in at a mere 0.65 pounds, it's also far lighter than the Osprey, and is constructed from durable Bergshell®: 400D 100% polyamide offering a sleek look. The Ulvö 23 also accommodates tech lovers with a laptop compartment that caters to a 15-inch laptop.

When it comes to reviews, the Osprey Porter 46 has been hailed as a "phenomenal product" and an "excellent value," praised for its organization, durability, and comfortable carry. The Fjallraven Ulvö 23 has been admired for its sleek design, functional utility, and sustainable, yet durable material. It has gained a reputation for being water-resistant and ideal for "busy people on the go."

In conclusion, both packs come with their own features making them suitable for different types of travelers. If you're a heavy packer who takes a lot of tech, Osprey's Porter 46 might be the one for you. But if you prefer something lighter, more airline friendly, and less bulky, with a compartment for a larger laptop, the Fjallraven Ulvö 23 could be your best option.