Osprey Porter 46 vs. Cabin Zero Military 44L
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Feature by feature
| Osprey Porter 46 | Feature | Cabin Zero Military 44L |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 2 | Compression | Y |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 4 |
| top | Passport | N |
| Y | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| hideable | Backpack | Y |
| hideable | Hip Belt | removable |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 16in | Laptop | 15in |
| 4 | Main Compartments | 1 |
| Y | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| N | Water Bottle Holder | N |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| bluesign®-approved Recycled 500D Nylon Packcloth PFC Free DWR | 1000 Denier nylon fabric |
Cabin Zero Military 44L
| Capacity | 44 L |
| Weight | 1.05 kg |
| Dimensions | 52×36×19 cm |
| Airline fit | 81% |
| Price | $125 |
Key differences between the Osprey Porter 46 and Cabin Zero Military 44L
- Compression straps: 2 on the Osprey Porter 46; Yes on the Cabin Zero Military 44L.
- Opening: Clamshell on the Osprey Porter 46; Top zip on the Cabin Zero Military 44L.
- Passport pocket: Top on the Osprey Porter 46; No on the Cabin Zero Military 44L.
- Luggage passthrough: Yes on the Osprey Porter 46; No on the Cabin Zero Military 44L.
- Backpack straps: Hideable on the Osprey Porter 46; Yes on the Cabin Zero Military 44L.
- Hip belt: Hideable on the Osprey Porter 46; Removable on the Cabin Zero Military 44L.
- Laptop sleeve: 16in on the Osprey Porter 46; 15in on the Cabin Zero Military 44L.
- Main compartments: 4 on the Osprey Porter 46; 1 on the Cabin Zero Military 44L.
- Built-in organizer: Yes on the Osprey Porter 46; No on the Cabin Zero Military 44L.
Both have: 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 37 accept only the Cabin Zero Military 44L.
Only the Cabin Zero Military 44L fits
Air Baltic, Air China, Air Malta, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Blue Air, Bulgaria Air, China Eastern, Croatia Air, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, Icelandair, Juneyao Airlines, Liat Airlines, Luxair, Meridiana Fly, Nordwind Airlines, Pakistan International, Royal Brunei Airlines, Ryanair, S7, Scoot, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Sun Express, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), Tiger Airways, TUI, Ukraine International, VIM Airlines (Closed), Volotea, WestJet, Xiamen.
We've got two heavy-hitters in the world of backpacking in our arena today: the proud Osprey Porter 46 and the robust Cabin Zero Military 44L. Let's start with the Porter 46 by Osprey. Its impressive specs make it a go-to choice for globetrotters. A whooping 46 liters of storage capacity provides ample room for all your essentials, and its nylon-made build ensures durability. Despite being lightweight at 1.5 pounds, it is a tad bulkier than its rival, measuring 23” in height and 36” in width. It also falls short on airline compatibility, approved by just 47% of carriers.
Here's a quick summary of the crucial differences:
- Osprey Porter 46 is taller than Cabin Zero Military 44L (23" vs 19")
- They share the same width (36") but the Porter is deeper (56" vs 52")
- The Osprey Porter is heavier (1.5 lbs vs 1.05 lbs)
- The Osprey has more carrying capacity (46L vs 44L)
- The Cabin Zero is more airline-friendly (73% vs 47%)
- They both use nylon, but the Cabin Zero uses a more rigid 1000 Denier nylon
Shifting our focus to the Cabin Zero Military 44L, the bag positions itself as a steadfast partner for those soaring the skies quite often with a sturdy 1000 Denier nylon fabric construction. A slightly smaller capacity of 44 liters is quite generous nonetheless. But it does come with a lighter frame, weighing about 1.05 pounds, and a more compact design with 19” in height and 36” in width. On the airline compatibility front, it trumps the Porter 46 by a wide margin, boasting approval from 73% of airlines.
Reflecting on their overall makeup, it's clear both these backpacks bring strong suits to the table. The Osprey Porter 46 stands out with its sizable capacity, solid build, and distinctive design. At the same time, the Cabin Zero Military 44L makes a strong case for itself with its airline-friendly features, durable build, and a slightly lighter frame. They are both good buys based on what fits your needs best. If you're in search of a larger, more rugged backpack, then the Osprey Porter 46 might be your mate. But if it's comfort, lightweight and versatility you seek, the Cabin Zero Military 44L will serve you well.