Osprey Porter 46 vs. Exped Torrent 20
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Feature by feature
| Osprey Porter 46 | Feature | Exped Torrent 20 |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 2 | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 2 |
| top | Passport | N |
| Y | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| hideable | Backpack | Y |
| hideable | Hip Belt | removable |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 16in | Laptop | 13in |
| 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 | 840 D Oxford nylon, TPU film laminate, >10'000 mm water column |
Key differences between the Osprey Porter 46 and Exped Torrent 20
- Compression straps: 2 on the Osprey Porter 46; No on the Exped Torrent 20.
- Opening: Clamshell on the Osprey Porter 46; Rolltop on the Exped Torrent 20.
- Passport pocket: Top on the Osprey Porter 46; No on the Exped Torrent 20.
- Luggage passthrough: Yes on the Osprey Porter 46; No on the Exped Torrent 20.
- Backpack straps: Hideable on the Osprey Porter 46; Yes on the Exped Torrent 20.
- Hip belt: Hideable on the Osprey Porter 46; Removable on the Exped Torrent 20.
- Laptop sleeve: 16in on the Osprey Porter 46; 13in on the Exped Torrent 20.
- Main compartments: 4 on the Osprey Porter 46; 1 on the Exped Torrent 20.
- Built-in organizer: Yes on the Osprey Porter 46; No on the Exped Torrent 20.
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 58 accept only the Exped Torrent 20.
Only the Exped Torrent 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 Exped Torrent 20 are both exceptional carry-on backpacks. The Porter 46, unmissable in size, stands 23 inches tall, 36 inches wide, and 56 inches deep. A veritable gear hauler, the Porter 46 offers 46 liters of capacity, plenty of room indeed for a traveler who usually carry more. Its construction of pure nylon assures durability, and it's conveniently compatible with 47% of airlines for those who are fond of jet-setting.
On the other side, we have the Exped Torrent 20. Smaller but undoubtedly efficient, the Torrent 20 measures 17 inches tall, 27 inches wide, and 50 inches deep. With a 20 liter capacity, it might be smaller in size but it makes for a more lightweight companion, weighing just around 0.98 pounds. It's made of 840 D Oxford nylon fused with TPU film laminate, making it resilient and waterproof for outdoor activities. Notably, it is compatible with 81% of airlines, making it an excellent pick for air travelers.
The featured bullet points differentiating the two are:
- Size: The Osprey Porter 46 is larger than the Exped Torrent 20.
- Weight: The Porter 46 weighs 1.5 pounds while the Torrent 20 weighs just under a pound.
- Material: The Porter 46 is made of Nylon, while the Torrent 20 boasts of 840 D Oxford nylon with TPU film laminate.
- Capacity: The Porter 46 has a bigger capacity of 46 liters while the Torrent 20 has a capacity of 20 liters.
- Airline Compatibility: The Porter 46 is compatible with 47% of airlines, whereas the Torrent 20 beats this with 81% compatibility.
- Laptop compartment: The Porter 46 can accommodate a 1 inch laptop, while the Torrent 20 can fit a 13 inch laptop.
Going by reviews, the Porter 46 earns its stripes as the 'deluxe duffel' with impressive gear-hauling capacity. The stand-out features are its spaciousness, convenient clamshell opening, and the compression strap which prevents the bag from looking sloppy. The Porter 46 excels in urban environments and holds up well under rigorous conditions.
Alternatively, the Exped Torrent 20 impressed users with its exemplary comfort dynamics courtesy of a well-designed suspension system. It's cherished for its waterproof and durable build – an all-weather warrior, slashed proof, and a great deterrent against pickpockets and thieves. An excellent choice for the outdoor adventurer and a reliable air travel companion. Choice, of course, would largely depend on your travel needs and style. Both stand their ground as top contenders in the battlefield of carry-on backpacks.