Osprey Porter 46 vs. Deuter Freerider Lite 20
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Feature by feature
| Osprey Porter 46 | Feature | Deuter Freerider Lite 20 |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 2 | Compression | Y |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 4 |
| top | Passport | N |
| Y | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| hideable | Backpack | Y |
| hideable | Hip Belt | Y |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 16in | Laptop | N |
| 4 | Main Compartments | 1 |
| Y | Organizer | Y |
| 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 | 100D PA Ripstop |
Deuter Freerider Lite 20
| Capacity | 20 L |
| Weight | 0.84 kg |
| Dimensions | 52×29×17 cm |
| Airline fit | 88% |
| Price | $130 |
Key differences between the Osprey Porter 46 and Deuter Freerider Lite 20
- Compression straps: 2 on the Osprey Porter 46; Yes on the Deuter Freerider Lite 20.
- Opening: Clamshell on the Osprey Porter 46; Top zip on the Deuter Freerider Lite 20.
- Passport pocket: Top on the Osprey Porter 46; No on the Deuter Freerider Lite 20.
- Luggage passthrough: Yes on the Osprey Porter 46; No on the Deuter Freerider Lite 20.
- Backpack straps: Hideable on the Osprey Porter 46; Yes on the Deuter Freerider Lite 20.
- Hip belt: Hideable on the Osprey Porter 46; Yes on the Deuter Freerider Lite 20.
- Laptop sleeve: 16in on the Osprey Porter 46; No on the Deuter Freerider Lite 20.
- Main compartments: 4 on the Osprey Porter 46; 1 on the Deuter Freerider Lite 20.
Both have: sternum strap, built-in organizer, 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 51 accept only the Deuter Freerider Lite 20.
Only the Deuter Freerider Lite 20 fits
Aerolineas Argentinas, Air Baltic, Air China, Air France, Air India, Air Malta, Air Mauritius, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Blue Air, Boliviana de Aviacion, Bulgaria Air, Cayman Airways, China Eastern, Croatia Air, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, flybe, Icelandair, Indigo, InselAir, Jet Airways, Juneyao Airlines, Kenya Airways, KLM, LATAM , Liat Airlines, Luxair, Meridiana Fly, Nordwind Airlines, Pakistan International, Royal Brunei Airlines, 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 is a beast of a pack, designed for the traveller who needs to carry a large amount of gear. At 23 inches tall, 36 inches wide, and 56 inches deep, the pack provides 46 liters of carrying capacity. Despite its size, it weighs only 1.5 pounds and is crafted from durable nylon. A unique feature of the Porter 46 is its compatibility with different airline specifications, being acceptable on 47% of airlines. Its laptop compartment can handle up to a 1 inch thick laptop. It's a bag that's drawn a lot of praise from pro gear reviewers.
The Deuter Freerider Lite 20, on the other hand, is a smaller, lighter model, standing at 17 inches tall, 29 inches wide, and 52 inches deep. It offers a 20 liter capacity and weighs a featherweight 0.84 pounds. Made from an ultra-tough 100D PA Ripstop, it comes in handy for travellers who want to go light and fast. In terms of airline compatibility, the Freerider Lite outranks its rival, with an approval rate of 79% across different airlines. However, it does lack a dedicated laptop compartment.
- Size: Osprey Porter 46 (23in tall x 36in wide x 56in deep) vs Deuter Freerider Lite 20 (17in tall, 29in wide, 52in deep)
- Weight: Osprey Porter 46 (1.5 pounds) vs Deuter Freerider Lite 20 (0.84 pounds)
- Capacity: Osprey Porter 46 (46 liters) vs Deuter Freerider Lite 20 (20 liters)
- Airline Compatibility: Osprey Porter 46 (47% of airlines) vs Deuter Freerider Lite 20 (79% of airlines)
- Materials: Osprey Porter 46 (Nylon) vs Deuter Freerider Lite 20 (100D PA Ripstop)
- Laptop Compartment: Osprey Porter 46 (Fits 1 inch laptop) vs Deuter Freerider Lite 20 (No laptop compartment)
The pro reviewer praise for the Osprey Porter 46 revolves largely around its generous capacity, durable build, and thoughtful design elements. It's seen as a bag that can carry much and withstand a lot, perfect for the urban traveler or the gear-heavy backpacker.
The Deuter Freerider Lite 20, meanwhile, offers the adventurer a lightweight and robust option for fast, streamlined travel. Its lightweight design and superior airline compatibility make it the pack of choice for global air travel. It does lack some features like the laptop compartment, but for the traveller who wants to go fast and light, it remains a compelling choice.