Osprey Porter 46 vs. Nomatic McKinnon Cube Pack
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Feature by feature
| Osprey Porter 46 | Feature | Nomatic McKinnon Cube Pack |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 2 | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 4 |
| top | Passport | N |
| Y | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| hideable | Backpack | Y |
| hideable | Hip Belt | N |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 16in | Laptop | N |
| 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 | Nylon |
Nomatic McKinnon Cube Pack
| Capacity | 21 L |
| Weight | 0.6 kg |
| Dimensions | 45×34×19 cm |
| Airline fit | 95% |
| Price | $125 |
Key differences between the Osprey Porter 46 and Nomatic McKinnon Cube Pack
- Compression straps: 2 on the Osprey Porter 46; No on the Nomatic McKinnon Cube Pack.
- Opening: Clamshell on the Osprey Porter 46; Top zip on the Nomatic McKinnon Cube Pack.
- Passport pocket: Top on the Osprey Porter 46; No on the Nomatic McKinnon Cube Pack.
- Luggage passthrough: Yes on the Osprey Porter 46; No on the Nomatic McKinnon Cube Pack.
- Backpack straps: Hideable on the Osprey Porter 46; Yes on the Nomatic McKinnon Cube Pack.
- Hip belt: Hideable on the Osprey Porter 46; No on the Nomatic McKinnon Cube Pack.
- Laptop sleeve: 16in on the Osprey Porter 46; No on the Nomatic McKinnon Cube Pack.
- Main compartments: 4 on the Osprey Porter 46; 1 on the Nomatic McKinnon Cube Pack.
- Built-in organizer: Yes on the Osprey Porter 46; No on the Nomatic McKinnon Cube Pack.
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 63 accept only the Nomatic McKinnon Cube Pack.
Only the Nomatic McKinnon Cube Pack fits
Aerolineas Argentinas, Air Baltic, Air China, Air France, Air India, Air Malta, Air Mauritius, 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, 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.
When it comes to choosing a trusty travel backpack, both the Osprey Porter 46 and the Nomatic McKinnon Cube Pack come to mind. Known for its robust quality, the Osprey Porter 46 is a formidable contender; designed with a spacious 46-liter capacity, this backpack sits comfortably on users of all sizes. Constructed from high-quality nylon complemented by strong zippers, this sturdy gear can withstand the trials of any trip. As its name suggests, the Porter 46 features a laptop compartment that can accommodate laptops up to an inch thick.
On the other hand, the Nomatic McKinnon Cube Pack may be small but it is mighty. Weighing just 0.6 pounds, this backpack is a champion of compact and lightweight design, yet it can still store a respectable 21 liters of gear. What sets this backpack apart is its unique ability to transform from a backpack into a camera cube, adding versatility to its list of strong points. Unfortunately, it lacks a specific compartment for laptop storage.
Here's the summary:
- Osprey Porter 46 is larger (23" x 36" x 56") and heavier (1.5 lbs.) while Nomatic McKinnon Cube Pack is compact (19" x 34" x 45") and lighter (0.6 lbs.).
- Osprey Porter 46 has a 46-liter capacity, compared to Nomatic McKinnon Cube Pack's 21-liter capacity.
- Nomatic McKinnon Cube Pack boasts a camera cube feature not present in Osprey Porter 46.
- Nomatic McKinnon Cube Pack is compatible with nearly all airlines, while Osprey Porter 46 is only compatible with 47% of airlines.
- Osprey Porter 46 has a dedicated laptop compartment that can fit a 1-inch laptop – a feature the Nomatic McKinnon Cube Pack lacks.
The reviews for the Osprey Porter 46 praise it for its expansive carrying capacity and value for money. Many found its clamshell opening style and good suspension a major plus, and view the Porter as an outstanding piece for urban travelers.
The Nomatic McKinnon Cube Pack, however, impresses with the magic trick of a disappearing backpack feature — as it collapses into a camera cube, making it ideal for photographers. Its lightweight design and water resistance features are other key attractions that lure seasoned adventurers.
In sum, when it comes to picking the right carry-on backpack, the Osprey Porter 46 excels for long trips and massive cargo, while the Nomatic McKinnon Cube Pack deserves consideration for its lightweight and multipurpose design.