Osprey Porter 46 vs. Hylete Icon

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 46FeatureHylete Icon
Storage
2 Compression N
None Expanded Capacity None
1 Opening 4
top Passport N
Y Passthrough N
Carry
hideable Backpack hideable
hideable Hip Belt N
Y Sternum Strap Y
Inside
16in Laptop 15in
4 Main Compartments 5
Y Organizer Y
Outside
× Hard Shell ×
N Rain-fly N
N Water Bottle Holder 2
Y Water Resistant Y
Material
bluesign®-approved Recycled 500D Nylon Packcloth PFC Free DWRDual-Face TPU 600D

Hylete Icon

Front facing view of the Hylete Icon
Capacity40 L
Weight0 kg
Dimensions49×34×28 cm
Airline fit14%
Price$200

Key differences between the Osprey Porter 46 and Hylete Icon

Both have: backpack straps, 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. 26 accept both. 90 accept only the Osprey Porter 46, and 1 accept only the Hylete Icon.

Only the Osprey Porter 46 fits

Aegean Airlines, Aer Lingus, Aeroflot, Aeromexico, Air Asia, Air Astana, Air Canada, Air Caraibes, Air Macau, Air Nostrum, Air Wisconsin, AirAsiaX, Alaska Airlines, All Nipon Airways, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, ANA, Atlas Global, Austrian, Avianca , Azerbaijan Airlines, Bahamasair, Bangkok Airways, Biman Bangladesh, British Airways, Brussels Airlines, Cambodia Angkor Air, Cathay Pacific, Cebu Pacific, China Airlines, CommutAir, Conviasa, Copa Airlines, Czech Airlines, Delta Airlines, Dragonair, EL AL, Ethiopian Airlines, Eurowings, EVA Air, Fiji Airways, Finnair, Flair Air, Frontier Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, Gol Linhas Aereas, Hawaiian Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Iberia, Interjet, Iran Air, Iran Aseman Air, Japan Airlines, Jet2, jetBlue Airways, Jetstar Airways, Jetstar Asia, Kulula, Kuwait Air, LOT Polish, Lufthansa, Mahan Air, Malaysia Airlines, Mango, Mesa Airlines, Middle East Airlines, Monarch Airlines, Norwegian, Onur Air, Peach, PenAir, Porter Airlines, Qantas Airways, Republic Airways, SAS Scandinavian, Skywest, Inc., South African Airways, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, SriLankan Airlines, Swiss Int'l Air Lines, Thai Airways, Trans States, Travel Service Airlines, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, Uzbekistan Air, Vietnam Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, WOW Airlines.

Only the Hylete Icon fits

Croatia Air.

The Osprey Porter 46 and the Hylete Icon are both solid choices when it comes to carry-on backpacks. The Porter 46, true to its name, offers a generous 46 liters of carrying capacity and a burly build using nylon fabric. Weighing in at 1.5 pounds, it's a durable workhorse that doesn't shy away from a hefty load. With compatibility for nearly half the airlines out there, you'd be hard-pressed to find an aircraft where this bad boy doesn't fit. Plus, with a laptop compartment that can accommodate a whopping 15-inch laptop, this backpack can double as a mobile workstation with ease.

On the other hand, the Hylete Icon boasts an innovative design using Dual-Face TPU 600D for durability. Despite its lightweight build (a shocking 0 pounds), it offers a sizable 40 liters of space to hold your gear. This bag is an urban traveler's dream, boasting unfettered compatibility with a staggering 89% of airlines. The Icon's laptop compartment is no slouch either, readily accepting a 15-inch laptop amidst its organized section layout.

You'll find the differences summarized below:

While the Porter 46 has been praised as "a big pack with a big capacity" and as a value-for-money choice with versatile functionality, the Hylete Icon has its fair share of commendations too. Its innovative design and adaptability make it an appealing companion for varying travel needs. From acting as a gym bag with insulated pockets to morphing into a work bag with a dedicated laptop compartment, this chameleon-like backpack is praiseworthy.

To wrap things up, the Porter 46 from Osprey is a sturdy, roomy, and highly functional carry-on backpack that won't tire you out. It's perfect for those who love a classic, robust backpack look. This isn't to say the Hylete Icon is any lesser. It shines in its innovative design, adaptability, and feather-light weight. It's fantastic for those on-the-move, switching between roles, or just for someone who likes a touch of modernism in their gear. Both offer incredible value in their respective domains.