Osprey Porter 46 vs. Osprey Transporter® Zip Top Pack
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Feature by feature
| Osprey Porter 46 | Feature | Osprey Transporter® Zip Top 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 | removable |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 16in | Laptop | 15in |
| 4 | Main Compartments | 1 |
| 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 DWR | 400D Nylon TPU Double Coated |
Osprey Transporter® Zip Top Pack
| Capacity | 30 L |
| Weight | 1 kg |
| Dimensions | 52×36×29 cm |
| Airline fit | 2% |
| Price | $130 |
Key differences between the Osprey Porter 46 and Osprey Transporter® Zip Top Pack
- Compression straps: 2 on the Osprey Porter 46; No on the Osprey Transporter® Zip Top Pack.
- Opening: Clamshell on the Osprey Porter 46; Top zip on the Osprey Transporter® Zip Top Pack.
- Passport pocket: Top on the Osprey Porter 46; No on the Osprey Transporter® Zip Top Pack.
- Luggage passthrough: Yes on the Osprey Porter 46; No on the Osprey Transporter® Zip Top Pack.
- Backpack straps: Hideable on the Osprey Porter 46; Yes on the Osprey Transporter® Zip Top Pack.
- Hip belt: Hideable on the Osprey Porter 46; Removable on the Osprey Transporter® Zip Top Pack.
- Laptop sleeve: 16in on the Osprey Porter 46; 15in on the Osprey Transporter® Zip Top Pack.
- Main compartments: 4 on the Osprey Porter 46; 1 on the Osprey Transporter® Zip Top Pack.
- Water bottle pockets: No on the Osprey Porter 46; 2 on the Osprey Transporter® Zip Top Pack.
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. 4 accept both. 112 accept only the Osprey Porter 46, and 0 accept only the Osprey Transporter® Zip Top Pack.
Only the Osprey Porter 46 fits
Aegean Airlines, Aer Lingus, Aeroflot, Aeromexico, Air Asia, Air Astana, Air Canada, Air Caraibes, Air Europa, Air Koryo, Air Macau, Air Nostrum, Air Tahiti Nui, Air Wisconsin, AirAsiaX, Alaska Airlines, All Nipon Airways, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, ANA, Atlas Global, Austrian, Avianca , Azerbaijan Airlines, Azul Linhas, Bahamasair, Bangkok Airways, Biman Bangladesh, British Airways, Brussels Airlines, Cambodia Angkor Air, Caribbean Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Cebu Pacific, China Airlines, China Southern, CommutAir, Conviasa, Copa Airlines, Cubana de Aviacion, Czech Airlines, Delta Airlines, Dragonair, EL AL, Ethiopian Airlines, Eurowings, EVA Air, Fiji Airways, Finnair, Flair Air, Frontier Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, Gol Linhas Aereas, Hainan Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Iberia, Interjet, Iran Air, Iran Aseman Air, Island Air, Japan Airlines, Jet2, jetBlue Airways, Jetstar Airways, Jetstar Asia, Korean Air, Kulula, Kuwait Air, LOT Polish, Lufthansa, Mahan Air, Malaysia Airlines, Mango, Mesa Airlines, Middle East Airlines, Monarch Airlines, Norwegian, Onur Air, Peach, PenAir, Philippine Airlines, Porter Airlines, Qantas Airways, Republic Airways, Royal Air Morocco, SAS Scandinavian, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Sichuan Airlines, SilkAir, Silver Airways, Singapore Airlines, Skywest, Inc., South African Airways, Southwest Airlines, SpiceJet, Spirit Airlines, SriLankan Airlines, Sun Country, Swiss Int'l Air Lines, TAAG Angola, TAM Airlines, Thai Airways, Trans States, Travel Service Airlines, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, Ural Airlines, Uzbekistan Air, Vietnam Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, WOW Airlines.
The Osprey Porter 46 and the Osprey Transporter® Zip Top Pack are both packs that have seen significant acclaim among users and reviewers alike. They both shine in their respective domains, with the Porter 46 attracting praiseworthy remarks for its larger capacity and the Transporter Zip Top Pack impressing users with its high percentage of airline compatibility. The Porter 46 stands taller, wider, and deeper than the Transporter Zip Top Pack albeit standing at a slightly higher weight of 1.5 pounds compared to the Transporter’s more modest 1 pound. The Porter 46 also boasts a larger carrying capacity, able to conveniently accommodate 46 liters as opposed to the Transporter’s 30 liters.
- Summary Comparison:
- Dimensions: The Porter 46 is 23x36x56 inches while the Transporter Zip Top Pack is 29x36x52 inches.
- Weight: The Porter 46 weighs 1.5 pounds, 0.5 pounds more than the Transporter.
- Capacity: The Porter 46 has a 46-liter capacity while the Transporter has a 30-liter capacity.
- Material: Porter 46 is made of Nylon while the Transporter is made of 400D Nylon TPU Double Coated.
- Laptop Capacity: Porter 46 can fit a 1 inch laptop while the Transporter can fit a 15 inch laptop.
- Airline Compatibility: Transporter is compatible with 88% of airlines, surpassing Porter's 47%.
Where the Osprey Porter 46 truly excels is its ability to conveniently carry more, aptly encapsulated in a user’s remark about its big capacity. Its merit also stems from its ability to manage this substantial load. However, The Transporter Pack shines for different reasons. It was lauded for its functional internal organization and comfortable usage for prolong times, assisted by its high-quality construction and sturdiness.
The above points outline the relevance of choosing a backpack suitable to your specific travel need. Both packs have their unique strengths that can cater to varying requirements. If size, capacity, and convenience of use are higher on your priority list, then the Porter 46 could be the choice. However, for durable, lightweight backpacking with better airline compatibility, the Transporter® Zip Top Pack holds solid ground. Either way, both packs proudly carry the trusted Osprey brand promise: a testament to quality and foundation built on years of experience in outdoor gear.