Osprey Porter 46 vs. North Face Recon
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Feature by feature
| Osprey Porter 46 | Feature | North Face Recon |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 2 | Compression | 4 |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 0 |
| top | Passport | front |
| Y | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| hideable | Backpack | Y |
| hideable | Hip Belt | removable |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 16in | Laptop | 15in |
| 4 | Main Compartments | 3 |
| Y | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| N | Water Bottle Holder | 2, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| bluesign®-approved Recycled 500D Nylon Packcloth PFC Free DWR | 210D recycled nylon ripstop with non-PFC durable water-repellent (non-PFC DWR) finish |
North Face Recon
| Capacity | 30 L |
| Weight | 1.2 kg |
| Dimensions | 49×30×19 cm |
| Airline fit | 92% |
| Price | $110 |
Key differences between the Osprey Porter 46 and North Face Recon
- Compression straps: 2 on the Osprey Porter 46; 4 on the North Face Recon.
- Opening: Clamshell on the Osprey Porter 46; Other on the North Face Recon.
- Passport pocket: Top on the Osprey Porter 46; Front on the North Face Recon.
- Luggage passthrough: Yes on the Osprey Porter 46; No on the North Face Recon.
- Backpack straps: Hideable on the Osprey Porter 46; Yes on the North Face Recon.
- Hip belt: Hideable on the Osprey Porter 46; Removable on the North Face Recon.
- Laptop sleeve: 16in on the Osprey Porter 46; 15in on the North Face Recon.
- Main compartments: 4 on the Osprey Porter 46; 3 on the North Face Recon.
- Water bottle pockets: No on the Osprey Porter 46; 2, side on the North Face Recon.
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 57 accept only the North Face Recon.
Only the North Face Recon 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, 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.
Look at these two stalwarts of the travel world, the Osprey Porter 46 and the North Face Recon - both top rated carry-on backpacks, engineered to last. The Osprey Porter 46 is a heavyweight, in more ways than one. At 1.5 pounds, and with a capacity of 46 liters, it's the kind of pack that rewards the dedicated traveler who refuses to compromise on essentials. The nylon build provides durability, while the unique dimensions offer compatibility with 47% of airlines. It's a monster of a pack, capable of carrying more than most, with a laptop compartment that can fit up to a 1-inch laptop.
Onto the North Face Recon, a stylish and multitiered lightweight, scaling 1.12 pounds, and a sleek 30 liters capacity. A variety of materials have been used to create it, including 600D Polyester Toile, 500D Nylon Oxford Slub, 420D Nylon, 210D Cordura® Nylon Ripstop, Polyester Jacquard Camo. With these specs, the Recon can snugly slide into the overhead storage of a whopping 81% of airlines. Its laptop housing is roomier than that of the Porter 46, fitting up to a 15-inch laptop.
Let's compare in detail:
- Weight: The Osprey Porter 46 weighs 1.5 pounds while the North Face Recon is lighter at 1.12 pounds.
- Capacity: The Osprey Porter has a larger capacity (46 liters) compared to the North Face Recon (30 liters).
- Airlines Compatibility: The smart design of the North Face Recon makes it compatible with a larger percentage of airlines (81%) compared to the Osprey Porter 46 (47%).
- Material: The North Face Recon is built from a mix of materials (Polyester, Nylon), offering different strengths while the Osprey Porter 46 is purely nylon.
- Laptop compartment: The North Face Recon has a larger laptop compartment, fitting up to a 15-inch laptop compared to the Porter 46’s 1-inch limit.
The Osprey Porter 46 and North Face Recon contrast in style too. For Porter 46, its design appears rooted in pragmatism, noted for a rugged design that leans to the older school backpacker look. North Face Recon, on the other hand, seems to offer an ideal blend of elegance and versatility. It's recommended for regular commuters who often escape for outdoor adventures on the weekends. Each drawn to a different kind of traveler, these impressive backpacks promise reliable support, no matter the journey ahead.