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 | ||
| S | Compression | S |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 4 | Opening | 0 |
| N | Passport | N |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| H | Backpack | S |
| H | Hip Belt | S |
| H | Sternum Strap | S |
| Inside | ||
| 1 | Laptop | 15 |
| 3 | Main Compartments | 2 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 0 | Water Bottle Holder | 2 |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| Nylon | 600D Polyester Toile, 500D Nylon Oxford Slub, 420D Nylon, 210D Cordura® Nylon Ripstop, Polyester Jacquard Camo |
North Face Recon
| Capacity | 30 L |
| Weight | 1.12 kg |
| Dimensions | 49×33×18 cm |
| Airline fit | 81% |
| Price | $100 |
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.