Osprey Porter 46 vs. Thule Crossover 32L
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Feature by feature
| Osprey Porter 46 | Feature | Thule Crossover 32L |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 2 | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 0 |
| top | Passport | Y |
| Y | Passthrough | |
| Carry | ||
| hideable | Backpack | Y |
| hideable | Hip Belt | N |
| Y | Sternum Strap | N |
| 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 | Dobby nylon |
Key differences between the Osprey Porter 46 and Thule Crossover 32L
- Compression straps: 2 on the Osprey Porter 46; No on the Thule Crossover 32L.
- Opening: Clamshell on the Osprey Porter 46; Other on the Thule Crossover 32L.
- Passport pocket: Top on the Osprey Porter 46; Yes on the Thule Crossover 32L.
- Backpack straps: Hideable on the Osprey Porter 46; Yes on the Thule Crossover 32L.
- Hip belt: Hideable on the Osprey Porter 46; No on the Thule Crossover 32L.
- Sternum strap: Yes on the Osprey Porter 46; No on the Thule Crossover 32L.
- Laptop sleeve: 16in on the Osprey Porter 46; 15in on the Thule Crossover 32L.
- Main compartments: 4 on the Osprey Porter 46; 1 on the Thule Crossover 32L.
- Water bottle pockets: No on the Osprey Porter 46; 2 on the Thule Crossover 32L.
Both have: 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. 24 accept both. 92 accept only the Osprey Porter 46, and 1 accept only the Thule Crossover 32L.
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, Island 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, Sun Country, 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 Thule Crossover 32L fits
Croatia Air.
The Osprey Porter 46 and the Thule Crossover 32L both provide spacious accommodations for urban travelers and adventurers alike with a keen eye on utility and comfort. Yet, their key differences lie in size, weight, material, and airline compatibility, catering to a variety of specific needs and preferences.
The Osprey Porter 46, constructed with sturdy nylon, is dimensionally larger but comparably lightweight at 1.5 pounds. This stout backpack boasts a whopping 46 liters of capacity, perfect for those who inevitably carry more. One of its distinctive features is a laptop compartment that can house a 15-inch laptop. However, due to its size, it’s compatible with 47% of airlines, thus making it less versatile for travelers who frequently fly with various carriers.
On the other hand, the Thule Crossover 32L, made of dobby nylon, has a slim profile which makes it more airline-friendly with an 88% compatibility rate. It may offer a smaller capacity of 32 liters but it weighs lighter, tipping the scales at just 1 pound. Thule also incorporates a laptop compartment which can hold a 15-inch mobile computer, similar to its Osprey counterpart.
In a nutshell, here are their key differences in bullet points for comparison:
-
Osprey Porter 46
- Larger: 23 inches tall, 36 inches wide, and 56 inches deep
- Weighs 1.5 pounds
- Offers a hefty 46 liters of capacity
- Compatible with 47% of airlines
- Made of sturdy nylon, features a laptop compartment that fits a 15-inch laptop
-
Thule Crossover 32L
- Slimmer: 47 inches tall, 31 inches wide, and 32 inches deep
- Weighs only 1 pound
- Offers a handy 32 liters of capacity
- Compatible with a wider range of airlines at 88%
- Constructed using dobby nylon, also comes with a laptop compartment that fits a 15-inch laptop
If you're a light traveler or commute frequently, you might consider the Thule Crossover 32L for its airline compatibility and less weight. However, if you lean towards carrying more or heading for one long trip after another, the Osprey Porter 46 is a majestic beast that doesn’t compromise space for quality and durability.