Osprey Porter 46 vs. Patagonia Black Hole® MLC® 45L
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Feature by feature
| Osprey Porter 46 | Feature | Patagonia Black Hole® MLC® 45L |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 2 | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 1 |
| top | Passport | top |
| Y | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| hideable | Backpack | Y |
| hideable | Hip Belt | N |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 16in | Laptop | 15in |
| 4 | Main Compartments | 5 |
| Y | Organizer | N |
| 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 | 14.1-oz 900-denier 100% postconsumer recycled polyester ripstop with a postindustrial recycled TPU-film laminate |
Patagonia Black Hole® MLC® 45L
| Capacity | 45 L |
| Weight | 1.7 kg |
| Dimensions | 56×37×19 cm |
| Airline fit | 26% |
| Price | $240 |
Key differences between the Osprey Porter 46 and Patagonia Black Hole® MLC® 45L
- Compression straps: 2 on the Osprey Porter 46; No on the Patagonia Black Hole® MLC® 45L.
- Backpack straps: Hideable on the Osprey Porter 46; Yes on the Patagonia Black Hole® MLC® 45L.
- Hip belt: Hideable on the Osprey Porter 46; No on the Patagonia Black Hole® MLC® 45L.
- Laptop sleeve: 16in on the Osprey Porter 46; 15in on the Patagonia Black Hole® MLC® 45L.
- Main compartments: 4 on the Osprey Porter 46; 5 on the Patagonia Black Hole® MLC® 45L.
- Built-in organizer: Yes on the Osprey Porter 46; No on the Patagonia Black Hole® MLC® 45L.
- Water bottle pockets: No on the Osprey Porter 46; 2, side on the Patagonia Black Hole® MLC® 45L.
Both have: passport pocket, luggage passthrough, sternum strap, water resistant.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 48 accept both. 68 accept only the Osprey Porter 46, and 1 accept only the Patagonia Black Hole® MLC® 45L.
Only the Osprey Porter 46 fits
Aer Lingus, Aeroflot, Aeromexico, Air Asia, Air Canada, Air Caraibes, Air Macau, Air Wisconsin, AirAsiaX, Alaska Airlines, All Nipon Airways, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, ANA, Austrian, Avianca , Azerbaijan Airlines, Bahamasair, Bangkok Airways, Biman Bangladesh, Brussels Airlines, Cambodia Angkor Air, Cathay Pacific, Cebu Pacific, China Airlines, CommutAir, Copa Airlines, Czech Airlines, Delta Airlines, Dragonair, Ethiopian Airlines, Eurowings, EVA Air, Fiji Airways, Flair Air, Garuda Indonesia, Gol Linhas Aereas, Hawaiian Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Iberia, Interjet, Iran Air, Japan Airlines, jetBlue Airways, Jetstar Airways, Jetstar Asia, Kulula, LOT Polish, Lufthansa, Mahan Air, Malaysia Airlines, Mango, Mesa Airlines, Norwegian, Peach, Porter Airlines, Qantas Airways, Republic Airways, SAS Scandinavian, Skywest, Inc., South African Airways, SriLankan Airlines, Swiss Int'l Air Lines, Trans States, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, Vietnam Airlines, Virgin Atlantic.
Only the Patagonia Black Hole® MLC® 45L fits
Croatia Air.
The Porter 46 by Osprey and the Black Hole® MLC® 45L by Patagonia are both contenders for the most practical carry on backpack. They are similar in many ways but each offers features that set them apart from the other.
The Osprey Porter 46 is a robust pack with a considerable capacity of 46 liters. It brings with it a high level of durability and versatility. Whether you need to fill it to the brim or cinch it down for a lighter load, it stands up to the rigors of travel. It's compatible with 47% of airlines, so it's a good choice for those who don't mind checking their backpack at times. It's made of sturdy Nylon, includes a laptop compartment that fits up to 15-inch laptops, and is acknowledged by reviewers for its ample space and quality design.
The Patagonia Black Hole® MLC® 45L, on the other hand, pulls ahead in terms of its high compatibility with 91% of airlines. This bag, made of tough 900-denier 100% postconsumer recycled polyester ripstop and 200-denier 100% recycled polyester, is a serious contender for the eco-conscious traveller. It’s slightly heavier than the Porter 46, weighing in at 1.7 pounds but still light enough to not bog you down on your travels. It holds slightly less at 45 liters, but its laptop compartment can handle a 15-inch laptop just as well as the Osprey. Reviewers highlight its versatility, its durability, and its uniquely innovative internal organizing pockets.
Comparison points:
- Both backpacks offer vast capacity (Osprey Porter 46: 46L, Patagonia Black Hole® MLC® 45L :45L)
- Patagonia Black Hole® MLC® 45L is compatible with nearly all airlines, while Osprey Porter 46 lags behind at 47% compatibility
- Both contain a laptop compartment that fits up to 15-inch laptops
- Osprey Porter 46 is constructed with durable Nylon while the Patagonia Black Hole® MLC® 45L is made of 900-denier 100% postconsumer recycled polyester ripstop and 200-denier 100% recycled polyester
- Osprey Porter 46 is slightly lighter (1.5 lbs) compared to Patagonia Black Hole® MLC® 45L (1.7 lbs)
Choose between these two backpacks thoughtfully. The Osprey Porter 46 offers a high storage capacity and sturdy structure. Meanwhile, the Patagonia Black Hole® MLC® 45L shines in terms of material, eco-friendliness, and airline compatibility. In the end, your final selection will come down to your personal travel needs and preferences.