Osprey Porter 46 vs. Nomatic Travel Pack

Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.

Osprey Porter 46

Front facing view of the Osprey Porter 46
Capacity46 L
Weight1.5 kg
Dimensions56×36×23 cm
Airline fit47%
Price$150

Feature by feature

Osprey Porter 46FeatureNomatic Travel Pack
Storage
S Compression N
None Expanded Capacity None
4 Opening 1
N Passport N
N Passthrough Y
Carry
H Backpack H
H Hip Belt N
H Sternum Strap S
Inside
1 Laptop 15
3 Main Compartments 4
N Organizer N
Outside
× Hard Shell ×
N Rain-fly N
0 Water Bottle Holder 1
Y Water Resistant Y
Material
NylonKodra 500D Tarpaulin

Nomatic Travel Pack

Front facing view of the Nomatic Travel Pack
Capacity20 L
Weight1.6 kg
Dimensions47×30×13 cm
Airline fit98%
Price$220

The Osprey Porter 46 and the Nomatic Travel Pack are both top-notch carry-on backpacks. Both present great options for the savvy traveler, but each comes laden with unique features that make them stand out. A battle of the titans in backpack manufacturing, Osprey and Nomatic go head to head with these two behemoths of portable packing solutions. Here, I'll take a deep dive into their distinctive features to decypher which one may best serve your travel needs.

First off, the Osprey Porter 46. A beast of capacity, the Porter is Osprey's offering to those who like or need to load up their pack. Weighing in at 1.5 pounds, this lofty 46-litre pack stands 23 inches high, 36 inches wide, and 56 inches deep. Made of durable nylon material, it boasts a laptop compartment compatible with a 15-inch laptop. Note that compatibility with airlines may vary, matching 47% carrier dimensions.

Moving on to the Nomatic Travel Pack. A slick offering to the modern, urban traveler, the Travel Pack sports a suave look with standout features. It weighs slightly more than its Osprey counterpart at 1.6 pounds but lags behind in capacity, offering only 20 liters. Its dimensions of 47 inches in height, 30 inches in width, and 13 inches depth is impressive. It's made from Kodra 500D Tarpaulin material and fits a 15-inch laptop. And here's the kicker; it is compatible with a whopping 98% of airlines.

The Osprey Porter 46, according to a reviewer, is a "big pack with a big capacity... a durable option for those who tend to carry more". Meanwhile, the Nomatic Travel Pack was viewed as a "20- to 30-liter expandable backpack that looks good but lacks some functionality where it matters most". In essence, adventurers in need of massive capacity may tilt towards the Porter 46, while the urban traveler who values style and broad-airline compatibility may lean more towards the Nomatic Travel Pack. The choice is yours. These are two magnificent options, each catering to varying travel needs.