Osprey Porter 46 vs. Ortlieb Atrack CR

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

Osprey Porter 46

by Osprey
Front facing view of the Osprey Porter 46
Capacity46 L
Weight1.5 kg
Dimensions55×36×23 cm
Airline fit61%
Price$185

Feature by feature

Storage
2 Compression N
None Expanded Capacity None
1 Opening 0
top Passport N
Y Passthrough N
Carry
hideable Backpack Y
hideable Hip Belt removable
Y Sternum Strap Y
Inside
16in Laptop N
4 Main Compartments 1
Y Organizer N
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 DWRPS33

Ortlieb Atrack CR

by Ortlieb
Front facing view of the Ortlieb Atrack CR
Capacity25 L
Weight1.22 kg
Dimensions56×26×25 cm
Airline fit27%
Price$265

Key differences between the Osprey Porter 46 and Ortlieb Atrack CR

Both have: 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. 49 accept both. 67 accept only the Osprey Porter 46, and 2 accept only the Ortlieb Atrack CR.

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, 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 Ortlieb Atrack CR fits

Croatia Air, Great Lakes Airlines.

When it comes to backpacks, the devil is in the details. Thus, let's examine two high quality, carry-on options: the Osprey Porter 46 and the Ortlieb Atrack CR. The Osprey Porter 46 is a beast of a pack, towering at 23 inches tall, 36 inches wide, and 56 inches deep. It's bigger size is also paired with larger capacity, as it can hold up to 46 liters. The trade-off is that it weighs slightly more than the Ortlieb at 1.5 pounds. The pack is made of durable nylon material and has a wide range of airline compatibility, approximately 47% of airlines to be exact. For those who travel with technology, rest assured because your one-inch laptop will fit snugly in the Porter's dedicated compartment.

On the other hand, the Ortlieb Atrack CR, hailing from a German legacy of high-quality gear, is a blend of daypack and travel duffle. It's a bit taller than the Porter, standing at 25 inches, but more narrow with a 26 inch width. The Atrack CR has a holding capacity of 25 liters, almost half of the Porter, but weighs slightly less at 1.22 pounds. This pack is crafted from PS33, a tough and resilient material. It's compatible with 38% of airlines, and unfortunately lacks a dedicated compartment for laptops.

Here's a quick comparison:

Now, it's not just about the nuts and bolts. Generally, users find the Porter's massive capacity beneficial, along with its clamshell opening for speedy packing. However, they didn't miss the Porter's additional weight, which, in comparison to the Atrack CR, is noticeable.

Then there's the Ortlieb Atrack CR. Users seem to love its adjustable harness system for a perfect fit, along with its top-notch durability and weatherproofing. Though it lacks the Porter's expansive room, it makes up for it in comfort, ruggedness, and a few extra points for its eco-friendly manufacturing. The choice all depends on what you value more in a travel pack.