Osprey Porter 46 vs. Nomatic Mckinnon Camera Pack
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Feature by feature
| Osprey Porter 46 | Feature | Nomatic Mckinnon Camera Pack |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 2 | Compression | Y |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 1 |
| top | Passport | Y |
| Y | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| hideable | Backpack | Y |
| hideable | Hip Belt | removable |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 16in | Laptop | 15in |
| 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 DWR | Tarpaulin material |
Nomatic Mckinnon Camera Pack
| Capacity | 35 L |
| Weight | 2.6 kg |
| Dimensions | 56×35×23 cm |
| Airline fit | 46% |
| Price | $400 |
Key differences between the Osprey Porter 46 and Nomatic Mckinnon Camera Pack
- Compression straps: 2 on the Osprey Porter 46; Yes on the Nomatic Mckinnon Camera Pack.
- Passport pocket: Top on the Osprey Porter 46; Yes on the Nomatic Mckinnon Camera Pack.
- Backpack straps: Hideable on the Osprey Porter 46; Yes on the Nomatic Mckinnon Camera Pack.
- Hip belt: Hideable on the Osprey Porter 46; Removable on the Nomatic Mckinnon Camera Pack.
- Laptop sleeve: 16in on the Osprey Porter 46; 15in on the Nomatic Mckinnon Camera Pack.
- Main compartments: 4 on the Osprey Porter 46; 1 on the Nomatic Mckinnon Camera Pack.
- Built-in organizer: Yes on the Osprey Porter 46; No on the Nomatic Mckinnon Camera Pack.
- Water bottle pockets: No on the Osprey Porter 46; 2 on the Nomatic Mckinnon Camera Pack.
Both have: 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. 86 accept both. 30 accept only the Osprey Porter 46, and 0 accept only the Nomatic Mckinnon Camera Pack.
Only the Osprey Porter 46 fits
Aer Lingus, Aeroflot, Aeromexico, Air Canada, Air Caraibes, All Nipon Airways, ANA, Austrian, Azerbaijan Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Czech Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, Eurowings, Fiji Airways, Flair Air, Gol Linhas Aereas, Iberia, Interjet, Iran Air, Japan Airlines, LOT Polish, Lufthansa, Mahan Air, Mesa Airlines, Norwegian, Peach, Porter Airlines, SAS Scandinavian, Swiss Int'l Air Lines, Turkish Airlines.
The Osprey Porter 46 and the Nomatic Mckinnon Camera Pack both come highly recommended but serve different purposes as a carry-on backpack. The Porter 46, as its name implies, offers a hefty 46 liters of capacity which is ideal for the over-packer or long trip traveler. Reviewers rave about its "big pack with a big capacity," and its ability to "cinch it down" making it a very adaptable travel companion. In contrast, the Mckinnon Camera Pack is particularly geared towards the photography crowd, with a 35-liter capacity and specialized organization for camera gear. Its ingenious design allows for a "plethora of configuration options and expansions available," making it adaptable to a traveler's changing needs.
*Dimensions: Both are 23 inches tall, with the Porter 46 being an inch wider. *Weight: The Porter 46 is lighter, weighing in at 1.5 pounds compared to Mckinnon's 2.6 pounds. *Capacity: The Porter 46 holds a larger capacity of 46 liters, while the Mckinnon Camera Pack stands at 35 liters. *Airline Compatibility: The Mckinnon Camera Pack boasts a compatibility with 97% of airlines, whereas the Porter 46 is compatible with 47% of airlines. *Material: While the Porter 46 is made of durable nylon, the Mckinnon Camera Pack is constructed from robust Tarpaulin material. *Laptop Compartment: The Porter 46 has space for a 1-inch laptop, while the Mckinnon Camera Pack can fit a 15-inch laptop.
Buyers might lean towards the Porter 46 for its spaciousness, clamshell opening for convenient packing, and lightweight design. The compression strap is a bonus, preventing the bag from looking sloppy. On the other hand, lovers of the Mckinnon Camera Pack praise it for its superior comfort, organization compartments, and expandability feature. The added RFID pocket offers a layer of security for your personal information, and its camera compartment is highly rated for organization and protection.
It's a close call for sure, and your choice between the two would certainly depend on your specific needs and predilections. Perhaps what sets these backpacks apart in their class is their respective specializations - the Porter 46 is the sturdy, no-nonsense workhorse, while the Mckinnon Camera Pack is the agile, sleek, and highly practical bag for the modern tech-savvy or photography enthusiast traveler. Both are clearly top-notch in their class.