Osprey Porter 46 vs. Tom Bihn Smart Alec
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Feature by feature
| Osprey Porter 46 | Feature | Tom Bihn Smart Alec |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| S | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 4 | Opening | 0 |
| N | Passport | |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| H | Backpack | S |
| H | Hip Belt | R |
| H | Sternum Strap | R |
| Inside | ||
| 1 | Laptop | 17 |
| 3 | Main Compartments | 0 |
| N | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 0 | Water Bottle Holder | 0 |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| Nylon | |
Tom Bihn Smart Alec
| Capacity | 26 L |
| Weight | 0.9 kg |
| Dimensions | 47×30×21 cm |
| Airline fit | 98% |
| Price | $190 |
First up, we've got the Osprey Porter 46. At 23 inches tall, 36 inches wide, and 56 inches deep, it's somewhat of a behemoth as far as carry-on backpacks go. There's a whoppin' 46 liters of room for all your stuff, so filling it up is a challenge and a half. Its Nylon skin is tough and can stand up to some serious wear and tear. Plus, the Porter has a laptop compartment that'll snugly fit a 1-inch laptop. One downside is it's only compatible with 47% of airlines. You've got a 50-50 chance of finding a cabin space that'll take this bruiser.
Then there's the Tom Bihn Smart Alec. This guy's a little smaller at 47 inches tall, 30 inches wide and 21 inches deep, but don't let that fool you. Weighing in at 0.9 pounds, it's a lightweight contender that's compact but packs a punch with 26 liters capacity. The laptop compartment is built to squeeze in a 17 inch model. The best part is it can hop aboard 98% airlines without issues.
Here's a shorthand comparison of the two:
- Size: Osprey Porter is larger (23x36x56) than Tom Bihn (47x30x21)
- Weight: The Osprey is heavier (1.5lbs) than the Tom Bihn (0.9lbs)
- Capacity: Osprey Porter has a larger capacity (46L) than Tom Bihn (26L)
- Material: Osprey Porter is made of Nylon while the Tom Bihn doesn't specify
- Laptop Compartment: The Osprey fits a 1-inch laptop whereas the Tom Bihn can hold a 17-incher
- Airline Compatibility: The Osprey is compatible with 47% of airlines while the Tom Bihn makes friends with 98%.
The Osprey Porter 46 is the pack to pick if you're hauling a lot of gear and need space above all else. It's a sturdy fellow that'll take a lot of punishment, and its compression strap helps keep everything nice and tidy. All that size and sturdiness does come with a downside as its only compatible with 47% of airlines. You'll need to do some research tentimes you're booking your flights.
On the other hand, the Tom Bihn Smart Alec makes up for what it lacks in size with its easy portability, and the huge compatibility rating with most airlines. It's durable and light, and has a sleek, minimalistic design that you can spruce up as you see fit. The only hitch lies in its smaller size, but if you're a pack light kind , it's more than sufficient.