Osprey Porter 46 vs. Millican Mathew

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 46FeatureMillican Mathew
Storage
S Compression N
None Expanded Capacity None
4 Opening 0
N Passport N
N Passthrough N
Carry
H Backpack
H Hip Belt N
H Sternum Strap N
Inside
1 Laptop 15
3 Main Compartments 4
N Organizer N
Outside
× Hard Shell ×
N Rain-fly
0 Water Bottle Holder
Y Water Resistant Y
Material
Nylon100% organic cotton canvas outer (weatherproofed)Waterproof 100% recycled polyester rain cover100% organic cotton lining70% vegetable tanned leather.

Millican Mathew

Front facing view of the Millican Mathew
Capacity22 L
Weight1.2 kg
Dimensions40×33×15 cm
Airline fit99%
Price$180

The Osprey Porter 46 and the Millican Mathew are two high-quality carry-on backpack options for those seeking streamlined and durable travel gear. Despite several similarities, there are key differences between the two, mostly around size, materials, and airline compatibility.

The Osprey Porter 46, a bigger pack by far, outperforms on size and storage space with a height of 23 inches, a width of 36 inches, and a depth of 56 inches. It also has a great capacity of 46 litres. But great things come with weight, and at 1.5 pounds, it's a bit heavier than the Millian Mathew. The Porter 46's most winning feature, however, is its durable nylon makeup. On the downside, its size only makes it compatible with 47% of airlines, which could potentially limit your travel options.

Comparatively, the Millican Mathew stands out as a lighter, slimmer pack, tipping the scales at only 1.2 pounds. Its dimensions measure to 40 inches tall, 33 inches wide, and 15 inches deep, with a more modest capacity of 22 liters. Mathew's edge is its construction made from 100% organically sourced materials, including cotton canvas outer, recycled polyester for rain protection, organic cotton lining and vegetable tanned leather. Additionally, its compact size makes it a more universally accepted carry-on, with impressive 99% airline compatibility.

Each pack also comes with laptop compartments, but the Porter 46 only fits a 1-inch laptop compared to Mathew’s 15-inch. As all gear comes down to personal preference and travel requirements, it's worth noting the porter's spacious interior, compression straps preventing a sloppy look and lightweight design. The Mathew, on the contrary, offers planet-friendly materials and smaller, more convenient size.

Here’s a quick rundown of the key differences:

In conclusion, both these backpacks are well praised, bringing unique features to the table. The choice between them depends on individual needs: whether you value space and durability or seek lighter weight, ethically sourced materials, and broader airline compatibility.