Osprey Porter 46 vs. Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45L

Sure, let's dive in and dissect these carry on backpack behemoths. Both these packs claim to be a traveler's best compadre, and they each have their strengths. The Osprey Porter 46 is a pack that likes to swagger a bit. It's a big boy, tipping in at 46 liters and boasting dimensions of 23 inches tall, 36 inches wide, and a depth of 56 inches. And why wouldn't it strut when it only weighs 1.5 pounds? On the flip side, we've got the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45L, sitting pretty at 56 inches tall, 36 inches wide, and 24 inches deep. She's slender but not by much, weighing in at 1.4 pounds.

Now, these packs weren't just designed for carrying gear, they were designed to carry your gear while being flown across the globe. According to the spec sheet, the Osprey Porter 46 claims compatibility with 47% of airlines, whereas Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45L states it's suitable with 92% of airlines folks. So, if you're planning on globetrotting, you might want to consider this.

Bill of Comparison:

• Capacity: Osprey has a tad more at 46 liters compared to Tom Bihn's 45 liters
• Weight: Osprey tips the scales at 1.5 pounds while Tom Bihn comes in lighter at 1.4 pounds
• Size: Osprey is 23"x36"x56" while Tom Bihn is taller at 56"x36"x24"
• Material: Osprey sports Nylon whereas Tom Bihn took the heavy hitter route with 1050 denier ballistic nylon or ultralight 400d Halcyon/420d nylon ripstop 200 denier Halcyon/nylon ripstop fabric lining.

Keeping on, let's talk about your tech. The Osprey Porter 46 loves your gear, providing a laptop compartment for a 1-inch laptop. Unfortunately, Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45L doesn't reciprocate this love, their laptop compartment sits at a big goose egg of 0 inches. Reviewers have sung praises for both of these packs, with one saying of the Osprey Porter 46: "For better or worse, the Osprey Porter 46 is a big pack with a big capacity." Another reviewer noted the Aeronaut 45's durability, stating "It’s a big, durable, workhorse that boasts versatility from trail to train station and beyond."

So, who wins? Depends on what you're after. If space and compatibility with airlines is your thing, then the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45L may be your dance partner. But if you pack heavy and need something to take it all, the Osprey Porter 46 offers commendable suspension, spaciousness, and fast, convenient packing/unpacking mechanism. Either way, you've got two solid options in your corner. Choose your champion.