Osprey Porter 46 vs. Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45L
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Feature by feature
| Osprey Porter 46 | Feature | Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45L |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 2 | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 1 |
| top | Passport | side |
| Y | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| hideable | Backpack | hideable |
| hideable | Hip Belt | removable |
| Y | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| 16in | Laptop | N |
| 4 | Main Compartments | 5 |
| Y | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| N | Water Bottle Holder | N |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| bluesign®-approved Recycled 500D Nylon Packcloth PFC Free DWR | 1050 denier ballistic nylon OR ultralight 400d Halcyon/420d nylon ripstop 200 denier Halcyon/nylon ripstop fabric lining |
Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45L
| Capacity | 45 L |
| Weight | 1.4 kg |
| Dimensions | 56×36×23 cm |
| Airline fit | 45% |
| Price | $340 |
Key differences between the Osprey Porter 46 and Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45L
- Compression straps: 2 on the Osprey Porter 46; No on the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45L.
- Passport pocket: Top on the Osprey Porter 46; Side on the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45L.
- Luggage passthrough: Yes on the Osprey Porter 46; No on the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45L.
- Hip belt: Hideable on the Osprey Porter 46; Removable on the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45L.
- Sternum strap: Yes on the Osprey Porter 46; Removable on the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45L.
- Laptop sleeve: 16in on the Osprey Porter 46; No on the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45L.
- Main compartments: 4 on the Osprey Porter 46; 5 on the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45L.
- Built-in organizer: Yes on the Osprey Porter 46; No on the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45L.
Both have: backpack straps, water resistant.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 85 accept both. 31 accept only the Osprey Porter 46, and 0 accept only the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45L.
Only the Osprey Porter 46 fits
Aer Lingus, Aeroflot, Aeromexico, Air Canada, Air Caraibes, All Nipon Airways, ANA, Austrian, Azerbaijan Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Caribbean 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.
When comparing carry-on backpacks, two stand out: the Osprey Porter 46 by Osprey and the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45L by Tom Bihn. Unlike your typical rucksack, carry-on backpacks are designed with the air traveler in mind. They’re compact, feature-packed, and robust enough to withstand the rigors of modern travel.
The Osprey Porter 46, a product of American outdoor gear company Osprey, boasts a generous 46 liters of storage capacity, slightly edging out the Tom Bihn Aeronaut's 45 liters of space. This isn't the only area where the Porter 46 takes the lead. This bag features a 1-inch laptop pocket, whereas the Aeronaut 45L lacks this entirely. Construction quality is key in these products, and the Porter 46 doesn't disappoint. Made of durable nylon, it's built to last.
Points of comparison:
- Height: Osprey Porter 46 (23 inches) vs Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45L (56 inches)
- Width: Both 36 inches
- Depth: Osprey Porter 46 (56 inches) vs Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45L (24 inches)
- Weight: Osprey Porter 46 (1.5 pounds) vs Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45L (1.4 pounds)
- Laptop compartment: Osprey Porter 46 (1-inch) vs Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45L (0 inch)
- Airlines compatibility: Osprey Porter 46 (47%) vs Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45L (92%)
- Material: Osprey Porter 46 (Nylon) vs Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45L (1050d/400d/420d nylon)
In contrast, the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45L, is a product of the eponymous Seattle-based company. This bag avoids the nylon conventionally used in backpacks for higher grade materials, namely 1050 denier ballistic nylon and ultralight 400d Halcyon/420d nylon ripstop with a 200d Halcyon/nylon ripstop lining. The bag weighs slightly less than its Osprey rival, coming in at 1.4 pounds while the Porter 46 weighs 1.5 pounds. However, the Aeronaut excels in terms of compatibility with airlines, being accepted by 92% compared to the Porter's 46% compatibility.
In conclusion, while the Osprey Porter 46 prioritizes storage capacity and laptop carriage, the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45L places a higher emphasis on material quality and airline compliance. Ultimately, the buyer's choice depends on personal preference and travel needs. Both backpacks are outstanding in their own right and command a high degree of respect in the crowded field of carry-on luggage.